Wearing mom’s or grandma’s old gown? Here’s what you need to know about caring for it or crafting it into something new

By Anna Sachse - CTW Features

Maybe it took you 30 years to find the right man, but you knew from the age of eight that you’d be wearing your grandmother’s amazing 1950s strapless, ankle-length wedding dress with an hourglass silhouette, full circle skirt and a Chantilly lace bolero. You’re not alone. Deedee Vicory, owner of The Wedding Seamstress in Arvada, Colo., has seen a recent increase in women coming in with older dresses to be altered, both heirlooms and vintage gowns bought at resale stores or online. “These economic times are calling for something a little different,” says Vicory. “But it’s perfect because the current trend in wedding dress design is a nostalgic aesthetic anyway.”

Some brides want the dress to look as authentic as possible, requiring only a few nips, tucks and replacements. But others want, or need, a total overhaul. Perhaps your gown’s been stuffed in a box for 55 years and hasn’t seen the light of day since 1987. Now you have three issues on your hands: Is the dress wearable? Will it be ready in time? Will you actually like how you look in it?