4 Grad Dress Trends

White Wash

If bright colours aren't your thing, try a gown in classic white. “Make a statement in white: clean, always classic and sophisticated,” advises Monti Samuel, director of sales and marketing for Blush Bridal. To play up this timeless colour (or non-colour) without looking too bridal, add some brightly coloured or metallic accessories. If white still feels too glaring, or if you have a paler skin tone, go for a dress in an ivory or off-white shade.

Celebrity inspiration
Kate Hudson presenting at the Golden Globes in a white Marchesa gown (Photo ©HFPA)

Be Bold

It wasn’t just wild prints that garnered attention on this season’s runways; bright colours also stole their share of the spotlight. “Yellow was the colour shown most this year,” says Karen Karras, manager of Bryan’s Bride. Adds Monti: “Bright colours: pinks, teals and yellows popped at the shows, brightening an interesting year and illuminating a positive 2010. Be bold this season, embrace colour!”

Celebrity inspiration
Diane Kruger at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in a mustard yellow Jason Wu gown. (Photo: image.net)

Go for the Gold

Perhaps inspired by the Olympics, a major trend on runways this season was sparkly dresses in an array of gold fabrics. “Gold is a key colour for the season,” says Monti. “There are styles borrowing from the 80s with shimmer, sparkle and fringes. We saw celebs like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood really leading the way with these styles.”

Celebrity inspiration
Penélope Cruz goes for the gold at the Rome premiere of Nine. (Photo: image.net)

The Cold Shoulder

A popular look on red carpets this year, single-shouldered and strapless dresses are set to show off those arms and shoulders while baring just enough skin. “One-shouldered dresses and cut-outs are very much in vogue,” confirms Monti. “Look for soft draping over the shoulder in flowing materials like satin and chiffon or more avant-garde like our Nicole Miller dresses with full ruffles coming over the shoulder adding a feminine yet thoroughly modern look.”

Celebrity inspiration
Avatar’s Zoe Saldana on the Golden Globes red carpet in a bright pink shoulder-baring Louis Vuitton gown. (Photo © HFPA)