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Good Housekeeping

75 Years of Vintage (and Totally Outrageous) Bridesmaid Dresses

Lauren Smith McDonough
2 min read
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75 Years of Vintage (and Totally Outrageous) Bridesmaid DressesGetty

Bridesmaids dresses definitely don't have a reputation of being fan favorites (hey, it's the bride's day!). But they are almost always one of the most interesting and unique things about a wedding — even back in the day when fashion was very, very different. Take a look for yourself:

1900s

Bonnets were all the rage at the beginning of the 20th century, and it appears that matching dresses weren't as important as they are now.

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1910

And the bride wasn't the only one that got to wear a veil — as proven at this Drexal family wedding. These women wore ones that went all the way down to their ankles! We have to wonder how they all managed to keep it together, since nowadays it takes several bridesmaids to help the bride with her dress and veil alone.

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1928

But we do have to question the hats at the wedding of Piers Debenham and Angel Paget at St Peter's Church, Eaton Square, London. Are they supposed to look like they're getting ready to dive into a pool for a race?

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1936

Holy, blushers! During the 30s some bridesmaids didn't just wear veils that draped down their backs, but also in front of their face. These days you usually only see that on more formal brides, we have to admit the look is super romantic.

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1938

Sleek, satin floor-length gowns (with full sleeves) were donned by these six bridesmaids during the wedding of Henry Cecil, son of Lady Amherst of Hackney, and Rohays Burnett, daughter of Sir james and Lady Burnett of Leys at Westminster.

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1950

Meanwhile A-line skirts, silk capes, and statement hair accessories were sweet, simple, and stylish in the 50s (those lucky bridesmaids!).

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1966

At the wedding of Patrick Nugent and Luci Baines Johnson, the bridesmaids wore ravishing all-pink ensembles, but we have to admit: their colorful outfits kind of remind us of Jeannie's costume from I Dream of Jeannie.

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1969

Delicate collars gave these bridesmaid dresses a subtle prep factor — and hinted at what was about to happen to fashion during the collar-heavy disco era.

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1975

If a green and orange outfit doesn't scream hippie fever (seen here at a royal wedding in Germany), we don't know what does — well, except maybe a flower crown.

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