THE ALLOVER AND NEARLY ALLOVER LACE VEIL

One question I've been hearing a lot lately is, "How do I actually wear an allover lace veil?"

The answer to that is, "Let me count the ways." Lace veils can be tied like a cloche, dropped, wrapped like a scarf or simply tacked to the back of your head to flow in a swirl down your back. Truth is, your possibilities are almost endless.  Starting here,the most important thing to remember is, take the initiative to explore and above all be inventive!

The first time I ever laid eyes on a crocheted veil was 7 Thanksgiving Eves back  when a friend  married a woman who crocheted her own.  I was as impressed with her creation as I am the veil above featured in Harper's Bazaar Russia// via Tumblr

A combination scarf/cloche veil  has an Early 20th Century feel///veil by Cheryl Taylor of Taylor Clarke Bridals - Photo by by Rylee Hitchner via OnceWed

 A heaping helping of lace mantilla/// photo by Elizabeth Messina via Love Wed Bliss

                                           An embroidered lace veil dropped over a crown in typical Spanish tradition/// Photo Tec Petaja via Once Wed

A lace drop veil is secured low on the forehead with a headband sporting two mauve roses///From The Gatsby's Bride Collection by Amy-JoTatum

Peau d'ange lace borders a veil paired with a dress by Paolo Sebastian via Bridal Musings

In traditional Spanish fashion a lace mantilla is dropped over the head--in this case over a rather large rose. Brilliant!  Gorgeous!  Basaldua of Madrid. 

Ah but there's nothing like a great image to inspire. Below are some pinterest boards that had me at hello!

Eva Muse//Lace-Veils

Love My Dress Blog//Veils

Polka Dot Bride//Of Veils and Headpieces

The link to all veil boards on Pinterest 

If you'd like to read more about veils and further in depth, I've written a ton of posts about the subject.  Here are  links to 3 of them to get you started . . . .

VEILS101: Lengths, Styles and Fabrics

The Fine Art ofWearing a Long Veil

Veiled

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THE ABBEY FACTOR

 Anyone out there following this blog for any length of time knows I'm totally wrapped up in vintage fashion. Yes, Sunday nights my cream puff deserts have been replaced with sixty minutes of the kind of eye candy found in these images.   Spot on and spectacular is how I've previously described the costuming in Downton Abbey, the breakout British series laden with some of the most delectable mixes of fabric and laces you'll see anywhere.  Now that we're into Season 3, the Ladies Mary and Edith show up in different episodes in wedding gowns so similar, frankly I was disappointed. Not disappointed because of the designs--they were marvelous and Downton's designer, Caroline McCall did a stunning job on both-- but I felt when Edith walked down the stairway a couple nights back I was looking at Mary's wedding dress all over again.  Here though is where Edith's ensemble varied: Once she returns home from getting jilted at the altar, she runs up the staircase ditching the silk gauze veil, frantically throwing it off her head. Then it actually floats to the floor like a dropping parachute in the wind.  This where I love costume design.  McCall used that silk gauze  to create a mood, a feeling, some drama

For brides out there wanting to create some Downtown Abbey drama here are a few of my own tips for getting it right.

* The early twenties era started out proper and ladylike and by mid-twenties went 'jazz age' with flapper style skirts going above the knee.

*Go for accessories that polish off your look like long ropes of pearls you can tie, knotted or fringed shawls and cloche or picture hats.

*  The 1920s was the era of a dropped waist that sat either on the hips or fell into no waistline at all found in the shift and chemise styles.

*If you're going for authenticity and your hair is long (like Lady Mary and Sybil), wear it in a styled chignon.  A hairdresser will know how to add those dramatic rolls and Marcelling (deep waves).  If your hair is short try to get it going into a Bob. Great hairstyling lays the just the right groundwork so you can add a great headpiece or veil.

*The costuming on Downton Abbey is top drawer so look for exquisite workmanship.  For me the standard 1920s silhouette isn't complimentary to most women unless they're built like Audrey Hepburn or the actresses who play the Crawley sisters.  It was however an era known for incredible detailing on clothing such as intricate smocking and hand embroidery, lace insets, pleats, draping, etc.

CREDITS

Photo 1 & 2 via The Jane Austen Film Club

Photo 3 via Elle UK

Photo 4 via

Photo 5 via Fanpop

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