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The tradition of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue has long guided the soon-to-be-wed as they pick out their wedding attire. Superstition has it that following the saying’s edicts will ensure a happy marriage–but even if it can’t do that, it does ensure that your wedding wardrobe is full of intention and style. Wearing “something old” is particularly inspiring, in that it encourages you to incorporate sentimental meaning into your look, in a carefully curated way.
Celebrity fashion stylist Micaela Erlanger is a big fan of “something old,” seeing it as a means of folding a sense of history into otherwise modern wedding weekends. “People are having all different kinds of weddings now, and this is a very elegant way to introduce tradition,” she says. Donning a special heirloom piece is a wonderful way to adorn your gown or suit, but if you don’t have one at the ready, don’t fret; Erlanger says couples should feel free to seek out a cool vintage piece, or two. “Even at their most tasteful, wedding aesthetics always have traceable elements to a certain period in style,” says Lily Kaizer, owner of the vintage bridal store Happy Isles Salon. “By adding vintage looks, you can create a sense of timelessness to your whole day or weekend!”
Need a bit of help figuring out how exactly to find the perfect something old to include in your wedding attire? Read ahead to learn some creative ways to tailor a classic piece to your wardrobe.
How to incorporate an heirloom “something old” into your attire
“Something old” is often synonymous with something sentimental. If you want to incorporate a piece from a family member in your look, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. “I have done things like including lace in a locket, repurposing jewelry, or reusing a family veil,” says Erlanger of her clients.
She also suggests sewing sentimental articles into a dress. “Depending on what the modification is, or how you’re including this item, you might be able to DIY it,” offers the stylist. “It doesn t necessarily have to be something really elaborate. But of course, having a good seamstress is a secret weapon and they are able to do incredible, incredible things.”
One of the most classic ways to wear something old is to don your mother’s wedding dress. However, many brides are finding ways to rework the design to modernize the dress, shorten it for their rehearsal dinners, or sew some of the fabric into a new custom gown. “I have not had any clients redo a wedding dress, per se, although I have seen it done very well by others,” notes Erlanger. “That s always special, whether it s for another celebration over the course of weekend, or for the main event.”
Don’t forget that your something old doesn’t necessarily have to mean vintage. “Define old,” quips Erlanger. “Things can be ‘old’ after one wear, these days. Maybe you have a keepsake that’s really special; heirlooms can be modern, too. It’s more about the sentiment than anything else.”
How to find vintage for your wedding look
If vintage is calling your name for your wedding day, be prepared to do a little digging to find that perfect match. “Vintage requires patience and it really is not for the faint-hearted,” says Erlanger. There s no guarantee with what you re going to find, and you have to be ready for the hunt. But the hunt is part of what makes it so special,” she adds, “because when you find something it s almost like having a couture piece.”
“Incorporating vintage into your wedding wardrobe ensures a sense of ‘your ownness’ and imbues a spirit of uniqueness throughout your festivities,” shares Kaizer. “Knowing that you re wearing something decades old, and, by now, one-of-a-kind, lends a different kind of gravitas to your bridal moment. From a collecting point-of-view, going with designer vintage or quality no-label vintage from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, or ‘60s is a bigger bang for your buck. The right piece will appreciate in value, and become a new family heirloom.”
When beginning your search, don’t be afraid to call in reinforcements. “Other than heading straight to [vintage bridal salon] Happy Isles, I d recommend employing the assistance of a bridal stylist who is seasoned in working with vintage,” says Kaizer. “The hunt can be time-consuming and ultimately exhausting if you go it alone.” Erlanger notes that she has vintage resources around the world that she calls on for her clients.
Of course, you can find items on your own, too. “It doesn t have to be that complicated,” says Erlanger. “You just have to be resourceful.” She recommends doing regular searches of sites such as 1stDibs, The Real Real, and eBay to find great pieces. When working with influencer Bridget Bahl, she was even able to source vintage Dior pajama sets from Etsy and Depop for the entire bridal party.
Since it can be tricky to find vintage gowns in your exact size, Kaizer recommends shopping with the intention of later visiting a seamstress. “With the right trusted tailor, the world of vintage is your oyster! We always recommend buying larger rather than smaller—it s so much easier to take in than let out,” she notes. “Though the cool thing about vintage is that smaller pieces often do have seam allowance. Always ask about that you re in love with a piece but it s on the smaller side.”
Kaizer’s biggest piece of advice for couples on the vintage search? “Jump on a piece if you re in love, even if you feel like your wedding is still far away,” she says. “The great thing about vintage from a buying perspective is that you can always resell if you don t end up wearing the piece—or even if you do end up wearing it!”
