buying a vintage wedding gown guide
Absolute Rule Number One

Establish how much you are willing to PAY. 

"What will be the total cost of my gown?" is the obvious question, but sometimes the answer isn't as simple as it seems... Is your gown going to arrive clean and ceremony ready? Or will it need to be cleaned and repaired before it can be worn again?  Will it survive a cleaning? Some cleaners may not accept vintage items or they'll take your vintage gown but make you sign a release in case they ruin it, so think very carefully if your ebay seller describes your gown as "just needs a dry clean."  Does It?

Do a little research beforehand concerning the expense of cleaning a gown by a qualified cleaner.  There are lovely vintage gowns at all prices, but your gown is only the first part of the equation.  If it's not already cleaned, you'll need to take on the task.   You might be surprised to find out that the cost of archivally cleaning a gown is more than what you spent on the gown.

Dry Cleaning.

Dry cleaning is always cheaper, but will it clean your gown?  And will the dry cleaner make you sign a release?  The cost of dry cleaning a designer gown should run the same as dry cleaning a non-designer gown, but some cleaners may try to up the cost if they see a designer label.  Even if your gown doesn't have a label, the cleaner should honestly evaluate the effort needed to restore a gown. Beware of anyone who says that cleaning a vintage gown is "duck soup" or easy. Chances are, it takes some effort to get an antique item spruced up. When it's done correctly, nothing can be more appreciated. When it's done incorrectly, nothing can be more heartbreaking.

We have paid $200 for archival cleaning and an additional $100 for restoration of laces and French rolled buttons and felt that it was well worth it.

Remember your budget.

If you are a woman who wants rare or designer vintage or vintage silk and French laces, expect to pay more and account for it in your budget.  Don't be talked into more than you want to spend and don't settle for less.

It takes a skilled hand to restore lace. Find a qualified restorer that knows about vintage.  Be wary of the dry cleaner that makes you sign a release.  Only you know what you can really afford, but these decisions are the fork in the road to success or failure with a vintage gown.  Don't forget to save for alterations, which can add on another $75 to $350.  Buttons may also need to be sewn and can run anywhere from 50 cents to $1.50 per button.

Absolute Rule Number Two

Know what you want before you shop.

What are you looking for?  It's a good idea to have an idea of what you want before you start your search.  Many vintage clothiers have spent years in the business and will know exactly what you are looking for if you say "1920's wedding."  But if you're confused about the 20's, and you really meant the 30's, you'll only frustrate the dealer.  Save fashion magazine clippings, print out Hollywood movie pictures, find old wedding photos... you might find that some looks can be very affordable.

Use the resources available on vintage weddings to educate yourself.

And it's never a good idea to buy the first gown you see, unless it's positively, absolutely "the one."  Always do a lot of shopping around before you make any commitments.

Depending on the era, sometimes there's enough vintage to go around again and again. A reputable company will understand the need for you to keep looking elsewhere, and they'll understand when it's especially important for you to save a little money and make up your own mind on what you want and what you can afford.  Take your time, that way they are sure to be happy with what you finally choose, but remember, if you see something and really, really like it- chances are someone else (perhaps a soul sister) is liking it too. Be honest and upfront with the dealer and they may place an item on hold for a few days for you.

Absolute Rule Number Three

Never, under any circumstances, purchase a gown without knowing your own measurements first.

Never mind the gown, what is YOUR size? This can be a real problem with online auctions when one man's "size 10" is actually a size 2.  Ask your seller for the gown's measurements in inches, but know your own first.  If they don't match, they don't match.

Vintage wedding websites will fare better in this service expertise, but you should expect to pay more, especially if they have archivally cleaned and restored the gown for you.  Ask the company you're dealing with if you can take a day or two to hold the gown so you can double check your measurements.  Reputable establishments won't mind, in fact, they will encourage it.

If a merchant makes you feel pressured to buy, avoid them.

The bottom line is:  Always, always, add on the "wearing ease" to a gown so that you can have some breathing room, whether you're planning on losing weight before the wedding or not.

Absolute Final Rule:

Never, under any circumstances, purchase a gown without knowing its condition first.

Thousands of vintage wedding gowns are sold on-line every year and some are sold without ever opening the box! Please, whatever you do, run away from any dealer that claims to have a hermetically sealed package from 1949.  They are looking at a certificate for the maker of the box, not the gown or the heirloom cleaning.  (The heirloom cleaning service went out of business decades ago and any guarantee is void.)  There is no reason to leave a gown in a box and not inspect it's condition. Any dealer who refuses to do so is acting inappropriately.

Things can go wrong during 50 years of storage.

Insect stains
Sublimation of Dye
Mildew

Buying a vintage gown without inspecting it in it's present day condition is gambling, without question.  Most reputable establishments won't mind if you ask allot of questions about provenance and condition, in fact they encourage it.  If your dealer says the gown was worth thousands of dollars decades ago yet cannot provide you with the original sales receipt or tells you that the garment cannot be removed from a sealed box- say no, thank you and walk away.

It's been said that a collectable or antique typically passes through four or five different owners from the time it first appears on the secondary market until it reaches you.  Luckily, for wedding gowns, the opposite is true- especially if your dealer spends a considerable amount of time searching for gowns at private estates or buys from the original owner or bridal shop.  A dealer must know what they are selling you- otherwise they are not practicing due diligence. If a gown is still in it's original keepsake box, it may be suffering from insects, fold lines, mold or foxing and a dealer should be aware of all details before they pass their "find" on to you.

Yes, unfortunately, the older an item is, the more important it is to have an accurate description, which is fundamental to your satisfaction as a buyer.

Never buy a gown without a detailed, written description, even if there are several original old wedding photos.  In spite of what some dealers may have you believe, a vintage picture of the original bride is not worth a thousand words.  Demand to see the dress as it is now.

The bottom line is: Ask as many questions that you can!

Happy Ebay and Vintage Gown hunting!

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