• About
  • Find a Vendor
  • Submit
  • Advertise
  • Brides Club
  • Your Jewish Life
  • Contact

Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

  • Real Jewish Weddings
    • City Chic
    • Fashion Forward
    • Outdoor
    • Destination
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • France
      • Beach Weddings
    • Super Luxe
    • Budget
    • DIY
    • Same Sex
    • Covid Weddings
  • Jew-ish Weddings
    • Real Jew-ish Weddings
    • Jewish-Catholic Weddings
    • Jewish-Chinese Weddings
    • Jewish-Christian Weddings
    • Jewish-Greek Weddings
    • Jewish-Hindu Weddings
    • Jewish-Humanist Weddings
    • Jewish-Irish Weddings
    • Jewish Japanese Weddings
    • Jewish-Muslim Weddings
    • Same Sex Jew-ish Weddings
  • Inspiration + Guidance
    • Engaged? Start Here
    • Ceremony
      • Chuppah ideas
      • Jewish ceremony music
      • Jewish wedding ceremony 101
      • Jewish ceremony traditions
      • Ketubah Ideas
      • Jewish wedding legalities
      • Jew-ish ceremony ideas
    • Reception
      • Music
      • Speeches
      • Entertainment
      • Venues
    • Food & Drink
      • Kosher catering
      • Wedding cakes
      • Drinks
    • Decor
      • Decorations
      • Favours
      • Floristry
      • Guestbooks
      • Stationery
    • Style
      • Brides dresses
      • Shoes & accessories
      • Grooms
      • Bridesmaids
    • Advice
      • Converting to Judaism
      • Real blogging brides
      • Dear Karen…
    • Honeymoons
    • STG Live
    • Five Minutes With
    • Wedding Must-Haves
    • Wedding Consultancy
  • Jewish Brides Club
  • Find a Wedding Vendor
Home > Modest Wedding Dresses for Modern Brides

Modest Wedding Dresses for Modern Brides

21/11/2014 by Karen

Modest-Tznius-Wedding-Dresses
Image: Poetica 2014 collection  from Divine Atelier via Bridal Musings

Further to requests from readers for  more  wedding dress ideas on the blog, and from some in particular who were struggling to find modest (or tznius) wedding dresses that were also fashion forward  and bang on—trend, I called upon the  expertise of Karen Whybro, owner of the legendary  Rock The Frock bridal boutique.

Rock The Frock  specialises in British—designed and made wedding dresses for brides who  want to wear something that truly reflects their  personality, so  not surprisingly, Karen really knows her stuff. She’s picked out some styles that you’re going to love, alongside some great  tips for what to think about when embracing  ‘modest’ for  your wedding day.

Oh, and by the way, the  real Jewish wedding featured earlier this week with beautiful  bride, Magda,  is a sensational  example of how to nail the  ‘modest’ look.


Nothing evokes the regal beauty of Grace Kelly like a modest wedding dress…

High necklines, full length sleeves, feminine lace and rows of ivory buttons conjure images of elegance, style and romance for the ultimate in wedding day attire. And, thanks to Kate Middleton reviving the modest wedding dress with her spectacular Sarah Burton gown, the choice among bridal designs is as broad and breathtaking as ever. Whether you love the traditional vintage style or prefer something more modern, this round-up of beautiful dresses showcases the best in modest masterpieces!

kate-middleton-wedding-dress
Kate Middleton on her wedding day in her Alexander McQueen ‘modest’ wedding gown. Image: FBStop


Here are my top tips for choosing modest for your wedding day:

Consider fabrics

There’s no doubt that lace is feminine, elegant and graceful but all-over lace isn’t everyone’s preference. If you’re longing for something less fussy and more simplistic, consider a silk or satin skirt with lace detailing to the bodice and sleeve.

Modest wedding dress_0029
Dress: Ersa Atelier Elizabeth
Modest wedding dress
Dress:  Cymbeline Ironie

Know your necklines

A neckline can make or break a dress and, for the modest gown, this is a crucial element to selecting the best shape for your body type. High collars look beautiful on slim, long necks whereas a lower neckline suits those with a larger bust. Remember, sweetheart necklines don’t have to be just for strapless dresses – why not choose an illusion covering for the bodice, giving the appearance of a lower neckline while retaining your modesty.

modest-wedding-dress
Dress: Heloise by Leanne Marshall available at  Rock The Frock
modest-wedding-dress
Dress: Amelie by Carolina Herrera

Lose the length

Modest doesn’t have to mean floor sweeping trains. If you’re opting for a higher neckline and full length sleeves, selecting a shorter skirt can add a fun and flirty edge to a modest dress. A true vintage style would be ballerina length – just falling at your ankle and still showing off those beautiful shoes!

Modest wedding dress
Dress: Darla by House of Mooshki available at Rock The Frock
Modest wedding dress
Dress: Original 60s dress available at  Rock The Frock

Select embellishments

A full length lace dress may not need a great deal of detail as the pattern of the fabric will be a big impact itself. However, with a silk or satin gown, embellishments can truly add that special something. Beautiful beading, twinkling crystals or stunning sequins will truly sparkle on your big day and can be applied to edging, belts or necklines for that finishing touch.

Modest wedding dress
Dress:  Badgley Mischika
modest-wedding-dress
Dress: Colour Nude Cateline

Something old, something new….

A modest dress is undeniably more traditional, which is perfect for those longing for an heirloom gown. Many original vintage wedding dresses have all the elements of the modest dress with higher necklines and full length sleeves. Choosing an original vintage piece, dating from the 1940s onwards, is a fantastic way to choose that dream dress while evoking the true elegance of the past.

Modest wedding dress
Dress: original 40’s gown  available at  Rock The Frock  (image by  Rebecca Douglas Photography)
Modest wedding dress
Dress: original 70’s gown  available at  Rock The Frock  (image by  Claire Macintyre Photography  )

Thank you Karen from Rock The Frock! Wow, aren’t these ideas and designs  absolutely  exquisite? I’d love to see these dresses on real brides so be sure to let me know if you’re wearing something similar for your big day!

If you want to pick Karen Whybro’s brain on more ideas for wedding dresses, visit her at:

Rock The Frock bridal boutique
First Floor, Cromwell House
Battlesbridge Antique Centre
Battlesbridge, Essex SS11 7RF
+44 (0)1268 661982

Or find Rock The Frock on:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+

Share this post:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Advice + Planning, Bridal style Tagged With: guest post, Kate William wedding, Modest wedding dresses, Tznius wedding dresses, Rock The Frock bridal boutique

You might also like...

  • Smashing Wedding Dress Details: SleevesSmashing Wedding Dress Details: Sleeves
  • Jewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The ChuppahJewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The Chuppah
  • Jewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The BadekenJewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The Badeken
  • Jewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The TischJewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The Tisch
  • Jewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The KetubahJewish Wedding Traditions Explained – The Ketubah
  • Mazel Pup! Involving Your Dog in Your Jewish WeddingMazel Pup! Involving Your Dog in Your Jewish Wedding

About Karen

Loves great design, cityscapes, berry cocktails, and the word “yes”. Founder and editor of Smashing The Glass. Follow me @SmashingTheGlass

Comments

  1. Elizabeth's Cake Emporium says

    30/11/2014 at 4:46 pm

    A wonderful article on a subject close to my heart. Bravo!

  2. Krishanthi Williams says

    05/12/2014 at 12:24 pm

    A lovely selection, that Heloise dress is just beautiful! X

Jewish Weddings by Country

Vendors We Love

Weddings by Colour


Jewish Wedding Gift List


Awesome Jewish Gifts

Vendors We Love

Get posts directly into your inbox

Enter your email address below and get the latest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

Liberty London
Mr And Mrs Smith Honeymoons
Biscuiteers Baking Company
Monica Vinader
Kate Spade UK Limited

Today’s Top Posts

  • A Jewish Wedding in Blue and Purple at Stock Brook Country Club, Essex, UK
    A Jewish Wedding in Blue and Purple at Stock Brook Country Club, Essex, UK
  • Dates in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to avoid for a Jewish wedding plus a 12 Month Wedding Planning Monthly Checklist
    Dates in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to avoid for a Jewish wedding plus a 12 Month Wedding Planning Monthly Checklist
  • A guide to the Jewish Wedding Ceremony and Order of Service under the chuppah
    A guide to the Jewish Wedding Ceremony and Order of Service under the chuppah
  • Vendors We Love
    Vendors We Love
  • A Monique Lhuillier Bride for a Vogue-Worthy Jewish Wedding at Villa Sola Cabiati, Italy
    A Monique Lhuillier Bride for a Vogue-Worthy Jewish Wedding at Villa Sola Cabiati, Italy

Subscribe by Email

Enter your email address below and get the latest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

Connect

Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Twitter
Advertise
Mailing List
Email Karen

Receive Smashing The Glass posts via Email

Enter your email address below and get the latest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

closeWin a Luxury stay at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, the Caribbean’s Ultimate Jewish Wedding Destination

All content © Smashing The Glass 2023