Kate Upton, a model, actress, and fixture on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, exchanged vows with her World Series-winning fiancé Justin Verlander over the weekend in Italy. The gorgeous blonde, famous for her curves, surprised many by wearing a classy, long-sleeved lace gown, a departure from the more revealing style of wedding dresses in the last few years. Upton’s choice proves that even though she’s a beautiful woman whose curves have made her famous, if she can show restraint and class, particularly during an event like her wedding day, anyone can.
Upton’s modest choice of a wedding dress definitely shows a shift in trends. Where typically brides have reveled in showing their cleavage, or picked a dress that clung to their booty, in recent years, dresses now cover more skin.
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When WWE superstar Nikki Bella first announced her engagement in the spring, she was dead-set on baring her glorious cleavage, saying, “Who is Nikki Bella without cleavage?” When Sofia Vergara got engaged, she dreamt of a plunging neckline to celebrate her vows—and her breasts. “I still take advantage of the cleavage. While I have it, why not flaunt it? Who knows how long I’ll have it looking this way. So I’m still taking advantage.” When she eventually married in 2015, she did just that in a strapless wedding dress that showed plenty of ample bosom.
Of course it’s not true across the board but the adage, “If ya got it, flaunt it” seems to be shifting somewhat toward dressing with respect towards one’s spouse and guests, at least during formal occasions like weddings. Even Bella has since changed her mind. Though she hasn’t gotten married yet, she may eventually chose a more modest, but equally beautiful, high-necked wedding dress by Marchesa.
There’s nothing wrong with Upton’s breasts, although I’m not sure if wives and girlfriends appreciate how readily accessible they are via the Internet. She’s made a living showing off her voluptuous curves after she skyrocketed to fame following a viral video of her dancing fully clothed at a Dodgers game—but that’s the point. There’s something wonderful and tantalizing about hiding that asset everyone wants to see, about choosing a time and a place to reveal something that’s typically sexual and beautiful and keeping it covered during events that people are going to remember in wedding albums for the next several decades.
I have had plans to attend weddings or actually be in the wedding party when a bride glanced at my bosom-bearing tank top and said with a grin and a wink, “No cleavage at the wedding, please.” Am I offended? Not in the slightest. In fact, one could say the parameters themselves are freeing: If breasts are everywhere—on the street, in movies, online, and even at celebrations like weddings—then they’re not a commodity. They’re nothing special. They’re not any more titillating than an ankle.
This struggle is ever-present in society now, as any glance at gossip web sites or the checkout aisle at the local grocer demonstrates. But it’s nice to see women embracing the opportunity to look classy on their wedding day.
