1910s-1960s: Wedding Dresses Through the Decades

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Fashion evolved through history, with each decade exhibiting very distinctive characteristics that we associate with the particular era. From the roaring 20s to the swinging 60s, we've broken down the key characteristics of wedding dresses through the decades and picked out our favorite vintage-inspired dresses that have received a modern facelift. 

1910s - Edwardian Era

The 1910s marked the beginning of militarisation with the start of World War I. The fashion of the time remained very conservative which bled into wedding gowns. They featured a lot of lace and ruffles, making them very romantic and feminine.

Empire Line Waist

The 1910s saw the rise of the empire line waist being favoured for bridal gowns. The gowns nipped in just below the bust, tapering down with little flair - unlike what had been popular a decade before.

High Neck Collar

Another popular feature of wedding gowns in the 1910s was a high neck collar that was often decorated with ruffles and finished off with a brooch. It pays homage to the conservatism of this era.

Get the Look

You can capture the femininity and romance of the Edwardian era with a 1910s inspired wedding gown. Look for dresses with an empire waist, lots of lace and high necklines. Take a look at these three Edwardian-inspired gowns that put a modern twist on these classic silhouettes.

Lita Gown - Broke Ass Brides

Victorian High Neck Gown - PopSugar

Short Sleeve Lace Gown - Modus Operandi

1920s - The Roaring 20s

The 1920s have often been referred to as "the roaring 20s" due to the economic boom that followed the end of World War I. People began to live very lavish lifestyles, which showed in the wedding gowns of the decade.

Knee Length

The 1920s saw hemlines of bridal gowns creep up from the floor to the knee, as fashion became a little more risqué. Many wedding gowns of the time were made from beautiful lace and silk, speaking to the luxury people became accustomed to at the time.

From Indulgy

Drop-Waist

Wedding gowns in the 1920s no longer had a defined silhouette. Instead, the waist was loose and undefined, a far cry from having to suck in with corsets in the decades before. The women's movement at the time had a role to play in this.

From The Dreamstress

Get the Look

When it comes to wedding dresses through the decades, the 1920s is certainly one of our favourites. The dipped necklines and lavish fabrics offer so much scope for creating a beautiful dress. Here are our modern day favourites that have drawn inspiration from this era.

From:

One Fab Day

South Bound Bride

Wedding Chicks

1930s - The Great Depression

Despite the tough economic circumstances, wedding gowns of this decade were anything but plain and cheap! The sleek silhouettes, lace and long trains were modeled after Hollywood stars and royals, whom the media had begun to draw attention to.

Sleek Silhouette

Much like the 1920s, the sleeker silhouettes stuck but the hemlines dropped once again. Dresses were floor length and extremely elegant, often made from silk, rayon and lace - expensive despite the economic crisis of the time. 

From Posh Girl Vintage

Long Trains

The 1930s will be forever remembered as the decade that honoured femininity and sophistication through its wedding gowns, especially with the cathedral length trains the gowns featured, making brides of the era look like princesses on their wedding days. 

From Past and Present with Pamela

Get the Look

When choosing a wedding gown inspired by the 1930s, we recommend looking for slim fit silhouettes that have sleeves. Also look out for gowns with antique lace, drop-waist silhouettes and trains for that modern day Hollywood starlet look. Here are three of our favorite 1930s-inspired wedding dresses. 

White Long Sleeve Dress with Embroidery -Wedding Inspirasi

White Lace Long Sleeve Gown with Train - The Wedding Gown

Sleeveless Lace Dress - The Natural Wedding Company

1940s - World War II

The first half of the 40s were marked by war and often weddings had to happen fast with little notice before grooms went off to fight. So wedding gowns were simple and in this era, often shorter for riding to the church or town hall on a bike.

Shorter, Practical Dresses

Wedding dresses were often tea length during the 1940s and also often featured both short and long sleeves that were puffy at the shoulder. Drop waist styling and sleek skirts were still popular for this decade. 

From Millcrest Vintage

Get the Look

Look ladylike and quirky in a tea length gown on your wedding day to channel the war-torn 1940s. Details like embroidery, lace and buttons will add to the old-world charm of these low-key wedding gowns. It's one of the styles of wedding dresses through the decades that are more laid-back than the other decades. 

Ivory embroidered long sleeve dress - Robert Junior

White Lace 3/4 Sleeve Dress - Chic Vintage Brides

White A-Line Dress with Button Detail - Robert Junior

1950s - The Golden Age

In the 1950s, most people had begun to rebuild their lives after the end of the War. The economy experienced an upswing which meant higher incomes and higher standards of living. "The American Dream" became an idyllic lifestyle to strive for, which was evident in the over-the-top full-skirted wedding gowns of the era.

Full Skirts

For the first time in decades, wedding gowns in the 1950s featured full skirts once again, often held in place by a hoop. They were nipped in at the waist and billowed out from there. Designer gowns also started growing in popularity in this era as pop culture became part of life.

From Pinterest

Tea Length

Tea length gowns with nipped in waists and full skirts were also extremely popular during this era. They celebrated femininity and womanly curves in their designs, making dresses from the 1950s some of the cutest wedding dresses through the decades. 

From Greek Satellite

Get the Look

If you're trying to pull off a 1950s themed wedding, you're going to love the girly gowns you've got to choose from. Go for a full skirt and luxurious silk or satin. Tea length is great for a garden wedding while a full length gown may be better for a formal affair. 

Full Length White Gown - Queen of Victoria

3/4 Illusion Lace Tea Length Dress - Pinterest

Sleeveless Tea Length Dress - Pinterest

1960s - The Swinging 60s

The 1960s saw the relaxation of social taboos and more liberated society. Wedding gowns were however, still structured and conservative in a sense.

A-Line Skirt

Conservative brides favored the classic A-line silhouette, often accompanied by the empire waist which seemed to make a comeback in this era. 

From Heavenly Vintage Brides

Shift Dresses

Brides who wanted to take a risk and show that they were no longer concerned about being conservative, with the women's movement happening, they opted for the popular shift dress silhouette for their wedding day. 

From Secret Siren

Get the Look

Feel like one of the ladies from Mad Men by wearing a structured and beautiful a-line gown on your wedding day. Include a sash just below the bust for added glamour. If you are getting married in a courthouse or in a small ceremony, a shift dress may be a sweet solution to your wedding gown search. 

Ivory and Lace Gown with Sash - Pinterest

Structured A-Line Gowns - One Wed

Lace Shift Dress - MunaLuchi Bridal