And the Bride Wore.....a Suit

WWII Army couple
Courtesy edelweisspatterns.com

WWII history is filled with stories of romance surrounded by pain and suffering. In order to accommodate boyfriends that were coming home for a short leave, many women arranged wartime weddings within a few days. Frequently there was no time to get a traditional gown, and many women could not have afforded the rationing coupons needed for one. Suits were a popular and necessary source for the bride as they were already a wardrobe staple. They were often in subdued tones of grey, taupe, blue, green, and other neutral colors. They were worn with hats in a variety of shapes and styles including floral tilts, halos, and felt toppers accented with feathers, flowers, and veiling.

1940's Wedding couple
Courtesy micheletaylorcoach.me.uk

Early 1940's Wedding couple
Courtesy bilgrimage.blogspot.com

The happy bride, groom & fabulous muff
Courtesy Ephemera Obscura on Etsy

Madra Lord as a 1943 war bride!?!  Only in the movies, my dear.

Monolithic Studio's film diva Miss Madra Lord makes a pensive war bride wearing Integrity's "Town and Country" taupe suit. The original buttons were replaced with beaded ones. Accessories include the wonderful 2-tone shoes from D.A.E. Originals, gloves and floral corsage from Ashton Drake, brooch and fur muff from Integrity.

Pool Pose Madra Lord from Integrity tops her suit with a delightful feathered hat from The Couture Touch. And tucked inside her muff....a prayer book.

Line drawing of a similar suit style for 1943 by
Pauline Weston Thomas courtesy
www.fashion-era.com

In warm weather, wartime brides often wore dresses instead of traditional suits. Two-piece dresses that looked like suits were a popular choice.

Photo courtesy vintagebrideemporium.co.uk

Photo courtesy vintage.es

My mom, on her wedding day in May 1944, wearing a blue 2-piece dress with black velvet epaulets.

Cyril and Winifred Kirk
September 9, 1940
Photo courtesy bbc.co.uk

Click HERE for a poignant short story archived on the BBC of Cyril and Winifred Kirk - A Wartime Wedding by their son, David Kirk.

Source: fashion-era.com