About 1910 the French fashion designer Paul Poiret rocked the fashion world with the introduction of his Oriental look based on the Japanese kimono. Earlier he had gotten rid of corsets and the stiff, formal look in his fashions and changed the fashionable silhouette. Women’s dresses became softer, more flowing. High, stiff necklines were abandoned in favor of the V-neck created by the kimono’s front. Dresses began sporting wide waist bands and huge flat bows similar to a Japanese Obi, or waist wrap. It took a while for his haute couture ideas to be adopted by the average American woman, but eventually even bridal gowns reflected this style.

Bridal Gown

This bride from about 1912, the year the steamship Titanic sank, is showing a very fashion-forward look. You can see how soft and drapey and almost unstructured her bridal gown is. Quite a difference from the two previous brides (1904 & 1908) we looked at.

This bride’s bodice is softly draped from the shoulders with unstructured, flowing sleeves that reach only to about her elbows. The neckline is the new fashionable V-neckline and the bodice blouses above the wide, flat bow, with two double layer tails hanging down the front of her dress, at the waistline. The large band and bow at her waist look similar to a Japanese Obi, don’t they? There also appears to be some kind of similar bow at the back with one tail sticking out to the left.

The skirt is straight with only a small slit at the bottom front to give her a little room to walk. This was a form of the “hobble skirt” fashion which was in direct response to the wider skirts of the previous decade. Skirts in the high fashion dresses were designed with such an extreme tightness at the bottom that the wearer could hardly move her feet to walk. She was “hobbled like a horse” with a rope around its legs.

If you have read the FREE 10 Wedding Ideas from Vintage Brides ebook, you would know that this dress is a Rectangular shape. You can see how this shape compares to other bridal dress shapes in the ebook.

Bridal Headpiece & Veil

The bride’s arms are still covered with long gloves. The change in hair and hat fashions has the bridal headpiece circling the head closely, with lace and small flowers. The veil is attached to the back of the headpiece.

Bridal Bouquet

Her bouquet is large roses with green fern filler. The brides maids bouquets are at her feet, which was the custom when taking wedding pictures at this time. Those bouquets appear to be Carnations of a light color.

To see another version of Paul Poiret’s fashions, you might like this 1914 Bride.

Ready for unique Bridal ideas?

If you are planning a wedding and are looking for bridal ideas, then the FREE 10 Wedding Ideas from Vintage Brides ebook can help you:

• Find your own Wedding Dress style
• Find a unique Headpiece and Veil
• Find a special Bridal Bouquet

To get your own FREE copy of 10 Wedding Ideas from Vintage Brides ebook PDF, just click the button.

Want your own historically-inspired Wedding Gown?

Want a wedding dress in a vintage style? Contact me at kayork@wowway.

Want to see more Vintage Brides?

If you want to find out more about American Bridal Fashions, 1900 to 1950, you can purchase the book and enjoy all the vintage bridal gowns and veils.

Like modern vintage fashions?

If you are interested in modern vintage fashions, check out The House of York on Etsy.