Fashion Fit for Royalty

One of the biggest stories circling the royal nuptials is the mystery behind Kate Middleton's dress. Her designer as well as the dress itself has been kept a secret throughout the entire planning process and many of us are anxiously waiting to see what it will look like!

Brides.com Editor in Chief Julie Raimondi offered her expectations for the mystery gown this morning on "The Early Show". This morning's show featured a mini fashion show of designer gowns modeled after what many think will mirror Kate's gown. Designers are already putting together new designs and trends into their 2012 lines to market to the many upcoming brides looking for a gown truly fit for royalty. 

"Kate's dress will be an important dress and one that will be talked about forever, but her wedding is already changing the bridal market," says Raimondi. So what styles are catching this newly found royal fever?

[CBS News]

TREND #1: CINDERELLA BALLGOWN (aka -- the formal ball gown)

This classic grand tulle ball gown, which we saw all over the runway and is clearly a result of royal fever. This one is by Alfred Angelo and features a crystal beaded top with layers and layers of tulle at the bottom. The top features enough embellishments to match the grandness of the bottom.

www.shibawi.com

TREND #2: WEDDING HATS
Probably the most exciting, and fun, trend we're seeing is the explosion of the wedding fascinator. When the focus is on a signature accessory, it's important to keep the gown simple and sleek. A simple mermaid gown paired with sleek lines and a modern edge showcases the playfulness of a hat. We predict hats won't solely be worn by the wedding guests, but by brides, as an interesting and intricate alternative to veils.

TREND # 3: EMBELLISHMENTS (formal gowns with intricate adornments)
A royal wedding inspires a return to the formal. This is a gown by Lazaro, and represents the trend of over-the-top embellishments. In recent years, wedding gowns have really paired down, so this is something very different -- it's all about beading and lace and sparkle, along with a formal silhouette, so the effect is very "more-is-more," and it's something we saw a whole lot of in the 2012 collections.
When Princess Diana came out in the voluminous princess ball gown with puffy sleeves and layers of tulle, it became the new "standard." The David and Elizabeth Emmanuel gown was made of 275 yards of pearl-studded silk taffeta, tulle, and netting. It was a lot -- even for the '80s! Thankfully, today's princess ball gowns are toned down, but will always epitomize royal weddings, since gowns must be big and grand to suit a cathedral setting. 

TREND #4: SLEEVES

This is a huge departure from what wedding gowns have looked like for the past 10 years, and it's all about the sleeve. Getting married in Westminster Abbey, Kate's gown will likely have sleeves, and that has inspired sleeved gowns to pop up in almost every line. The body of the gown is simple and flattering, and all the styling is around the arms and neck, making this a very formal look, and surprisingly sexy.
This is also reminiscent of another royal wedding when, in 1956, Grace Kelly went from Hollywood star to real-life princess in a fairy-tale gown by MGM costume designer Helen Rose. The dress was made from 125-year-old Valenciennes rose point lace, 25 yards of silk taffeta, and 98 yards of tulle, and the veil was covered with lace appliquïe lovebirds and thousands of pearls. It was very ornate, without being too much.  

TREND #5 - GRAND TRAINS (aka "the return of the train!")

 Douglas Hannant designed a gown that features a 12-foot tulle train. Princess Diana's train was 25 feet, so you can imagine what a spectacle that was. We don't expect Kate to go that distance, but she will have a grand train which, like the ball gown, is almost crucial to fill up the space of Westminster Abbey. This kind of statement gown would do just that. Although it's much too daring on top for a royal wedding, it epitomizes the grand, fabulous, over-the-top and super-sexy gowns from the 2012 lines that scream princess fantasy!

Is your dress featured in this list of "Royal Fever" styles? Tell us about it! And if you've already married, share your photos! After all...you wouldn't want to ruin the surprise! = )