They say a wedding dress is the most important piece of clothing a woman will ever wear. Well, where’s the beauty in that if the style you’ve chosen to walk down the aisle in is far too elegant for everyday settings? For an increasing number of brides, the styles they selected to tie the knot in aren’t floor-grazing or aisle-dragging. Instead, short wedding dresses offer something altogether quite contemporary and unconventional. Indeed, call this their ‘something new’ in the way they’ve bucked convention, but as more couples opt for ceremonies that cater to their own tastes rather than adhere to traditions, it’s unsurprising to see cropped hemlines come to the forefront.

This isn’t just a response to modernity, however. Whilst perpetual brat, Charli XCX, might’ve made the most prolific endorsement for short wedding dresses when she wore Vivienne Westwood’s Nova Cora off-shoulder mini, but it’s not just the Aperol Spritz-adoring pop star who has chosen the unexpected for their big day. In fact, short wedding dresses have a storied history of being worn by prolific women who weren’t afraid to blaze their own trail, whether that be Mia Farrow, Audrey Hepburn, Sharon Tate, Lily Allen or Cindy Crawford. The most famous short wedding dress, however, remains Yoko Ono, who wed John Lennon wearing a pleated thigh-baring dress at the British consulate office in Gibraltar.

These women weren’t dressing to meet expectations. They were dressing with intention, just for themselves,” explains Annelise Sealy, founder of London-based bridal boutique, The Fall. “Choosing a short dress signals that same mindset—fashion-forward, self-assured, and unafraid to stand apart.”

Speaking about the ascent of short wedding dresses, she explains that several factors have contributed to the rise of this style. (And no, I’m not just referring to the length.) “Modern brides are more empowered than ever to make choices that genuinely reflect who they are,” Sealy adds. “Marriage no longer feels like a rigid rite of passage; it’s a personal milestone, so the dress doesn’t need to follow a prescribed formula.”

“I think a short wedding dress carries an inherent sense of confidence,” acknowledging that they put the focus on the woman, not just the gown. “It's the opposite of the prescribed norm, whilst feeling fresh, intentional, and fun. It also offers freedom—both literally and stylistically—as it’s easier to move and enjoy the day without managing layers of fabric or a long train.”

This last point resonates with the way most brides are approaching their ceremonies, too. “Short wedding dresses reflect how weddings themselves have evolved—smaller guest lists, city ceremonies, destination celebrations, and multi-day events,” Sealy continues. “They suit that modern pace and versatility, and lean into a sense of individuality rather than excess.”

As for wearing one well? “It’s definitely all in the details and styling! Sheer layers instantly elevate a shorter length, or you can play with volume by adding a dramatic sleeve or detachable train. A veil, gloves, bold heels, or statement jewellery can transform a short dress into something unmistakably bridal while still feeling fashion forward.”

So, whether you’re seeking something to wear to your civil, a second look moment or are simply wanting to find ‘the one’ in a style that’s more cropped, scroll on to see a fashion writer’s edit of the best short wedding dresses of 2026.

The Best Short Wedding Dresses to Shop in 2026

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

Certain fashion items hold strong cultural value because they are instantly connected to a famous wearer. I can't even look at a basket bag without thinking of Jane Birkin. Some of these items—like Paris Hilton's Juicy Couture tracksuits—were left behind in the time when they reached their peak. Others manage to transcend decades and maintain a timeless quality because they work outside of the trend cycle. These classic items are subtly refined, and the wearers that made them famous did so in an understated yet powerful way. This form of elegance makes these pieces iconic in the truest sense of the word, and we continue to see their legacy continue today.

It's been 62 years since Audrey Hepburn danced across our screens in Funny Face wearing a pair of cropped, black trousers and yet her outfit is still something you'll likely see someone wearing in your local grocery store.

No matter the season, trend or year, like many classic items, these lovely, reliable pieces will remain in your wardrobe forever. Each time you put them on, you will imbue your look with something tangibly classy, simply by its association with its legacy. It's like a direct boost of confidence from the women who made them legendary.

From the pieces themselves to the fabulous women who made them famous, keep scrolling to see and shop the most iconic, elegant clothing and accessories that will simply never go out of style.

Style Notes: From Carolyn Bessette Kennedy to Sharon Stone at the 1998 Oscars, a slightly oversized white button-down was a low-key rebellious cocktail piece in the '90s. Now, with a bit of red lipstick, it is instantly an elegant win.

Style Notes: While tiny sunglasses have their moment every few decades, oversized sunnies are forever chic thanks to their number one fan, Jackie O.

Style Notes: This might have been a "casual" look in the film Funny Face, but in the world of legendary style moments, Audrey Hepburn's black cigarette trousers became synonymous with forever cool.

Style Notes: Through the '60s, statement earrings loved by stars like Diana Ross and Edie Sedgwick. But it's Nina Simone at the piano (wearing little else than her oversized earrings) that is the epitome of elegance in my mind.

Style Notes: Katharine Hepburn, Diane Keaton, Bianca Jagger, Julia Roberts, and now Jeanne Damas are just a few of the awesome women who have famously owned wearing men's suit jackets.

Style Notes: From Ali McGraw in Love Story to Sade's signature look, the understated power of a basic roll-neck is mysterious and always works.

Style Notes: In one of her most iconic post-divorce outfits, Princess Diana pairs a simple lingerie-esque satin dress with a Dior Lady bag and pearl-chain necklace. Simply iconic.

Style Notes: Popular among '60s French film stars like Catherine Deneuve in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Brigitte Bardot, a hair ribbon now adds a touch of je ne sais quois to any outfit.

Style Notes: Like the Birkin, when Grace Kelly debuted her royal engagement holding her Hermès Kelly, the bag world was never the same.

Style Notes: I'm not sure if they were doing it to keep looking fresh, but '90s supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington often wore white rather than black. Chic.

Style Notes: When it comes to hosiery, go sheer. It instantly harkens to the late glam of the late '80s, and they go with anything from a vintage cocktail dress to a suit jacket.

Style Notes: As an essential part of Coco Chanel's signature personal style, layered chain necklaces carry on their elegant legacy through many fashion muses—including Loulou de la Falaise and Tina Chow.

Meghan's veil featured the "distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition."

Meghan Markle's bridal curveball—to commission the super-talented British designer Clare Waight Keller to create her stunning wedding dress via the house of Givenchy and its haute couture department—puts the actress and now royal family member on a very iconic list. The ultra-luxe bateau-necked, double-bonded silk cady gown was a mighty feat of fashion engineering using only six meticulously placed seams, and will undoubtedly switch the continued trend for princess-style lace gowns (as made popular by Kate Middleton) to simpler, satin sheaths.

Meghan Markle in her bespoke Givenchy Haute Couture dress designed by Clare Waight Keller.

Meghan's pared-back lines made our minds instantly turn to an original Givenchy costume worn by Audrey Hepburn for a wedding scene in the legendary fashion film Funny Face. Hepburn's skirt was—as one would expect—fuller and far more suited to the 1957 release date of this seminal flick, but both of their top half designs feel distinctly Hubert de Givenchy all over: the fitted bodice, waist-nipping cut and the flattering slashed neck framing their equally delicate faces. "Classic of Meghan's impeccable ability to balance modernity and classical style, Meghan's wedding dress is extremely reminiscent of the 1960s Givenchy bridal dress," Hamish Shepard of Bridebook tells us.

A close-up on the bateau neckline and Cartier earrings.

Waight Keller became the woman at the helm of this storied Parisian fashion house following her appointment last year, but before her time many other memorable Givenchy wedding dress moments have occurred. Who could forget Kim Kardashian's decisively more revealing lacy look (crafted by the then creative director Riccardo Tisci) when she and Kanye West tied the knot back in 2014? Or how about Lara Stone in 2010? Keep reading to see other iconic Givenchy wedding dresses—a gallery we'll undoubtedly be adding to once the rich and famous get hold of Waight Keller's phone number…

Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, 1957, wearing a bridal dress from Hubert De Givenchy.

Lara Stone wearing a Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci bridal gown in 2010.

An archive shot of a model wearing a Givenchy wedding dress.

Kim Kardashian in her form-fitting Givenchy wedding dress created by Riccardo Tisci.

Hubert de Givenchy alongside a model wearing the finale bridal look in 1991.

Christina Ricci in a Givenchy gown created by Riccardo Tisci.

Carla Bruni modelling a bridal look in Givenchy's Haute Couture 1994 show.

Audrey Hepburn at her own wedding to Andrea Dotti in 1969 wearing a cute pink creation from Givenchy.

A beaded bridal look from Givenchy's A/W 79 collection.

A caped wedding dress showcased during Givenchy's A/W Paris Fashion Week catwalk show in 1990.

An archive shot of a model wearing a Givenchy wedding dress.

Now, see Meghan's dress from every angle.

Vintage summer fashion can be riddled with clichés, and as a Who What Wear reader, you'll know we try to sidestep anything that's been overplayed, favouring a little unique wardrobe thinking instead. Some good that comes from our pernickety nature: Thanks to constant (and extensive) research, we can tell you there's a plethora of old-school hot-weather inspiration to found, especially once you step outside of the oft-referenced archive images of the world's most iconic stars.

Take Audrey Hepburn, for example. Your mind would automatically go to her neckerchief-and–full skirt combination from Roman Holiday—but in all seriousness, that's a tough one to pull off in 2017 without looking twee. So we dug a little deeper and worked out how this movie star wore short shorts—you can take her lead and apply it to your denim cutoffs.

Or how about Brigitte Bardot? Sure, we all know her Breton look from Les Mépris, but have you ever seen her in a boho white dress and floppy hat? It's got hippy holiday written all over it. Then there's Marilyn Monroe. We could count 101 bikinis she's been pictured in, but there's something very Reformation about her sundress choice of 1953.

Keep reading to see what we mean about these vintage summer outfits and shop the looks too.

Jane Fonda, 1964

Style Notes: With sage-green dresses abounding on the high street and polka dots making a comeback, this simple but effective summer look from Jane Fonda couldn't be more ripe for a copy-and-paste opportunity.

Shop her look:

Elizabeth Taylor, 1947

Style Notes: Honestly, could this ruffled gingham bikini set be any more 2017-ready? Fingers crossed a designer sees this and feels compelled to re-create it ASAP.

Shop her look:

Related: How to Pose and Look Your Best in Every Photo

Marilyn Monroe, 1953

Style Notes: There's something so simple about this cotton halter neck, gold hoops and sandals formula. But there's no reason it couldn't suit any kind of girl—sex kittens and tomboys alike.

Shop her look:

Chili Williams, 1940s

Style Notes: Aside from the fact that this Ed Hamilton–designed two-piece is actually furry, we're very into the triple–leopard print idea on offer here. Sassy, to say the least.

Shop her look:

Related: Your French Riviera Style Guide, for When You Can't Buy Chanel Everything

Princess Grace of Monaco, 1956

Style Notes: There are many iconic shots of Grace on the beach, but this neutral summer knit–and–midi skirt pairing continues to impress us. Ditch the headscarf and you have a thoroughly current look.

Related: Summer Is Back! 16 Chic Dresses That You Can Wear Now And Well Into Autumn

Audrey Hepburn, 1950s

Style Notes: Ignore the two Hollywood chaps flanking Audrey Hepburn, and focus in on her artfully wrapped shirt, tucked into high-waisted shorts and styled with mules. This is a simple outfit you could easily take on vacation.

Shop her look:

Farrah Fawcett, 1977

Style Notes: We can't be sure, but we'd place bets on this being the ultimate in 1970s athleisure—Farah's retro sports kit feels just right for the new season.

Shop her look:

Jane Birkin, 1968

Style Notes: Arriving at Cannes Film Festival alongside George Harrison, this is an all-time favourite Birkin getup of many a fashion editor.

Shop her look:

Related: The 8 Standout Sandal Trends That Will See You Through Summer

Brigitte Bardot, 1975

Style Notes: A floppy hat and a white broderie anglaise dress make for a timeless summer fallback, not to mention a grown-up way to do boho.

Shop her look:

Princess Grace of Monaco, 1972

Style Notes: So good we had to include her twice, Grace continued her beach vibes well into the '70s. This Pucci dress reflects this summer's bold colours while the towel turban and beaded bag will attract accessory-obsessed magpies.

Shop her look:

Next up: The ultimate holiday packing list you can cut out and keep.

This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

What to wear? This predicament is greatly heightened when the occasion in mind is your wedding day. Fashion editors are not immune to the bridal pressure cooker either; if anything, it adds more gravity to people’s expectations. The lead-up to my wedding involved the usual whirlwind of questions facing a newly engaged woman: What dress would I go for? How would I wear my hair? Which designer would I choose? The hunt was on for the dream dress but it just didn’t go as well as I’d hoped.

Being curvy, tall and a lover of carbs, I couldn’t imagine myself in something slinky, nor did I want to go down the meringue route. I made multiple appointments to try on wedding gowns but my heart didn’t flutter. Quite the contrary, I felt doomed to look like an avalanche of crêpe de chine. I just couldn’t find a 360-degree fit for my shape that oozed my style. As options narrowed and lunch breaks were filled up with snow flurries of manic dress searches, I called it quits on bridal pret-à-porter. The dress just didn’t exist. Yet.

On Solange Knowles: Humberto Leon for Kenzo dress; Jill for Lady Grey bracelets; Stuart Weitzman shoes.

On Alan Ferguson: Lanvin suit.

The haute pursuit begins! If something is classed as couture, then it means that a piece is made-to-measure for your body. You can choose a designer dress from a collection and have it fitted exclusively to your shape. Wonderful, but what if you want to go one step further and design your own garment? One could save up £200,000 and hit the marble halls of Paris where an exclusive design is made for you from one of the prestigious haute couture fashion houses, but considering there's a minority of regular global customers, this is unlikely for most.

If you don't own a yacht or have six digits to spare, then fear not, another option is available. You could find a British-based dress designer costume designer who can make a gown especially for you. Some call it design couture—a process that includes a toile of your body, an exclusive design, a garment made in-house, and personal fittings to underscore the design process. Bridal-designers-cum-courtiers are like gold dust because only a select few fashion houses make one-of-kind gowns; the industries main focus is on ready-to-wear. I found the right one via recommendations from friends at Brides magazine, but some determined Google searches would unearth your local options.

Chanel Haute Couture A/W 15.

We've tapped leading wedding design couturier Anita Massarella for tips on where to look, questions to ask, and what to expect so brides can ensure perfect results with a dressmaker.

Scroll down for the step-by-step guide to creating a unique wedding dress!

Related: 11 Bridal Styling Ideas From the Catwalk

Who What Wear UK: There’s so much to organize for a wedding day. How important is it to share information about the event planning with the dress designer?

Anita Massarella: It’s very helpful to know as much as possible. I like to get a background of the bride’s wedding vision, and if there’s a storyboard or Pinterest link to ideas then that helps me to get a sense of the couple’s personality.

WWW UK: What questions do you often ask the bride about the wedding plans?

AM: Is the day going to be formal or more relaxed? In a grand venue or outdoors? Home or abroad? Even if the bride is still forming a plan for her big day, it’s helpful to know the wider context so that together we can create a suitable design for the season. As soon as the colour theme for the venue is decided, it’s important to inform your dress designer so that it can be reflected in little flourishes on the garment, if at all.

On Kate Moss: John Galliano haute couture dress and veil.

On Jamie Hince: Yves Saint Laurent suit.

WWW UK: It’s hard to know what credentials to look out for in a fashion house or dressmaker. How do you identify where to go?

AM: If you cannot find what you want in ready-to-wear (i.e. off-the-peg collections) then having something designed uniquely for you is a great option. Enquire if the designer can offer exclusive designs or to what extent they customise dresses. We create one-of-a-kind couture dresses but not all places do. It's also okay to ask how many years of experience the designer has. Do read the client testimonials on their social media and website; it’s clear when a brand has a good reputation. You ideally want a team that can deliver the entire package: create an exclusive design to suit you, produce the dress pattern, make the dress in-house and provide the professional fittings.

On Kate Moss: John Galliano Haute Couture veil.

WWW UK: Where do most of your brides get their dress ideas from?

AM: Mainly Instagram, Pinterest or cut-outs from society events in the back of Vogue, Tatler etc. I’ve noticed that when people look at photos from formal events, like polo or Ascot, then it’s easier to see a range of different clothing designs worn by real people with varying figures. It can be less daunting than looking at models.

WWW UK: Once you’ve found the right person to collaborate with and to make your dress, what’s the best way to kick-start the design process?

AM: You don’t need to know the fabric or design terminology, a good designer can interpret what you want by the way you describe what you like. For example, an experienced designer will be able to tell from a photo if the bride wants something soft, bias-cut and clings to the body, and billowing chiffon coming from the back of it, or if the structure of the dress needs to boned, corseted, stiff dress etc.

On Audrey Hepburn: Balmain Haute Couture dress.

WWW UK: There are so many different fabrics to choose from. How do you pick the right one?

AM: Identify how you would like your dress to move and sit on your body. If you want it to sway and flow, then chiffon is perfect for that. If you want a stiff dress then gabardine holds its shape; but this where the designer's expertise comes in. Just remember that the style of the dress needs to work with the choice of fabric.

On Gwen Stefani: John Galliano for Dior dress.

WWW UK: How do you get ideas into one cohesive design?

AM: Begin with an outline of a body sketched on a piece of paper. Drawing out ideas is a great starting point. I tend to go step-by-step from talking about what neckline would suit the client to the favoured sleeve length, how it fits the waist etc. At each stage, you need to consider how the design works as a whole and how to keep it all in proportion with your shape.

WWW UK: When the design is agreed, what’s the next step?

AM: The next stage is finalising which fabrics will be used in the lining, for the main body of the dress. This process involves looking at lots of fabric samples with your designer and exploring which shades suit your complexion. I go as far as including the bride in choosing the very buttons and hand-picking the beads that will be sewn on! You can decide which beads, what colours, what shade, what size! If you’re making a dress from scratch, you can even cherry-pick embellishments or fabrics that suit the shade of your eyes.

Related: Brides Beware: You Will Want to Buy Every New J.Crew Wedding Gown

On Poppy Delevingne: Chanel Couture dress.

WWW UK: How can a bride get the most out of dress fittings?

AM: Wear a really good fitting bra, and the heels that you are going to wear on the day (or of a similar height) because that will affect your posture. A good designer will offer you the opportunity to make adjustments at your fitting. Do take the opportunity to amend the design slightly or be more bold with decisions, like lowering a neckline slightly or exaggerating the silhouette of the dress by asking for the fabric to be nipped in a little.

On Grace Kelly: Helen Rose haute couture dress and veil.

WWW UK: On a second fitting, is it a good idea to bring the extra outfit details?

AM: Absolutely! The second fitting is where you can road test all of the elements of your look to see what works. If you’re having a hair trial then come in for a fitting with the hair and makeup trial. It’s also a good chance to try out the veil to make sure all the final pieces come together. If you are having a tryout for your bouquet, bring it in at this point. Then you can check that everything is perfect. Don’t be afraid to point out details that you want to be tweaked. And when you have your final fitting, do bring a bottle of chilled champagne and your best friend and/or your mother to soak in the fun of it all!

For more information about our expert, visit: Anita Massarella Bridal Design Couture. If you're feeling inspired, kick-start your dress search at Net-a-Porter.com.

Which iconic wedding dress is your favourite? We adore Grace Kelly's bridal look. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

We've long considered the late great film star Audrey Hepburn one of our greatest style icons. And her son Sean Ferrer told U.S. Vogue that tweens and teens now make up 50% of her fanbase, proving her style is truly timeless. "People have always talked about her grace [and wondered], What was the secret of her elegance? What was her system? What was her style?" he said, and these are questions he's planning on answering in a book about her style, which will be released in 2018. However if you can't wait to find out the answers, we're bringing you eight items that still look just as relevant decades later (and will make you look a little more Audrey each day). Keep scrolling to see and shop her signature pieces.

1. Cropped Trousers

Style Notes: Audrey Hepburn loved her cropped cigarette trousers, either in black, gingham or a fun summer print. She wore them with either a white shirt or her signature black roll-neck, and always paired them with her flat ballet pumps.

Key Buy:

2. Black Roll-neck

Style Notes: Audrey's Funny Face ensemble—black roll-neck, black pumps and black cropped trousers—is one of her most iconic looks, and 60 years later, it looks just as cool.

3. White Shirt

Style Notes: Audrey famously wore an oversized white shirt to bed with her blue eye mask in Breakfast at Tiffany's; however, white shirting was a Hepburn signature. She didn't just wear the same fit, though, as she often played with different styles, from sleeveless to cropped linen shirts.

4. Little Black Dress

Style Notes: Little black dresses are Audrey's signature item, and the black gown she wore to eat her breakfast in front of the window of Tiffany's on Fifth Avenue was made by Givenchy just for her.

5. Silk Scarf

Style Notes: In Roman Holiday, Audrey wore a '50s-style midi skirt with a linen short-sleeved shirt and a silk scarf tied around her neck. She also often wore scarves around her head, so they're a key buy if you're hoping to look a little more Audrey. 

6. Ballet Pumps

Style Notes: You might think that Kate Moss started the whole ballet pumps thing off in the '00s, but Audrey actually did it first.

7. Statement Sunglasses

Style Notes: Audrey loved her statement sunglasses, and cat eyes were always her go-to. 

8. Trench Coat

Style Notes: When you say the words "Holly Golightly," chances are that you're thinking of Audrey in a headscarf and belted trench coat. The star often wore classic trenches on and off-screen (earlier this year, Christie's auctioned one of her Burberry macs), and decades later, they still look just as timeless.