Lillian
1940 Gown
by Revamp Vintage

The bride of the 1940s had World War II to contend with. Rationing of fabric made simplicity in line and trimming an important factor to consider. A bride sometimes had no time to have a gown made before her fiancée was shipped off to war and had to make do with a suit or casual dress. The lucky bride had more time to consider her options. The most popular gown tended to be of rayon-satin worn in an unadorned A-line style. Although simplicity was key, wedding dresses were anything but boring. The A-line dress, also called the princess line, had a fitted bodice, a nipped in waist, and were usually fitted at the neckline, wrist, and midriff with an A-line skirt. For those brides who wanted a little something different, over-dresses of sheer netting or lace would create a soft look. Moderate length veils were worn with decorative headdresses in a coronet style or a heart shaped style of fabric or lace, that would mimic a sweetheart neckline, a popular 40s motif.

“Lillian” is a stunning and accurate example of bridal wear from the early forties. This lovely dress is stitched in a buttery golden silk charmeuse with an overlay of caramel lace. The silk under-dress is princess-line, five-gore skirt fitted closely at the bodice and waist and is sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline. The overdress adds an air of modesty with a princess-line bodice, wrist-length leg-o-mutton sleeves that fasten with 4 loop and button closures, a high rounded neckline and fastens down the front of the dirndl skirt with 58 self-covered loop and button closures. The overdress made of carmel colored floral embroidered net adds a formal note appropriate for a church wedding.

The headpiece, sold separately, is made of a heart shaped cap of butter colored lace. A veil of creme colored tulle is attached to entire length of the head piece and is three quarters the length of the gown.

Care Instructions

Dry clean only.