The little white dress has always been more than a trend
Once a symbol of rebellion, now a fixture of bridal fashion, the little white dress has gone from courthouse ceremonies to couture runways—and it’s here to stay.
For decades, the little white dress (LWD) has been the understated sibling of the sweeping bridal gown—less about grandeur, more about confidence and ease. Today, it’s no longer reserved for civil ceremonies or low-key weddings. Brides across the globe are making it a central part of their wedding wardrobes, whether for the ceremony, the reception, or the after-party.
From Demi Lovato’s custom off-the-shoulder Idan Cohen mini at her May nuptials to Charli XCX’s corseted Vivienne Westwood number for her July wedding, the bridal minidress has become just as iconic as the full-length gown. Playful yet polished, it’s redefining what it means to walk down the aisle in style.
The LWD first made waves in the 1960s, during a time of cultural transformation. As hemlines rose and silhouettes loosened, brides like Sharon Tate, Yoko Ono, and Jane Fonda embraced the minidress for their weddings, challenging traditional bridal norms. Tate wore hers for her London wedding to Roman Polanski, while Ono paired a tiered white mini with knee-high socks, a floppy hat, and sneakers—an unconventional yet utterly memorable bridal look.
Over the decades, the LWD evolved from countercultural statement to high-fashion favourite. Shorter hemlines began appearing not just as playful reception pieces but as statement-making ceremony looks, offering a fresh alternative to the traditional floor-length gown. Designers embraced the silhouette for its ability to be both timeless and forward-thinking, allowing brides to express their personality while staying effortlessly chic.
Even before its bridal moment, the little white dress had roots in fashion history. While Coco Chanel made the Little Black Dress a style essential in the 1920s, the LWD quietly claimed its own space. In the flapper era, its lightness and simplicity fit perfectly with the free-spirited energy of the time—a break from the restrictive gowns of earlier decades.
Modern-day brides continue to put their own spin on the look. Hailey Bieber wore a romantic off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood mini for her rehearsal dinner, while Corrine Fox opted for a corseted lace tube dress for her wedding festivities. Demi Lovato’s final wedding look was an off-the-shoulder mini by Idan Cohen that exuded both glamour and ease.
And then there’s Charli XCX, who brought her signature edge to the trend without sacrificing elegance. For her first bridal look, the hitmaker opted for a surprisingly timeless ensemble, stepping out in Vivienne Westwood’s iconic ‘Nova Cora’ mini dress. The silhouette—a signature Westwood corset bodice with an off-the-shoulder neckline and softly draped mini skirt—struck the perfect balance between classic and cool, proving the minidress can be both fashion-forward and wedding-appropriate.
The little white dress is no longer an accessory to the “main event” gown—for many brides, it is the moment. It blends ease with elegance, tradition with a wink of rebellion. Whether worn for vows under the sun, an all-night dance floor, or the final toast of the evening, it’s a piece that can live beyond the wedding day, making appearances at anniversaries, parties, and holiday getaways.
Lead Image: Pinterest
Also read: Bandhani outfits made for serial wedding attendees
Also read: Runway to aisle: The stylists redefining Indian bridal fashion