The Amal Effect: Oscar de la Renta's Gown Is the Talk of Bridal Fashion Week

While Bridal Fashion Week roars on, it is not surprising that the most requested wedding dress silhouette thus far has been the one worn by Amal Alamuddin for her nuptials to George Clooney. The newlywed’s custom Oscar de la Renta creation—an off-the-shoulder floor-length ivory gown appliquéd with fourteen yards of Chantilly lace that was hand embroidered with beading and crystals—was certainly impressive, but as of right now the brides-to-be are specifically drawn to its regal circle train.

Courtesy of Marchesa

“Her gown had the grandness of a ball gown, yet with a soft, narrower shape,” says Mark Ingram, owner of the eponymous New York bridal salon, who instantly started getting calls about the dramatic silhouette. “A train like that lends an air of importance to any gown.”

ImaxTree Jenny Packham

Wedding enthusiasts will recall that Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen gown also featured a grandiose circle train, as did the Norman Hartwell-designed confection that her grandma-in-law Queen Elizabeth II wore in 1947. Fortunately this season designers Marchesa, Inbal Dror, and Romona Keveza (to name a few) have provided elegantly modern options for Fall 2015.

Courtesy of Marchesa

Famed famed wedding planner Marcy Blum says that for those who are keen to wear this look on their big day should plan on bringing a backup dress for shimmying the night away. A train of this proportion is generally just reserved for the ceremony and seated reception. “It’s a heavy gown that clearly was not made to be bustled,” she says. “It’s worn for a classic wedding portrait, and if a bride wants to dance she has to change, as evidenced by the new Mrs. Clooney who wore a short fringed party dress also by Oscar de la Renta.”

ImaxTree Isabelle Armstrong

Should you not want to spring for two dresses, Ingram says there are other ways to emulate the look with aplomb. “In addition to the circle train, the just off-the-shoulder neckline is a trend showing up all over this market,” he says. “Oscar’s rendition has made this neckline young and fresh again. It highlighted Amal’s graceful collarbone and neckline perfectly!”