Dear Reader
Who can resist the allure of the 30s, with all the glamour it conveys?I’m often intrigued by the gorgeous vintage wedding dresses I’ve sourced, so I have done a little research into the subject…
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| Beautiful white satin original 1930s wedding dress, £1250 incl slip |
One question that interested me was, why it is so difficult to find beautiful gowns in great condition that pre-date the 30s? Well, the main reason is the introduction of Rayon. This fantastic strong fabric was originally called Artificial Silk, and was immediately embraced by all the major fashion houses. It was perfect for the draped styles of the day – it ruched and hung so beautifully, as it had a wonderful weight to it.
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| Stunning white satin original 1930s wedding dress, £1250 incl slip |
Rayon was also more affordable than silk too – a huge advantage during the Depression Era. So whereas so many of the 1920s silk and chiffon gowns have lost their appeal, due to the silk ‘breaking down’, the stronger 1930s Rayon dresses can be restored to their full beauty with a little know-how and a lot of love.There are certainly some amazing vintage wedding gowns from earlier decades, but dresses from the 30s seem to have lasted so well.
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| Glamorous gold satin 1930s wedding dress, £1250 incl slip |
The main influence for the shape of 1930s wedding dresses was Hollywood.As the Great Depression drastically altered peoples lives, Hollywood films offered escapism and glamour. And so wedding gowns were modelled on the evening gowns worn by the Stars.
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| Simply glamorous. VIOLETTE 1930s-inspired silk wedding dress, from £1350 |
Hem-lines had started to rise in the 1920s, but they fell right back to the floor in the 30s, and simplicity and pared-down elegance became the only way for the modern bride.Madeleine Vionnet’s1920s and 1930s dramatic bias cut gowns had a huge influence on fashion, and revolutionised the way dresses fitted. Although this technique had been used earlier, in the 1930s it was developing into a new way of dressing.
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| Slinky white satin original 1930s wedding dress, £1250 incl slip |
Other features of the dresses – like the cowl neck and draping – reinforced the fluid idea of the design and became part of the whole. Lowbacksand open backs were subtly sexy, and combined with thesinuousfabrics, made a striking statement.
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| Subtly sexy – white satin original 1930s wedding dress, £1250 incl slip |
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| VIOLETTE 1930s-inspired silk wedding dress with lace sleeves, from £1350 |
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| VIOLETTE 1930s-style wedding dress with petal sleeves in silk satin, from £1350 |
It was during also the 30s that the idea of a ‘white wedding’ really took root. 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.
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| VIOLETTE 1930s-style dress with chantilly lace inserts, £1350 |
The white dress was promoted as an ideal from an earlier age. During the First World War and the Depression, brides had simply worn a suit or a day dress, so the new style of wedding dress heralded a return to glamour and romance.
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| Movie-star glamour! White 1930s satin dress priced £1250 incl slip |
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| Hollywood romance in white silk satin, VIOLETTE from £1350 |
The dresses required little in the way of ornamentation. Diamante dress clips were worn and still look great today. And beaded necklines were also popular in the later part of the decade. Technological developments during the 30s meant that costume jewellery was better made and much more widely available.There are many fabulous examples of 1930s diamante brooches and dress clips in fantastic condition, which look perfect with a satin gown.
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| VIOLETTE 1930s-style dress worn with diamante dress clips |
At present I have around eight or nine beautiful 1930s vintage dresses – priced between £695 and £1050. (Dresses of this age are never lined as the ladies always wore a slip, so the price includes an individually-matched slip of the same age and style as the dress).
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| Super-glamorous gold satin 1930s wedding dress, £1250 incl slip |
And of course, my vintage-inspiredHeavenly Collection features a number of 1930s-style dresses such as Violette shown here in different versions, priced from £1350.
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| VIOLETTE in silk, from my vintage-inspired Heavenly Collection |
I also have about fifty other vintage wedding dresses for salefor sale from every period, and the only way to find the best one for you is to pop over to visit meand try them on!
Hope to see you soon,
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides
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 to value a vintage wedding dress? ›
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.
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. These dresses often possess unique characteristics that set them apart from modern bridal gowns.
What color should an older bride wear? ›
If going bold with colour doesn't tickle your fancy, you could always explore some popular off-white tones for your big day. While ivory is a timeless choice, champagne-coloured, cream, blush or even silver dresses continue to be a hit amongst older brides.
What was the most popular dress 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.
What was the dress code in the 1930s? ›
1930 Fashion Overview
1930s clothing brings to mind bias cut evening gowns in liquid satins and silks, tweed suits, flounces and frills and topped off by a cute beret or tilt hat. 30s Fashion certainly seemed fussier than the 1920s with its relentless ornaments of bows, trims and frills.
Are old wedding dresses worth money? ›
Yes all that stuff is re-sellable, but not for stupidly high prices. A used Wedding gown is usually only worth 1/4 to 1/3 of it's original price. I would encourage former brides to sell or donate that once used Wedding gown, and make a not so wealthy bride very happy.
What makes a wedding gown vintage? ›
A retro wedding dress refers to a style of wedding gown inspired by fashion trends from past eras, typically from the 1920s to the 1980s. This attribute gives the dress a vintage look that inspires nostalgia. The specific era that influences the dress will determine its details, silhouette and more.
How much can I sell my old wedding dress for? ›
As a general rule of thumb, used gowns in great condition and only a few years old can sell for fifty percent of their retail price. As the dress gets older, the amount it can sell for decreases, especially if the dress style is no longer popular or in demand.
What color were original wedding dresses? ›
Before 1840, when Queen Victoria wore an influential white dress for her wedding ceremony, it was quite usual for a bride to wear red, pink, blue, brown, or even black, while saying her vows.
I have restored vintage wedding dresses up to 100 years of age! If you have an old wedding dress or vintage wedding dress that you would like restoring, then Ramsey is the person to call! Ramsey tackles the dresses that no one else will and his results speak for themselves!
What do older brides wear on their head? ›
Whether it is incorporating a bit of color so that you don't look so traditionally bridal, choosing a short veil or headpiece that makes you feel beautifully feminine and chic, or going with a nontraditional cape for a bit of shoulder and arm coverage, the options are endless for older brides.
What should a bride over 60 wear? ›
Having dressed many older brides for their wedding day, we find bridal outfits with sleeves to be of preference. Whether the bride chooses delicate lace, intricate beading or classic satin, sleeves are a great way to add a touch of modesty and sophistication to wedding dresses for brides over 50.
What Colour is mother of the bride? ›
There's not one specific color the mother of the bride should wear. But unless you've received approval from the couple, it's best to steer clear from white, ivory or champagne hues as not to take attention away from the bride.
What color did brides wear in 1920s? ›
Intricately adorned with lace, beads, and flowers, these veils echoed the iconic cloche hat style that defined 1920s fashion. While most dresses were white, shades like eggshell, ecru, and ivory also appeared. The shortest styles prevailed in 1926 and 1927.
What were weddings like in the 1930s? ›
The grandeur of royal weddings influenced the decor choices of 1930s weddings. Couples sought to create a sense of opulence through the use of elaborate centerpieces, candelabras, and fine china. The color palette was often inspired by royal events, with gold, silver, and rich jewel tones being popular choices.
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 was marriage like in the 1930s? ›
Some married women worked because their husbands could not find work. Other married women worked because their husbands did not make enough to support the family. In addition, the number of people deserting their marriages increased in the 1930s. Many married women did not even have a man at home.
