Why We Love Vintage Wedding Dresses

Wedding gowns from the 2013 bridal collection are almost here! I know I’ve already talked about new wedding gown trends but what about old trends? Old is new and for the 2013 collection you will see beautifully crafted vintage wedding dresses that will amaze you.  There are so many reasons why we love vintage for a wedding day. For one, these dresses are more unique than others and are specially designed to the traditions of the past.  These styles have survived the ages and never really go out of style for a good reason.  They are timeless and always in fashion. Picking out a wedding dress is a long process and can be tough for many brides. However, if you choose a vintage wedding dress you will never look back and regret wearing something that was too trendy.  You used to have to search high and low for vintage wedding dresses and usually have them reconstructed in some way.  But now there are so many designers that are creating new gowns that mimic the past.

These dresses have long been popular in bride land but this year designers have been inspired by the 1920s. This look features a looser fitting sheath gown. Many designers like Vera Wang and Amsale will re-design a look of the past and construct a new gown out of it. If you really want to go vintage and choose a real vintage wedding dress, first figure out which decade suits you best. Let’s keep going with the 1930s which features a more slim and narrow look and is curve revealing. This decade is best for slender, tall, straight and curvy figures. In the 1940s dresses featured puffed shoulders, sweetheart necklines, peplums and full or narrow skirts. This decade suits more curvier, plus size women. Next we have the 1950s which featured a full skirt with crinoline and a fitted waist. This decade is best for pear, curvy and plus size figures. In the 1960s the look was a more slender long A-line skirt with an empire waist. This suits apple, petite and straight figures best. 1970s vintage wedding dresses were peasant/prairie inspired which consisted of loose, flowy, and narrower skirts.

1970s vintage wedding dresses look good on all different shapes and sizes especially taller gals. Last we have the 1980s which is definitely one of my favorites!  These gowns featured big sleeves and high collar necklines, which were made popular after the wedding of Princess Diana. These gowns can also suit a variety of shapes and sizes. So, now that you know the dress shapes and silhouettes by decade the next step is to search for your dress.  Some designers are recreating these looks but you may have to search for a truly vintage gown to get just what you want.  Just remember, these gowns are old and have been worn or preserved, so don’t worry if there is a stain, broken seams or a slight yellowish discoloration, because they can all be remedied and restored!  Consignment stores are not the only place to look because there are many online resources where girls can sell their gowns.  Searching is half the fun!