Community Corner

Post-Royal Wedding: Will Area Brides Go For Middleton-Like Gowns?

One area bridal shop owner is curious to see if McHenry County brides will be requesting more long-sleeved traditional gowns with high necklines like the one wore by Kate Middleton.

The front-window mannequin at one area bridal shop will soon have a whole new look.

Following the reveal of Kate Middleton’s dress this morning, Kathryn Trocki, of Kathryn’s Bridal in McHenry, said she planned to change her mannequins into  more classic, long-sleeved gowns.

“It’s been strapless for so long,” Trocki said. “It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. I am sure it’s going to spark an interest.”

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Middleton married Prince William in a ceremony watched by billions this morning. Photographs of her dress – and news about the nuptials -- are all over news outlets and the Internet. Kate Middleton wedding dress” is one of the top-searched phrases for search engines. 

Middleton’s dress had a high neckline and long lace sleeves -- details not highly sought after for American brides right now, Trocki said.  In recent years, U.S. brides have been walking down the aisle in strapless and more fitted styles.

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“We have definitely seen a high interest in the traditional lace,” Trocki said. "And we do have a couple gowns with some lace sleeves but not quite as fully covered as (Middleton) was.”

Trocki is eager to see if trends will change for area brides—and what they will be requesting to try on post-royal wedding.

“It will kind of be a wait-and-see on what brides are looking for,” she said.

She is also curious to see what designers will come up with for upcoming lines.

“I would hope we would see more of a return of that very elegant classic-traditional in bridal,” she said.

But her most-immediate action: A Middleton-inspired makeover for those mannequins.

“I am definitely going to be changing those mannequins and getting them into the windows today,” Trocki said.


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