Whether it’s a princess gown or a sleek sheath, finding the wedding dress that makes you feel like a bride comes with many considerations. One of the biggest? Selecting the right shade of white. From crisp diamond white to supple eggshell, traditional bridal whites run the gamut with differing undertones, tints, and hues. Such a large yet subtle shade range can be daunting for even the most colour-astute amongst us, but we've got you covered.
We consulted with bridal boutique owners as well as our bridal designers, to break down the difference between stark white, natural white, and ivory—and share their tips for deciding which is right for you.
Stark White
The brightest white, stark white is typically bleached to get its crisp tint and is best achieved with synthetic fabrics (satins, taffetas, and polyester blends). The hue is known to pick up the colours of its surroundings but can appear too electric for some tastes. Over the years stark white has become less popular as brides favour more universally flattering shades, and experts expect the colour to continue to fade in popularity.
Natural White
Also called “diamond white" or “silk white,” this is the whitest shade natural fibres can achieve. It falls between stark and ivory and features a little less warmth than ivory. Some women worry that because it isn't the whitest of whites, it won't look as bridal, but a good natural never fails.
Natural white tends to photograph the same as stark white (minus any unwanted blue notes) but is much more flattering to a wide range of skin tones, especially ones with yellow undertones.
Ivory
Often referred to as “eggshell,” this hue has quickly become the most popular shade of white for modern brides. The creamy colour adds a level of luxury while still photographing it as white. Some ivory gowns have yellow undertones rather than a pure white appearance.
If selecting ivory over a traditional white makes you nervous, experts insist marketing and word choice have everything to do with the allure and not as much to do with the actual hue. People tend to assume all ivories always have a yellow or nude tint. But to the naked eye, most brides think ivory is natural white on the rack until told otherwise.
At Bride Now, we think for all the brides and that is the reason we have kept our dress colour ivory. It is the most flattering colour and when in doubt, stick to ivory.
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