admin One of the most classic ways to wear something old is to don your mother’s wedding dress. However, many brides are finding ways to rework the design to modernize the dress, shorten it for their rehearsal dinners, or sew some of the fabric into a new custom gown. “I have not had any clients redo a wedding dress, per se, although I have seen it done very well by others,” notes Erlanger. “That’s always special, whether it’s for another celebration over the course of weekend, or for the main event.”
Don’t forget that your something old doesn’t necessarily have to mean vintage. “Define old,” quips Erlanger. “Things can be ‘old’ after one wear, these days. Maybe you have a keepsake that’s really special; heirlooms can be modern, too. It’s more about the sentiment than anything else.”
How to find vintage for your wedding look
If vintage is calling your name for your wedding day, be prepared to do a little digging to find that perfect match. “Vintage requires patience and it really is not for the faint-hearted,” says Erlanger. There’s no guarantee with what you’re going to find, and you have to be ready for the hunt. But the hunt is part of what makes it so special,” she adds, “because when you find something it’s almost like having a couture piece.”
“Incorporating vintage into your wedding wardrobe ensures a sense of ‘your ownness’ and imbues a spirit of uniqueness throughout your festivities,” shares Kaizer. “Knowing that you’re wearing something decades old, and, by now, one-of-a-kind, lends a different kind of gravitas to your bridal moment. From a collecting point-of-view, going with designer vintage or quality no-label vintage from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, or ‘60s is a bigger bang for your buck. The right piece will appreciate in value, and become a new family heirloom.”
When beginning your search, don’t be afraid to call in reinforcements. “Other than heading straight to (vintage bridal salon) Happy Isles, I’d recommend employing the assistance of a bridal stylist who is seasoned in working with vintage,” says Kaizer. “The hunt can be time-consuming and ultimately exhausting if you go it alone.” Erlanger notes that she has vintage resources around the world that she calls on for her clients.
