Best Strapless Wedding Dress

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YELLOW AND NAVY BLISS

Welcome to a sunny and bright summer with warm yellow and crisp navy.  From the textures of seersucker to things from the earth like lemon and sunflowers, this truly is a complimentary combo.  A big thank you to Amanda over at Style Circle on SMP for creating this inspiration  . . .

Best Wedding Dress

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1970s-80S PRAIRIE REVIVAL PART 2

Laura Ashley 1983

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While Jessica McClintock revived the Prairie Gown with her Gunne Sax line in the seventies, the more haute couture versions of Prairie came to us through the stunning creations of  British designer, Laura Ashley.  She used finer imported cottons and voiles and in the images above and below we can see perfect examples of this look at it's best.  Vintage elements were really brought out in the accessories like the straw hat and crochet gloves below. 

Laura Ashley 1986

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Today there is very little in the Prairie look that has survived except for the fact the dresses remain to-the-floor and in cotton.  Contemporary brides find the high collars restricting and with all the added ruffles and laces, the overall look rather babyish.  In the photos above and below, certain elements of Prairie Revival are updated for today's bride who has embraced it as a vintage look . . .I for one love the intricate srips of lace running vertically and horizontally all over the blouse and skirts.  Dresses like these are the perfect opportunity to wear the best imported cottons you can find.

The Prairie look updated circa 2010

Photos by Berit New York

SeaJae - Cirque Studios

THE PRAIRIE GOWN REVIVAL PART 1

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 The Prairie gown is also known as the maxi or hippie dress. I call them hostess gowns because their latest revival comes from the laid-back home entertaining crowd here on the West Coast embracing this casual but chic look. Prairie gowns initially were introduced in the late 60s early 70s era and sported a totally different look than the contemporary gown today.  Designer Jessica McClintock took elements from prairie looks such as pinafores, eyelet cottons, high collars and made the name Gunne Sax synonymous with a laid-back country look.  Fast forward thirty some years and these gowns are still long, to-the-floor and in cotton eyelet but are sleeveless and have lower necklines.  Lately gowns like the ones above have showed up around resorts and resort climates, eventually moving out onto the streets and into bridal wear.  For the more casual or backyard wedding they're popular in eco-chic fibers like linen and cotton. I’m even finding some in vintage stores online offered up as hippie or boho gowns.

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Here's a look at some Prairie gowns from the initial 1970s revival. 

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Early Jessica McClintock for Gunne Sax about 1974. 

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And guess who sported the Prairie look on her wedding day October 11, 1975 . . . .?  Not a very clear picture of Hillary and Bill I know but she looks very chic for her time . . .

Sell Brand New Wedding Dress

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ACCESS

Wedding........by yumy by Yumy (Plz join in my new group) featuring Vivienne Westwood Gold Label dresses

Vivienne Westwood is still doing variations on the Sex and the City Wedding Dress that took the fashion world by storm a couple years back.  With the same strapless peaked sweetheart neckline, this updated version of Champagne silk has a satin bustier with built-in corset. Has a full puff skirt with asymmetric hem, a zip fastening on back and comes with a silk faille underskirt. 100% silk. Dry clean.

$9,875 - net-a-porter.com

By Flower Clip.com: Medium/Large (4-4.5")
Antique Ivory
Rose
Alligator Hair Clip

Pointed Rose
$14.00

Chloé Eau de Parfum (75ml) - CHLOÉ from Nieman's

Chanel 2009 Spring/Summer Accessories / Pink satin boots.  A bit late these are from last season but oh so pretty .  . . .

Ivory CanCan Parasol from  Weddingo