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Everyone approaches becoming a bride differently. For some, the wheels start turning during childhood—grade-school daydreams filled with dresses and flowers that make up an idealized day. I even know a few people who bought their dress long before they found their person. Then there are others who remain largely unbothered by any of it until they suddenly find themselves inundated with wedding planning. I belonged to the latter.
I got engaged in January 2017 and married in July 2018. Back then, the vintage market, especially vintage bridal, was far less expansive than it is today. Around that same time, the first location of my own vintage shop happened to be right next door to Happy Isles salon, one of the true pioneers of vintage bridal.
Whenever business was slow, I would wander next door to try things on—not with any real intention of buying yet but more as a way to understand how I actually wanted to feel. I had never dreamed of being a bride, and I definitely didn’t want to feel like a princess. I’m tall and feel awkward in anything too voluminous but also not quite right in anything overly formfitting. Somewhere in the midst of all that trying on, I realized I didn’t really want to look like a bride at all.
Lily Kaizer, the founder of Happy Isles, became my guide during that time. She helped me reframe what bridal could look like in a way that felt personal and comfortable. Over time, I ended up with several beautiful pieces from her salon.
The process felt more overwhelming than I had expected. Weddings look different for everyone. Timelines, access, and resources vary widely, and there is no single right way to do this. Vintage felt meaningful to me because it allowed room to get creative, change my mind, and move intentionally over time.
What I Learned Along the Way
1. Start early, even if all you have is an hour here and there. Browsing online in small pockets of time can still offer inspiration, whether during a lunch break or while unwinding on the couch at night.
2. Once you can, start visiting shops in person. Time gives you space to explore without pressure and allows your taste to evolve. There is a sweet spot between browsing freely and trusting your instincts when something feels right. You should never have to talk yourself into a dress. Always listen closely to your gut.
3. Online searching can feel intimidating at first, but it becomes easier once you know how to approach it. Simply typing “wedding dress” into a search could lead to disappointment. I prefer starting with the bones of a piece.
4. I usually think about era first. I often begin with the 1920s, especially if you’re drawn to fluid, slinky silhouettes or something that doesn’t feel overtly bridal. From there, narrow by fabric—silk, rayon, chiffon, lace. Fabric often tells you more than most labels ever will.
5. Color matters too. Some of the best bridal dresses are never described as white. Cream, ivory, pale yellow, and champagne often yield far better results.
6. Don’t immediately rule out a great vintage dress because it’s the wrong size or has a few flaws. A skilled seamstress can work wonders. I almost always consider a wide range of sizes, especially one or two sizes up. Buying larger can give you length, while fit can almost always be adjusted.
7. I also suggest looking for dresses that were never meant to be bridal at all. Vintage evening gowns, beaded silk dresses, and Old Hollywood–style pieces often make the most memorable wedding looks.
8. If something you love isn’t accessible—whether because of timing, availability, or cost—take notes. Pay attention to what drew you to it: the cut, the fabric, the era, the feeling. Use those details as a road map. If a designer piece is out of reach, look at what inspired it instead. Searching by era and silhouette can get you surprisingly close.
9. Save listings and come back to them. The best pieces don’t always reveal themselves immediately. Don’t be shy about asking sellers questions. Most are happy to provide measurements, additional photos, or more context about a piece.
10. Vintage can be surprisingly open-ended when you give yourself time to really look. Some of my favorite pieces have shown up in places I wasn’t expecting.
I’ve spent nearly two decades in Los Angeles, so what follows are places you can visit here. Some I know intimately—others I’ve come to trust through word of mouth and years in the vintage world. Together, they offer a wide range of aesthetics and approaches.
Where to Shop Vintage in Person
Happy Isles
Happy Isles salon remains the gold standard for vintage bridal in Los Angeles. With a dreamy curation and a deeply thoughtful approach to the experience of becoming a bride, it’s where I learned that vintage bridal does not have to feel like a costume. They also have a New York location and operate by appointment only.
The Highline Vintage
The Highline Vintage is a treasure trove of romantic dresses with plentiful whites, creams, and champagnes. If you’re looking for true vintage with a softer price range, its showroom is well worth a visit. Appointments are required.
The Kit Vintage
The Kit Vintage falls somewhere in between with a beautiful mix of unlabeled vintage and designer options. A bonus is that it’s next door to Platt Boutique, a shop filled with dazzling vintage jewelry to accessorize your look. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday and also available online.
Tab Vintage
Tab Vintage has recently added chic bridal edits to its selection with a strong roster of designer gowns in bridal hues. Think Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and more. It’s by appointment only with an online shop as well.
Lily et Cie
Lily et Cie offers a very specific experience with museum-level couture pieces that are exceptionally rare. It’s best suited for serious collectors. The store is by appointment only, and no photos are allowed.
Where to Shop Vintage Online
- If you’re on Instagram, I’d recommend following vintage bazaars like A Current Affair and Pickwick Vintage. They travel between Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, and it’s always worth stopping by if they happen to be in your area. Even if you don’t find the one, browsing in person can be incredibly helpful.
- For those shopping online, many people I know have had wonderful luck with Gossamer, Xtabay Vintage, Transplant Vintage, Raffe Vintage, and Eveliina Vintage. Each offers a distinct point of view.
- Marketplaces like eBay and Etsy remain some of the best tools for finding incredible and affordable options if you approach them thoughtfully. Bookmark your favorites and revisit them over time. It becomes habitual in the best way. 1stDibs is excellent for higher-end and archival pieces when budget allows and works best when used with specific keywords.
Jessica McClintock
Vintage Cream Satin Lace Wedding Dress
In the end, this is meant to be fun. It’s a unique moment of self-reflection where you get to express yourself freely. I hope your search unfolds in a way that feels celebratory, unhurried, and true to who you are.
