Showing posts with label history of wedding fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history of wedding fashion. Show all posts

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Bridal Fashions From the 40's, 50's, & 60's

One of the best things about fashion is that once something "goes out of style," eventually time goes by and it's right back in again! The gowns that we sell in our wedding dress store in Miami have an elegant, timeless look about them, but the details within these designs often showcase a fashion feature that stands out and brands it as belonging to a certain time period. 



David Abadi, owner of Brides of America, recently found some beautiful wedding photos of family and friends from the past, which he is sharing with us throughout today's blog. This got us to thinking about the different styles that brides seemed to prefer over the years, particularly the 40's, 50's, and 60's. According to David, "Lots of key elements from the wedding dresses of those decades are becoming popular again. I see them in many of the newest styles.

(Please note, there were no dates with the vintage photos, so they are not necessarily pictured next to the actual era they are from.) 

The 1940's
This was during war time, so many women simply wore the best dress that they could afford at the time. The ones that were able to afford a bridal gown stuck to simple, modest styles. After the war, there was a boom in weddings when the troops got home, and wedding dresses started to become more stylized. 

Gibson sleeves were very popular, which were long with a point at the end. High collars were often worn, and you might see netting at the neckline, or a slight sweetheart shape. A modest white or ivory was usually worn, or occasionally a beige. 

The 1950's
Ballerina-length skirts, on both the brides and their bridesmaids, were all the rage in the 50's. As hemlines became shorter, so did the veil lengths. A fitted bodice with a full skirt was a favorite look, as well as the sweetheart neckline. Brides fell in love with this neckline when Elizabeth Taylor wore it in "Father of the Bride," and later when Grace Kelley wore it in her own wedding with a lace overlay. If a strapless gown was chosen, something, like a bolero jacket, was worn to cover the shoulders for the church ceremony. 


The 1960's
Waistlines got higher in this decade, and veils continued to get shorter. Many brides wore a pillbox hat with a bouffant veil. Necklines stayed modest and still kept fairly high. An empire silhouette was a style many women chose. Some brides were bold enough to add a few metallic embellishments, and many were seen with floral embellishments. 


Every wedding dress is different, but if you look closely enough, you can see similarities between many of them. Styles from the past, combined with modern influences, are what inspire designers to create the exquisite bridal gowns that you see in our online wedding dress store and in our Miami bridal boutique. 

Look through some old wedding photos, either online or in your family albums, and see if you can spot special elements within those bridal gowns that you would still love to wear today. It's a fun and fashionable trip down memory lane! Once you are inspired, make an appointment to look through the gorgeous gowns at Brides of America to find your own look that will stand the test of time. 


The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.



Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com



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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Wedding Fashions Through the Decades

Wedding fashions through the years have made some dramatic changes.  Bridal gowns show obvious differences from decade to decade, yet many styles that disappear find their way back into favor years later.  Mori Lee Wedding Dresses, which our Miami wedding dress store is an authorized dealer for, has gone through these fashion changes, always keeping current with what brides want.   

Brides of America's owner, David Abadi, recently pulled out some past Mori Lee wedding gown pictures and began reminiscing.  He said, "Mori Lee has been a leader in fashion for over 60 years.  I am fascinated how every year the amazing Mori Lee bridal lines reflect the most current and sought-after styles.

From long fitted sleeves to big pufffy sleeves, lacy ruffled skirts to satin skirts, portrait sleeves to strapless gowns, and full ballgowns to mermaid skirts, there have been some incredible looks over the last few decades.  Here is a brief glimpse at each of them.  


Mori Lee Bridal Gown - 1950


1950's
The 1950's wedding fashions featured many ballerina-length skirts for both brides and their bridesmaids.  Veils became shorter, along with hemlines.  Many dresses had full skirts with a fitted bodice.  The sweetheart neckline became popular when it was worn by Elizabeth Taylor in "Father of the Bride."  Grace Kelley also wore this neckline in 1956 under a lace overlay.  Some brides chose a strapless dress, but it was always worn with something to cover the shoulders for the church ceremonies. 



1960's
Waistlines got higher in the 1960's, and veils got shorter yet again.  The pillbox hat with a bouffant veil was all the rage.  Necklines remained fairly high and modest.  A few brides began braving much shorter skirts.   

1970's
This decade was also known as the "me" decade.  Many young people were all about expressing themselves, and wedding fashions tended to vary.  Bohemian styles became popular, and many featured a square neckline.  

Mori Lee Bridal Gown - 1986

1980's
Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981, and her luxurious dress set the tone for bridal fashions early in the decade.  Large cathedral trains and full-length veils were what brides wanted to wear.  Waists were cinched, but sleeves and skirts were most often big and puffy.  Dresses from this time period were very big, dramatic, and romantic.
      


Mori Lee Bridal Gown - 1992

1990's
Compared to the extravagant 80's, 1990 brought along a more minimalist look to wedding gowns.  The slim shape of sheath dresses was popular, and while embellishments were still used, it was much more sparingly. 


2000's
Toward the end of the 90's, women began wanting dress styles that were a little sexier and less traditional.  Strapless gowns became extremely popular.  More ceremonies were happening in places other than the church, such as grand hotels and outdoor venues.  The need to be covered up was no longer there.  Beautiful beading and other types of intricate detailing began making a comeback on wedding gowns.     




2010's
Brides love showing off their curves, so many wedding dresses were designed to be form-fitting. The mermaid style grew in popularity.  The pickup skirt also gained popularity, as well as other asymmetrical designs.  Dresses with textured and flouncy skirts were also much sought after.  

Mori Lee Bridal Gown - Spring 2016 
  

Madeline Gardner is bringing fresh, brilliant style to the Spring 2016 Bridal collections of Mori Lee.  This award-winning designer has been working with Mori Lee for over 30 years.  Together they have produced amazing gowns that are loved by brides all over the world, and the new designs coming to our wedding dress store in Miami will not disappoint.  You will be able to see a glimpse of the future of wedding fashions when you come in to try on these stunning gowns.  Brides of America knows that you will find the dream wedding dress that you are desiring.   
   
Award winning Mori Lee designer Madeline Gardner 




The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.



Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com



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