BRIDAL GOWNS OF YESTERYEAR

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33675, 26 October 1974, Page 6

BRIDAL GOWNS OF YESTERYEAR

' A bridal gown first worn in 1832 was modelled on Thursday evening at a function to choose the winner in the Bridal Gown of the Year contest. The year specified in the i contest was, of course, 1974, but a parade of old gowns was included in I the evening's enterj tainment to illustrate the Changes in wedding ■ gowns in 125 years. I The oldest gown was first | worn in Worcester, England, and was handmade by the bride. I Colours were popular in bridal gowns then, and this one was in smoky mauve. A little white hat with a short veil was worn with the dress which had a tight-fitting bodice and full skirt. Two other old gowns from the 1880 s were in grey and midnight blue and had bustles and the tight-fitting bodices. White became popular in the early twentieth century and several gowns from 1910 were paraded from this era. : These were rather ornate with either lace or frills ; and ribbon used liberally. One was made entirely of hand-loomed lace. ; The 1920 s and 30s saw wedj ding gowns become , much more simple in I style. A "flapper” dress in cream lace was kneeI length and worn with a head band. Another, worn just above the ankle with a cummerbund at the waist, i was a very simple style in Indian muslin which is very popular today. The contest for the best modern bridal gown, which was organised by Russell’s Bridal Bou- ' tique, was won by Mrs ] Christine Mclvor. Her gown was in dioletta I over satin. iThe dress was a simple A-

line style with three I circular tiers on the! sleeves. The train fell: from the shoulders and was appliqued with lace. The veil fell in two trails and was held at the ears with floral muffs. Mrs Mclvor’s dress was

d judged the winner by ■I Miss Dorothy Jeffs and I: Mr Wallace York. Mrs 1 Mclvor’s dress also won the popular vote of the > audience. ; Second place went to Mrs 1 Glenys Kearns and third place to Mrs > Elaine Tavlor.