I was mooching around the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) charity shop in Kirkcaldy last week, really just to have a look at the books which had been donated, you never know your luck. But I couldn’t help being struck by this long rack of wedding dresses, I just had to have a closer look.
Now I was never the sort of girl who dreamt of traipsing down the aisle in a big frock, I really had to have my arm twisted, I would have preferred a much quieter wedding and I didn’t buy a dress until less than a week before the wedding, it was cream, just in case you’re interested because I don’t like bright Daz white, it’s especially unflattering if you have pale skin and red hair as I do. But having got the dress, I must admit that I wouldn’t ever part with it. It’s living in a white plastic bag now because its box fell apart and I’ve been trailing it around various house moves over the last 36 odd years – very odd actually!
So I just had to ask the lady in the PDSA charity shop if the dresses had all been donated, and apparently they have been. If only they could speak, they would have some tales to tell I’m sure.
There are some absolute crackers of dresses there, if you happen to be looking for such a thing. Ranging from the 1960s right up to much more recent bridal fashions. There are a couple of lovely 1970s designs, similar to my own dress – think Victorian nightdress. A few of the 1980s designs were bought by a film company recently for use in a film
This one was my favourite, sort of champagne/pale cream coloured, with beautiful embroidered roses on the bodice and sleeves. I can only think that these dresses all belonged to women who ended up getting divorced and didn’t want any reminders of the day at all.
It’s very sad, but maybe things will work out better the next time they take a trip down that aisle. And for any potential brides looking for a bargain – get yourself down to the Kirkcaldy High Street branch of the PDSA. The dresses cost from between £35 and £50 and when you consider that I saw a new wedding dress on sale further along the High Street – just £675 – that was it half price too. It was a hideous thing which best resembled a ruched nylon net curtain. I’d definitely plump for a lovely second-hand dress, after all it’s recycling and if you’re at all bothered about that word second-hand – just call it vintage. And of course, you’re helping sick animals at the same time.
I was sorely tempted to start a wedding dress collection, people do collect them you know, then I remembered, I’m supposed to be decluttering!
What a fun post!
Peggy Ann,
It’s being so cheery wot keeps me goin’ – Mrs. A!
I’ve been dragging my wedding dress around for almost 40 years, too. I’ll never part with it, though, because my late mother made it. Jack and I got married in November, so it’s a light cream velvet with long sleeves, very simple, v-neck, with a bit of a central gather at the bodice. I could wear it again (as a non-wedding dress, of course!) if I wanted, it’s that simple and elegant, very Romeo and Juliette.
Joan,
Your dress sounds lovely and I know your mother was a great needlewoman, so your dress must be full of love. Mine is just a round neck with empire line and wide sleeves starting from the bottom of the bodice and gathering at the wrist. Sadly I couldn’t wear it now because the bodice is too tight. They growed!
I made my first myself (as well as his embroidered Mexican-styled wedding shirt — don’t ask!), bought my second and my third was a beautiful bespoke gown. The first two are in the wind. I kept the third in the (futile) hope that I’ll be able to get it zipped once more.
Right now I’m agonizing over what to wear to SD’s wedding in Edinburgh this fall. All I know right now is that it needs to be evening length, and I absolutely refuse to wear one of those feathery bits stuck to the side of my head.
Any suggestions?
Pearl,
It must have been third time lucky! I believe those daft bits of fluff and netting are called fascinators for some reason. I think that as you’ll be coming from Hawaii to a Scottish autumn, even if the sun is shining the most important thing will be thermal knickers! I would wear a long evening skirt and a floaty or tunic style top and a smart jacket to dress it up. Then there’s a chance that you might get some wear out of them again. Unless you go on cruises and would get use out of an evening dress. I’ve only ever been to summer weddings which are so much easier to dress for. Anyway, you’ll be the exotic people from Hawaii so you can wear anything you want. I’m not even sure if a hat is absolutely necessary.
That’s kinda where I’m headed…there’s to be a ceilidh as well, so I suppose comfy pumps are a must.
That one will be the last of 3 weddings for us this year. The other 2 were much easier to dress for.
My preference is something in jewel tones…still looking!!
Pearl,
Comfy pumps and an oxygen cylinder if it’s anything like the ceilidhs I’ve been to! Jewel tones would be my choice too, of course when we think of Hawaii it’s just those shirts which come to mind which are apparently all the rage now. I’m sure you’ll find something lovely before the date.
Back to say – I found it!! It’s waltz length and midnight blue – sleeveless bodice with a sheer l/s jacket over – just a touch of subtle accent beading.
I loved your skirt + jacket combo idea (because of the inevitable cold and potential for reuse) but can’t find anything but summery pastels this time of year. So I went for something I knew I could wear again.
It may be a little chill, but I can toss a pashmina over if need be…and the dancing will warm me up, I’m sure!!
Plus I’m the “exotic” Hawaii guest, as you said. I’m sure they’ll be gobsmacked that I’m not showing up in a colorful mu’u mu’u (or grass skirt and coconut bra!)
Pearl,
That’s great, it sounds lovely and it won’t be long before you’re too hot – when the dancing starts! I almost suggested that they might like to see you in a grass skirt, after all, I’m sure the men will all be in kilts, on one side of the family anyway! Surely the weather will be good by then and what we call ‘an Indian summer’ – so far it has been so wet everywhere, we’ll be due a dry autumn this year!
I’d have hated to look like a meringue! Keep it simple for me!
Evee,
We’ve got Diana to blame for the meringue look. I thought that after the last royal wedding the designers would have started giving dresses sleeves and necklines again – but all the brides still seem to be falling out of their bodices!