Vintage fashion has become a red carpet mainstay, repped by stars like Zendaya,  Jennifer Aniston and Cardi B. In the bridal style space, wearing a vintage wedding dress is a trend that’s exploded into the mainstream, too. Last year, Princess Beatrice brought the movement to the forefront when she married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi wearing a dress borrowed from her grandmother, the Queen, a 1960s-era gown designed by Sir Norman Hartnell.

Then, last month, James Middleton, brother of the Duchess of Cambridge married financial analyst Alizée Thevenet in an intimate Côte D’Azur celebration. Like Princess Beatrice, the bride chose to wear a vintage wedding dress, which had extra-special significance: It was the same dress James’s mother, Carole Middleton, wore on her wedding day in 1980.

Thevenet’s elegant bohemian-vibe vintage wedding dress was easy, breezy and very on-brand with her effortless French style. It featured a Bardot neckline, delicate lace and embroidered detailing. Thevenet told Hello! that she fell in love with her mother-in-law’s wedding dress when she and James were staying with his parents during lockdown and planning their wedding. “While talking about dresses with Carole and sharing ideas during lockdown for inspiration, I tried on her wedding dress and fell in love with it,” she said. “It fit me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted. It always troubles me that wedding dresses are only worn once, so it was amazing to give such a beautiful dress a second lease of life.”

With sustainable weddings top of mind for many, more and more brides are opting for vintage dresses. It’s a fashion choice that’s good for the planet—and, as Louise Cooper, the owner of beloved Toronto vintage boutique The Cat’s Meow points out, it also guarantees a one-of-a-kind wedding look.  

“Vintage fashion has such an air of romanticism,” says Cooper, who sources vintage dresses, jewellery and accessories for her clients. “Sometimes we get in actual vintage wedding dresses, or pieces that are really beautiful cocktail gowns and suits in shades of white. I just sold a dramatic 1920s liquid satin gown that had spider web beading and the most incredible blouson bracelet-length sleeves.”

Cooper says that convenience is an important factor for her clients. “In the mainstream market, there are lengthy timelines involved with order and fitting a wedding dress,” she explains. “Some don’t have the luxury of time, and they want to get married quickly, especially in the era of COVID.” Craftsmanship matters, as does a sense of history. “As the theme of weddings has become more diverse and original, I find a lot of brides shopping for something old to really bring the vibe of their day to life.”

When it comes to dealing with delicate, aged fashion pieces, Cooper assures, “You just need a skilled seamstress. Vintage garments tend to be built better.”

Courtesy of Celia BrysonCelia Bryson wore her mother’s reimagined 1970s wedding dress for her recent micro-wedding.

The vintage wedding dress reno process is something that Celia Bryson knows well. When the interior designer was looking for a dress for her fall micro wedding held last year at the Ritz Montreal, she didn’t set out to wear vintage. “I tried on a few dresses, nothing felt right to me,” she says. She ended up choosing a dress that was imbued with meaning. “My wedding was something I had thought about as long as I can remember, and my mother’s wedding dress was something I loved and had tried on so many times over the years. This beautiful dress held so much sentiment for me—all signs pointed to me wearing her dress.”

Bryson’s parents were married in 1979 and her mom had kept her wedding dress in great condition. “The original dress had a turtleneck, full-length sleeves and was full length in front,” Bryson says. “On my frame, it didn’t quite hit in the right places, so I removed the turtleneck, made the sleeves three-quarter length and shortened the front of the skirt to be knee-length. The dress actually survived a flood but it had some water stains which, luckily were able to be removed.”

Courtesy of Celia BrysonCelia’s mom Ingrid on her wedding day in 1979—she kept her wedding dress well preserved and was thrilled when her daughter chose to wear it.

On her wedding day, it was a particular delight for Bryson’s mom to see her daughter wearing her reinvented wedding dress almost 41 years to the day she herself walked down the aisle. The bride’s vintage vibe didn’t stop with the dress—Bryson also wore her grandmother’s earrings which were one of the first gifts given to her by her husband, Bryson’s grandfather.

Courtesy of Celia BrysonCelia walks the aisle with her mom and dad.

“My whole outfit was full of sentimental value, so it was incredible,” says Bryson. There was however one very special something new: Her shoes! “I could not resist a fabulous pair of floral Manolo Blahniks to bring some extra fun to my look.”

 

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