Say Yes To The Dress
Is the dress the most important part of the wedding? Some people may say so. You don't have to dream of a white wedding to swoon over these 20 historical gowns. For this list, we've picked a mixture of iconic faves and some serious deep-cuts.
1. Queen Victoria's Dress
Queen V wasn't the first to wear a white wedding gown, but she certainly helped pave the way for future brides. Designed by William Dyce, this bejeweled cream gown was trimmed with deep flounces, orange blossoms for fertility, and lots of lace. In fact, this dress was a massive boon to the English lace industry.
Engraved by S Reynolds after F Lock on Wikimedia
2. Jacqueline Kennedy's Dress
The Kennedys are the closest America has ever had to royalty, so it's only fitting that Jackie Kennedy's gown was fit for a princess. A dream of ivory silk taffeta with a portrait neckline and huge skirt, this style is still mimicked today. The most amazing part was that designer Ann Lowe reconstructed the dress in a week after her workshop was flooded, though she was credited only as "a colored designer".
3. Soon Mei-Ling's Dress
Soon Mei-Ling—better known to Westerners as Madame Chiang Kai-Shek knew how to put a look together like nobody else. Her ethereal 1927 wedding gown rejected tradition in favor of a Western-style sheath dress and floor-length veil. The drop-hem and headscarf were copied by brides around the world—even more impressive as Mei-Ling had a hand in designing it.
4. Eleanor Clay Ford's Dress
Sometimes glamor isn't the most important thing in a dress, but comfort, and that's exactly what we love about Eleanor Clay Ford's 1916 gown. Designed by Lady Duff-Gordon—who survived the Titanic and campaigned against corsets, talk about a resume—this diaphanous silver gown takes inspiration from Russian folk dress. While neither designer nor bride were Russian, there was a fashion and art craze for all things Russian in the early 20th century.
Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress on Wikimedia
5. Märtha Of Sweden's Dress
Princess Märtha of Sweden tied the knot in 1929 in this very modern gown of silver lame. Following the styles of the time, her dress featured a mid-calf skirt (unthinkable for a royal wedding today), fitted sleeves, and a drop waist. The star of the show was, of course the 13-foot train embroidered with lilies.
6. Madge Elliott's Dress
Musical star Madge Elliott's 1935 wedding dress was called "the finest ever worn in Australia". Designed by Peter Russel. The fit of this gown is shockingly modern: fitted from bodice to mid-thigh before billowing out into an enormous skirt. However, our favorite thing about this dress has to be the way the wind catches it; it was an exceptionally windy day in Sydney and his photo ranks among our favorites.
National Library of Australia from Canberra, Australia on Wikimedia
7. Alice Of Battenberg's Dress
Princess Alice of Battenberg got married in three separate ceremonies on the same day in 120, which sounds exhausting to us, but she looked stunning! Alice's final dress is a wonderful example of the pigeon-fronting common in blouses of the Edwardian era. Made of Chinese silk and dripping with diamonds—including the Mountbatten Pearl Star Tiara—this wedding was picture perfect.
User Riera on ca.wikipedia on Wikimedia
8. Sofia Of Sweden's Dress
Sofia Hellqvist stunned in this tri-tone gown when she married the Prince of Sweden in 2015. Designed by Ida Sjöstedt, the organza and crêpe gown has an open-neckline extending into a pretty lace bodice. Like every royal wedding, the gown featured an extravagant train, however our favorite touch is that the back of the dress was cut low enough to show off her tattoo!
Frankie Fouganthin on Wikimedia
9. Rajwa Al Hussein's Dress
Princess Rajwa of Jordon stunned in this dress by legendary Lebanese designer Elie Saab. The dress may be less embellished than Saab's usual style, but the asymmetric neckline and sheath silhouette allowed the bride's natural beauty to shine. She also wore flats and cut her cake with a sword, in case you needed more reasons to be jealous.
Royal Hashemite Court on Wikimedia
10. Talitha Pol's Dress
What does the It-girl of the 60s wear to marry a Getty heir? Well, if you're Talitha Pol, the answer is a velvet minidress with a mink-trimmed hood. It's certainly not traditional, but it forecasted Pol's role as a boho fashion icon—plus, it was December in Rome, that fur certainly kept her cozy.
Keystone / Getty Images on Wikimedia
11. Grace Kelly's Dress
Almost 70 years after she walked down the aisle, Grace's Kelly's wedding dress remains the golden standard for bridal gowns. Designed by MGM costumer Helen Rose, this gown features a bodice of Brussels lace and a full skirt. The Juliet cap and prayer book—both adorned with pearls—take this look to the next level.
12. Audrey Hepburn's Dress
Audrey Hepburn wore plenty of gorgeous wedding frocks on film, but our favorite has to be this Pierre Balmain tea gown from her second wedding. With the high collar, voluptuous bow, and gigot sleeves tucked into gloves, this dress is the perfect blend of old-meets-new. The flower crown is the cherry on top.
Comet Photo AG (Zürich) on Wikimedia
13. Alexandra Of Denmark's Dress
Alexandra of Denmark's dress was the first to be photographed while worn, so it's only fair that we include it. Like many other members of her family, Alexandra's dress was a pastry of flounces, orange blossoms, and Honiton lace. We love how flowers were incorporated into the tiers of the skirt!
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
14. Debbie Reynolds' Dress
Debbie Reynolds kept things simple and sweet for her wedding to Eddie Fisher in 1955. While the marriage may not have lasted, the dress was certainly one to remember. America's sweetheart looked gorgeous in her white lace ballerine dress with delicate cap sleeves and a full skirt, accessorized with a cap and veil.
15. Princess Diana's Dress
The dress that launched a thousand reproductions, Princess Diana's gown by David and Elizabeth Emanuel went down in history. This dress was suitably dramatic for the wedding of the century: silk and taffeta adored with sequins, puffed sleeves, and some 10,000 pearls. The real star of the show was the awe-inspiring 25-foot train!
16. Wallis Simpson's Dress
Fitting for a bride on her third marriage, Wallis Simpson wore a Mainbocher gown of not white, but blue for her marriage to the Duke of Windsor. However, the color choice has a deeper meaning: Wallis blue was developed to perfectly match her eyes, which she complemented with a blue straw hat and tulle. The nipped-at-the-waist design is still one of the most copied of all time.
Attributed to Angelo Laviosa / Formerly attributed to Vincenzo Laviosa on Wikimedia
17. Norma Shearer's Dress
Though it's difficult to see behind the overflowing bouquet, Norma Shearer said "I do" wearing an ivory silk and velvet gown. The dress had a funky high-low skirt with a handkerchief hem, combined with the pearls on her headress, neck, and shoulders, this may just be the quintessential flapper wedding frock.
Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia
18. Franziska Schlopsnies' Dress
if it weren't for the hair and photo quality, you could almost believe this dress came from a 2010s boho wedding rather than an Edwardian one! The cold shoulder straps—we didn't know you could do that in 1910—and massive bell sleeves are pure seventies revival decades in advance. The delicate embroidery and ruffled front are just darling.
19. Queen Elizabeth II's Dress
As clothing was still on ration in 1947, the future Queen of England had to purchase her wedding dress using ration coupons! Designed by Norman Hartwell, the star-patterned by a 1482 painting of spring, complete with flowers through out the skirt—a fitting symbol of rebirth after the devastation of the blitz. Hartwell called it the most beautiful dress he made.
20. Louise Margaret Of Prussia's Dress
When marrying into the British Royal Family, Louise Margaret opted to use French and Prussian lace to reflect her continental origins rather than the traditional Honiton. The satin gown was reportedly very heavy, with a wide band of lace around her waist and a 13-foot train trailing behind her. In addition to the diamonds that Queen Victoria gifted her, Louise Margaret also had a handkerchief embroidered with the Prussian eagle.
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
