Orange wedding dress 1950’s with ivory sequin lace tea length

I made an orange wedding dress 1950’s style for Clare’s Florida wedding. She commissioned a flamboyant 1950’s style dress made in burnt orange satin and ivory chiffon with beaded lace and tulle.

Official wedding photographs by www.gingermidgett.com

The fitted and well boned bodice had a sweetheart neckline framed with straps that narrowed on the shoulder. The bodice was made in burnt orange satin layered with scrolling beaded lace. Pretty scalloped edging was used at the neckline and to highlight Clare’s waist. The back fastened with a lace-up back of wide ivory ribbon through loops over an orange modesty panel.

The skirt was made of two layers of gathered ivory tulle. I lined the skirt in orange satin so the colour just glints through. The same lace as used on the bodice cascades down, longer on one side than the other. Then a sparkling sequin tulle comes down longer still. I hand cut each layer of lace carefully around the design, giving a pretty edge that flows into the next layer. A layer of orange chiffon backs the sequin tulle to give another lift to the colour theme.

I also made Clare a simple ivory chiffon stole.

Details from the fittings

Detail of the back fastening with ivory loops for the lacing on the bodice and a concealed zip in the skirt

Detail of the beaded lace with a delicate scrolling floral pattern. Here you can see the sequin tulle and the pretty scalloped edging used for neckline and waist.

The finished dress all steamed and ready to travel to Florida!

Final Fitting Pictures of the orange wedding dress 1950’s

Making Clare’s Dress

Above, the original design sketch for the dress. Below, Clare in the ‘toile’ or practice run in cheap fabrics before the real fabrics are cut and made-up.

To see another orange wedding dress 1950’s I made head over to Rebecca’s bespoke dress

I love making for brides for all body types. I have had particular compliments when making for my plus size brides

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Felicity Westmacott

I write about all aspects of weddings, dressmaking, fashion history, and the human relation to clothing. I welcome comments and debate.

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Tonight is the Wedding Industry Awards! I'm in the running for two awards, which is all very exciting! 🏆

Since it's such a special occasion, I decided to design and make myself a dress. That way, regardless of the outcome, I'll feel like a winner. I rarely have time to make myself anything, so this felt rather lovely.

I used some gorgeous pink coloured silk chiffon, lined with pale gold silk satin, finished off with velvet ribbon. I started making the dress at 11am yesterday, and I finished it at 3pm today. Now I just have to finish making the bolero to go with it as well. I think we're gonna make it! 🏃🏻‍♀️
Just to be extra clear 💜

#seamstress #dressmaker #historicalfashion #weddingdressmaker #weddingdressdesigner
Isn't this transformation so satisfying? 😍 I love giving wedding dresses a new life! I originally made Eleanor's bespoke wedding dress for her in 2010. Fifteen years later, she came back to me asking whether I could re-imagine her dress into something new for her wedding anniversary. Of course I said yes.

So, we went from a full length dress, inspired by Victorian and 18th century fashion, to a tea length 1950s look. The only extra fabric I used was for the new petticoats I used underneath the shortened skirt, to give it that classic 50s silhouette. Making this was a very satisfyingly sustainable project.

Which version would you wear?
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in