Recently I got a call from a family friend who has just bought herself a new house. She said there was some "old stuff" in the attic, and would I like to take a look before she threw it out?
This is what awaited me:
This is what awaited me:
And inside of that unassuming li'l box:
Yes, a stunning old wedding gown! It's made from a lovely cream satin, embellished with a flocked velvet floral design, and sporting quite the magnificent train:
It came with its original beaded tiara and silk slip, too:
I just love the Trillco label on the slip:
Smart bride... she wore dress shields to protect this darling gown! How I love little details like this.
The labels on the box, from a long-gone local store and the original dressmaker:
If there are any vintage wedding dress experts in the house, do feel free to take a stab at dating it!
The house was built in 1947, and owned by the same couple from then 'til now (they are dead now). I could easily see this dress being from the WWII-era, which would make a good deal of sense.
But doesn't the slip seem older? Perhaps it was her "something old"!
It's rather tragic that the heirs left this stunning piece of history behind when cleaning out the house. Ah well, I am happy to be giving it a safe place to stay, nestled in a cozy bed of acid-free tissue paper. It's a good thing I got it when I did, as the cardboard box it was in was giving way to mold. The gown, however, remains in marvelous shape!! As marriage is not exactly in my near future, I'll probably be selling this beauty soon so a modern bride may bring it back to life.
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WOW!!! Its soooo beautiful, and in such great condition! Good idea selling it, someones going to love it for there big day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a real treasure you've found! Thanks for following btw!
ReplyDeletethis is so beutiful! see? just see what you can find if you take the time to go through some old stuff?!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a gorgeous thing to be given! Hope you can find some more information on dating it. Also love how they term "underthings".
ReplyDeleteI love the headdress! It (the headdress) looks kind of 1920s to me.. but the dress doesn't, particularly.
ReplyDeleteI would say its a 1920 / 1930 wedding dress. I´m not an expert.....but it seems to me that its from that era.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this pictures I´ve googled and let me now what you think!
http://www.vowles-au.com/images/Mum_Wedding_Dress_web.jpg
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgzd13gvOG1qcddvlo1_400.jpg
http://www.cherishedbride.com/products/75/pic4.jpg
Thanks for finding those, Cherry!! There's a definite late '30s vibe, though probably not much earlier than that. As Kylarose pointed out, the tiara is quite '20s, as is the slip... I do wonder if that was her "something old", matched with a newer late '30s - '40s gown!
DeleteSooo³ beautiful. The things some people leave behind... I´ll never understand it.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! This lady was actually going to throw the dress out. As in, chuck it in a dumpster, never to be worn again :(
DeleteSo beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about vintage wedding dresses, but at first glaze I get
a 1930s vibe. :)
So gorgeous!!! I haven't seen one flocked like that before. My guess is late 30s.
ReplyDeleteI would say thats it's no earlier than the late 30's.
ReplyDeleteIt's a simply wonderful wedding gown- what a find! And for it to be in what looks like tip top condition is simply marvellous!
*Sigh*
Tupney x
That style of dress was popular during WWII, as was the tiara. The slip might be older, it's hard to tell without seeing the shape of it. What a beautiful gift, it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Solanah
Thank you, Solanah, I think WWII is dead on, considering the age of the house and the timeline of the couple who lived there. The slip is very very very similar to the '20s and early '30s slips in my collection; I did try photographing it, but my camera is terrible and it just looked like a white pillowcase, ha!
DeleteHow amazing. It always makes me sad when I hear people just simply throw things like that out, that was part of somebodies life and can be passed on. Lucky you got hold of it :)
ReplyDeletexo,
Em
So beautiful! If it didn't have a train it would be a lovely dress to wear for any evening occasion. Such gorgeous fabric!
ReplyDeleteWow how amazing, why would anyone leave such treasures behind, hope it goes to a girl who will love it! x
ReplyDeleteWowee, what a big train! I am glad it didn't get thrown out, and your family friends picked the perfect gal to pass it onto! :) The crown looks wonderful too! :)
ReplyDeleteZoë x
soooo beautiful
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful find! The flocked floral detail is so beautiful. PLUS the beaded tiara? I'm glad, after such a long time in the attic, the dress will get another chance on another lovely bride someday!
ReplyDeleteAre you going to take pictures of yourself wearing this or what!??! I want to see it on a person lol
ReplyDeleteMabel
Mabel Time
Haha, NO. I did try it on, and it's magnificent... but I'm not sure the internet needs to see me looking all awkward and Miss Havisham-y ;)
DeleteI would also bet on 1930's... The cut is similar to this one: http://lulusvintage.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/laceweddingdress.jpg
ReplyDeleteIt's always amazing to find such a piece!
A.R.
Late '30s is my guess too. My grandmother had a very similar crown and was married in 1939. And that bodice treatment is classic. How amazing to find a flocked dress, though! I think I definitely need something flocked in my closet!!
ReplyDeleteOh My WOW! What a wonderful gift, I bet you were so excited! The flocked print is beautfiful and looks to be in such amazing condition. I am very happy that you rescued it before the mold set in.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Such a beautiful piece! I can't really say for sure, but I'd put a late 20s/early 30s date on it based solely on the headdress. But also, that's A LOT of silk/satin material for WWII-era. I think rationing would have created a much shorter train.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing!!! To have the box and everything. What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's good that the folks that found itnew who to give it too. I'm so surprised that it was left behind. A lot of folks have no appreciation for vintage things, even if it is a family heirloom. But I would have thought they would have maybe tried to sell it or give it to a vintage shop, instead of just abandoning it when they moved. Maybe that was fates way of making sure it went into your hands.
ReplyDeleteMay I recomend that if you do sell the dress, you keep the tiara for yourself. I think years down the road, when your special day comes, it would be a really cool thing to have for your wedding ensemble.
Oh my goodness...that is magical!!! I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!
ReplyDeleteHey, I live about a mile from where that dress company used to be! The building they must have been located in was recently converted to condos. :( Too bad they aren't still there making gorgeous dresses like that!
ReplyDelete