Showing posts with label antique wedding gowns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antique wedding gowns. Show all posts

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Vintage Bridal Gowns - They're More Available Than Ever!

By Brigitte Martinez

Are you longing for a Vintage Bridal Gown?

These have made a comeback for so many reasons. The recycling movement is definitely a good one if that is something you are passionate about. Maybe you just want to look different and stand out on your special day? Well a Vintage Bridal Gown is definitely going to achieve that for you.

Even if one was passed down to you, it could be a size too small and / or be a style that doesn't feel special. Whatever reason, they are quite available.

One place to look is thrift stores. You would be amazed at how many Vintage Bridal Gowns end up there. They get transported from one home to the other so much , sometimes the person donating doesn't even know he has one in his possession.

Vintage clothing stores are also a perfect place to look. Their entire existence depends on people donating clothes from era's before us. Vintage Bridal Gowns will almost always be part of their selection.

My favorite is eBay. eBay is a place for people who own treasures that want to sell them. What that means for you and me is that some really special pieces end up on this site. Of those special pieces are Vintage Bridal Gowns. And because eBay is a venue where YOU control the pricing by bidding, you may end up with quite a steal. It is not uncommon to see Vintage Bridal Gowns go for $10. To spend $100 on eBay for gown is quite a lot but what a great deal that is for you.

Something you might not have considered is since the savings are so enormous, you can afford to have the dress tailored so larger size dresses should not be out of the question.

Any concerns about the dress is normal and absolutely expected by the seller. Whether you want to see better photos, have a certain measurement taken or simply get some questions answered ,communicating with the seller is very easy.

So now that you have some ideas of where to look for your Vintage Bridal Gown, take your time to really look around. The deals are indeed there and you will no doubt find your special dress.

Brigitte Martinez specializes in featuring eBay deals on Vintage Bridal Gowns. You can see the low prices for yourself at her site Vintage Wedding Gowns.

She also features deals on Vintage Wedding Rings on eBay as well.

Friday, July 24, 2009

The Extremely Stylish Vintage Wedding Dress

By Diane Winter

Out of all the things that you want to be perfect for your wedding day, the way that you look is probably at the top of the list. With all the pictures that will be taken, you will want to be able to always look back at them and be proud of how gorgeous you looked. When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, more and more people are taking advantage of wearing a vintage wedding dress on their special day.

The term "vintage" applies to all products that are at least thirty years old. Right now we are finding that the fashion industry is in love with using vintage pieces. So to wear a vintage wedding dress would really show your sense of style off to everyone. The great thing about vintage wedding dresses is that you aren't limited to a certain decade of style. You could go with any era that appeals the most to you and makes you look the most attractive.

If you prefer an elegant and classy look, you will want to check out the 1930's and 1940's vintage wedding dresses. Women of this time were known for their charm and grace. By wearing this style of dress, you can truly show off your femininity. The best way to describe the vintage wedding dresses of this time is that they had beautiful bead work, used satin materials, and included gorgeous embroidery.

If you are burious about what you will find with a 1950's vintage wedding dress, look at pictures of Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy in their wedding dresses. They show us a sophisticated style. With each decade you will find a different kind of look. Each look gives off a message about who you are inside. So choose your dress wisely since it will be part of memories that you will have forever.

Places to look for vintage wedding dresses include antique shops and vintage stores. Since these stores can be difficult to find, you will have the best luck by searching online specialty shops. The wonderful about wearing a vintage wedding dress is that you don't have to worry about it being in poor condition, since the dress was probably only worn one time. But to make sure that the dress was well-preserved, make sure that you are purchasing from a store that has a good reputation.

Since many times you will find that the vintage wedding dresses have faded to a creamy color, you may be uneasy about getting one. Some people prefer it this way because it gives the dress more character. But if you would prefer it to look the way it did originally, you can request that the seller have the dress whitened for you. Often this can be done without harming the fabric. Before you decide to make the purchase you may also want to talk to the local dry cleaner about the type of fabric used in the dress. They can give you an idea about how well it will hold up and whether it can be cleaned and pressed before you wear it on your big day.

Diane Winter provides information that gives you a lot of tips and ideas on planning your own wedding and how to find the suitable wedding dress. Check out also her website Dream Wedding to find out how to create inspirational wedding speeches.

Monday, July 20, 2009

"Something Old" For the Bride

By Laura Firenze

Every bride who wants to ensure the best possible start to her marriage is familiar with the old saying, "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue". The new part is easy, but what about the old? Take a look at this list of suggestions that you can use.

The reason behind wearing something old for your wedding is to have a link to your heritage. It is even better if the old item has particular sentimental value to you or to the person from whom you get it. Brides will often start with their families when they are seeking out old items, but if nothing inherited presents itself, it is perfectly fine to seek out a vintage item to add to your wedding ensemble.

The most traditional something old is your mother's wedding gown. Sentimental value aside, many brides initially shudder at the thought of wearing their mom's old wedding dress (especially if she was married in the 1970s!), but do not be so quick to dismiss it out of hand. If your mother is willing, it is often possible to dramatically overhaul a vintage wedding gown to give it a more contemporary flair. Not only will you be fulfilling the "something old" requirement, but you will end up with a one-of-a-kind gown in the process.

If this simply is not your style, another nice idea is to steal a little piece of lace or fabric from your mother's wedding gown to incorporate into your bridal ensemble. A bit of lace could be stitched to the inside of your train, or you could use a larger piece of fabric from your mom's wedding dress to make a little drawstring purse to carry your essentials. Some brides might prefer not to wear their mom's gown, but might be able to work with her veil. Don't forget to ask your grandmother, as well. She may just have a gorgeous handmade Belgian lace veil tucked away in her attic just waiting for you to wear it.

Another popular and sentimental choice for the bride's something old is family jewelry. Many a bride has worn her mother's strand of pearls on her wedding day. When you are planning to wear an antique or vintage piece of jewelry, be sure to have a reputable jeweler inspect it before the big day. It is very common for older pieces to need a little maintenance, like re-stringing a pearl strand. Often brides will choose one heirloom piece of wedding jewelry to wear in combination with a new piece of handcrafted bridal jewelry. You can have a pair of earrings or a necklace handcrafted especially to coordinate with the vintage bridal jewelry to add your own style to your accessories.

Vintage jewelry doesn't always have to be worn on your body to qualify as your "something old". An antique brooch looks wonderful pinned to the ribbon wrapped around the stems of the flowers in your bouquet. If there is not a spectacular heirloom brooch in your family, it is easy enough to track one down in an antique store, flea market, or online. You might even find this detail to be so pretty that you want to find vintage brooches to adorn the bridesmaids' bouquets as well.

Almost anything can count as your "something old", though ideally it would have sentimental meaning or at least be very beautiful. It is wonderful to have this connection to your heritage or to brides from the past. Paying homage to the past is a great way to launch your new future.

Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts,reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Handcrafted bridal jewelry can be custom made to coordinate with your wedding gown, as well as your other bridal accessories.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Timeline Of Bridal Dresses In The Twentieth Century



Timeline Of Bridal Dresses In TheAuthor: Robert Thatcher

There are only three principal public occasions in a person's life: baptismal, burial and marriage. Among the three, only marriage allows great honor for the principals. Throughout the tradition, marriages had been considered as the special day for a lady who is about to pledge her matrimonial vows towards the chosen one.



Marriage is Her Big Day more than that of the groom. This is why marriages have always been made special and bridal dresses created as such to fit the festive occasion. This practice of making the bride look magnificent in her bridal dress runs down throughout the history, with widespread influence dating back to medieval times.



Bridal dresses were not always white, in opposition for what have been usually perceived by most people. Bridal dresses before the Victorian era would normally adapt the color of what is trendy and what is available. Shades of lively colors were normally used and pastel colors were also popular. But by mid-1800s, white bridal dresses became the norm when Queen Victoria chose a white bridal dress for her wedding day. The same dress was worn over a black silk dress fifty years later. She also was responsible for setting the fashion of having her bridesmaids carry the train.



1920s



In his decade, revolutionary changes were done with fashion. Up well to 1920s, bridal dresses were created in accordance with what's the norm. The hemlines rose from shoe to above the knee and became more curtailed. But later, many considered the length of the bridal dress inappropriate for church services, thus the replacement of full-length gowns. In this decade too was the dropped waist and shapeless bodice dresses reach its height of popularity.



1930s



The depression in thirties followed the roaring of the twenties. Women changed from the boyish look to the more profound expression of a woman's body. Normally, the bridal dresses in this era hugged the body of the bride. To emphasize the shape of the body, bridal dresses were given boat-shaped collars.



1940s



Fashion in the 1940s almost died down, and the same was true for the white bridal dresses. Clothes rations started in 1941 and continued up to the end of the World War I. A number of brides struggled for silk dresses but most suited themselves for the uniform. Those who were not commissioned in the army wore the same costumes.



1950s



The padded shoulders of the last decade were superseded by the narrow shoulders in the 1950s. However, many brides wanted their dresses adopt the intermediate style. The bridal trains were fashioned after the trains of the Elizabethan era. But another fashion arrived- The New Look outfit. Simply put, the New Look outfit is tailored after the ballerina dresses in terms of length. The dress typically has a jacket bodice with tight sleeves.



1960s



There were not so much changes in the bridal fashion in the 1960s. Ladies still preferred wearing the circular dresses, short veils and tight sleeves only differing on the veils with more bouffant approach. Most women wore coronets and a single rose with the veil gathered together from the flower. In contrast with the extravagant and flowing bridal dresses, bouquets in the 1960s were made simpler. More often than not, tiny flowers in tight posies are used.



1970s



After two decades of tights sleeves, Tudor sleeves were introduced in the seventies. The high-waisted line of the 1960s gradually moved lower to a princess line. Trains diminished too and the cuts of the dresses were made far simpler.



1980s



By this era, the waistlines had returned to their normal position. The dresses were much fuller now and the big bouquets returned back to fashion. This period was marked with more extravagant sleeves, suited after the bridal dress of the Princess of Wales.



1990s



Wide skirts remained popular with the start of the 1990s. However, different fashion icons popularized varieties of skirts. But among the most popular are the super low waists with skirts flared down.



New Century



With the coming of the new century, the norms with wedding have changed too. Themed costumes were much more practiced today and so are the themed bridal dresses.



There is no doubt that bridal dresses remain to be the eternal testimony of a wedding. And the efforts of making the dresses extravagant and special are both to the benefit of the bride's contentment and the ever-changing fashion trends.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/timeline-of-bridal-dresses-in-the-twentieth-century-18048.html

About the Author:

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides bridal dress resources on www.your-bridal-dress.info.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Vintage Dresses are a Must-have

Author: Priyanka Arora

Vintage dresses would make you stand out in the crowd, and it’s something different and unique from what the other people are wearing. We all know that vintage dresses are making a huge comeback today. And I do not mean tacky vintage which you picture as horrible lace, ruffles and flowers.

The reason why vintage dresses are so huge today is because it gives women a chance to reminisce and go back to the decade which influenced and inspired them the most. Some go for the movie era of the 1930s, or the curvy dresses from the 1950s or perhaps the groovy and trendy trends of the 1970s. You may let your own personality shine with the vintage dress that you picked.

These vintage dresses give you a feminine class that makes you feel like a natural woman. They add sophistication, elegance and glamour which make you very unique from the mass produced ready to wear dresses worn by other women. So if you want to stand out in the crowd, vintage dresses are for you.

These dresses are perfect for a night out at town, partying and dancing the night away or even for a formal occasion with your family. The different vintage styles vary from prom dresses, casual dresses or cocktail dresses.

Even women on their wedding day prefer vintage wedding gowns because they feel stylish and elegant. They are timeless. These vintage dresses will never go out of style. They are classy and timeless, and will forever be in style.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/vintage-dresses-are-a-musthave-475972.html

About the Author:

Online shopping from the most popular online shop where you can buy more than 5000 unique fashion products for men, women, teens & kids shipped to you absolutely free anywhere in the world. SalwarKameezIndia.com offers safe and secure online purchase of indian steel pendant, party wear salwar kameez - made to order and different types of apparels and accessories.

Vintage Dresses - Have You Considered Vintage Dresses?

Author: Elle Jacobs

What attracts people most to vintage dresses is the fact that they want something different from the usual offerings on the high street.

When you think of vintage, it's easy to slip into the attitude that it will be a tacky piece passed down several generations with horrible lace, ruffles or flowers.

Vintage style dresses are far from this stereotype as evidenced by the classic fashion hitting the trends right now. Vintage styles from the previous decades are making a big comeback.

Never before has vintage style been so in - what's old is very much new!

A lot of people enjoy buying vintage clothing because it allows them to wear styles from decades that inspire them most. Some like the movie glamour of the 1930's, curvy styles from the 1950's to the groovy trends of the 1970's. This lets your individuality and personal style shine through rather than being confined to modern trends.

Vintage dresses seem to have that feminine floaty feel making you feel more womanly. They have a unique elegance and charm and are very distinct from modern factory mass produced dresses.

They are perfect for a formal evening occasion or an night out with friends. Styles range from glamorous vintage cocktail dresses to prom dresses to casual day dresses ....

Even vintage wedding dresses have gained popularity amongst brides as they look stunning on and add a touch of classic elegance to the wearer.

Real style never goes out of fashion; vintage clothing will always be timeless.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/vintage-dresses-have-you-considered-vintage-dresses-480916.html

About the Author:

Browse through the latest bargain vintage dresses as well as many more styles and brands at http://www.possessthedress.co.uk and if you have a little one be sure to check out the cute girls vintage dresses

Friday, July 3, 2009

British Victorian Wedding Gowns UK

By Rafi Michael

With many couples desiring to relive the golden ages by having ethnic and vintage weddings, there has been a revival by designers and wedding planners to reproduce ethnic dresses in the whole of Europe. In the UK, prominent wedding designers are now known to have a collection of antique wedding dresses and have come up with ideas on how to incorporate antique outfits with a traditional fairytale or a modern wedding arrangement in a presentable way.

UK Wedding Dress Styles

There are varieties of bridal designer collections with a UK touch. Wedding dresses from the 16th Century down to the early 20th century have been used in many weddings recently. In the 18th and 19th century weddings, brides wore many colors. It is not until the 20th century that traditional wedding gowns were embroidered in white color. A wedding gown would be passed down the family for generations and preserved for years. Many of these costume collections can be seen in British museum collections, still with their lace and satin in near perfect condition. The art of dress was at a highpoint in the British colonies during the Victorian and Edwardian era that, according to many, has never been equaled. The Victorian obsession with character, morality and grace was due to the ultimate display of the wedding dress. Their magnificence and elegance can be observed in the Cincinnati Art Museum and many websites that offer antique information on British history and traditions.

Corset Styles

In 18th Century English, a new design known as the corset was in use. The dress has an easy shape to wear and looks good on a modern woman due to its boning that releases the pressure off the diaphragm and the waist. The British style corset creates a cleavage that shows off a woman's bust and enhances the overall appearance by compression. The corsets give the illusion of a smaller waist. This is further enhanced by intense decoration of the front with a style plus the incorporation of a new silhouette.

Today, corsets can be cut from original patterns, with or without tabs. Alternatively, they can also be modified to reflect modern styles with waists cut a little lower and even done with elastic inserts for ease and comfort. The wearer has the right of emphasizing bone channels. Having suitable interlinings with adequate boning is the key in any corset design, otherwise the wedding gown will seem to buckle at the waist.

A properly cut English wedding corset has a smooth finish from the neckline all the way down to the base. They can be produced in a wide variety of fabrics and endless ways of decorating them exist. In addition, they come with a combination of sleeve shapes.

Other Contemporary Wedding gowns

Other gowns with medieval overtures are Evelyn and Estella. Evelyn has a laced arm gauntlet with a toning skirt and hanging sleeves, while the Estella has a modern slim fitting fishtail with the elegance and style of a Victorian evening dress. Most of these weddings have undergone minor modifications before their use in modern wedding ceremonies. In any case, their original English classic look is evident and clearly discernible to an observant eye.

Wedding Gowns
If you are looking for a wedding dress to make a memorable appearance for your wedding, you found us. We specialize in offering wedding dresses from the trendiest designers abroad and we offer them at an affordable price. for more info vist: http://www.videobabylon.ca/bridal-shop.html

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

When Shopping For Vintage Wedding Dresses

By Sarrah Beaumont

There is something good to be said about wearing vintage wedding dresses. They are exquisitely made and amazingly designed considering their age, not to mention that you can actually wear your "something old" and show it off!

Still, shopping for vintage wedding dresses can be easier said than done since you have to contend with various issues like stains, rust and missing parts. Not to worry though if you have your heart set on a vintage wedding dress with these tips.

Check Your Measurements
Vintage dresses are often sized differently than the more modern clothes you shop for. As such, you should be armed with a full set of body measurements, your measurements of course, from your arms to your shoulders.

Better yet, buy a corset or a girdle and put it on before fitting on the dresses. This is because most women for whom the dresses were made often wore corsets and girdles to achieve a sculpted look. Besides, it will look good to have curves on your wedding day!

Check for Stains
Some stains are harder to remove than others. If you think that a stain will not come off and it shows in a very visible area, then you probably should just walk away and look for other vintage wedding dresses.

Some tips to help you remove stubborn stains from your dream vintage wedding dresses, which is assuming that it can be removed without going to a dress restoration expert of course.

* Place your dress in a bathtub filled with either lukewarm or cold water mixed with a gentle liquid detergent. Be sure to remove metal and plastic accessories first as these can add to your restoration problems. Soak it for at least 24 hours to loosen stubborn stains and lessen yellowish discolorations.
* Remove stains with a sudsy spray solution and then gently brushing them with a toothbrush. Just don't apply a club soda solution as it will worsen the stains, even make them settle more into the dress.

Whatever you do, avoid rubbing vigorously on the fabric. It can be fragile that any drastic wringing, rubbing, pressing and cleaning performed on it can make it fall apart. And then where would you be? Perhaps, you will be saying goodbye to anything vintage, wedding dresses or not, and that would be a shame.

Check for Missing Parts
Some vintage dresses may be older than your grandmother so checking for missing parts - buttons, embroidery, ribbons, and other stuff - is a must. If you can find a store that sells vintage accessories, it will be better for your restorative efforts.

If you don't have any knowledge of such a store, try looking for possible replacements. Some stores may even carry reproductions of vintage accessories that you can use to cover up the missing parts.

If you have your bridal heart set on vintage wedding dresses but can't find one that meets your requirements in terms of it being able to withstand wear for more than 8 hours, then you can always ask to have it reproduced. There is no shame in that and you can even pass it to your daughter!

OnlineBridalShop.ca sells bridesmaid dresses - mother of the bride dresses and wedding dresses in all colors. Visit them now!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Walk Down The Aisle In A Vintage Wedding Dress

By Tania Penwell

You will rarely find a girl who doesn't grow up thinking about the big day when she would tie the knot with her prince charming! Every girl loves to imagine how stunning and ravishing she would look on her wedding day! And why not? It is you day and you have every right to outshine all others present in the wedding hall!

While every bride looks special in the night of wedding day, you can make it even more special with the touch of your unique sense of style. Let others swim through the stacks of wedding gowns in the designer stores and juggle between the budget and their choice - you take the easier route to the style statement; go for vintage wedding dress.

So what is a vintage wedding dress?

As with jewelry, in the world of dresses also you will find two terms 'vintage' and 'antique' used side by side creating a good deal of confusion.

There is a little difference between these two terms.

Antique dresses are those made in 1920 or earlier. "Vintage" is a term that is generally used to refer to the dresses that were made 25 or more years ago.

What is special about vintage wedding dresses? Why should you opt for one?

Just recall the scene from Sound of music where Julie Andrews set the screen on fire in her classical bridal get up! The satins, the laces, the flare, the feminine neckline-everything makes the bride look like a character from the pages of fairy tale!

This is precisely the essence of the vintage wedding dresses-they transport you back to a forgotten era!

The vintage wedding dress becomes a must, when your wedding ceremony is based on a historical theme. The bride and groom taking the vow dressed in vintage wedding gowns and suits add drama to the entire ceremony.

Then modern couples are increasingly choosing the castles or other historical palaces as their wedding venues and in that case, only a vintage wedding dress can do justice to the whole arrangement.

There is another case when, the bride and groom go for classic dressing style-when they are passionately in love with the Hollywood classics like "It Happened One Night." These are the likes of movies that inspire today's couples to dress like the stars of the yester years.

But most important reason why you should consider buying a vintage wedding dress is: they exemplify the extra ordinary craftsmanship and exquisite details for half or less prices that you are expected to pay for an off-the-rack dress with comparable detailing.

Things to keep in mind when you are buying your dream dress

Don't get swayed away by the magical old world charm of these elegant dresses-being old means they invariably carry some imperfections like odors, slight strains, missing buttons, torn up laces and so on. But don't get worked up-they are easy to repair. While bargaining, keep these hidden costs in mind.
One thing you must be very careful of and that is the size. Always check the exact measurement; this will help you get the perfect size for your body type.

If you are buying online, deal only with renowned sellers and also read descriptions of the dress carefully.

Looking for the best place to buy vintage wedding dress? Here are some great places to start with:

  • Vintage store or antique stores. Thrift stores for the 70's and 80's fashion.
  • Ebay makes a reliable source for vintage dresses.
  • The Frock.com for higher end items.
  • Vintagegown.com for high end, exclusive items.
  • VintageVixen for budget conscious. One advantage of this shop is they sell deadstock dresses that have never been worn.
  • Isadora's for excellent quality items, but the stock is not exactly large.

So you'll find that it's not too difficult to take your vows in a classic setting for a truly beautiful occasion!

Tania Penwell provides information on vintage wedding dresses and other kinds of wedding dresses & bridal gowns for The Wedding Blogger - your guide to weddings online.