Fashion Takeaways From Jennifer Lopez’s 3 Wedding Dress Looks

When your wedding has been 20 years in the making, you’re allowed to go over the top with the fashion. Such was the case at the nuptials of Jennifer Lopez, 53, and Ben Affleck, 50, where Lopez opted to wear three — yes, three — custom-made wedding dresses by her go-to designer, Ralph Lauren. Looking for inspiration? There are a few takeaways from her design choices that are applicable to the lives of us mere mortals.

To walk down the aisle, the singer-actress opted for a stunning custom twist on Lauren’s iconic turtleneck gown. According to a post shared by Ralph Lauren, this version required “more than 1,000 hand-cut handkerchiefs and 1,640 feet of fabric” to be “cut into ruffles and attached by hand.” The short-sleeved column dress cut a dramatic silhouette, thanks to the sleek tailored lines that ran from the elegant turtleneck through to the voluminous skirt made up of a cascade of ruffles starting at midthigh and descending to the floor. To complete the ensemble, Lopez wore a cathedral-length veil, adding a regal air.

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Preparing to walk down the aisle, #JenniferLopez (@JLo) wears a custom Ralph Lauren handkerchief gown. The silhouette reimagines its column shape with spectacular ruffles at the hem, its design flowing effortlessly from the delicate turtleneck into a voluminous work of art#JLo pic.twitter.com/tYXHjYtC4a

— Ralph Lauren (@RalphLauren) August 23, 2022

Youthful and flattering

J.Lo may not need it, but a turtleneck style is a great way to highlight a jawline, draw attention to the face and create an elegant and elongated silhouette that is flattering on most body types. The choice of short sleeves added a youthful twist, making the dress feel young and fresh. “Any woman who might not be as ripped as Jennifer and is concerned about showing upper arm ‘flab’ might consider a similar flutter sleeve this length or slightly longer,” says style consultant Andrea Pflaumer, author of Shopping for the Real You. “It drapes over the highest part of the arm and is just a very feminine look.”

The ruffles also added a splash of femininity. While they are typically seen on the Easter attire of young girls, Lopez showed how to incorporate them into an adult wardrobe by pairing them with a slim-fitting top and otherwise minimalist look. The front of Lopez’ dress was surprisingly demure, given her penchant for barely-there looks (remember the jaw-dropping Versace gown she wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards?), but the back had a sexy surprise: a low-cut peekaboo mesh, daintily held together by a row of buttons. Looking to amp up the appeal of an outfit and not reveal too much skin? Try lace panels on a dress, sheer covering over a V-neck or peekaboo cutouts on a shirt.

Simple accessories paired with an ultra-glam dress

Following the ceremony, Lopez changed into a floor-length backless gown draped in swaths of pearls and Swarovski crystals, to give its namesake chandelier look. Harper’s Bazaar reports that it took 30 artisans some combined 700 hours to hand-embroider the pearls and crystals onto the slim silk tulle dress.