Finding the perfect wedding gown can be the first step to ensuring that your special day is exactly as you pictured it. For many, finding the perfect gown is a task that can be completed at a number of different wedding dress shops and boutiques, but if you have your heart set on a vintage dress the process can be a little more difficult. We’ve collected a few starting points for you to make finding a vintage wedding gown a little bit easier.
Vintage Wedding Dresses
Shopping for a vintage wedding gown can take a bit of guess work. For many brides, their first stop is in their family member’s closets. If your mother or grandmother has a wedding gown that she kept, you might consider wearing this gown. While the 80’s dress style wasn’t particularly flattering, often times these dresses have sentimental value and can be reworked by a seamstress to get the look you desire. Your grandmother’s wedding gown is more likely to be the style you are after. According to dress experts, the style of the 1950s and 1960s are incredibly popular today for their soft, feminine designs. Before you commit to the dress make sure to ask if it would be okay if the dress was reworked or altered. For alterations find a qualified seamstress who has worked on vintage fabrics before. It is advisable to ask to see examples of their work and references.
If you don’t have a family member with a dress to spare, you might want to pop into vintage dress and clothing shops. Vintage shops are a bit different than your average consignment shop. These shops focus on high-end apparel from decades passed and they’ll be a good starting point for finding a gown that is a true vintage piece. If you are living in a small town you’ll likely need to travel to a larger city to find a slew of vintage shops. Call ahead to see if they have wedding gowns. Create a list of the shops you plan on visiting and make a day of it with family or friends.
Vintage-Inspired Options
If vintage-inspired will work for you, you have more options than a bride looking for a truly vintage gown. Vintage is in this year and many major dress boutiques are offering styles that have a vintage look. If you go this route, you’ll want to focus your attention on designers who have vintage-inspired lines. Amaranita, Vera Wang and several other designers are currently offering vintage-inspired lines. These designers can be found in most major wedding dress boutiques.
Online Shopping
If you are a more adventurous bride you can try looking for vintage wedding dresses online. Sites like Etsy, eBay and other commercial auctions sites often have vintage gowns listed. There are also sellers on the former that specialize in vintage gowns. Before you buy, however, be sure to check your measurements against the dresses measurements. If you decide to go this route it is important to order the dress early, and only order from shops that have a liberal return policy. If the dress arrives and it isn’t what you wanted or it doesn’t fit you will want to have ample time to look elsewhere, and you will want to ensure you can get your money back.
Finding your wedding dress is a truly amazing experience, but finding a vintage dress that works for you can be like finding a needle in a haystack. We hope these tips and tricks will make your shopping experience a lot easier and a lot more fun.
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