1930s Wedding Dresses – Vintage Bridal Style in Photos
What did brides wear in the 1930s? An overview of 1930s wedding dresses and the Vintage Fashion Icons who wore them
This post is all about 1930s Wedding Dresses
Whether you’re looking to get inspiration for a big day, or just want to browse lots of photos of glamorous 1930s fashion, this post is for you!
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“Fashion changes, but style endures”
Vintage Wedding Dresses: 1930s Dress Styles
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“The dress must follow the body of the woman, not the body following the shape of the dress.”
The 1930s ushered in a whole new era of wedding dress styles.
Similar to modern times, in the 1930s, Hollywood and the silver screen influenced wedding fashion and wedding attire.
Coming out of the Great Depression, the everyday 1930s women needed to be thrifty. If they couldn’t have the Coco Chanel designer made gown, they would sew their own, or buy a cheap knock-off.
It said goodbye to the short 1920s flapper dresses and hello to figure-hugging bias cut gowns. These flowed gracefully across a woman’s curves and were oh so glam.
Long beaded dresses, sleek silks or satins in various shades of white or pastels were all the rage.
Long sleeves and high necks, with a fabulous selection of hats and long veils dominated the early and mid 1930s.
For more on 1920s versus 1930s fashion you might like:
Vintage Wedding Dresses: Anita Page 1930s Style Wedding Dress (1930)
Anita Page looks absolutely stunning in her vintage wedding gown in the 1930 romantic drama Our Blushing Brides.
In the era of Old Hollywood movie star glamour, the stunning Anita Page was a front pager. She was one the most popular actresses during the last years of the silent screen and for the early “talkies” movies.
Notice the waistline of her wedding dress.
It is a “modern” snugger version of the 1920s drop waist style. It is fitted through the hips, and then flows to the gathered skirt.
We love the distinctive high low style of her wedding dress, which blends the short 1920s wedding dress style element with the longer dress style of the 1930s.
Vintage Wedding Gowns: Mae Clarke 30s Style Wedding Dress (1931)
In the classic 1931 Frankenstein, the gorgeous Mae Clarke looks absolutely stunning in her wedding dress. And oh so innocent and fragile… next to the monster Frankenstein.
Her gorgeous wedding dress is truly Art Deco inspired.
We adore the triangle design element on her “almost” drop waist style.
Her long sleeves and matching long train are covered with delicate lace, and paired with a tulle veil and headpiece.
Vintage 1930s Wedding Dress: Carole Lombard 1930s Style Wedding Dress (1931)
The up and coming blue eyed vixen, nicknamed the “Profane Angel”, for her colorful language was cast opposite Paramount’s top male star of the time, the intellectual and witty William Powell.
The opposites fell head over heels for each other.
Carole Lombard gushed to the tabloids about how perfect their “love between two people who are diametrically different” was and how she adored their “perfect see-saw love”.
For her big day, she wore a stunning wedding gown. Its geometric detailing inspired by the Art Deco movement.
She looked breathtaking in her pastel blue bridal gown whitch matched her eyes.
Her 80-carat sapphire engagement ring also matched… in another shade of blue!
Sadly these opposites couldn’t make their marriage work. Two years later they parted ways, although they remained good friends, and would continue to star in films together, including the classic My Man Godfrey.
1930s Fashion: Carole Lombard 30s Style Wedding Dress (1932)
In the following year, the blue eyed angel, Carole Lombard, played the role of an heiress in a love triangle in the 1932 drama romance No More Orchids.
Carole Lombard looks absolutely gorgeous in her vintage wedding dress.
We love how the Art Deco inspired panel elements and geometric designs skim her figure.
Notice how the long sleeves and long train add a touch of regal and elegance to her romantic dress.
Vintage Wedding Dresses: Jean Harlow 1930s Style Wedding Dress (1932)
The curvy Jean Harlow, often nicknamed the “Platinum Blonde” or “Blonde Bombshell”, was a top sex symbol in the early 1930s.
For her wedding day, this Old Hollywood starlet chose a very simple elegant long silk dress.
It featured the distinctive Art Deco detailing with its geometric drop waist.
Her vintage accessories? A simple fringed cape, also in a geometric shape.
Vintage Wedding Gowns: 1930s Style Old Hollywood Glamour (1933)
We adore the inside look at two distinctive 1930s wedding gowns in the 1933 mystery romance film Disgraced.
Notice the similarities and differences between these two vintage collection wedding dresses.
The sheer long sleeves and sheer high neck paneling add a sexy sophisticated element. Plus the layered tulle veil has fabulous drama and volume, contrasting beautifully with the figure skimming gown.
The drama of the sleeves is matched by the drama of the over-the-top bouquet!
Vintage 1930s Wedding Dress: Claudette Colbert 1930s Style Wedding Dress (1934)
Claudette Colbert shines in her wedding gown in the 1933 comedy romance It Happened One Night.
We adore her figure skimming silk wedding dress. What vintage items accessorize her gown? Elegant flowers frame her neckline, as well as her retro cap veil.
Notice how the sleek silhouette of her dress is contrasted with the voluminous floor length veil and a long slinky train.
Instead of long sleeves, she is wearing long elegant white opera gloves.
Talk about a dress made for happily ever afters.
1930s Fashion: Wallis Simpson 1930s Wedding Dress (1937)
This scandalous royal love story took the world by storm.
Long ago and far away, in the year 1936, the handsome Prince Edward was crowned King of England.
He fell in love with a stylish American socialite, Wallis Simpson.
However, she was a divorcee, and not once, but twice.
To marry her, the King had to step down from his thrown and abdicate his title.
The venue for their wedding day was a castle in France, the Château de Candé, since their wedding was not sanctioned by the Church of England.
For her big day, Wallis Simpson wore a floor length blue silk gown, with matching silk gloves and a hat.
Her jewels included a magnificent diamond and sapphire brooch, sapphire earrings and a sparkling sapphire wristband.
1930s Fashion: Myrna Loy 30s Style Wedding Dress (1937)
In the 1937 screwball romantic comedy, Double Wedding, we get not two, but three glimpses at 1930s wedding fashion.
This film features one of our favorite romantic duos on screen, Myrna Loy and William Powell.
Given how this is the later 1930s, nearing the 1940s you will notice some elements of 1940s fashion like the defined waist and a line skirt styles, vs the sleek silky satin gowns silhouette.
If you love Myrna Loy movies you might like:
Vintage Wedding Dresses: Ginger Rogers 1930s Style Wedding Dress (1938)
Ginger Rogers looks just like a princess as she floats down the aisle in her dazzling 30s wedding dress in the 1938 romantic musical Carefree.
This late 1930s wedding dress could easily be a 40s wedding dress style.
Her lace fit and flare dress has short sleeves and is paired with a dramatic flower crown. Her long lace veil cascades gloriously across her gown.
Vintage Wedding Gowns: Carole Lombard’s Old Hollywood Glamour Style (1939)
Carole Lombard once again found love in real life, with none other than her tall, dark, and handsome co-star, Clark Gable.
Rumors swirled in Old Hollywood. And the tabloids went crazy speculating.
The love birds secretly eloped to Arizona. When they returned to Hollywood as a couple, the press went wild.
In their first publicity shots announcing their wedding, they look so chic and happy.
Carol Lombards is stunning in her pale vintage two piece suit on top of a polkadot criss-top blouse.
Her accessories included a tiny floral corsage and a pair of heels.
Did you know Carole Lombard wasn’t the only famous Old Hollywood celebrity to wear her “Sunday best” or a two piece suit for her big day?
Lauren Bacall also opted for a simple, yet timeless such look in her wedding to Humphrey Bogart in the 1940s.
For more on 1940s wedding dresses and the trend of wearing a skirt suit as a wedding dress, you might like:
Vintage 1930s Wedding Dress: Shirley Ross 1930s Style Wedding Dress
Shirley Ross sparkles in her romantic wedding dress in the 1939 musical comedy, Paris Honeymoon.
See some style differences in this 1930s ballgown styled gown?
In late 1930s, the frilly Victorian ballgown style became a brief fad. Why? Visiting royalty and the smash hit film Gone With the Wind.
This stunning wedding dress has a fitted bodice and ruffle chiffon skirt with sexy see through sleeves. This dress was not only perfect for walking down the aisle, but for all of the dance moves she performs opposite her costar, Bing Crosby.
How do I find a 1930s vintage wedding dress?
Inspired yet to find your own 1930s wedding dress?
Here our Top 3 Tips for finding your dream 1930s bridal gown.
1) Decide on the look you want
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Grab images in Pinterest or your favorite social site
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Narrow down which 1930s bridal gown styles you love
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Are there any vintage designers that you love, like Coco Chanel?
2) Start searching
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Check out vintage boutiques in your area. To make it more fun, grab a couple of girlfriends and make a weekend of it in a city that is famous for its small businesses and bridal boutiques, like Los Angeles.
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If you’re lucky enough to have Granny around, see if she has a dress that could be altered in some way to fit you.
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Etsy and Ebay are two surprising places to find vintage clothing.
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For authentic vintage dresses, double-check the wear-ability of the item.
3) A tailor is a must – create room in your budget for alternations to your dress
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A high quality alteration shop is a must to make sure your dress fits properly.
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If you decide to opt for an open back or sheer lace peekaboo panelling, a talented alterations girl can make that happen for you.
This post was all about 1930s wedding dresses
Which 1930s style was your favorite?
Who was your favorite bride of Old Hollywood?
Other posts you might like:
25 Vintage 1950s Bridesmaid Dresses & Retro Bridal Styles
Ultra-Glam Holiday and Christmas Outfit Ideas from the 1930s
Did you prefer Carole Lombard’s Art Deco inspired styles or voluminous ballgown styles of the late 1930s?
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“This is more than just a wedding dress. It is the embodiment of a dream come true.”
References:
Britannica, Coco Chanel
Wikipedia, Great Depression
