Vintage Wedding Gown

[MINE!!]

Wanted to tell my story. Today I was walking down the sidewalk of a little town, past an antique shop. THere was a vintage 1950-1960 wedding dress. Ivory, with a mock Elizabeth Collar and the long sleeves that are tight on the end. Satin over and chiffon overlay.. looks like it is ''pleated'' Nice long train. No stains, but it needs to be dry cleaned. Hand sewn lace on the bodice and along both layers of the gown. Empire waist. Pearl beads.. beautiful... get this ...25$

25$!!! Of Course I bought it. I tried it on and it was if it were made for me. I love the dress... but I hate hate hate the sleeves. Ia m going to take it to a seamstress and see if she can perhaps make them ''poets'' sleeve.. you know wide hands , long and flowy. I love it and it was a good deal... I hope that it will work... But I don''t know, I love it... but I don''t.. But... If I don''t... I am only out of 25$

 

[innerkitten]

Sounds wonderful and what a great deal! I love vintage too! Bring it to a good tailor and I''m sure they can make any alterations for you.
Must be nice to have the dress part out of the way.

 

[MelissaSue]

what an absolutely excellent deal.. Maybe a seamstress could remove the sleeves altogether? Or woul that not look right? In anycase.. its a wonderful deal!

 

[njc]

What a cool find! Any chance for pics?

There are some people who specialize in taking old wedding dresses and restoring them if they are in bad shape or changing an element (like the sleeves). They usually have access to extra vintage fabric, buttons, etc if anything needs to be added or replaced. Im not sure where you are, but i know there is one such place in Richmond, VA. My mother and I were considering taking her dress there, and it was going to need a lot of work. She was a 4 and ive never been anything less than a 12, plus im 6 inches taller! I think we both were a little bummed that if we did that, it ment we couldnt go dress shopping! We saw some of their work first hand... AMAZING!

So maybe check your phone book? Here is a link to the store in Richmond to give you an idea, its called Pleiades Vintage Bridal.

 

[flopkins]

Mine- that sounds so lovely... I agree on posting pics if you have any!!

I think you can definitely change teh sleeves, just find the right person to do it.. I imagine something delicate like that needs someone w/the proper vintage lace etc... and experience. On the other hand, it sounds like you''re not completely sure you like the dress... so maybe see how much it is to modify the dress before doing so... in case you end up being a few hundred out instead of just $25!!

 

[MINE!!]

Hey everyone, whated to update on the dress.

I took it a seamstress this afternoon and she looked at it and said that she could take off the cuff and it would make the long sleeves into bell sleeves. She is going to use the lace that was around the original cuff for the edging. Then she is agoing to take the pleated lace and (from the cuff) and make it into a flower to be set in a comb for a custom wedding veil.

She suggested a really cool way to ''clean'' the dress to see if it was worth it to keep. OMG!!! IT is friggin Beautiful. I orginally though that it was ivory.... it isn''t. The liner and pearl bust area is ivory and THEN the chiffon is a AWESOME brillant white over the yummy ivory liner for the skirt. The sleeves are white chiffon and the lace is an amazing ivory. IT is BEAUTIFUL!!! I love it!!!!!!! I love it I love it. She said that it is in immaculate condition and it looks as if it has never been worn.

I will get some pictures for you soon. I want to do a before and after to keep this updated.

 

[MINE!!]

Date: 4/11/2005 9

0:25 AM
Author: njc
What a cool find! Any chance for pics?


There are some people who specialize in taking old wedding dresses and restoring them if they are in bad shape or changing an element (like the sleeves). They usually have access to extra vintage fabric, buttons, etc if anything needs to be added or replaced. Im not sure where you are, but i know there is one such place in Richmond, VA. My mother and I were considering taking her dress there, and it was going to need a lot of work. She was a 4 and ive never been anything less than a 12, plus im 6 inches taller! I think we both were a little bummed that if we did that, it ment we couldnt go dress shopping! We saw some of their work first hand... AMAZING!


So maybe check your phone book? Here is a link to the store in Richmond to give you an idea, its called Pleiades Vintage Bridal.

Thanks so much for the information!!! NJ!!!
Innerkitten and melissa.. Thanks.. so much.. I will get pictures soon...
Good point Flopkins!!

 

[hopefulbutpoor]

Pictures please!

 

[Strawdermangrl]

My mind is running a million miles a minute!!! We must have pics!!!

Don''t leave us hanging Mine- I can''t wait to see how beautiful the dress is, and how fabulous you are going to look in it! I found a dress at a vintage shop in the middle of no where Kansas in College once, it was AWESOME- the way that dresses were made back in the day- some of the old designs....they are truly breathtaking. I bet you have one of the few true beauties.....

 

[blueroses]

I second that! Can''t wait to see pictures and hear about the progress...this is such a great story! I am hoping to tweak and wear my mom''s dress when the time comes, so I''m always really interested in vintage dress updates like this!