1920s-inspired dresses feature dropped waists, Art Deco beading, and column silhouettes. The 1930s influence shows in bias-cut gowns that drape elegantly over the body. 1950s styles bring structured bodices, tea-length skirts, and full petticoats. The 1960s lean towards mod simplicity and shorter hemlines. 1970s-inspired designs offer flowing bohemian shapes with bell sleeves and organic lace. Each decade offers a distinct mood, and modern designers often blend elements from several eras to create something that feels vintage without being a costume.
There's an important distinction. A genuinely vintage dress is a second-hand garment from the era itself, with period-accurate sizing, fabric, and construction that may need significant alteration. A vintage-inspired dress is a new gown made by a contemporary designer using modern fabrics, sizing, and support structures while capturing the aesthetic of a particular era. We stock vintage-inspired gowns because they offer the look and character brides want with the fit, comfort, and durability of modern construction.
The era you're drawing from should guide your accessories. A 1920s-inspired gown pairs with a jewelled headband, drop earrings, and T-bar shoes. A 1950s dress calls for pearls, a birdcage veil, and pointed-toe heels. A 1970s bohemian style works with flower crowns, natural jewellery, and flat sandals. Your hair and makeup should follow the same era for a cohesive look, though it doesn't need to be a literal recreation. The goal is to capture the spirit of the decade rather than replicate it exactly.
Monday: 10am - 5pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wed & Thurs: 10am - 5pm
Friday: 12pm - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 11.30am - 3.30pm