Hello and welcome to Peace, Love & Daisy Chains' new blog!
This is going to be a monthly feature where we will be providing 60s and 70s inspiration and championing some of the lovely brands and companies that we come across on our journey. As a small business ourselves, we are particularly keen to feature small and less visible brands that we may not have necessarily read about on the wedding blogs.
So we are beginning the blog with the most important sartorial aspect of planning a wedding - the dress!
Anyone with half an eye on the catwalks or high street could not have failed to see that the 70s is a big thing. And here at Peace, Love & Daisy Chains, we are huge advocators of the laid-back bohemian vibe of 70s chic.
The 70s was a long decade (well… as long as any other decade!), and encompassed a variety of styles. Ok, so we're not necessarily advocating you go out and don a flared jumpsuit for your wedding (although that would be awesome!), but bringing a bit of 70s inspiration into your wedding is a wonderful way to channel bohemian chic.
Here is my round up of the key 70s styles to look out for, as well as some fabulous places to find both genuine 70s vintage and 70s style wedding dresses.
Real Vintage
But for all the 70s dresses that you can find in vintage bridal boutiques, you’d almost be forgiven for thinking that the decade just didn’t exist. It’s not so much a question of era, more the fabrics they used. Polyester, viscose, the 70s was a huge fan of manmade materials. And these staticy materials don’t quite give the same desired vintage effect as a soft silk 1930s dress or a lace dress from the 1950s.
But there are some fabulous vintage online boutiques, where the sellers have found the cotton and lace among the polyester.
Buttoned Up, Edwardian Style!
While we love to hark back to earlier eras, in the 70s, vintage style then was all about the Edwardian era, with its high buttoned-up necklines and long flowing skirts. Laura Ashley was a big figure, and specialised in lovely, flowery romantic Victorian style prints and dresses - my mum’s handmade wedding dress in 1978 was in the Laura Ashley style!Edinburgh-based vintage shop Sartorial Matters curates a lovely selection of genuine 70s wedding dresses, including this lovely high-necked Laura Ashley Victorian-style dress.
Less chosen by brides wishing to evoke the 70s these days, it would make a striking and inspired choice.
Angel Sleeves
Also popular at the time were huge, bell-shaped angel sleeves. Also in store at Sartorial Matters is this lovely trumpet-sleeved Biba maxidress – how wonderful to come down the aisle in this beauty!
And Saldana has created this lovely mini angel-sleeved version. As well as selling some vintage pieces, Saldana uniquely creates their own dresses using genuine vintage lace - a novel compromise for those who want to bring a flash of 70s vintage but with a more contemporary twist.
Finally, although Abigail’s Vintage Bridal is mostly dedicated to the 1800s to 1960s, they do sometimes have genuine 70s items come into the boutique, like this 70s take on a Medieval gown (note it's no longer available, but contact the boutique to see what they have in stock).
Shopping vintage requires investment in time and money, and a willingness to see beyond what is presented before your eyes. Sometimes all a garment needs is a small adjustment and it can be transformed. Take a look at Love My Dress's guide to shopping for a vintage wedding dress.
Vintage style
Of course, relying on finding that perfect vintage dress for your big day may not entirely pay off - you just might not come across it as you peruse the clothes racks, or you might find the perfect dress online for it to have already been sold. But fear not, there are so many vintage-inspired brands with be eye in the 70s.
Loose, Flowing Bohemia
In the 70s, the boyish silhouette of the 60s shift loosened and lengthened into light, airy maxi dresses. The loose flowing bohemian silhouette speaks of flowers in hair and bangles on arms, and it's definitely easier to dance barefoot under the stars in a loose dress!Suzanna M Designs is the online boutique to check out for lovely 70s-inspired bohemian gowns, with loose flowing lace skirts. Made in Greece, they feature relaxed forms and details such as three quarter length sleeves and low-scooped backs.
Suzanna M Designs, Photographer credit: LiaTorosyan
Saldana has several long maxi-dresses made from vintage lace and crochet - another 70s stalwart, including these two beauties; how lovely would they look with a vintage crown?
Off the Shoulder
Such a beautiful,free style, dared by so few, the off the shoulder look is emblematic of 70s rock n roll style. A little bit gypsy, a little bit Mediterranean, this example from Suzanna M breathes freedom and happiness.
While Saldana has this crochet festival-ready version.
Mexican Style
Travel became more about the experience, with hippies exploring the traditional dress of the countries they spent time in. Indian and Mexican styles were popular. Have you thought about having a Mexican-embroidered wedding dress? Aida Coronada sells the most exquisitely embroidered and colourful white wedding dresses from her workshop in Mexico. As Aida says, there is a little heart in each dress.
Finally, if you’re looking for 60s or 70s inspired bridesmaid’s dresses, then be sure to check out Molly’s wonderful creations, which can be custom made from genuine retro flowery sheets. I have never seen anything like this for bridesmaids, how wonderful would a mix of colours and patterns look?!
