Last season, we saw the first bridal tuxedo walk down the aisle during Bridal Week at Sarah Jassir, along with Theia’s chic white pantsuit during a preview. This season, the two design houses have come back with similar styles, and other designers have followed suit.
Offering the tux as a bridal option is becoming more popular as marriage equality bills enter states’ legislations. And while all of the bridal suits that the designers are creating hug the female form, as opposed to a masculine fit that many andro lesbians crave, it creates a nice bridge between the dress and the tux, a wedding industry platform that didn’t exist even a year ago. “A woman in a tuxedo makes a fashion statement,” says designer Sarah Jassir. “Designing a tuxedo is very much in keeping haute couture.” For brides who want to “feel like a bride,” yet may not feel quite themselves in a dress, the bridal tuxedos and pantsuits we saw at Bridal Week are an ideal option.
Don O’Neill, the design genius behind Theia and advocate for the LGBT community, says it’s important to offer women an alternative to the traditional wedding gown. “I was designing for the sophisticated girl, who is just as cool and chic and wouldn’t be caught dead in a dress,” he tells us.
Here are four looks we saw at market that fall in the middle of the butch/femme spectrum:
Remy ($3,500) from Sarah Jassir
The fitted sequin jacket glams up the slim cut taffeta trousers for a look that exudes red carpet glamour.
Indiana from Carolina Herrera
The smooth ivory cotton-and-silk Mikado blazer, tailored to perfection, features duchess satin detail and paired with creamy silk crepe pants and an ivory lace-and-organza blouse with bow detail.
Look 19 from Oscar de la Renta
Not for the timid, Oscar de la Renta shocked the industry this season when he sent down a bridal design featuring an ivory floral guipure bustier crop top paired with wide-leg silk trousers, and topped off with a tulle embroidered jacket with pleated organza trim.
Pant Suit ($1,995), Blouse ($245) from Theia
A daisy lace pantsuit, featuring tuxedo-inspired lapels, is paired with an ivory satin-backed crepe blouse for a look that’s refreshingly feminine but with a masculine edge.
