Digging through trunks in the basement, we came across all sorts of vintage fashion gems, including three generations of wedding outfits and much more! This year would have been my great-grandparents’ 100th wedding anniversary, so it seemed appropriate to air out these vintage pieces, photograph them, and write about it. We even found an earlier wedding dress (1911) and I added my own graduation dress (2004) to make nearly a century of wedding and party fashion! Please forgive the wrinkles, I was afraid to iron such delicate textiles.
1910s
This dress belonged to my great-great-aunt Gertrude, my great-grandmother’s sister. She was married in 1911 in Ontario, but moved shortly after her wedding to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Sadly, the dress is quite tattered, but surprisingly fits quite well. The parasol is modern, purchased on the island of Burano in Venice. I thought it coordinated well with the dress and I brought it out for the photos.
1920s
My great-grandmother, Neva, was married in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on January 1st, 1920. She and Carl decided on a January wedding because Neva was a teacher and married women were not permitted to work as teachers. After she finished classes at Christmas in 1919, that was the end of her career as a teacher. My great-grandparents honeymooned in the United States, going to the Grand Canyon and many other locations during their two months away. In 2019, my parents and I went for a meal at the hotel where they stayed at the Grand Canyon, the El Tovar.
Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to locate any photos from the wedding. Hopefully they will be forthcoming and I can update the post. In the past, going-away outfits were a standard element of weddings and luckily, we still have Neva’s going-away outfit, which is fabulous, but sadly, did not fit me very well.
Sometimes small dogs wander through the frame when they aren’t supposed to, but we’ll keep Destiny anyway. Amazingly, this suit is in great shape, just the lining is starting to pull away. There was nothing fast about fashion in those days and everything was made to last. See the photo below for details on the hat.
1940s
Looking at my grandmother’s photographs, we determined that she wore this dress twice, first for her university graduation in 1943 and then for her wedding in 1947. When you’ve lived through the Great Depression, you learn to be practical.
My grandmother graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1943 from the College of Agriculture. She was the only woman in her class. You can just make out under the graduation gown that she is wearing the same dress she wore at her wedding.
I adore covered buttons and these are the real deal. The dress is in good shape, but my grandmother used to let the students at the local high school use her family’s wedding clothes for fashion shows, leading to a few rips and stains. You could absolutely say my grandmother’s wedding dress was put to good use!
My grandparents’ wedding photograph, taken in Saskatoon. There was no way I was going to get my hair to look as cute as my grandmother’s hair did in these photos.
We also found this party dress belonging to my grandmother. There was a pink slip to be worn under the dress and the over dress you see here. At best guess, this would have been from my grandmother’s university days in the 1940s.
1970s
My parents were married in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchewan in 1975. My mother actually made her wedding dress, which is pretty much in mint condition all these years later.
My mom’s dress wasn’t the only part of her wedding outfit. Since the wedding was in May and in Saskatchewan the weather can be quite crisp in the spring, she also made a cape for the wedding. Yes, a cape. And yes, it did snow the day of the wedding.
Is a wedding outfit complete without a cape? Apparently not. The cape is a gorgeous royal blue velvet.
I also have my mother’s going-away outfit from after the wedding. It’s a 70s classic as you can see below.
Bell bottoms were definitely in style in 1975. Even my dad had bell-bottoms for his wedding suit and his going-away suit.
We have the handbag my mom carried with her going-away suit, as well. The saddle handbag was a birthday present from her parents for her 17th birthday (she thinks). She obviously still loved it years later.
2000s
Not being married myself, I have little to offer but my high school graduation dress from 2004. It was a tight squeeze if I’m being honest, but I got it zipped up. I probably wouldn’t have chosen a white dress, but the polka dots made this dress a winner (I had started dancing flamenco that year and polka dots are classic flamenco style).
My graduation photos were pretty horrendous, so I’m quite glad to have had this excuse to photograph the dress again. I graduated in Regina, Saskatchewan, and our high school held a dinner and dance for the graduating class, followed by a post-graduation party. I remember wearing yellow cropped sweatpants and a black tank top for the after party. The height of fashion in 2004? Probably not, but I’m guessing it was comfortable.
Thanks for checking out my family’s vintage wedding and party fashion! If you are looking for more vintage style inspiration, you can see my fall picks on the blog. Winter vintage styles to come when we get a good snow.
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Es increible este post! Las fotografías, como describes y documentas la historia que hay detrtas de cada prenda… Que maravilla!!
Gracias!!
Enjoyed seeing the vintage clothes. Also some vintage friends!
Thanks!
This is so wonderful. I am utterly in love.
Thanks!!
I love the vintage clothes. Thank you for sharing. Have you watched The House of Elliott, an old PBS show. Two sisters in the fashion biz and I wanted every outfit. I may have to drive up north to steal the blue hat!
Thanks! I have never seen the show, but I guess I’ll have to look for it. With any luck the situation will get better and the borders will open again soon!