Vintage inspired wedding dresses are gowns that capture the feeling of decades past.

Vintage wedding dresses have become a recent bridal trend because not only is the market for them larger thanks to great places to shop vintage online, but because going vintage is the most economical way to wear something 100 percent unique for your wedding day.

Here is some rules for buying a vintage wedding dress:

1.       Avoid dresses that have stains or need repairs

You know how hard it is to get out a stain that has been sitting for a 20 years or more. Additionally, vintage fabrics are difficult to match with modern ones, so it isn’t likely you will be able to patch or repair one. If you fall in love with a dress that needs repairs, all is not lost, but be prepared to pay much more money to a skilled seamstress.

2.       Be wary of the oldest dresses

Fabric deteriorates over time. The good news is that because a vintage wedding dress was a special occasion outfit, it has likely been warn and handled far less than other garments, and thus might be in better shape. So, you should take some time to stretch the fabric, look at it, and note any weakening.

3.       Figure out your budge before you shop

This is a good rule for any wedding gown shopping, not just vintage wedding dresses. That way, you can avoid falling in love with the unattainable.

4.       You will not wear your regular dress size in vintage dress.

Not only have people generally gotten taller and thicker, but the clothing industry has been gradually adjusting sizes downward. If you’re buying a dress online, the best thing to do is to carefully take your measurements or custom make dress by your specific measurements.

The most important advice we give to any bride considering vintage for their gown is really no different than a bride looking for a more current style.  Go with what feels the most comfortable and makes you, the bride, feel the most beautiful. It really is as simple as that.  A bride may find that she gravitates toward one particular style or another (50′s, 70′s mermaid, bias cut and so on), which is a great start. From there, it really comes down to how the particular style of a gown feels when worn and the wedding venue (garden, black tie, etc…) which may very well determine the fabric choice.




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