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Bridal Designer and Fashion Professor Goli Young Forecasts 2026 Bridalwear Trends

We’re back with more insights from Goli Parvinian Young, a fashion professor at Columbia College Chicago and experienced bridal designer. She’s recognized for her expertise on the evolving trends in bridalwear. Having designed for Rue de Seine and Sarah Seven, she combines hands-on design experience with a deep understanding of what today’s brides are actually looking for.

Let’s cut to the chase, Young expects these 4 trends to shine in 2026:

  • Drop-waist silhouettes – elongate the figure with effortless grace
  • Textured lace – adds depth and dimensional beauty to gowns
  • Reinterpreted corsets – soft, comfortable constructions that honor natural shape
  • Bridal separates – empower brides to curate a look that reflects their individuality

“The 2026 bridal season celebrates a fresh blend of vintage romance and modern sensibility — drop-waist silhouettes are making a stunning comeback, elongating the figure with effortless grace and relaxed elegance. Textured lace continues to take center stage, adding depth and dimensional beauty to gowns that feel both timeless and tactile,” says Young.

“The enduring appeal of corsets persists, this year reinterpreted in softer, more comfortable constructions that honor the bride’s shape while keeping her at ease,” she notes, reflecting a broader shift toward comfort and wearability.

“And in a shift toward personal expression, bridal separates are still rising in popularity, empowering brides to mix skirts, tops, and jumpsuits for a uniquely curated look that feels as individual as their love story,” Young adds.

Young’s perspective comes from both her professional design work and her role as an educator, giving her a unique lens on why these trends resonate: brides want style that feels personal, fits comfortably, and can be adapted beyond the wedding day.

All the gowns featured above are part of Goli June’s Silk Rebellion 2026 collection. Shop here.

If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke, Richmond, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia, or Charlottesville/ Lynchburg, Virginia, we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.

The author: Natalie

Natalie is a Vinton, VA native currently pursuing a journalism degree at Virginia Tech. She loves planning, and has a specific interest in all things to do with weddings. In her free time she enjoys reading, journalism, and traveling. Her post-grad plans are to pursue a career in magazine writing and design.