Vintage Wedding Dress

Personal Preferences

Chances are, if you are looking for a vintage dress, you already have a good idea about what you want in a dress. One of the first decisions you'll need to make however is what period you want your dress to echo. Are you a fan of the Renaissance Period, or do you prefer the Jazz Age, instead? Do you love the look of Victorian lace, or are you secretly a child of the 60's. Whatever age you favor, you can find the perfect vintage dress and accessories to make your ceremony wonderful.

Used Vintage Wedding Dress

Vintage means used, right? Some women are worried about buying a used wedding dress, but there are bargains to be had, and lovely dresses to buy and wear. As you begin your search, keep the following points in mind:

• Don't purchase a dress with stains. The stains may have been there for years, no matter how much you try, you may not be able to rid the dress of them.
• Check the seams, hems, and any delicate material, such as lace, for holes. If you do find holes, they may be able to be repaired, but before you purchase the dress, ask if you can take it to a dressmaker's shop for an estimate and consultation. The repairs may cost more than the dress!
• Look at the shape and color of the fabric. Do you see any noticeable fading? Does the fabric appear threadbare in places? Here again, the dress may be able to be repaired, but get an estimate first.
• Sizing can be vastly different in a vintage dress. Don't leave the shop without trying it on! If you are purchasing your dress online, be sure you are given specific areas for the bodice, waist, hips, length of entire dress, length of sleeves, shoulder widths, etc.
• As you consider your budget, figure in the total cost of the gown. This includes shipping and handling, repair, alterations, tax, etc. Your dress may end up costing much more than what you originally thought. Don't make the deal until you know the final cost of the dress!

Reproductions

Does buying a vintage wedding dress mean you have to buy an old one? Not at all! You can find wonderful reproductions, or you can have one made specifically to your own ideas. You can even choose the pattern and material and make it yourself if you are an accomplished seamstress.

Where To Buy

As you begin your quest for that perfect vintage wedding dress, you'll find that you probably have more options than you thought. You can sometimes find great bargains at online auctions, such as Ebay and Goodwill.

There may be stores in your town, so be sure and check your phone directory. You can also contact local wedding dress shops and inquire about any vintage wedding gowns they might have for sale. If they don't have any dresses, they may be able to tell you of a shop or two that does. You can also search local consignment stores. In fact, it is a good idea to leave your name and number with several consignment shops, along with the specifics of what you are looking for. They can contact you, if a vintage dress is brought to their shop.

If you shop online, be sure you get all of the details before you make a purchase, including total price, measurements, guarantees, return policy, and shipping policy.

You might want to check out the following Internet sites, too:

• Vintage Wedding
• Vintage Gown
• Vintage Styled Clothing
• Antique Dress
• Raspberry Beret
• Isadora's
• Indian Child
• Another Time Vintage