Spinning like a top, you shoulda seen her go
I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll
I find myself at an awkward age as a wedding guest. My friends, even the Serial Brides are done with weddings, and my off-spring are years from qualifying. (Yon House rule: section 4, paragraph 6 “requirements for marriage include: post graduate degree, 2 years travel and/or foreign service, steady job. Applicant must have previously demonstrated ability to keep both himself and household pet alive at least for natural life span of pet. No fiancees under age 30 will be taken seriously).
Even though experiencing a wedding invitation drought, I keep up with the trends through Polly’s customers”. Just this week a bride we shall call “Miss T.” called for headpiece advice. The photos Miss T sent us show a simple, tea length frock in ivory peau de sois. The lines are classic 1950’s, a small waist and full skirt. If you’re old enough to remember your mother’s mid-century party dresses, or watch the t.v. show Madmen, you know the silhouette. The the fabric is rich and the lines clean. There’s no ornament whatsoever, not a bugle bead not a scrap of lace, no cupolas, porte cocheres or flying buttresses either. What a perfect blank canvas upon which to ply the milliner’s art.
Are wedding gowns getting simpler? I for one believe the term “simple wedding” is an oxymoron, however, I must admit, wedding wear seems to be moving away from the Fairy Princess Ballerina Absoluta look. Is this a predictable swing of the fashion pendulum or is it that brides themselves have a little more swing? A long many layered veil is perfect at the altar with Ava Maria in the background, however, when the band strikes up Funky Town a girl longs for a twirley skirt and as few encumbrances as possible.
Women today are reluctant to sit on the sidelines at their own receptions. For some time brides have been opting for a second dress, sometimes a shortened scaled down stunt double of the Big Dress, sometimes a different style entirely– always short and sassy and capable of moves. The same impulse to get real for the party is affecting headgear as well. We suggest that brides who want a different and more comfortable look for her reception, exchange the veil for a headpiece or fascinator following the ceremony.
Our bride Miss T. is leaning toward Mademoiselle Collette with a twist. Miss T.’s wedding colors are brown and green. She’ll be wearing fabulous emerald satin pumps. At the bride’s request, we’ll be adding a few feathers custom dyed a rich cocoa color and a scattering of green silk flowers. A dab of color in a headpieces is a wonderful touch. White Mischief is a good example of the fun a little color brings to virginal white.
Any of the small hats, or whimsies as they’re called, can be done in white or ivory. We often suggest that brides try Entre Nous, or Marie Chantel. Though shown in black on the web site, they’re designs which work equally well in bridal whites.The beauty of a custom hat, and every Singer hat is custom, is that they can be done in different colors.
We’re excited about Miss T’s wedding headpiece. My seventeen year old daughter Isabel, has already chosen Sonnet as her choice of wedding head gear. It’s elegant, different and adds height. Since Isabel is subject to Yon House Rules, Polly will have about 25 years in which to construct it.
by Jan Masters Yon
