1950s Inspired Short Sleeved Wedding Dresses
The 1950s was a classic era for style, and it's not uncommon for brides to opt for a '50s-inspired wedding dress. During the 1950s, bride often wore a bolero jacket over short-sleeved wedding dresses, as it was seen as improper to have bare arms in a church. However, this is not necessary in contemporary times. Does this Spark an idea?
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Waistline
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One of the defining features of 1950s-style wedding dresses, and dresses in general, is that they have a cinched in waistline, to give an hourglass look to the wearer's figure. This distinctive waistline looks good on short-sleeved wedding dresses, such as capped sleeves and princess cut sleeves. A nipped-in waistline in conjunction with a halter neck-style dress gives a retro rockabilly or 1950s pinup look.
Skirt
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The skirt of a 1950s-inspired wedding dress should be full and can be hooped. Floor-length ballgown-style short-sleeved wedding dresses were popular on in the early '50s. Choosing a full-length skirt will give a classic and sophisticated look. In the mid- and late-1950s, a shorter length of wedding dress was commonly worn. Known as "tea length" or "ballerina" dresses, they were usually short-sleeved and would reach just below the knee.
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Fabric
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Lace was popular in 1950s wedding dresses, as it had not been readily available in wartime era of the '40s. Choosing a dress with a lot of lace will give an authentic '50s-inspired look, especially with capped sleeves made from lace. An alternative to lace is a heavier silk taffeta or satin, as these fabrics became popular wedding dress fabrics in the late 1950s, in homage to the style of Grace Kelly.
Accessories
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To finish off your 1950s-inspired look, you need to have the right accessories. Short gloves were worn with tea-length dresses, whereas long opera gloves were worn with floor-length dresses. Satin or velvet skull caps, with round veils attached, were common. These caps were often ornately decorated with beads and sequins. Finely beaded and sequined Belgium caps and cocktail hats were made available by fashion designers.
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References
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