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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

    The Best Online and In-Store Shops for Vintage Wedding Dresses? ›

    What Defines a Vintage Wedding Dress? Typically, a vintage wedding dress is at least 20 years old, dating back to a specific era, such as the 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s.

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

    What Defines a Vintage Wedding Dress? Typically, a vintage wedding dress is at least 20 years old, dating back to a specific era, such as the 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s.

    Are old 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.

    Is it cheaper to buy a wedding dress online? ›

    Not only is it cost-effective and convenient, but you're able to shop a much larger selection of designer wedding dresses and attire from the comfort of your couch. It's impossible for a store to carry every style and designer you love, but shop online and you'll have plenty right at your fingertips.

    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.

    How much did a wedding dress cost in 1980? ›

    According to https://www.in2013dollars.com, these are the cost of each century of dresses. 1920s-$15.49, 1930s-$20, 1940s-$20.36, 1950s-$30.01, 1960s-$34, 1970s-$52.75, 1980s-$66.87, 1990s-$87.27, 2000s-$68.03, 2010s-$76.25, 2020s-$68.31.

    How to store a 60 year old wedding dress? ›

    Warning – be sure to store your vintage wedding dress flat and loosely folded. Years of storing a wedding dress on a hanger will cause fabrics to pull away from each other at the bodice and shoulders of the gown, causing damage that professional cleaning and restoring cannot repair.

    What is a reasonable pay for a wedding dress? ›

    Buying a wedding dress between $1,000-2,000 means that you're in the average cost range, and anything over $2,500 means you're in the higher range, and less than 1,000 is definitely the lower end of the pricing scale.

    How can I sell my wedding dress for the most money? ›

    You'll want to list your wedding dress as soon as possible. Used wedding dresses sell for more money if they are less than two and a half years old. As a general rule of thumb, used gowns in great condition and only a few years old can sell for fifty percent of their retail price.

    What is the best month to buy a wedding dress? ›

    Designers and planners will tell you January is the best time to search for a wedding gown. There's a good reason for this and it is logistics. Many people get engaged during the Christmas holidays and the New Year. It's why designers and fashion houses often release new wedding dresses in January.

    Is $1000 a lot for a wedding dress? ›

    One rule of thumb suggests that brides allocate ten percent of their total wedding budget to their wedding dress. So, if you're planning to spend $10,000 or less on your big day, wedding dresses under $1000 fit that budget quite nicely (and maybe even leaves you extra for the honeymoon!).

    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.

    What is the most popular wedding dress color? ›

    What are the Most Popular Wedding Dress Colors? The most popular wedding dress colors are shades of off-white and ivory, which are more universally flattering. However, we've also noticed that many brides opt for a gown with a lining in a shade of blush or nude to allow the details on their dresses to pop!

    What brand of wedding dress is the most expensive? ›

    Diamond Gown by Renee Strauss and Martin Katz – $12 Million

    The Diamond Wedding Gown, co-created by jeweler Martin Katz and designer Renee Strauss, is a pinnacle of luxury in bridal fashion. Adorned with 150 carats of diamonds, this gown is a testament to the ultimate extravagance.

    What is the most popular wedding dress shape? ›

    The Most Popular Silhouettes for Brides

    A-line and ball gown silhouettes are widely popular wedding dress styles due to their universally flattering nature as well as their equally traditional and grand appearance. The silhouette cinches at the natural waistline before flaring outwards.

    What makes a wedding dress vintage? ›

    Fabrics: The fabric of the wedding dress is a major factor in adding a vintage vibe to your look. Vintage-inspired fabrics may include lace, tulle, satin or brocade. Necklines and Sleeves: Another element of retro style are the specific necklines and sleeve styles that were iconic in different eras.

    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 can you tell how old a vintage dress is? ›

    Check the buttons

    The type of buttons used are a big giveaway of the age of the clothing. Typically, buttons are made from three types of plastics - bakelite plastic, lucite plastic, or modern plastic. The bakelite plastic was created in 1909 and has been used predominantly in clothes from the 1930s-1940s.

    What is considered a vintage dress? ›

    A generally accepted industry standard is that items made between 20 and 100 years ago are considered "vintage" if they clearly reflect the styles and trends of the era they represent. These clothing items come with a sense of history attached to them, which is one of the reasons they are valued by vintage enthusiasts.

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