Fashion trends come and go each season, and there’s no exception when it comes to wedding apparel. We asked three inclusive wedding apparel designers—Kirrin Finch, Loulette Bride, and House of Bretón—to give us the scoop on 2026 trends, their creative process, custom/bespoke options, and more.
How and when did you start designing clothing? How did you get into wedding apparel?
KIRRIN FINCH
Kirrin Finch was born from our frustration with the lack of gender-defying fashion for women, trans, and non-binary folk who want to dress beyond the traditional boundaries of womenswear and menswear. We knew we weren't alone. Through innovative design and a commitment to authenticity, we set out to empower people to express their identities with confidence.
We started with a single product: a menswear-inspired button-down shirt designed to eliminate chest gaping while accommodating hips. As our community grew, so did we, expanding into suiting and tuxedos. Our suits and tuxedos are designed to help people show up authentically, confidently, and as their truest selves as they celebrate love and commitment.
LOULETTE BRIDE
I learned how to sew in high school, went to college for fashion design, and worked in ready to wear fashion for several years after college. I really disliked the process of mass market design, from wasteful practices to being told to copy other designers’ work - I really hated everything about it. I wanted to get back to creating things by hand, for clients who were making thoughtful decisions, making them in a studio (as opposed to making tech packs for an overseas factory), using quality fabrics, and selling pieces for what they cost to make. The place where all these ideals lined up was in the bridal space!
HOUSE OF BRETÓN
I did a couple of sewing projects growing up, but 19 years ago I bought myself a home sewing machine and haven't looked back since. I started out doing a lot of upcycling from thrifted clothes until I realized that I needed to start one step before that, which was to create the pattern. The requests grew organically. First, hems here and there, then bridesmaids, and it kept on growing. I enjoy cosplay and historical garments, and while working at a wedding dress alterations shop, I felt pulled to do custom for marginalized bodies. There's a huge gap in the wedding industry when it comes to fat bodies, queer, trans, and nonbinary folks, so I stepped in.
What are some apparel trends you’re noticing this wedding season? Is there one that stands out in particular?
KIRRIN FINCH
One of the biggest trends we're noticing this wedding season is that people are choosing attire that reflects who they are rather than feeling confined by traditional expectations. More couples are making intentional choices about what they wear, prioritizing individuality on one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
Within our own community, timeless suiting colors like navy and black continue to be the most popular for weddings. At the same time, we've seen growing interest in richer colors like emerald, as well as earthy neutrals like sand in our linen suiting. These options give people more ways to express their personal style while investing in pieces they can wear long after the wedding day.
LOULETTE BRIDE
The drop waist, fuller skirts, more romantic details, and more maximalism (which I love because that's where I tend to gravitate personally!).
HOUSE OF BRETÓN
I don't know if it's because I suggest separates - I'm always thinking about the longevity of clothes - but, because I spend so much time making them, the thought that you can wear the pieces after the wedding makes me so happy. You're making an investment of time and money, and the thought that you can have very special clothes you use for a very special day that you can still pull out afterwards? It resonates.
Also, capes! You can do so much with a cape, whether it's the weave of the fabric, the design, the amount of fabric - there's so much variety in capes. Folx want the drama that the train on a dress gives, but don't want to buy into a train moment. So, a cape that you can take off at any point is the solid option.
What differentiates you from other designers or brands?
KIRRIN FINCH
There really aren't many brands like Kirrin Finch. From the beginning, we've been focused on serving women, trans, and non-binary people looking for menswear-inspired clothing that's thoughtfully designed for their bodies, rather than asking them to settle for what’s out there.
What also sets us apart is the community we've built. We don't just design for our customers, we design with them. Beyond clothing, we're committed to giving back by supporting LGBTQIA+ organizations, amplifying the voices and stories of our community, and connecting people with resources that make a meaningful impact.
LOULETTE BRIDE
So many things! For one, we are truly unique in the way we create ALL our gowns in the studio where you try them on! We also do the alterations. Most bridal boutiques are the "middle man" between designer and bride and then send the bride off to figure out the alterations. I love caring for our clients from beginning to end in their gown process. We also donate to amazing causes, are sustainable and inclusive, have samples for all size brides to try on, and stand by our morals in a way a lot of places do not. I am really proud to be a safe space for all people and their friends and families.
HOUSE OF BRETÓN
I center trans and non-binary folx. As an autistic trans guy who's also non-binary, I believe fabric has no gender. I make dresses, suits, and separates, so you can mix and match your take on masculinity, femininity, and non-binaryness, all with the same designer.
Tell us more about your creative process. How do you find inspiration?
KIRRIN FINCH
We definitely keep an eye on fashion trends so we understand what's happening in the industry, but our biggest source of inspiration has always been our customers. They're our north star. We regularly engage with customers through social media polling and annual surveys. We also look closely at customer feedback and purchasing data to understand what people are looking for next and where there are opportunities to better serve them. Our goal isn't to chase every trend, it's to thoughtfully interpret them through the lens of what our community actually wants and needs.
LOULETTE BRIDE
I love finding interesting fabrics first and then designing in a way that best accentuates the beauty of the material. I also get so much inspiration from our brides themselves because we truly get the coolest people in the coolest city in the world. I am constantly in awe of the fun ideas brides come in with, and it is such a joy to help bring it to life.
HOUSE OF BRETÓN
I love architecture and flowy silk chiffons and organzas. My inspiration is my client and their vibe. It's deeply personal, not just personalized. And collaboration is everything! I bring my design point of view, sure, my tastes, and current special interests, but the design is expected to evolve during the design phase.
Do you offer custom wedding apparel?
KIRRIN FINCH
That's a great question and one we get all the time. Many people assume we offer custom apparel because of how well our clothing looks online, but our entire collection is ready-to-wear. From the beginning, our goal was to make premium, thoughtfully designed suiting accessible without the long lead times and higher costs that often come with custom garments. Most orders ship within 3–5 business days, allowing customers to receive high quality garments much more quickly than a traditional custom experience.
LOULETTE BRIDE
YES! That is a huge part of what makes us so special. Because we make everything right in-house, we really have the ability to customize anything. We love working with vintage and love to hear all the craziest ideas.
HOUSE OF BRETÓN
All I do is custom. From style to size, fabric weave and color, I design and develop wedding looks for each client individually. My client and I spend several weeks to months brainstorming, followed by fittings, and then delivery.
How far in advance do you recommend couples start shopping for their wedding weekend outfits?
KIRRIN FINCH
Since all of our products are ready-to-wear, the good news is that if you see something on our website (unless it's on pre-order!), you can typically receive it within a short period of time—think one to two weeks! In fact, we've even had customers reach out the week of their wedding hoping to find a suit. While we'll always do our best to help, that's cutting it pretty close!
We typically recommend shopping at least three months before your wedding, especially if you're interested in one of our most popular suits or colors. This gives you plenty of time to find the right fit, make any necessary alterations, and ensure your preferred size is in stock.
LOULETTE BRIDE
We recommend a year for the most stress-free timeline!
HOUSE OF BRETÓN
I recommend folks reach out one year before the wedding, so you have time to decide if custom is for you. I need eight months minimum to process a wedding look.
Photo courtesy of Kendra Kiser (cover photo), Khaki Bedford Photography, Salma Castro, evergoldphotography, Danny Dong, KCP Creative Imagery, Paige Monet, ventureeverafter, Abbey Elaine Photography, Two Birds One Stone Co., kirstengottbrecht, melissa_ergo, Megan Morris Photo, Wild Coast Photography, Jasmine Tafoya Photo, clayhousephoto, and Hannah Marich.
Questions? Give us a shout at help@hiholden.pro or a ring (pun intended) at 646.722.6817.