After shuttering Houghton in 2018, Katharine Polk is taking the reins and merging the celebrity-favorite brand with her namesake label. And from the looks of the latest collection, shot on a sprawling farm in Malibu and billed as Season 1, the new Houghton is cooler than ever. So cool that Polk’s friends have been known to wear the pieces IRL without a wedding in sight. This non-bridal-y approach to bridal is what makes Polk’s designs so thoroughly appealing.

This season, that came through in pared-back yet elegant looks that can be worn well beyond the altar. One of the best examples was a slinky slip that laced up the back; styled with flip-flop heels, it felt particularly on trend. A mini wrap dress in sumptuous moire was another standout. Topped with a bolero covered in hand-embroidered rosettes, it would make the right statement on girls’ night or at the engagement party.

Part of Polk’s charm is how she infuses modern edge into the more angelic codes of bridal. Here, that took shape in the form of killer outerwear, from a lace perfecto to a pearl-encrusted cape to a tuxedo coat worn oversize for some attitude. And why not wear a jacket down the aisle? Brides get cold, too! Especially at fall weddings, and Polk offered several comfy, chic, layer-able solutions.

Polk has long since carried a badge for representative, body-positive, culturally savvy collections. This season was no different, thanks to a diverse cast of models and an inclusive approach to size. A new tagline, “Bridal for everyBODY,” meant a size range of 00 to 30. “We’ll make it in any size,” Polk said, adding that Houghton will ensure the fit is precise and perfectly proportioned.

And as an early adopter of the see-now buy-now model, it’s only fitting that Houghton’s latest is already shoppable directly online.