Manolo for the Brides

I love Spanx. And as a fairly recent Spanx convert, when a reader asked me to recommend some “serious, comfortable, sweat absorbing panties” she could wear under a two-ton, multi-layer, hot as heck wedding gown, I immediately said, “Spanx.” Sure, lace and frills are great on your wedding night, but do you really want to layer a fairly complex get-up like the Honeymoon Collection ‘Something Blue’ corset set

Under something like this weighty Reem Acra gown in satin?

Not that you could, of course. I’m just using it as an extreme example. Considering that many wedding gowns feature a mind-boggling assortment of ties, ribbons, beads, bustles, and so forth, why make wedding day dressing more daunting by adding in another later of complexity? Not to mention that putting a multi-layer undergarment underneath a multi-layer gown is a recipe for peak-level perspiration.

Spanx to the rescue!

The Hide & Sleek Lace Trim panty even has a pretty bit of Italian lace that camouflages its heavy-duty, moisture-wicking, tummy-shaping intentions.

Then again, if you’re all for function over form, I’d advise future brides to consider underwear made specifically for runners. Panties like the Lavinia Activewear seamless brief are going to keep you sweat free and line free while staying where they are meant to, IYKWIM.

Oh, and the reader above is one of the smartest brides-to-be on earth, IMO. Sensible yet sexy, she plans to covertly change out of her utility undies and into something more eye-catching for the, ahem, wedding afterparty.

Even if I would look like the white whale if I wore one, I love this year’s Reem Acra gowns. I don’t so much love the 2004 or 2003 collections. In 2003, the lace and organza bridal bikini was hidden among the almost more realistic gowns. And, in 2004, Ms. Acra introduced the dresses for the helmeted gladiatrix on the go who wants to read her vows and then get back to slaying lions, tigers and, naturally, big, sweaty men as quickly as possible.

I’m totally in love with this year’s Reem Acra bridal collection, which includes this absolutely gorgeous strapless satin full-skirted gown with embroidered bow detailing on a multi seamed bodice. While some of the gowns contain slightly risqué elements - can you say plunging neckline? - they are, for the most part, extremely tasteful and highly detailed without resorting to tackiness.

The model, however, I could do without. She looks as if she just got off of a month-long bridal magazine binge and is about to announce to her bridal party that anyone who can’t follow her directions will be shot on sight.

Manolo says, there is the picture from Reem Acra bridal show in the New York on the day before yesterday.