As one of the oldest traditions of humankind, with evidence suggesting that people have been marrying each other for around 4,350 years it comes as no surprise that vintage themes are huge in both wedding customs and fashions, today weddings are still deeply rooted in nostalgia and history. As the saying goes, ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’.
Whilst for some brides, something old might mean wearing your grandma’s diamond earrings, others are deciding to have their full dress reworked from a loved one’s gown or even choosing to theme their whole event around a decade past.
We have broken down key elements of wedding gowns from iconic eras for you to take inspiration from for your big day.
1800s
Queen Victoria famously wore a white gown for her opulent wedding to husband Prince Albert, kickstarting the tradition of bridal white for centuries to come. The 1800s was the era of the boned corset, full skirt, Cathedral length veil and dainty white gloves. A style that has in recent decades become colloquially known as ‘the princess dress’.
Reinstated in the zeitgeist perhaps by the hit television series Bridgerton, nearly 200 years on, the Victorian and Edwardian style gown is still as popular as ever.
1920s
Whilst the romantic Edwardian period was the era of the beautifully boned corset and full skirt, the roaring twenties invited in a new kind of bride. The 1920s was a time of social revolution which was mirrored across the fashion world. Women’s clothing became much less restrictive, with Coco Chanel rising to fame with the iconic Little Black Dress, the 1920s saw hemlines rise and corsets disappear.
In the era of the iconic ‘Flapper Girl’, prohibition, decadence and jazz music 1920s fashion is synonymous with elegance, glamour and fun. Think beading, chiffon, capes, fluttered sleeves, elaborate headpieces and feathers. The timeless charm of the 1920s continues to inspire bridal designers and brides a century on.
1930s/40s
Vogue in the 1930s stated that ‘The modern Bride appears at her loveliest in the new fitted and moulded gowns with long sweeping lines. Brides of the 1930s were modest and demure, wearing regal silks and flattering figure hugging shapes designed to elongate the body.
The high-necked and sleeved style of the 1930s is revisited often by brides of the 21st century. Trending Influencer for 2024 and Tiktok star Nara Smith opted for a Orseund Iris high-necked, long sleeve, silk gown for her 2020 nuptials to model Lucky Blue. Whilst fashion houses including reformation have released many gorgeous 1930s-esk styles for 2024.
1950s
In the era of Hollywood glamour, by the 1950s sleek and simple styles were out and much more playful, flirty looks were in. Think Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, nipped waists and full calf-length skirts with sweetheart necklines.
This mid-century style is perfect for city based weddings and more casual nuptials. In 2024 we have seen many celebrity brides incorporate elements of 1950s style in their wedding look.
Celebrity makeup artist wore a beautiful custom Molly Goddard gown for her 2022 wedding, which is heavily inspired by 1950s silhouettes. The tea dress style is fun, relaxed and effortlessly cool.
1960s
Mini skirts, Mods and the birth of boho – the 60s and 70s birthed some of the most important and transcending fashion moments of all time. The 1960s is famously the era of the mini dress, with iconic designers such as Mary Quant and Barbara Hulanicki for Biba emerging. Whilst the peace and love movement was taking the western world by storm marking the beginning of boho chic.
In 1964 fashion icon Elizabeth Taylor stunned in a short, canary yellow chiffon dress to wed Richard Burton which is thought to have began to popularise non white bridal looks. Her flower hairpiece was also key for the decade given the flower child movement in the 1960s.
Actress Sharon Tate notably wore a stunning mini babydoll dress at her 1968 nuptials. The mini dress has remained a staple in wedding fashion, with more brides opting for shorter.
