A round-up of the best places to find a vintage wedding dress.
The demand for vintage wedding dresses seems to grow with each proposal and with good reason. Usually made from exquisite fabrics and crafted in a way that would cost the earth if created from scratch today, vintage wedding dresses allow brides to wear something that is totally unique and which can be worn from the day of purchase. Of course, a vintage wedding dress that is in good condition and which fits properly is not always easy to come by. Fortunately, there are some great vintage wedding dress specialists out there that can help you in your search and make you shine on your special day. Here are our favourites.
JANE BOURVIS
www.janebourvis.co.uk
Tucked away on Golborne Road, near London’s Portobello area, is a magical haven, replete with the most stunning vintage fabrics, dresses, corsetry, veils and beadwork sourced from Edwardian, Art Deco, Victorian and other famously stylish eras. Jane Bourvis (who dressed Carrie for the Sex & the City scene where Mr Big surprises her in Paris) will work with you to create a bespoke dress from these genuine vintage fabrics based on original designs and your own ideas. Prices start from £300.
THE VINTAGE WEDDING DRESS COMPANY
www.thevintageweddingdresscompany.com
Something of a stalwart on the vintage wedding dress circuit, The Vintage Wedding Dress Company elevates searching for a vintage wedding dress into a proper boutique experience. Make an appointment at the very comfortable showroom and spend a happy hour browsing the racks of rare dresses, accompanied by an assistant, who can advise and help as you try things on. The dresses, which cover most decades of the 20th century, have all been beautifully restored and can be tailored to fit you perfectly. Prices start from £1,000.
LOVE MISS DAISY
www.lovemissdaisy.com
Based in York, Love Miss Daisy, scours the world for its diverse range of vintage wedding dresses, which can be browsed online or in person via an appointment the £30 cost of which it will set off against any gown bought. If you are seriously considering purchasing a dress, it would recommend making an appointment first, so you can try it on and browse the much wider selection of dresses in stock before making a decision. Prices start from £150.
HEAVENLY VINTAGE BRIDES
www.heavenlyvintagebrides.co.uk
Sourced from around the world, Heavenly Vintage Brides offers a stunning selection of vintage wedding dresses, dating back between 30 to 80 years, which it showcases beautifully on its site alongside photos sent in from real brides. Based in Acton, London, the company works on an appointment system, which takes around 1.5 hours. All the gowns have been specialist dry-cleaned and any minor repairs have been carried out. Where appropriate, petticoats have been bought or made to fit the dresses. Prices start from £300.
ABIGAIL’S VINTAGE BRIDAL
www.abigailsvintagebridal.co.uk
Based in the East Midlands, Abigail’s Vintage Bridal offers a wonderful selection of vintage wedding dresses, which can be browsed online by decade and which are showcased with high quality lifestyle imagery. Make an appointment to try on different styles featured in the collection, browse vintage accessories including jewellery, sashes, lace collars, tiaras and veils to complement your chosen dress and benefit from an in-house alteration service. Prices start from £300.
SALLY LAco*ck
sallylaco*ck.com
If love the vintage look but want your wedding dress to be worn for the first time by you, then it’s worth looking up Dalston-based Sally Laco*ck, who creates vintage-inspired wedding dresses inspired by the fluid and refined lines of the 1930s and softness of the late Edwardian era. Featuring antique tones that range from ivory to silver to mink and gold, dresses are made in soft silks and the finest French lace, adorned with special touches including hand-sewn silk flowers, glass buttons and other vintage details. Prices start from £1,480.
UNFORGETTABLE VINTAGE BRIDAL GOWNS
www.vintagebridalgowns.co.uk
This West Midlands gem stocks only original vintage dresses, each of which have been carefully sourced, cleaned and pressed. Make an appointment to view the full bridal collection as well as a small collection of vintage bridesmaid and evening ‘do’ dresses and vintage accessories. For an additional charge, an in-house seamstress is on hand to help make any alterations. Prices start from £120.
ELIZABETH AVEY
www.elizabethavey.co.uk
A spacious boutique based in North London, Elizabeth Avey draws on 22 years of experience in vintage fashion to offer an excellent range of vintage bridal wear spanning styles from the 1920s to 1970s. Browse high quality images online or make an appointment to explore the full collection. Should you find something that needs adjusting, it can recommend an excellent alteration company which can help to make your vintage wedding dress fit just right.
1st November 2011
