If I had to look like the 80s threw up on me . . .
Recently I visited a friend at her in-law's house and noticed that her wedding pictures were up on the wall, as well as those of another couple. Judging from the woman's dress, it appeared that they'd been married sometime between 1984 and 1989. Wanting to see how close I was, I asked my friend when the people in the picture were married.
My friend kind of smiled and said, "Oh, that's my sister-in-law and her husband. And they actually . . . weren't married that long ago." I must have looked confused because of the awfulness of the dress, because she quickly added, "That was somebody else's dress. A relative came to my s-in-l and said it would mean so much if she would wear it, and since my s-in-l is really nice, she said okay."
Okay, seriously, relative-from-the-80s? Shouldn't it mean enough that YOU got to wear the dress back when YOU, in a fit of wrong-time-period-living, chose it? Why would you attempt to make some young bride's special day all about being an ode to this awful thing that YOU liked when YOU got married liked rather than, say, I dunno, a dress SHE might like?
I mean, it is one thing to say, "Hey, if you're looking for something used or vintage, I still have my dress and it's in good shape. No pressure, but you're free to take a look if you like." And this is an offer that should be made only by women whose dresses were designed OUTSIDE of the years 1980-1992.
These are the new rules, people. Mark them well.
I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
17 comments:
Poor, sweet girl.
Awww - that means I am a losser in your book....sigh.
Leisa, your dress was lovely. I remember it from your wedding picture. :-) I'm mostly talking about the scary dresses with the big puffed sleeves and the sequins everywhere. Mid-to-late 80s!
One of my mom's friends from high school gave her wedding dress from her first marriage to my sister. It's pretty 80s fab. My sister is planing on re-designing the dress using the fabric
Poor gal. And yet, what do you say when somebody actually PICKS one of those monstrosities?
My misguided friend had such a dress for her spring 2000 wedding--blindingly shiny satin, leg of mutton puffed sleeves, full-on crinoline and cathedral train, heart-shaped cutout neckline with dripping fake pearls, and the sucker was beaded within an inch of its life. Poor girl looked like she belonged in Dallas circa 1985, and she loved that hideous creation. Nobody had the heart to tell her that she looked like a truly abominable snow creature had vomited all over her big day.
Nem, you are so mean! Where is your sense of tradition, of sharing, of provident living, of putting others first? I am astounded at your attitude! (hehe)
Both my sisters got married in the late 80s. Yeah, I thought the dresses were pretty at the time. Now? Yuck. Definitely lots of poofiness, lace, and big bows. I totally think of The Wedding Singer when I hear talk of 80s wedding dresses. Oh, and the veils......
How could this relative do that to this girl on HER day?! I'd be inclined to reply "It would mean a lot to me NOT to wear your ugly 80s vintage dress."
just joining in on the cackling.
Oh, those poor misguided 80's brides. I would have loved to have seen that pic.
But the poor girl, honestly what was she thinking saying yes?!
I obviously don't know this girl and perhaps if I did, I wouldn't be thinking this: She brought this upon herself. If she can't say no to someone pushing a hideous taffeta (or whatever the fabric of choice was) creation from the 80's, perhaps she deserved to look like an 80's soap star. Then again, perhaps it was an experience to teach her a very valuable lesson--Just Say No!
This has nothing to do with anything about this post, but I saw this today and had to share it with you.
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/8905
The only thing I use my mother's 1983 wedding dress for is to see if I still fit in it. Right now, I can't. But I could a few years ago. It's like my "skinny dress". Or something.
Everything about my look was so basic that my pictures will probably never be too embarrassing, but may always be a bit bland.
Was it that awful mermaid style from the late 80's? I went to prom in 1992 and it looked like an under-the-sea quincenera party. In my own salute to the 80's I found a flourescent blue and yellow striped Quicksilver polo--uber baggy, of course, in a box at my mother's house last week.
AS--Your MOTHER was married in 1983? I feel really old now.
Sorry!
hmmm as a bride of 1984 I wonder if my dress really looks 25 years old. there are no big puffed sleeves or sequins. Deal of the month, it that I will post a picture and you all can tell me.... watch this space while I work my way through the scanner!
My sister had the puffed sleeves and the shiny satin, dripping pearls, and beading of the early 90s. I remembering when she was describing the dress she would always say "Puffed sleeves" in the way it was used on Anne of Green Gables. It sounds nice and romantic... but it was 80s! And as a bridesmaid I had a shiny bright pale pink dress with... you guessed it... puffed sleeves.
The worst wedding attire to come out of the 80's: those indian headband things with a knot of veil on the back. UGH.
Wow, I definitely don't think I would've been that nice!
Oh my gosh, I hope she makes it to heaven just for that. But on the other hand, I got married in the 80's, what do I do with that dress?????? Sheesh.
Post a Comment