Need a wedding guest dress? Try searching these niche vintage brands
image via @__pdashop/instagram
words by daisy henry
From ’90s Roberto Cavalli and Alberta Ferretti to Balenciaga Silk, here’s what Australia’s vintage curators search for.
It’s happened, we’ve officially entered wedding season. If your social calendar looks anything like mine, you’re looking ahead to weddings, work events and holiday parties every weekend for the next three months.
As much as I love an invite to a summer soiree, knowing what to wear to each of them can be a struggle, both creatively and financially. While the warmer weather at least makes outfit planning a bit easier (finally, a cute dress without the need for awkward layers), you still need to navigate different dress codes and importantly, feel like yourself.
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While there’s nothing wrong with outfit repeating, there’s only so many times I can throw on the same ’90s slip dress and slingback kitten heels in a single summer. So, without breaking the bank, I’ve been hitting up consignment stores and browsing The RealReal in a bid to stockpile a few extra, reliable options.
One tip that’s helped me on my mission is knowing what to search for. When you have a couple of designer names, or an exact collection reference in mind, those late-night Depop scrolls become a lot less overwhelming. For some expert advice, I asked the buyers and curators from a few local vintage boutiques what labels they always keep an eye out for.
Sarah Lamont and Belle Saunders, PDA Shop
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A few of our favourite vintage labels for event dressing are Diane von Fürstenberg, Dries Van Noten and vintage Dolce and Gabbana. DVF offers timeless silhouettes and prints that always feel right for weddings. Dries plays with texture and pattern that stands out without trying too hard, and vintage Dolce brings all the Italian glamour.
We also love a classic two-piece vintage set for events, the right one is harder to come by but we aren’t opposed to taking pieces to the tailor for the perfect fit.
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We recently sourced a collection of Italian eventwear on our latest trip, and we’re currently taking appointments for anyone after something special. Each session is completely personalised – we curate pieces based on your size and event, and open up our archive of accessories and shoes for styling. It’s our favourite way to make dress-up feel fun and pressure-free.
Bruce
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When it comes to finding vintage event dresses, we’re drawn to unique, well-crafted pieces with details that only vintage can offer. We especially love event dresses that speak to the etherial, with a subtle edge. Three vintage brands we’d recommend are Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Ghost London and Rozae Nichols.
The first, ’90s-era Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, is a dream. Think pieces that are romantic, whimsical and unapologetically feminine. Produced under Aeffe, the Italian fashion house Ferretti co-founded with her brother, these pieces are the epitome of made in Italy craftsmanship. Look for delicate prints, sheer layers, and soft embellishments – this is event dressing at its best.
Ghost London, specifically the ’90s era with the ‘Made in England’ label, was founded by Tanya Sarne in 1984 and is known for its delicate and fluid silhouettes in beautiful muted tones. Think viscose bias-cut gowns, georgette and crepe fabrics, and that barely-there look that feels effortless yet considered.
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Finally, LA-based designer Rozae Nichols holds a quiet cult following for a reason. Her eponymous 1994-to-early-2000s pieces blend deconstruction with soft structure, creating subtly embellished, wearable dresses. We especially love the silk and matte jersey styles, perfect for events and ideal for layering year-round.
You can find these labels online via Vestiaire or The RealReal, or browse our curated collection in-store at our Clifton Hill, Fitzroy (Melbourne) and Hobart locations.
Olivia Mangan, Goodbyes
For my sister’s wedding, I picked up a Vera Wang dress from Goodbyes the week before – Vera really is the queen of wedding attire, so it was perfect. I’ve also worn a ’90s Gianni Versace (also from Goodbyes) with purple pinstripes and a glamorous jewel clasp.
Online, if I’m looking for a ’90s vibe I’ll search labels like Alaïa, Plein Sud and Tom Ford Gucci. For something more feminine, romantic and summery, I love Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli, or Balenciaga Silk – the vintage ‘Silk’ spin-off label has produced beautifully made, colourful, floral dresses, often at a much more reasonable price than current Balenciaga.
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For more structured styles, Emilia Wickstead and Victoria Beckham are always worth a look, both are impeccably made. Lately, I’ve been seeing a bit of Hervé Léger around, it was huge in the ’90s for those iconic, body-hugging bandage dresses, and it feels like they could be about to have a moment again for anyone bold enough to wear one, vintage only!
Looking to rent a wedding guest dress? Browse our directory here.
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