About Hippie Wedding Dresses
The hippie movement in the United States culminated in the 1960s and marked a major shift in fashion from the preceding decades. Looser silhouettes and natural-fiber materials like cotton, hemp and silk came into vogue and were reflected in wedding dress styles of the time. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The empire waist line and simple textiles popular in the hippie era actually began long before it. Martha Stewart Weddings explains that "After the French Revolution, Napoleon's wife Josephine popularized this neoclassical dress with a very high waist; the sheer materials she chose caused a sensation." It was over 150 years later, and during a new wave of political and social upheaval, that the dress style came back in fashion.
Style
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The classic bohemian wedding dress is unstructured and made of earth-friendly fabrics. Long, soft and movable layers create an ethereal silhouette and dresses are often adorned with simple details such as embroidery and ribbons. The classic empire gown form gathers just below the bust and falls freely down to cover the feet.
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Material
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Man-made products, such as polyester, are common in different decades but not seen in wedding dresses from the hippie era. Cotton is the most popular fabric found in a vintage wedding dress from this time for its organic plant-based origins and comfortable, light-weight appeal at a simple outside ceremony. Today, the options for eco-friendly fabric are extensive and may feature blends of silk, bamboo, a softer hemp and unexpected products such as milk and soy.
Individuality
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Hippies were radical in both their views and the way they dressed. A bohemian bride may also choose to show her individuality on her wedding day. A classic way to accessorize is with flowers; hair wreaths over long-flowing locks compliment the simplicity of the dress well. More whimsical options such as ethnic jewelry, unexpected shoes--or none at all--may also reflect the hippie attitude and personality.
Availability
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Vintage clothing stores, or a relative's closet, may offer a modern bride the eco-fabulous opportunity to wear an authentic flower-child's wedding gown. Perhaps taking a cue from these trend-setters, today's wedding industry has also embraced sustainable fabrics, and there are many designers and bridal shops that cater to these ideals, offering many styles to fit the current hippie bride's tastes.
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References
- Photo Credit lonely bride image by TEA from Fotolia.com
