This afternoon, I hand over to Helena Butler, specialist collector and restorer of vintage wedding dresses, via her company 'Heavenly Vintage Brides'. Helena guides us through 1930s bridal style…
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Who can resist the allure of the 30s, with all the glamour it conveys? I've been so intrigued by the gorgeous vintage wedding dresses that I have sourced, that I have done a little research into the subject.
One question that interested me was why I found it difficult to find beautiful gowns in great condition that pre-dated this period? I know there are some amazing vintage wedding gowns from earlier decades but dresses from the 30's onwards seem to have lasted so well.
The main reason is the introduction of Rayon, this fantastic strong fabric was originally called Artificial Silk, it was perfect for the draped styles of the day – it ruched and hung so beautifully, as it had a wonderful weight to it. It was also more affordable than silk too, which was a huge advantage during the Depression Era. So whereas so many of the 20's silk and chiffon gowns have rotted, the 30's Rayon dresses have lasted very well and can be restored to their full beauty with a little know-how and love.
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Heavenly Vintage Brides
The main influence for the shape of 30's Bridal Gowns was Hollywood. As the Great Depression drastically altered peoples lives – Hollywood films offered escapism and glamour, and wedding gowns were modelled on the evening gowns worn by the Stars.
It was during the 30's that the idea of a 'White Wedding' took roo. This was not a new idea, (the white wedding dress was originally popularised by Queen Victoria), but from the 30s onwards, manufacturers started to produce gowns specifically for the Bride, and the bridal gown became a cherished possession.
The white dress was promoted as an ideal from an earlier age; as during the First World War and the Depression, Brides had just worn a suit or a day dress, so the new style of wedding dress heralded a return to glamour and romance. Hem lines had started to rise in the 20's, but they fell right back to the floor in the 30's, and simplicity and pared-down elegance became the only way for the modern bride.
Madeleine Vionnet's 20's and 30's dramatic bias cut gowns had a huge influence on fashion, and revolutionised the way dresses fitted, although this technique had been used earlier, it was now developed it into a new way of dressing. Other features of the dresses like the cowl neck, and draping, re-inforced the fluid idea of the design and became part of the whole.
The dresses required little in the way of ornamentation, diamante dress clips were worn and still look great today, beaded necklines were also popular in the later part of the decade. Technological developments during the 30's meant that costume jewellery was better made and much more widely available.
There are many fabulous examples of 30's diamante brooches and dress clips in fantastic condition, which look perfect with a satin gown. For my photo shoot here, I used two lovely diamante headdresses by Alan Hannah; Alan and Rita have been working with top jewellery designers to create a stunning range of Bridal jewellery, and these two pieces fitted so well with my theme I was delighted that they let me use them.
At present I have around 8 or 9 beautiful 30's gowns including the ones seen here, I also have about 40 other gowns from every period, and the only way to find the best one for you is to pop over and try them on! 🙂
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Thank you so much Helena for contributing this feature to Love My Dress. It's really interesting to learn more about the bridal fashions of the 1930s, how to work the look and where Brides can source quality vintage wedding dresses to try on! I love the whole look of this era – and tried to replicate it somewhat on my own wedding day.
You can see more from Heavenly Vintage Bridal on the Love My Dress Wedding Blog here.
Much love,
Annabel xXx
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Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
FAQs
1930s bridal ensembles included gowns that were cream coloured, slim-fitting, long-sleeved, gowns, with long and wide trains and several embroideries or lace inserts. The line of the dress in the picture is quite simple and clean; the train is very long and wide.
How old does a vintage wedding dress have to be? ›
What Defines a Vintage Wedding Dress? Typically, a vintage wedding dress is at least 20 years old, dating back to a specific era, such as the 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s.
What color of wedding dress should an older woman wear? ›
Older brides can and do wear white on their wedding day if they choose to. White is a classic and timeless choice for wedding attire that symbolises purity, new beginnings and the celebration of love.
What makes a wedding gown vintage? ›
Fabrics: The fabric of the wedding dress is a major factor in adding a vintage vibe to your look. Vintage-inspired fabrics may include lace, tulle, satin or brocade. Necklines and Sleeves: Another element of retro style are the specific necklines and sleeve styles that were iconic in different eras.
What did wedding dresses look like in the 1930s? ›
The silhouette that became popular in the 1930's consisted of an elongated torso, simple lines, and a soft and subtle flare. This decade introduced the bias cut, which hugged all the natural curves that didn't get enough love in the 1920's!
What was the most popular dress in the 1930s? ›
The Bias Cut
The result was draped, sinuous and fluid evening dresses that created the flirtatious and sensuous look which epitomises for many, the iconic 1930s silhouette. Combine the bias cut with the trend for backless and we are onto something quite daring and risqué, even by today's standards.
Are old wedding dresses worth money? ›
Are vintage wedding dresses valuable? If a vintage wedding dress is valuable or not depends on multiple factors. Mainly the condition, size, purchase price, maker and fabric quality. The value can also be considerably influenced by whether the style of the dress is in fashion at the moment or not.
Can an older bride wear a ball gown? ›
In fact, the maxim we subscribe to is, no matter your age, it's your day and you deserve to feel beautiful, whether that's in a princessy white ball gown or a hot-pink mini.
Should I keep my old wedding dress? ›
You'll have the option to sell or donate later! If you keep your gown, you can always opt to donate or sell it later, but once you sell it you can't undo that decision. Keeping your gown will give you more time to reconsider your options, donate it when a worthy cause comes along, or sell it when you truly need to.
Why do old wedding dresses turn yellow? ›
Environmental factors like sunlight, humidity and heat, accelerate the natural fibre degradation process. Even If you carefully put your dress in a plastic garment bag you are likely to experience 'phenolic yellowing'– yes, that's actually a thing.
Hair pins or hair combs can be an option, embellishing a sleek up do. Side tiaras can work well, particularly in short hair. Birdcage veils definitely work well but steer clear of cutesy bows. Either a beaded or embellished centre of elegant sculpted feathers work well.
What should a 65 year old bride wear? ›
The Best Wedding Dresses for Older Brides
- Tea-Length Wedding Dresses for Mature Brides.
- Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses for Older Brides.
- Strappy Wedding Dresses for Mature Brides.
- Non-White Wedding Dresses for Older Brides.
- Plus Size Wedding Dresses for Mature Brides.
Things like hand-beaded designs or delicate lace take hours to create. Premium fabrics come with premium prices. While white crinoline runs about $2 a yard, higher quality fabrics can cost up to $100 a yard. These are all features that feed into the higher pricing found in designer boutiques.
What makes a wedding gown timeless? ›
Selecting a wedding dress with a classic silhouette is another essential aspect to consider. Streamlined sheaths and columns or romantic A-lines and ball gowns are classic and have proven their enduring appeal. An important aspect of choosing your dress is how it drapes over your body.
How to make a wedding dress look vintage? ›
Vintage wedding dresses often featured intricate lacework and delicate embroidery. Look for dresses with lace sleeves, overlays, or appliqués to add a touch of vintage charm. Consider incorporating lace patterns inspired by the Victorian era, Art Nouveau, or the Edwardian period.
What did brides wear in the 1920s? ›
A bold trend rose, mirroring the decade's short and spirited 'flapper' style. Brides adorned slightly loose, straight-cut dresses that favored simplicity over lavish decoration. With dropped waists and raised hemlines, showcasing ankles transitioned from a shocking taboo to commonplace in wedding fashion.
How did girls dress in the 1930s? ›
Children's wear in the 1930s continued much in the same vein as it did in the 1920s. Like womenswear, however, girls' dresses saw a return of the natural waist. Cotton and muslin were popular fabrics for dresses and embellishment consisted of embroidery, piping, and ruffles.
What did women's clothes look like in the 1930s? ›
At home or in public, women most commonly wore dresses with wide shoulders; puffy sleeves; modest necklines; higher, belted waistlines; and mid-calf flared hemlines. Frilly bows, ruffles, buttons, and other details often decorated dresses.
How to dress like a woman from the 1930s? ›
Below the knee skirts with narrow hip that fluted out when they hit knee, often with inserted pleats were teamed with long line jumpers or tucked in tops. Classic 1930s headwear such as berets, turbans and headscarves worn low over the forehead were popular in many fashion shoots to complete the look.
