Retro wedding dresses are an original and undoubtedly stylish opportunity for a bride to stand out among modern designs and silhouettes of wedding dresses.
Lush wedding dress in retro style
Vintage style usually includes styles, decorative elements, and unique solutions that appeared in wedding fashion at least thirty years ago . Styling a wedding dress in a retro style always attracts attention, because whatever you say, the last century was an era of exceptional femininity, romance and sophistication. The Soviet period does not count.
Wedding dresses in retro style are ideal for the image of a romantic and elegant bride.
Retro style in wedding fashion does not always mean vintage dresses with strange cut elements and elaborate trim. Vintage in a modern design can be represented by correctly selected material, dress color (and most often it is not snow-white, but natural milky or beige), decorative elements and accessories.
Photo of a bride in a wedding dress in retro style
When choosing extravagant models, it is recommended to take care of combining the bride’s outfit with the groom’s suit - you must admit, vintage feathers and a men’s business suit from Brook’s Brothers will look ridiculous next to each other. It is better if the entire wedding is designed in a retro theme : the interior of the ceremony room, the hairstyles of the invited ladies, the suits of the gentlemen and the final beautiful chord - the bride’s wedding dress in the same style.
Antique wedding dress
The concept “ancient” takes us back two or three historical centuries . Wedding dresses of those eras were seriously different in style from modern ones, and the color schemes were most often not snow-white at all. Since weddings in those days were rarely of a love nature, but more of a commercial nature, the bride’s dress reflected the wealth of her family and had to correspond to the social status of her future husband. These are expensive, usually refined and expensive materials brought from abroad: silk, satin, corduroy, velvet.
Photo of a 19th century retro wedding dress
Wedding dresses in medieval style
Gold and pearl threads, the finest handmade lace, precious stones (emeralds, sapphires, rubies), and rich fur (mink or sable) were chosen as decoration.
The moral principles of that era dictated their own rules : dresses for the bride were closed, the chest and neck were not exposed, the hem was certainly “floor-length” and sleeves were of maximum length. The color of the wedding dress directly indicated the financial well-being of the bride’s family: materials for dresses dyed with natural pigments were expensive, and therefore only girls from a rich family could afford bright models in scarlet, pink or blue.
Natural colors of wedding dresses (milk, beige, natural linen) remained the lot of poor brides; fur decor consisted of hare or fox skins. When choosing an antique dress now, it is worth considering these symbolic moments.
Photo of a wedding dress in a medieval style
In families of modest financial means, wedding dresses were made with the expectation that in the future such an outfit could be worn on any significant occasion. By modern standards, such a wedding dress will seem too practical and rustic , so designers usually use old styles, but make them from expensive textured fabrics with spectacular decoration.
Fabrics
Depending on what time period will be taken as the basis for the retro wedding dress, the fabric will be selected.
The Victorian style is characterized by an abundance of lace, as well as the presence of natural fabric. Therefore, it is advisable to give preference to brocade and lace fabric.
Art Deco style is associated with luxury, as are the models of the next decade. Therefore, it is better to choose retro dresses for this look made of silk or satin; the trim can be made of organza or chiffon.
To recreate the bridal look of the 40s and 50s, dresses should be chosen from the simplest fabric possible, such as tulle, chiffon and organza. The base of the dress can be made of satin or crepe.
Early 20th century
The beginning of the 20th century in women's wedding fashion was marked by a complete abandonment of fluffy multi-layered skirts and the use of crinoline. More and more , a wedding outfit is becoming similar to a classic dress : a fitted silhouette with a wide hem, a closed style with long sleeves, no neckline - even the neck is covered with a high stand-up collar.
Photo of a dress for a bride from the early 20th century
The length of the dress is not as dramatic as before: now not only the toe of the shoe is visible, but also the graceful ankle. Seamstresses of that time began to abandon the widespread use of a corset in the style, but sometimes it is present in designs - it allows you to visually make the figure slimmer, lift the chest, straighten your posture, and create a clearer silhouette.
Wedding dresses of the 20s of the last century
The revolution took place not only in the political sphere of the country, but also in the fashion industry, and this could not but affect the outfits of fashionistas of that time. More and more often, modern brides are turning to the styles of that time: shortened models, very open and bold, appeal to the tastes of girls of the 21st century.
Nowadays, a retro wedding dress in the style of the twenties looks like a simple silhouette combined with expensive, original textured materials and luxurious decor. Currently, the fabrics chosen for such stylized dresses are airy and thin, matte or satin - chiffon, silk, satin. The lightness of the style is ensured by multi-layering and a bold combination of different textures of materials.
Wedding fashion of the 20s of the last century
The highlight of the bride's image of that time was a spectacular, rather deep neckline and a very low waist, literally down to the hips; often there was an asymmetrical hem that emphasized beautiful legs. The decoration must certainly be rich , otherwise the dress for the wedding ceremony will seem too simple: embroidery with pearls, beads or rhinestones, and decor with thin lace are actively used. Long large beads and massive brooches are recommended as accessories to maintain the retro style.
How to create a successful retro look?
In order for a retro wedding look to be truly successful and not look like an unsuccessful parody, several conditions must be met:
- Complete “immersion” in the era is necessary. It is advisable to look at fashion magazines of that time, paying attention not only to the cut of dresses, but also to the selection of accessories.
- In addition to clothes, you need to choose the right hairstyle, otherwise the image will not turn out complete.
- When choosing a wedding dress, do not forget about the characteristics of your physique. For example, if your shoulders are already wide, then you should not choose models with shoulder pads that artificially widen the shoulder line.
30s style wedding dress
Femininity and elegance were the style of wedding designs of that time. Fitted silhouettes with clear shapes, complex cuts and sophistication in details make wedding dresses in the style of the thirties of the last century modern and luxurious. The styles are characterized by a neckline, a clearly defined waist and an elegant maxi hem design, often complemented by a moderate train. Femininity and lightness will be added to such a dress by spectacular draperies, which, in addition to visually equalizing the proportions, can hide significant figure flaws. The material chosen is soft, easily draped fabrics, plain with a matte surface.
Retro style wedding dress with veil
Modern variations allow a medium length skirt , which in any case should cover the knee. Brides over 30 years of age often choose a wedding dress of this type: the beautiful figure is emphasized by an elegant cut, and the dress does not look daring. The look gains luxury due to expensive jewelry and stylish accessories: elbow-length gloves, a hat in the same style, a clutch to match the dress.
Gold earrings with sapphires and diamonds, SL (price on the link)
Gold rings with rubies and diamonds: first ring; second ring, all SL (prices follow links)
How to complement the image?
Hairstyle
will look advantageous - straight bob, knotted hair, curls . Curls will add a special charm to the style - from small curls with strong hold to large curls.
Shoes
Light-colored shoes or low-heeled sandals are best suited to this ensemble . Shoes can be decorated with a small buckle or a satin bow.
This is interesting ! For information on how a bride can choose wedding shoes, read the article at the link.
Decorations
Pearl necklaces with medium-sized beads, earrings with cubic zirconia, an antique brooch or a twig (see photo below) are perfect for a vintage outfit . The main thing is that the decorations are not too big and bright, drawing attention to themselves.
Handbag
A small clutch or handbag to match the outfit , decorated accordingly - with lace ribbon, beads, braid.
Additionally : in the last article we looked at what kinds of handbags there are for the bride. Interesting? Follow the link.
Veil
Vintage suggests many alternative options instead of the classic veil :
- hat with veil;
- wide lace bezel;
- large hairpin decorated with beads and flowers;
- pirate veil.
Additional accessories
- gloves (short openwork to the wrist, long lace to the elbow);
- bolero or jacket;
- cape;
- boa (for a wedding in the cold season).
gloves / bolero / boa
Wedding fashion of the 40s and 50s
The Second World War made its own adjustments to people's lives in all directions. Destroyed industries, men who had not returned from the front lines - weddings at that time were a rarity in themselves, and wedding outfits were simple and even everyday . Only in the late 40s did the wedding industry begin to gain momentum, and the middle of the last century provided girls with the opportunity to get married elegant and elegant.
Romance has returned to people's hearts and wardrobes. Wedding dresses of the 50s are midi skirts, fitted styles, fluffy bottoms and neat, even formal tops. The emphasis is not on the complexity of the cut, but on the use of expensive airy (taffeta) or, conversely, materials that hold their shape (crepe). Lace trimming is done on a moderate scale, but the sewing is chosen to be of exceptionally fine workmanship.
Wedding dress with retro patterns
Photo of a Soviet era wedding dress
Invitations
There is no need to rack your brains about what invitations to send out to guests. These could be either colorful notes on craft cardboard with hippie sketches, emoticons, flowers, or a “Beatles” invitation on vinyl, a symbol of that era. Postcards should be written in a hippie font. You can glue ribbons, denim shreds, leather ribbons, and dried flowers onto them.
Minimalism and rigor
Simplicity and conciseness are the motto of wedding fashion for the next two decades. Styles lose length, a bride's dress for a wedding in the style of the 60s looks extremely laconic, decor is used to a minimum and not always. In the silhouette, designers and seamstresses maintain strict geometry: a tight top and a fluffy bottom create ideal proportions for almost any figure. In the 70s of the last century, the shape of the skirt of wedding dresses took on an original shape - a bell or a bud.
Photos of dresses
In the photo below we have posted some examples of vintage wedding dresses :
And such models are presented in the Moscow studio of wedding dresses VICTORIA SPIRINA (source: www.victoriaspirina.com):
80s wedding style
Old 80s style wedding dresses truly look like a queen's outfit: they are luxurious and elegant . Silhouettes, as a rule, are kept in the classic “ballroom” style - long skirts, impressively designed, but often covered with translucent material, neckline, voluminous sleeves. The glamor and richness of the image is achieved through decor: rich embroidery appears on wedding dresses, and instead of a traditional veil, brides prefer hats or voluminous floral hair decorations. However, democracy and freedom have already entered the minds, hearts and wedding fashion: dresses for brides are becoming more and more original, and sometimes downright shocking. Wedding pantsuits became a hit in the 1980s.
Retro style lace wedding dress
80s wedding dress
Place
“Flower children,” as hippies are often called, will prefer alluring natural landscapes: the sky above their heads, breathtaking horizons, to indoors. That is why such a wedding should be held in the summer season. In winter, you can turn to the boho style, which is the same freedom-loving “relative” of the hippies.
For the ceremony, use a clear pond, a forest edge, a palace park with snow-white rotundas, ribbons fluttering in the wind, and petals of gerberas, roses and daisies scattered under your feet. You can come up with reed gazebos, a decorative waterfall, an impromptu place for a fire and playing a guitar, instead of a dance floor. You can also choose a beach location with its incomparable “sunrise”.
Last decade of the last century
By the end of the 20th century, the free wind of wedding fashion was slowly calming down, and brides were returning to the classic image of a fairy-tale princess . And this, first of all, is a traditional cut with bare shoulders, a defined waist and a full skirt. Crinoline and layered hemlines are coming back into fashion, with an abundance of lace decor, and color schemes are in shades of white (milk and ivory are beginning to appear on fashion catwalks).
The luxury and richness of the outfit, as before, is achieved through magnificent decor and expensive fabrics - any bride in a 90s-style dress looks like a true queen. An additional emphasis in the image is placed on a complex hairstyle, decorated with a medium or long veil.
In the 90s of the last century, princess-style wedding dresses came back into fashion.
Accessories
Well-chosen accessories help complete the retro look. So, in the 20s it was impossible to do without a string of pearls, a fur coat or a feather boa, and in the 40s and 50s natural pearls were replaced by beads made of artificial pearls.
You can complement the retro look:
- beads;
- brooches;
- hats;
- fur coat or boa;
- feather boa.
Advice! To choose the right accessories, decide on the time period for creating the style.
The hairstyle will also contribute to completing the look. It can be light waves, curls, updos, or backcombing. Among the accessories, choose an option that matches the retro style - hairpins, bows, silk scarf, ribbons, hoops, beads, headbands with feathers. It is also possible to remember the classic bride’s accessory - a veil, but it is more suitable for dresses in a vintage style.
Wedding dress 2000
The year 2000 was a turning point not only in historical terms. There were no collapses in wedding fashion; certain restrictions on style, cut, and decor were simply lifted : some girls preferred daring mini-dresses, while more conservative ladies remained in classic wedding dresses. Fashion trends are unstable and democratic, or rather, they give the opportunity to try whatever your heart desires: straight and fitted styles, romantic decor and abstract prints, different lengths. For the first time in several centuries, along with traditional white and its shades, colored wedding dresses are appearing : pink, blue, scarlet.
Photo of a wedding dress from 2000
60s
Then: the free 1960s were remembered by subsequent generations as an era of innovation and experimentation, including in the world of fashion. It was during these years that a real fashion revolution took place. The fitted silhouette gave way to a loose cut, the elegant knee-length skirt was replaced by a daring mini, minimalism and unisex styles made themselves known.
Radical '60s brides adopted tiny straight sheaths - often without sleeves or even a hint of traditional wedding decor. However, a more conservative version of the dress was also a great success among fashionistas of the 60s: a mid-knee skirt, a fitted silhouette, a geometric cut and, of course, a minimum of decor.
Now: the laconicism of the 60s definitely appealed to modern fashionistas. Top wedding designers like Angel Sanchez always include in their collections simple dresses with a geometric cut that emphasizes the figure.
