Step back in time with these stunning 1950s wedding dresses
Wedding dress styles of the 1950s
The bridal gowns of the 1950s often featured full skirts, inspired by Dior’s New Look, which emphasized a nipped-in waist and a voluminous skirt. This silhouette became synonymous with the times — the very embodiment of femininity and romance.
Lace was a popular fabric choice, adding a touch of sophistication and intricacy to the designs. Additionally, the introduction of shorter tea-length dresses offered brides a more practical yet equally elegant option, perfect for less formal or daytime weddings.
How 1950s wedding dresses reflected the culture of the time
Beyond the aesthetics, 1950s wedding dresses also mirrored the post-war optimism, with luxurious materials and detailed craftsmanship signifying a return to prosperity and celebration.
Pearls, sequins, and delicate embroidery often adorned these gowns, adding to their allure and charm. The era also saw a rise in bespoke bridal wear, with brides opting for custom-made gowns to express their individual style and personality.
As we revisit the timeless appeal of 1950s wedding dresses, it’s impossible not to get lost in the details that make each piece unique. From the sweeping ball gowns to the chic and short styles, this decade offered a variety of looks to suit every bride’s dream.
For those who cherish this bygone era of bridal elegance, we’ve gathered a collection of vintage photos and advertisements. These snapshots offer a glimpse into the bridal trends of the 1950s, showcasing the exquisite styles and beauty that characterized the decade’s wedding style.
Bride with white floral headdress from 1953
Old-fashioned long-sleeved lace top wedding dress (1953)
1950s bride getting out of a car for her wedding
Vintage dress from the House Beautiful’s ‘Guide for the Bride’ (1955)
Wedding dress illustration in a newspaper ad from 1956
Whether you’re spending a small fortune on the wedding and trousseau or stretching a shoestring, Margaret’s offers every service a bride could wish for. Come spend an afternoon with out Bridal Consultant and see all the beautiful ways you can assemble a trousseau. Shown is one of our new, complete bridal collection in Chantilly lace and nylon net.
Extravagant wedding dress illustration (1958)
50s Bride in V-neck dress with her military groom (1953)
Classic 1950s wedding dress during reception from 1952
Wedding slide snapshot (1958)
Classic bride and groom cutting their wedding cake in 1959
Bride on the cover of Ladies Home Journal (June 1951)
Bride with pink and white flowers (1950)
Mrs. Albert Malekoff, the former Jane Kasmer of Union City, N.J.
Bride with vintage veil
Mrs. Michael Piel, the former Alice Jackson Bailey of Glen Head, L.I.
Cutting the wedding cake (1956)
Illustration of couple walking down the aisle from the early 1950s
Refurbishing and cleaning vintage wedding dress in 1956
At his New Jersey plant, gown specialist John Van Drill works to remove an ancient wine stain. A model plays the pact of the anxious bride-to-be. Van Drill and an assistant adjust the refurbished gown and give it a final inspection. Van Drill feels that when he’s working on a bride’s gown. he’s working on a little piece of her soul.
Revitalized antique turn-of-the-century wedding gown in 1956
A special treatment rehabilitated this frilly turn-of-the-century treasure for a third generation of service. Before it was processed, the gown was rust-brown from age and exposure.
Vintage short-sleeved bridal gown from 1955
Classic white bridal gown from 1950
Traditional bride in adrift of white organdy with embroidered dots, by Marie. Redingote stvle with long mitts. Her wreath is wax bouvardia with ferns by Mr. John. Her bouquet,white carnations.
50s bridal hats, veils and head covering ideas from 1955
Vintage bridal lace scarf
Vintage bride and groom illustration from 1956
Vintage bride getting ready for her wedding (1956)
Traditional veiled bride — side view fashion (1953)
Classic garden wedding scene from 1958
Vintage Jacques Esterel wedding dress (1959)
Jacques Esterel, who designed Brigitte Bardot’s wedding dress, chose the most elegant of fabrics for his fall 1959 wedding gown — lace from Lyon. Neckline, sleeves, and skirt are edged in the lace.
Wedding dress illustration from 1959
Wedding dress, veil and ring from 1956
Traditional bride, Maid of Honor and flower girl from the 1950s (restored)
Wedding illustration with pink-dressed bridesmaids from the early 50s
How a bride in 1950 sewed a new bridal gown from a heirloom wedding dress
Grandmother’s treasure becomes a fashionable, ankle-length gown for today’s bride
Photos: 1900 – Mrs Wray A Bentley, the groom’s grandmother, as a bride / 1950 – Remodeled gown on the new Mrs Bentley
Stored away and preserved for fifty years, this lovely old heirloom wedding dress of pure silk satin was easily converted into a modern wedding gown for a new bride.
From the original dress made in 1900, only the train and skirt were used. The bottom half of the train provided enough material for a simple V-necked, sleeveless bodice and a wide shawl collar. (The tucked border was part of the original trimming.)
The collar was cut, with tapered ends, from one long side of the train, softly tucked at the shoulders, and attached to the bodice. Tapered ends were then crossed over the bodice front, to create a surplice effect.
Facings for the neck and armholes were made by cutting bias strips. Grandmother’s skirt, with the waistband removed, became the wrap-around underskirt of the new gown. This was stitched to the bodice, and the side seam was opened for a waist zipper.
The only new materials purchased were 4-1/4 yards of 35″-wide oyster-white lace and 1-3/4 yards of veiling. The overskirt was made by cutting the lace crosswise into four equal pieces (approximately 38″ by 35″).
These were seamed together along the 38″ sides, gathered at top, attached to the waistband from Grandmother’s skirt, and hemmed.
To make the headband, a piece 3 1/2″ wide and approximately 22″ long was cut from the top half of the train, lined with taffeta from the original train lining; then the two ends were joined.
The veiling, with corners rounded off, was tacked to the back of the headband, so the veil could be worn over the face or folded back.
Because the veiling and the elbow-length nylon-net gloves could be found only in white, they were soaked in tea about an hour, until tinted the ivory of the dress and overskirt.
DON’T MISS! Crinolines & petticoat skirts were big style in the 1950s… and in the 1850s
2 Responses
My mama was married in 1954 in a lace covered tea length gown with lace veil. Both my older sister and myself wore her gown and veil for our own weddings in the early 1980’s. We still have that gown and would like to know how to store it so it is preserved.
What a great article. I especially loved the Jacques Esterel lace wedding gown. Never thought I’d hear myself say it, but I love the gowns of the 50s and 60s for their modesty. Absolutely lovely.