11 Dazzling 1940s Vintage Style Wedding Dresses
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The history of 40s wedding dresses and the Vintage Fashion Icons who wore them
This post is all about the 40s wedding dress, including the 40s wedding dress history and the women who wore them
The 1940s vintage style wedding dresses and glowing brides of a remarkable era gone by continue to offer refreshing and timeless inspiration to the modern day bride and the vintage fashion lover.
Classy.
Romantic.
Yin & Yang Harmony.
These are all words that describe the simple and enduring 1940s styles.
Today we’ll time travel to 1940s and discover the favorite and most popular wedding styles for brides.
Of course we’ll take a peek at the 40s tabloids to get the full scoop on the romance and style of the most talked about weddings of the decade.
“This is more than just a wedding dress. It is the embodiment of a dream come true.”
1940s Dress Styles Context
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”
The early 1940s and mid 1940s fashion were both influenced and subdued by World War II.
Women's fashion was practical and utilitarian, influenced by menswear.
Dress tops became more masculine, with shoulder pads for women mirroring the military uniform look of the patriotic men.
Not to mention wartime rations on fabric caused hemlines to shorten.
Especially in the early to mid 1940s, slim silhouettes with a fitted waist and a-line skirt were the “It” look.
After World War II, the fashion industry and Paris fashion scene revived.
Christian Dior’s fashion debut of the ‘New Look’ took the world by storm.
Suddenly softy rounded shoulders, tighter waists, and full skirts with lots of swirl became popular.
Above, in the late 1940s, Dior’s New Look with a dramatic hourglass shape and full skirt ushered in the styles of the 1950s.
40s Vintage Dress Styles
Wedding dresses in the 1940s falls into two categories, World War II and the Post War into Dior’s ‘New Look’!
What did brides wear in the early to mid 1940s (World War II era)?
Wedding dresses were often less elaborate, but still elegant and stunning in their simplicity.
Since money was tight for many young couples and fabric was rationed, some 40s bridges simply vetod the wedding dress and instead wore chic two piece skirt suits.
Above, Lauren Bacall wears a two piece suit to her wedding to Humphrey Bogart.
Other resourceful brides creativity ran wild, with some choosing to make their wedding dresses from parachutes or decorating their dresses with homemade materials.
Also rayon was a practical wedding dress fabric in the 1940s, since the silk industry was largely refactored to manufacture parachutes and “spy like evasion and escape” maps for the soldiers behind enemy lines.
In this period, one of brides’ favorite 1940s wedding dresses style was the slim a line silhouette, with modest necklines, long sleeves, and gorgeous fabrics.
This 40s bridal trend of choosing a classy dress suit in lieu of a formal wedding dress also was popular for some celebrity couples looking to tie the knot on the down low.
What did brides wear Post War into the New Look?
Post War crepe and brocade were favorite fabrics for wedding dresses.
Even though the Post War chic masculine inspired style continued to influence late 1940s wedding dresses, after 1947 and Dior’s “New Look” skyrocketed to popularity, which emphasized busts and waists and fuller skirts.
A key accessory for 40s brides was their headpiece, which could range from a dainty retro hat, to a flower garland, over the top headpiece—all usually attached to a veil, or sometimes even just a classic veil.
We’re not so sure about the bow veil headpiece (image above) it looks a bit like a present wrapping?
For jewelry, the 1940s brides kept it simple and classic, and this was typically peals earrings, and perhaps a matching necklace.
Bouquets were a must for the 1940s brides and ranged from the simple to the over the top dramatic style.
World War II: (1939) 1940-1945: Early - Mid 40’s
Vintage Wedding Dresses: Marilyn Monroe’s 40s Style Wedding Dress
“I never knew Marilyn Monroe… I knew and loved Norma Jean.”
In 1942 the stunning brunette, Norma Jeane walked down the aisle at sixteen to marry James Doughtery.
For her first of her three marriages, Marilyn Monroe wore a charming vintage wedding gown, and looked young and radiant.
Her floor length wedding gown had a fitted bodice, modest neckline, and long translucent sleeves.
Her simple a line style skirt hit the floor, without a train.
Although the first years of their marriage were very happy according to James Doughtery, his stints away with the Navy put a strain on the marriage.
Plus Norma Jeane dreamed of becoming a model and actress.
While working at a radio plane factory that manufactured war parts for World War II (think Rosie the Riveter!), she met a photographer who was taking pictures of female defense workers supporting the war efforts.
One thing lead to another, and before you knew it, she was signing with the Blue Book Model Agency, and then doing a screen test at 20th Century Fox, where the rest, as they say, was history for the Blonde Bombshell Marilyn Monroe.
Vintage Wedding Dresses: Ava Gardner 40s Style Dress Suits
A very young unknown Ava Gardner, arrived in Hollywood in 1941, and met Mickey Rooney her second day in town.
Five months later she was walking down the aisle to marry the famous five-foot-two star of the “Andy Hardy” movies.
As was the trend for a number of celebrities in the 1940s, Ava Gardner skipped the wedding dress and instead wore her a two piece suit for their quiet “unpublicized” ceremony.
MGM studio didn’t want it loudly announced that their popular male star was off the market.
Notice how her 40s style suit flatters the womanly hourglass silhouette and incorporates classic masculine military elements, like the shoulder pads to “bulk” her female frame.
Her white flowers corsage and black vintage veil add the finishing touches to her chic retro outfit.
Although her marriage to Mickey Rooney only lasted a year, Ava Gardner would go on to became one of the most legendary actresses and sex symbols of Old Hollywood.
Other posts you might like:
31 Beautiful Old Hollywood Actresses - Old Hollywood Glamour at it’s Best
Vintage Wedding Dresses: Carole Landis 40s Style Wedding Dress
In 1943, Carole Landis absolutely glows as she says “I Do” in a stunning long sleeved vintage wedding dress.
We love the sweetheart neckline details and glamorous shimmer from her cream-colored silk.
Given she was a famous actress, she was able to afford this type of luxury!
Notice the 40s styling details that include the tucked in waist and long pointed sleeves.
Also, her classic old fashioned veil that billows behind her, in a train like manner.
Her string of pearls, colorful bouquet, and orange blossoms in her hair, complete her romantic vintage wedding style.
Vintage Wedding Dresses: Lauren Bacall 40s Style Wedding Dress
Lauren Bacall married the love of her life, Humphrey Bogart, at a close friend’s farm in Ohio in 1945.
The ceremony was extremely emotional for both, with Bacall later writing that Bogart had “tears streaming down his face.”
The style icon Lauren Bacall also skipped the wedding dress and instead wore a beautifully tailored two piece dress.
We adore the classic lines and simplicity of this vintage wedding dress style.
In the classic Lauren Bacall “less is more” elegant Old Hollywood style, Lauren Bacall leaves off the jewelry and veil, and instead accessorizes her outfit with a black scarf, belt, and simple bouquet.
1940s Wedding Dresses: Judy Garland’s Retro Wedding Dress
The famous and beloved Wizard of Oz starlet, Judy Garland, walks down the aisle in 1945 in simple vintage style wedding dress.
What was the dress of choice for the special day for the girl who only needed to click her red slippers for magic to happen?
A chic vintage 40s style dress with long pointy sleeves, a defined waist, and distinctive shoulder pads.
Her veil is a simple clear hat style.
The simplicity of her retro wedding dress is offset with a dramatic oversized bouquet.
Once again another starlet opts out of the fancy wedding dress for a simple 40s style dress, but it’s so chic, simple, and fitting for the time period.
After World War II: Oct 1945 (1946) - 1949
Vintage 40s Wedding Dress: Princess Elizabeth Windsor & Prince Philip
The legendary Princess Elizabeth Windsor walked down the aisle to say “I Do” to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in the Buckingham Palace on November 20th, 1947.
Queen Elizabeth’s stunning wedding dress was made from duchesse satin.
It had a flattering heart-shaped neckline, fitted bodice, long sleeves, and figure enhancing low v-pointed waist.
Her train was fit for a princess!
The shimmering 15-foot silk tulle full court train attached at the shoulders and was embroidered with pearl, crystal and transparent applique tulle embroidery.
This floral pattern glittered with crystals and 10,000 seed pearls, imported from America.
A twinkling diamond tiara and two pearl necklaces (each from legendary British queens of the past) were her final adornments.
After her coronation in 1952, she was known the world as Queen Elizabeth II.
This lovely and gracious queen would go on to rule the United Kingdom longer than any other Monarch in British history, living through the JFK assasination and Brexit, among many other historical events.
She was loved and respected around the globe.
1940s Wedding Dresses: Angela Lansbury
The vivacious Old Hollywood actress Angela Lansbury walked down the aisle to her the love of her life in 1949.
The British-American-Irish bride absolutely glows in her one of a kind vintage floral embroidered wedding dress.
Her bodice has striking retro pearl button details and a deep v accentuated with matching lace.
A simple flower garland and classic long veil, and triple strand of tiny pearls completes her romantic retro style.
Her marriage to her soulmate, the English actor and producer Peter Shaw, would last for more than 5 decades, until he passed.
“We never looked back. We just stuck together like glue for 53 years. It was a wonderful, wonderful marriage.”
Vintage 40s Wedding Dress: Rita Hayworth & Prince Aly Khan
The glamorous World War II pin up model and actress Rita Hayworth said goodbye to her film career, so that she could walk down the aisle to wed Prince Aly Khan.
Given Rita Hayworth’s was one of the most loved celebrities in the world at this time, her whirlwind romance and wedding received loads of international press.
For her wedding dress, Rita Hayworth opted for a simple fit and flare style, in a classic button-up shirt dress style with long sleeves, and a pleated full skirt.
In lieu of a veil, she opted for a flouncy and chic white hat.
The dark haired Rita Hayworth was the first Hollywood celebrity to become a real life princess (Grace Kelly didn’t marry the Prince of Monaco until 1956).
Sadly, Rita Hayworth discovered that she had kissed a playboy (frog) rather than chivalrous prince, so she set sail to return to the United States and ultimately to Hollywood.
On the bright side, this meant she went on to star in more fabulous pictures captured on the Silver Screen captured for posterity to enjoy.
1940s Wedding Dresses: Linda Christian and Tyrone Power
The strikingly handsome Tyrone Power walked down the aisle to marry Linda Christian, a beautiful Old Hollywood film actress in 1949.
This was the second marriage for Tyrone Power, who stole hearts in his dashing role as the masked Zorro in the 1940 The Mark of Zorro film.
His bride, the sultry Linda Christian, had the distinction of being the first “Bond girl’ in a 1954 TV adaption of the James Bond Casino Royale.
What a dazzling power couple from Old Hollywood!
Linda Christian’s 1940s vintage wedding dress was crafted from embroidered satin.
The scalloped neckline and beautiful fitted bodice swept down to a floor length skirt that also had an attached overskirt.
The dramatic long train and veil trailed behind the glowing bride in a truly classic style.
Her simplistic retro hat, classy earrings, and bouquet were the final touches for this highly acclaimed wedding of the century.
The Italian Fontana sisters designed and crafted this gorgeous gown.
They also have the distinction of designing the first wedding dress for Audrey Hepburn.
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All 5 Iconic Audrey Hepburn Wedding Dress Styles - From her Personal Life and Movies
Vintage 40s Wedding Dress: Lucille Ball
The hilarious and beautiful Lucille Ball fell head over heels for the dark haired Cuban Desi Arnaz.
The two sneaked off and eloped in 1940 just six months after meeting.
After some marriage ups and downs, they decided to renew their vows in a romantic and emotional ceremony in 1949.
For her special day, Lucille Ball wore a stunning tea-length blue satin dress.
Given she was a second time bride, in typical 40s fashion, she opted not to wear white.
Notice how her dress emphasizes her waist and how full and swish worthy her skirt is, which are signature influences from Dior’s “New Look” and style elements would would dominate the next decade’s style (the glorious 50s!).
Lucille Ball also got to walk down the aisle across from her sexy Cuban husband a couple of times in the 50s in some fabulous wedding dresses.
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50s Wedding Dress - Inspiring Vintage Dresses from the 1950s
This post was all about 40s fashion vintage wedding dress styles for women, including the 1940s wedding dresses fashion history
Which 40s wedding dress styles are your favorite?
Do you prefer the more simple princess styles like Marilyn Monroe chose for her first wedding, or the more elaborate wedding dress styles?
Do you prefer the World War II era styled 40s wedding dress styles or the post War New Look inspired retro styles?
“Clothes as text, clothes as narration, clothes as a story. Clothes as the story of our lives. And if you were to gather all the clothes you have ever owned in all your life, each baby shoe and winter coat and wedding dress, you would have your autobiography.”