The Best Online and In-Store Shops for Vintage Wedding Dresses (2024)

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    The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping

    The Best Online and In-Store Shops for Vintage Wedding Dresses (1)

    Part of

    A list of retailers that offer one-of-a-kind and cost-effective bridal gowns.

    By

    Blair Donovan

    The Best Online and In-Store Shops for Vintage Wedding Dresses (2)

    Blair Donovan

    Blair Donovan was a digital producer and SEO writer at Brides from 2017 to 2019. She is currently the shopping editor of style at Apartment Therapy Media.

    Brides's Editorial Guidelines

    Updated on 03/28/23 09:10AM

    The Best Online and In-Store Shops for Vintage Wedding Dresses (3)

    With the vast number of wedding gowns on the market, it may seem impossible to find one that perfectly matches your personal style. If that's the case and all hope seems lost each time you go dress hunting, consider trying on a few vintage options to expand your search. Even if shopping vintage has never crossed your busy bridal mind, you truly can't go wrong with a timeless, one-of-a-kind style that doesn't involve delving too deeply into your budget. Plus, you never have to worry about another bride wearing the same look as you.

    Ahead, and in no particular order, we've rounded up the best retailers and stores (both brick-and-mortar and online) to shop when on the hunt for a vintage wedding dress. Consider these options to find a unique and cost-effective bridal frock you'll be sure to love long after the big day.

    01of 10

    Happy Isles

    This L.A.-based shop features a vast collection of vintage designer gowns—with picks dating from the 1950s to the 1990s—from the likes of Valentino and Oscar de la Renta. Happy Isles also carries wedding dresses from contemporary brands Lilly Ashwell and Magnetic Midnight.

    02of 10

    Meringue Vintage

    With a tagline stating "curated vintage for the modern bride," this bridal boutique in Chicago is the Mecca of vintage wedding gowns. Costume designer Kristine Engel handpicks the shop's distinctive inventory, so you're guaranteed a chic, out-of-this-century look. Book an appointment today to get the full dress shopping experience, and leave with a unique vintage dress, veil, and even shoes from the '20s to the '80s.

    03of 10

    Etsy

    This online craft haven is your one-stop-shop for all things weddings, from invitations to cake toppers to—you guessed it—even vintage wedding dresses. Since Etsy has everything a bride (or human, for that matter) could ever need, there's an entire section dedicated exclusively to vintage gowns for sale. From bohemian-infused '70s dresses to 1930s gowns reminiscent of the Art Deco era, you can find exactly what you're looking for at any price point.

    04of 10

    Mill Crest Vintage

    This vintage boutique offers a wide variety of age-old, secondhand selections categorized by decade. Take your pick of gorgeous gowns from the 1920s to the 1980s, or even one from the Edwardian era. Prices range from $123 to $385, so you definitely won't have to break the bank to get the dress of your dreams. And while currently only based online, Mill Crest Vintage is in the process of opening a Connecticut location.

    05of 10

    Decades

    Another L.A.-based gem, Decades was founded by style guru Cameron Silver in 1997 and sells a wide range of vintage white gowns for any bridal celebration. What's more, if looking to take the non-traditional route, they also have a selection of colorful ensembles that are worthy to be worn down the aisle. Your bridesmaids can even browse the site's extensive vintage gown collection for looks they're bound to actually wear post-wedding. Though prices are on the higher end, you can take your pick from distinct designers like Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, and Alexander McQueen.

    06of 10

    Preowned Wedding Dresses

    Even though their vintage wedding dress page only has a few listings, this resell platform offers plenty of unique and antique pre-worn styles, sold by the brides themselves. Given that the site doesn't charge a commission, prices can vary from $100 to $2,000, depending on the dress seller, but each listing shows the original retail price so that you can see exactly how much you're saving.

    The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping

    07of 10

    Adored Vintage

    Adored Vintage sets forth to provide looks that are "vintage + modern for the feminine romantic spirit," which is evident in their wide collection of bohemian antique frocks. Although this vintage shopping maven doesn't cater to brides specifically, it's still worth taking a peek at their colorful picks from 1910 to the '90s, especially if you're leaning away from the traditional white dress.

    08of 10

    Shareen Bridal

    What originally began as vintage boutiques in L.A. and New York, has now evolved into a full-fledged bridal shop that produces custom gowns infused with new and old components. With a keen eye for vintage fashion, Shareen Mitchell herself designs modern wedding gowns infused with repurposed pieces of vintage clothing, none of which exceed $2,000. The label also offers a selection of non-traditional, antique bridal finds in-store.

    09of 10

    Madly Vintage

    Founded by Maddy Anderson, Madly Vintage is a Venice, CA-based fashion and bridalwear destination for vintage lovers around the world. The brand's ethos is based on "good vibes", and each piece is curated to highlight Anderson's playful style mixed with "romantic nostalgia," as noted on her website.

    10of 10

    June's Uniquely Yours

    Located in Cape May, New Jersey, June's Uniquely Yours specializes in romantic styles from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The family-owned boutique also carries plenty of shoes, jewelry, and more, so you can snag your wedding dress and accessories in one successful shopping trip.

    The Best Online and In-Store Shops for Vintage Wedding Dresses (2024)

    FAQs

    How old does a wedding dress have to be to be vintage? ›

    Typically, a vintage wedding dress is at least 20 years old, dating back to a specific era, such as the 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s. These dresses often possess unique characteristics that set them apart from modern bridal gowns. The appeal of a vintage wedding dress lies in its authenticity and timeless elegance.

    Is it worth buying wedding dress online? ›

    You're Taking a Huge Gamble

    There are lots of counterfeit designer wedding dresses online. You may purchase a dress based on the designer photos, but youll get something totally different in the mail. There's also the risk of receiving a used dress instead of new, or the dress being damaged/dirty.

    What older brides should wear? ›

    Every bride, regardless of her age, should wear something that makes her feel confident and comfortable on her special day. Whether it's a traditional white wedding dress, a chic trouser suit or a vintage tea-length dress, the key is to choose an outfit that reflects your unique style and personality.

    What is classed as a vintage wedding dress? ›

    Within the authentic vintage and antique industry a wedding dress is considered vintage if it is 30 years or older and antique if it is 75 years or older. The wedding dresses at Vintage Bride are authentically vintage or antique and not just “vintage inspired.”

    What color should an older bride wear? ›

    Older brides looking for a non-traditional wedding dress may love a non-white option for their vow exchange. From glamorous champagne shades to bright blue, there are no rules when it comes to wedding day style, so you can decide what color you want to rock as you walk down the aisle.

    Are vintage wedding dresses worth money? ›

    Are vintage wedding dresses valuable? If a vintage wedding dress is valuable or not depends on multiple factors. Mainly the condition, size, purchase price, maker and fabric quality. The value can also be considerably influenced by whether the style of the dress is in fashion at the moment or not.

    What makes a wedding dress look expensive? ›

    Things like hand-beaded designs or delicate lace take hours to create. Premium fabrics come with premium prices. While white crinoline runs about $2 a yard, higher quality fabrics can cost up to $100 a yard. These are all features that feed into the higher pricing found in designer boutiques.

    Why is hemming a wedding dress so expensive? ›

    This can happen for a couple reasons. One- the seamstress works by the hour. They may take a look at your dress and quote you a price based on 15 hours of work but once they start working on the dress it takes closer to 30 hours of work- doubling the quoted price.

    How many times should I go wedding dress shopping? ›

    If it is your first time shopping you may want to try on a few more just to rule out different silhouettes but most brides try on 7-10 dresses and unless you have hated every single dress your stylist will start to help you truly decipher what you do or don't like about each dress and get you closer to your choice!

    What do brides over 50 wear? ›

    You can't go wrong with classic tea length wedding dress for older brides, and this lacy modern design is a prime example. With a gently flared skirt and vintage touches, it may just be the icing on the cake for your bridal look.

    What do 60 year old brides wear? ›

    Many older brides are looking for something with a little less flair. If this is the case for you, consider a simple, lace dress. Lace will make you look and feel like the bride you've always dreamed of being.

    What should a 60 year old woman wear? ›

    For durability, versatility and pure comfort, it's hard to beat the breezy sophistication of breathable fabrics like cotton, linen and chambray. Lightweight blends are a perfect base for a minimalist wardrobe for a 65-year-old woman. Beyond comfort, these textiles have a beautiful drape and flow on the body.

    What was the original color of a wedding dress? ›

    Before 1840, when Queen Victoria wore an influential white dress for her wedding ceremony, it was quite usual for a bride to wear red, pink, blue, brown, or even black, while saying her vows.

    Can an older bride wear a ball gown? ›

    In fact, the maxim we subscribe to is, no matter your age, it's your day and you deserve to feel beautiful, whether that's in a princessy white ball gown or a hot-pink mini.

    How do you store a 60 year old wedding dress? ›

    If you rediscovered your dress while cleaning out a chest in the attic, it's time to move it to a master bedroom closet or into an acid free wedding dress preservation box under your bed. There are multiple reasons why you should store a vintage garment in a temperature and humidity controlled environment.

    Is 20 years old considered vintage? ›

    It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human society. An item should be at least 100 years old to be defined as an antique. Generally speaking if the item is no older than an antique but not less than 20 years, it falls under the term vintage.

    How do I know if my dress is vintage? ›

    Here are 14 ways to recognize vintage clothing based on the label!
    1. Check the copyright year. ...
    2. Keep an eye out for union labels. ...
    3. Check for labels that read “one size fits all” ...
    4. Pay attention to half sizes. ...
    5. Search for style or lot numbers. ...
    6. Look for a “woolmark” ...
    7. Look for large price tags. ...
    8. Notice the material on the tags.
    Aug 3, 2023

    What is the minimum years for vintage? ›

    What Is Vintage? Vintage items are much younger than antiques. These pieces are typically defined as being at least 20 years old but less than 100 years old. The term "true vintage" is a sub-category for items that are at least 50 years old.

    How can you tell how old a vintage dress is? ›

    Look for a Copyright Year

    Identifying vintage clothing labels can first and foremost help you date a garment. Simply look for the copyright year. These aren't listed on all garments, but if present, they help to prove authenticity and give you a hint about when the vintage eco friendly t shirt or dress was produced.

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