Evening fashions often influenced the style of wedding gowns. These dresses might inspire you. These slim dresses, which were Paris fashions, were available as Ladies Home Journal Patterns in January 1914. To help you place this time in history, the Titanic sunk in 1912 and America entered World War I in 1917.

Paul Poiret Fashion Designer

At this time there was a major change in fashion from the dresses in the previous decade. Stiff dresses and corsets were being replaced with flowing, draped fabrics over un-corseted women. Paul Poiret was rocking the fashion world. These Paris fashions show the “hobble skirt”, which narrowed so much at the bottom, around the lady’s ankles, that she could hardly walk. She had to take tiny steps.

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

Dress A

This tunic dress spotlights the fashionable over blouse style, crossing in front in a surplice style. Decorative braid stretches from one side of the bodice to the other to stabilize the drape of the fabric of the tunic. The darker tunic goes over a thin under blouse. A wide gathered belt encircles the waist and then circles to the front as a drape.

Dress B

This was a pattern for the large, draped wrap, with fuzzy faux fur collar and silky contrasting lapel which goes on a diagonal across the front and with 2 buttons as accents on the bottom. There is more faux fur on the edges of the sleeves. The bottom edge of the back is pleated to create a puffy effect. This wrap with its sleeve openings built into the side of the top, confined the movements of the lady as much as the hobble skirt she is wearing. High fashion doesn’t mean ease of movement.

Dress C

This dress has a long-shouldered tunic with a loosely gathered overblouse style. Lace accents the deep V-neckline. A decorative belt accents the high waistline. The long skirt falls in graceful folds into a pointed train. The bottom edge of the skirt is decorated in a feather fringe or faux fur. This edging also decorated the long sleeves at the wrist.

Dress D

This dress would make a delightful wedding dress. The top is a loose-fitting sheer tulle or net fabric over a silky crepe or taffeta base. The elbow length sleeves end in a point. The softly gathered skirt ends in 3 gathered ruffles. The under skirt is a long, wrap-style hobble skirt. The waistline is accented by a softly gathered contrasting fabric.

Dress E

This is another dress style that would make a lovely wedding gown. This is called a “double tunic” style. Most of this dress is made of white netting with an embroidered edging over either a white or pastel satin base. The waistline girdle and suspender bands could be done in a darker moire or satin. The skirt consists of 3 net or lace layers.

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.