There are pros and cons to each.
Let's face it: there is just something so romantic about vintage dresses. Not to be cliche, but they just don't make 'em like they used to. The feminine silhouettes of vintage patterns, while echoed in many modern designs, are often very different from what you find on the racks at bridal shops these days!
Yet, with an original wedding gown from, say, the 1930's you may be faced with what age does to material. The sun can fade fabric or give it a slightly less-than-virginal patina. You may also find that on some vintage gowns there are old stains that are unlikely to come out. If you luck out, you may find a vintage wedding gown that has been kept in mint condition!
Vintage sizes also run differently than modern ones. A size 9 from the 1970s is more likely to fit a modern 3-6. So buying online can be a little tricky. A good online vintage shop will give you very precise measurements that you can then use to see if the dress will fit you, regardless of the size that it is marked.
Time can also begin can deconstruct a garment. Seams might have begun to pull, or tiny pinholes might be found due to snags or moths. Silk will begin to break down after long exposure to sun or heat.
If you can't actually hold the garment in your hands before purchasing it, be sure to ask a seller about these kinds of flaws. "Excellent Vintage Condition" can mean very different things to different sellers. Pay particular attention to the ways in which garments are described. The more thoroughly a garment is described, the more likely it is that the seller understands vintage clothing and what to look for.
So what about Reproductions? There are a plethora of fantastic sites and stores out there that sell vintage-inspired clothing. Maybe all you want is the vintage cut of a dress or for it to be reminiscent of an age passed.
One bride that I had photographed last summer wore a dress from J.Crew that I would have sworn was from the 1930's at first glance.
Some of the benefits of a Reproduction are that the sizes are more likely to run "true," although every designer has a different fit model that they base their sizes off of. So always look at the measurements! It's also nice to know that no one has ever danced, eaten and sweat in your wedding gown. The likelihood of it smelling like mothballs is also pretty low.
But what about the con's of a Reproduction dress? Unless you are buying from a high-end designer, many Reproductions are made out of cheaper, synthetic fabrics and are not constructed with the same care and craft that a vintage wedding dress would have been.
So when searching out that perfect dress for your vintage styled wedding, try to find shops and boutiques that you can visit in person to inspect a dress. Seek out brick and mortar boutiques near your home town, as well as online sellers who might live within a reasonable distance!
Even if it means a mini road trip, your dress is worth it!
Jen Kiaba is a photographer and burgeoning crafter who lives in Rhinebeck, NY with her lovely boyfriend, two crazy cats and an adorable basset hound. When her hands aren't covered in tacky glue, she specializes in taking romantic portraits of happy couples in the Hudson Valley!
