How To Wear Mom’s 1980s Bridal Headpiece
1980s Bridal Headpiece Fashions
Eighties bridal fashion stepped away from the classic. Lady Diana Spencer’s 1981 nuptials to Prince Charles set the course for a wedding fashion shift that continued for over two decades.
Bridal entrances in the early 1980s featured foof, pouf, and fluff. As the decade progressed, wedding ensembles became more regal and overstated. In the 1990s, bridal headpieces, wedding veils, and gowns made their statement by grandeur.
Sylvia and Michael Veras married on May 29th, 1988
“My brides who want to wear their mom’s headpiece or crown from the late 80s to mid-90s all have a common problem. They are too big, too tall, and too heavy!”
Jacqueline and her mom scheduled a consultation at Headpiece.com to determine whether she could wear her mom’s nearly five-inch-tall 1988 pearl and crystal tiara on her wedding day. They both loved this gorgeous piece, but differently. Sylvia loved her two-layer tiara and hoped Jacqueline would wear it exactly as is. Jacqueline loved her mom’s crown, but not in its current state.
Downsizing Mom’s Bridal Headpiece
“I love the tiara for 1988, but it’s not 1988 anymore! How could we make it a little more current while keeping the pretty princess vibes? I began thinking about modifying it. My decision was made. I had to wear this tiara in some way, shape, or form!”
As a designer, my first thought when I saw this tiara was to separate the top layer from the bottom. However, separating them alone would not be enough of an update to rid its vintage eighties vibe.
While the top layer had a beautiful style, the original wire was severely tarnished, and the oblong crystals made the tiara too pointed. This crown needed to be fully deconstructed, and the pearls and crystals needed to be cleaned to remove tarnish and hairspray. Once the elements were restored, design began. Downsizing the tiara and keeping the essence of the original required my designer vision and acute mathematical skills.
“I wasted plenty of time agonizing over what to do with the headpiece and even played with the idea of DIY. I turned to Google and stumbled upon Headpiece.com. I took to Instagram to look at Marie’s work. I messaged her immediately, frantically, admittedly, knowing she was exactly who I needed to make the tiara my own. Her work on other heirloom pieces absolutely floored me. You can see the craftsmanship and care and how thrilled her brides were with the results.”
I kept the patterning and style of the original piece but downsized it and changed the pitch slightly. The final design resulted in a tasteful and more petite version that would look beautiful with Jacqueline's Maggie Sottero, Fiona wedding gown.
“During their visit to the shop, I noticed that her mom was slightly hesitant about restyling her headpiece. She is not alone in feeling this way. I have had other moms who have felt a bit emotional about changing their headpiece into something new. In reality, they are letting go of their own joy in wearing it on their wedding day. ”
I wanted both of them to be happy about this choice. I was determined to keep the bottom layer intact and not cut into it to use any additional beads. When they came to the shop to pick up, I first showed Jacqueline her resplendent, newly styled tiara and then presented her mom with hers. They both left with beautiful memories of reworking this gorgeous vintage headpiece and were ready to make more memories.
Mom, Sylvia, and daughter, Jacqueline, are each wearing a tiara created from the original 1988 headpiece.
Wearing Mom’s Tiara on my Wedding Day
Wedding Photography by Stuart Du Hadaway
VENUE / Hotel Du Village VINTAGE TIARA & WEDDING VEIL / Headpiece.com GOWN / Maggie Sottero BEAUTY / Made Up On The Go FLORIST / The Stem’s End PLANNER / Sweet Olive Weddings
Wearing your mom’s headpiece or veil on your wedding day adds a level of emotion not experienced by brides who buy standard bridal accessories off the shelf.
“It is no overstatement when I say that I LOVED how the tiara came out. It was absolutely perfect and exactly how I wanted the piece honored but also tailored to me. Every crystal was meticulously cleaned, and the tiara was re-beaded—it looked brand new. It truly was one of my favorite parts of my bridal ensemble.”
“The moment my hairstylist placed the tiara on my head in the bridal suite, I looked over at my mom, who was right next to me, getting ready, and I saw her beaming. My mom and I have been through an incredible amount of things together in this life, and to see her be able to see herself in me at that moment, and vice versa, was indescribably special to me. It’s one of those moments you just try to store in your brain and keep forever because it feels so rare and significant.”
I asked Jacqueline if any of her relatives or guests knew her headpiece was restyled from her mom’s.
“My dad knew first. He was very moved by it, which is lovely because he, like my mom, isn’t one to be overly sentimental. I felt like I was carrying the legacy of these two people who made me, which is so cool to be able to do.”
“Then my aunties! That one was fun. They couldn’t believe it was from the same crown. I enjoyed watching my mom explain how we modified it with such pride and joy on her face. She really was tickled pink, which was awesome.”
“People can really underestimate the power and symbolism of accessories and jewelry, but it is such an amazing thing to wear the past into the present.”
“I think it is important to honor the love that came before you to build love in your own relationships. Having these tangible reminders of your family’s love and legacy reminds and calls you to recognize the good that you are made of and thus capable of. And in this complicated world we live in, that’s a rich and transformative practice!”
Restyled 1988 vintage crown and bridal veil design by Headpiece.com
More and more brides-to-be are discovering Headpiece.com to restore, repurpose, restyle, rework, and refurbish their heirloom bridal headpieces, crowns, and wedding veils. I am honored to be that person who transforms the wedding styles of yesteryear into meaningful and beautiful bridal accessories for today's brides.
See you next month on the Fourteenth