Recapture Vintage Bridal

Update on Recapture Vintage Bridal

2021-03-26T13:37:00.001-07:00

Welcome back!

It looks like I have not posted in awhile (understatement of the year 🙄). I won't go into detail but suffice it to say that a lot of just plain 'life' happened. Before I knew it it was more than a year later and then Covid. Like a lot of people who have had to pivot their businesses this just pushed me to make a move that's been long over due. Moving Online. I had been putting it off because one of the things I love about my work is being able to meet personally with brides and help them with their questions and concerns over choosing a vintage bridal gown. But push came to shove and during 2020 I spent most of my time putting my vintage bridal gowns and vintage bridal accessories online. www.https://Etsy.com/shop/VintageBridalDesigns.

I still have lots more to post so keep checking in or 'Favorite' my shop so you will get all the updates. So, it's not the same (AT ALL) as working one on one but this is my next step in providing Recaptured Vintage Designs online (more on that to come soon!) While buying online is not ideal just know that I am still here to help and advise you so don't hesitate to contact me Robin@Recapturedesigns.com. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram RecaptureVintageBridal.

Ruffles and lace - the 70's are back!

2019-01-19T16:33:00.000-08:00

Boho-chic or rustic-chic - whatever you want to call it- the romantic look from the 70's actually started in 1967 with the Gunne Sax company. The name came from dresses that were made from gunny sacks (old feed sacks) in the times of the great depression. When Jessica McClintock became the sole owner in the 70's she created a style that would define the look of the decade. Heavily influenced by the styles of the Victorian and Edwardian period as well as the western prairie, Jessica McClintock's dresses became sought after by every girl who wanted to wear ruffles and lace and run barefoot in the park with flowers in her hair. (I feel a song coming on...) It harkened back to a simpler time (or so we thought!) and that was the whole 70's vibe. Getting back to basics. Fast forward almost 50 years (!) and here we are again. Bohemian chic has quickly taken hold in the wedding world. Whether it be in reaction to the big box wedding dresses, designer prices or the whole big wedding affair - many brides today are looking for a simpler look to match their personal aesthetic.

I re-designed this dress by removing the high neckline and sleeves which was a popular take on the Victorian style of dress. Original by Scott McClintock - Jessica's son- who soon joined the company.

A Revamped 80's bridal gown

2015-07-23T20:49:00.002-07:00

This adorable dress was actually re-created from a 1980's bridal gown

It had all the earmarks of the 1950's. A fitted waist, an illusion lace neckline, long sleeves and a very full skirt.

To give the dress a lighter feel I first cut the sleeves to a shorter cap style. The skirt used to be full length with a very long train. I wanted to remove a lot of the length to create a less formal feel. Since the tiered lace ruffles were designed on an angle I just followed the line of the ruffle. It created a high-low design which I think added a little sass!

Thank you to Shoey Sindel for these fabulous pictures!

www.ShoeySindel.com

Cristelle and Robert in Big Sur

2015-03-31T20:43:00.002-07:00

Just received these awsome photos from my bride Cristelle's wedding in Big Sur

Photos courtesy of www.Chazcruzphotography.com

No better way to start than with a beautiful sunny day in Big Sur!

Cristelle wore a beautiful eyelet lace dress from the early 1900's


I love this!


Very natural and down to earth florals by www.bigsurflowers.com


So sweet!

I absolutely love this unique arrangement for table seating and favors in one!


Looks like they were just picked from the beach.


You have to have a chair dance!

Best wishes and dreams for the future Cristelle and Robert!

Recycling vintage lace

2015-02-06T17:09:00.001-08:00

I love little vintage wedding dressexampleate to throw anything away. These lace pieces were cut from old dresses can be used for so many accessories.

Cute little hair pins are just one example.

Beautiful bridal skirts

2015-01-24T20:51:00.001-08:00

This is the first of my bridal skirts series

This beautiful skirt was salvaged from a vintage bridal dress

The original bodice of the dress was not wearable so I paired it with a simple lace top

And added accessories for a Victorian feel

You can find more examples like this on re-styling a vintage bridal gown on my ebook

How to Restyle Your Vintage Bridal Gown

On Sale now for $9.99

Sophisticated 50's

2015-01-02T17:33:00.001-08:00

I love this look that I styled from the classic 1950's

I wanted to show you how you can style a simple tulle skirt in a variety of ways

This skirt was 'rescued' from an old vintage bridal gown

I paired a vintage sheer blouse with a bustier for a sexy but not too sexy look

Added black accessories for a truly classic look

C'mere lover boy!

Boho Bridal Shoot

2014-11-21T11:55:00.001-08:00

One of my first photo shoots at Radonich Ranch in the Santa Cruz mountains.

Capturing a boho chic look with a 1940's vintage lace dress

and of course cowboy boots for a rustic ranch vibe!

The silk tulle from the 1940's creates such a soft and romantic feel.

A final touch of of waxed orange blossoms from the 1930's in her hair.

A Desert Bride

2014-10-24T14:27:00.002-07:00

I call her my desert bride because this dress is just perfect for the wild west.

Crochet lace and cowboy boots! What's not to love?

A unique touch was using a vintage floral headband in a different way - behind her head!

I love my non-traditional brides.....

2014-09-25T20:23:00.001-07:00

This is why I love what I do. I cater to those individual brides who want something unique, something that speaks to them, that suits their personality. No cookie cutter strapless mermaid gowns here -oh no! I love it when brides tell me they are looking for something different than the usual strapless gown. Yea! You've come to the right place. In addition to the fact that I love vintage, I love working with the women who have a sense of their own style and are coming to me to find that perfect fit. (That's why vintage bridal gowns are so exciting - you get so many choices of styles. On top of that - we can make modifications to really personalize the dress.)
If any of you have called and wonder why I ask so many questions it's because of this. I am not your typical bridal store. I am a designer who helps you find the right style for you. With over a hundred gowns (and styles!) to choose from I need to hone in on the look that fits YOU.
Take a look at some of my brides and you will see what I mean...

And of course, take a look at my previous posts with Darci, Jennifer and others...

More about sizes

2014-09-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

This is why I ask for measurements when you call about vintage gowns. These patterns are from the 1960's. Note the size and bust measurement. Even IF one of my dresses has a size tag in it it might be something like this: a size 12. Now you know that is not the same as a size 12 today. Another thing to keep in mind is that many vintage gowns have been altered to fit the bride as many are today. So nothing is a standard size. I have fit many brides who say they are a size 6 but one many have a smaller bust than the other. Or a different waist or different hips. Now you get the idea...

Contact information

2014-08-25T07:39:00.001-07:00

I've been alerted that there is no contact information on my blog. So here it is!
Robin@recapturedesigns.com
510-931-9173

My Love/hate relationship with Pinterest

2014-08-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

OK, so here's the deal. I love Pinterest for all the reasons anyone does. It allows you to capture images to inspire, dream and wish upon. You can share them with friends and see what others are dreaming about as well. As a consumer I think it's a wonderful tool and I appreciate the platform they have created. On the other side, as a business owner I tend to feel a just a little disgruntled when a bride-to-be sends me pictures of her fantasy dress (emphasis on fantasy) on Pinterest. These are all gorgeous designer dresses with designer price tags. Of course, the bride wants that same dress (or one very similar) for around $500. Really? I'm only guessing that they think they can get a dress at less the cost because vintage can sometimes be cheaper than modern dresses ( and maybe I'm the only one to experience this because I specialize in vintage - I don't know.) Yes, sometimes vintage is less expensive but most of the time vintage does not look like the new "vintage inspired" dresses that designers are putting out these days. (But I digress more on that subject in a previous post.) The real issue is that looking for a bridal dress on Pinterest allows you to see ALL the options available in the world! This is all well and good if you have the budget for it. I feel that it is a bit unfortunate for a bride to fantasize about dresses that are out of their price range instead of looking within their means at what is available for them. Once upon a time, before the internet (and I realize I shouldn't be singling out Pinterest as it's really the internet that has opened up the world to us in the first place), a bride would shop the stores in her area and choose a dress from what was available in stock. If you wanted something unique and/or less expensive you would have one made for you. As far as I can tell, all those brides from decades past were very happy with what was available to them.

"What do I wear under it?"

2014-07-01T11:00:00.001-07:00

It's called a slip

A slip seems to becoming an article of clothing from the past. Once upon a time one wore a slip under every dress or skirt and blouse whether it required one or not. These days it's very different. Many young women don't have the occasion to wear a dress very often let alone a formal one. This brings us to the subject of formal/ bridal wear. The question: "What do I wear under it" is one of the most common questions I hear during bridal appointments. Back in the day one was expected to wear all the necessary undergarments: bra, girdle, slip and stockings. So the dresses of the time could be a bit see through knowing that one would wear the proper 'foundation garments' underneath. This brings me to the subject of old v.s new bridal gowns. New bridal gowns tend to be built with all the foundation built in - no slips or girdles (spanx) needed. They even have corsets built in to help pull you in tight in all the right places. Therefore, when brides are shopping for vintage dresses they are surprised by how light they are which is a good thing. Everyone likes light and airy. It has all the qualities you want in a wedding dress; easy, breezy, comfortable, except for one thing: it does not suck you in like the modern dresses. They are not form fitting and body hugging unless you wear the proper "undergarments". (Even then, the bridal fashions of the past were not that form fitting until you reached the late 1980's and then were bejeweled and bedazzled by all the pearls and sequins covering the whole gown). So, here lies the dilemma; you want the easy breezy look but you want to look a bit sexy showing your curves...

How do you get both? Foundation Garments.

To clean or not to clean. ..

2014-01-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

That is the question. Quite frequently in my work with vintage materials -especially with vintage wedding dresses- I am challenged with taking the risk of cleaning an item. With this particular 1940's wedding dress there is a stain on the right side of the lace bodice. Upon first glance I decide yes I can get the stain out but it will require removing the buttons. Ah yes, all those beautiful buttons. I've learned the hard way (with one of my very first vintage bridal gowns)that if you are going to clean, especially hand wash, you must remove the buttons. The old buttons were made with a type of metal base that will rust and ruin not only the buttons but will leach out onto your whole dress. Yes, this did happen to me with my first bride. Unfortunately, the dress was in perfect condition but the bride's mother wanted it "freshened up". Needless to say it was a disaster. (On top of that the bride didn't like the lighter 'fresher' color! She loved the original antique hue. Who knew it would turn so white!) So, my original post was supposed to be about removing buttons before cleaning. And this is still valuable information. But upon closer inspection of the lace I see that it is too fragile to withstand an even gentle washing. I often remind people that it's not the dress that is 70 years or more old but the fabric is that old. So, in conclusion you always have to weigh the pros and cons. If you love the dress and accept it as is then by all means wear it in all it's vintage glory!

Special thanks to my bride Darci

2013-11-07T18:30:00.000-08:00

Thank you Darci

Her gorgeous dress

Was created from 3 vintage dresses

to create the look

of a woodland garden fairy

What is Vintage?

2013-09-29T20:28:00.001-07:00

Lately, I've been finding myself having to describe in detail what vintage actually is. My customers call and ask about what it is that I do and what I carry. Naturally I describe the process of choosing from my collection of vintage dresses and how we re-work the dress if desired. When I first started my business everyone understood and appreciated the concept. But this last year I've been getting questions like: "Can I get this in a different size?", "Can I order it in a different color?", "Oh, is it used? Has it been worn before?" So then I begin to describe that vintage means it is one of kind (I have one, just one of that style) and it was made earlier than 20 years ago ( but as the years go by this means that the early 90's is classified as vintage! ACK!) I was surprised by the lack of knowledge re: vintage by most young people and then I came to realize than the term vintage has become so generic that the concept is watered down and washed out. For a while designers started phrasing their collection as "Vintage inspired". Even though these styles bore no resemblance to any vintage theme that I could see I accepted their version if they felt it was so inspired. But now it has become such a marketing frenzy that everything is being called vintage when there really is no reference whatsoever. No wonder people are confused! As someone who works with authentic vintage pieces it is becoming a challenge to distinguish myself from the rest. Therefore I guess I may be moving into the role as educator - although I am by no means a expert on the history of fashion but I am old enough to remember more than most of you! :)

Vintage Bridal Skirts

2013-08-30T14:06:00.001-07:00

At last I am revealing my new designs: vintage bridal skirts! What a concept right? I love the idea of creating separates for versatility in both size and style. It's easy and makes so much sense. I've designed some photo shoots to show how you can style your own skirt. This lovely ruffled skirt is paired with a simple stretch lace top for a simple but elegant look. As I mention in my book (How to restyle a vintage wedding gown) this is just one design idea that lets you recapture a beautiful piece of a vintage gown and make it your own.

My Victorian inspired fashion show

2013-05-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

Vintage 'Reception' dress on Sale now!

2013-04-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

I have a few dresses on sale now before I leave for vacation so now's the time to snap them up! They are cute for before the wedding, after the wedding, next day brunch or a summer time garden party!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageBridalDesigns?ref=si_shop

How to Restyle Your Vintage Wedding Gown continued....

2013-04-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is for all you vintage gals out there looking for a vintage bridal gown for your wedding: I know what a challenge it is to find a dress in good shape as well as one that fits your shape! With my experience in repairing, cleaning, restyling and resizing vintage gowns, I am sharing my tips and ideas to help you with your quest. I hope that you find the book both helpful and inspirational. (pardon the repetitive postings from Blurb - I'm just figuring out the widgets!)

How to Restyle...

by Recapture Designs

By Recapture Designs

Book Preview

How To Restyle Your Vintage Wedding Gown - my book is now available on Blurb.com!

2013-04-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

How to Restyle Your Vintage Wedding Gown by Recapture Designs |

A word about size....

2013-03-01T19:41:00.000-08:00

It's about time we had this discussion. To begin with, in our current marketplace a size 2 in one designer's dress can be a totally different size in another designer's dress. So, all sizes are not the same in today's world. When we talk about vintage sizes that's a whole other ballywick. You've got to know that you cannot compare today's size with yesteryear's size. For one thing, in the good 'ole days there was no dress size smaller than an 8. For another, many dresses were homemade, custom made or altered from a store bought dress. Any of you familiar with shopping vintage know by now that clothes were much smaller then and yes, that's because 1. People were smaller then 2. We have grown as a human species (especially in our lung and ribcage area) 3. Many dresses you find were worn by much younger women of the times and 4. Women wore corsets from a young age.
So here's some tips when buying a vintage dress -especially online!
1. Be sure to measure your ribcage area and ask the seller for this same measurement on the dress as well. This is the most likely place where you just can't get the zipper up. You may have a small waist but the ribcage will get you everytime.
2. Measure from your shoulder to your waist (and again ask for the same measurement from the seller as well). I've found this to be another area where the dresses are too shortwaisted for us. If there is a simple strap an alteration can sometimes work by adding into the shoulder seam.
Stay tuned for my upcoming book on more tips and tricks for altering your vintage dress!

Jane Austen style photo shoot

2012-11-14T19:52:00.001-08:00

I re-styled this vintage bridal gown to capture the feel of 'Jane Austen'. Completing the look with some of my various vintage furnishings and 'sundries'.