A vintage boho wedding dress borrows from eras your grandmother would recognize — the geometry of the 1920s, Victorian floral lace, the loose lines of the 1970s — and cuts them for a bride who wants to move. At Lace & Love by Shany Sasson, vintage-inspired French lace is the starting point for nearly everything we cut and sew by hand.
This guide covers what "vintage boho" actually means, which fabrics and silhouettes carry the look, why sleeves are the version brides request most, and how to order a gown made to your measurements and shipped to your door.
What Counts as Vintage Boho?
The style pulls from the romantic periods in fashion, but a true vintage gown is not a costume. It gets updated for how brides want to feel now: light and comfortable, with room to walk on grass and dance until late.
The hallmarks:
- Woven lace with real floral or art-deco patterns, not flat printed fabric.
- Soft skirts in chiffon or tulle that move in a breeze instead of standing stiff.
- Period details like sheer sleeves, scalloped edges, open backs, and small covered buttons.
- A body-skimming fit that follows your shape without constraining it.
The Lace Is What Sells It
The biggest difference between a gown that reads as vintage and one that reads as costume is the lace. Vintage-inspired lace is woven lace — structured and dimensional, with depth you can see in close-up photos. Stretch lace looks flat and reads as inexpensive in photographs.
At Lace & Love we use French lace sourced for pattern quality and texture. Woven lace holds crisp detail up close and catches light in a way flat fabric cannot. Compare for yourself in our vintage lace wedding dresses and our lace and chiffon gowns.
Sleeves: The Detail Brides Request Most
Ask a bride to picture this style and she will almost always picture sleeves. They are what give the gown its heirloom character. Four sleeve styles define the look:
- Long sheer lace sleeves — delicate coverage that shows the lace pattern against the skin. See the Diana Gown for this style.
- Fitted lace sleeves — structured, in the spirit of Victorian gowns. The Anya Gown is our signature fitted-sleeve design.
- Bell sleeves — 1970s through and through, fitted at the shoulder and loose at the wrist. See the Melody Gown.
- Flutter sleeves — short and soft, suited to warm climates. Read our flutter sleeve guide.
Sheer French lace is light and breathable, so sleeves work in summer too, not only in winter. For choosing sleeve styles by season and venue, see the complete long sleeve guide.
Silhouettes That Carry the Look
Vintage boho is a register more than a single shape, so it works across several silhouettes. Three come up again and again with our brides.
A-line with a lace bodice
The workhorse of the three. Fitted through the bodice, flowing from the waist, with a lace overlay that suits nearly every body type. It moves easily, which matters at outdoor and garden weddings.
Long sleeve lace gown
Lace sleeves to the wrist over a chiffon or tulle skirt — romantic and a little nostalgic. Browse our long sleeve wedding dresses; sheer sleeves are lighter than they look, so this works year-round.
Open back with lace detail
Covered in front, open behind. It is the detail your photographer will chase during the ceremony exit. See our open back wedding dresses.
How to Narrow It Down
A few questions do most of the work:
- Where are you marrying? Beach and garden weddings favor lightweight chiffon; a chapel or estate can carry more lace and structure.
- What season is it? Long sleeves suit cooler months; sheer sleeves and open backs keep you comfortable in heat.
- How do you want it to sit? Soft tulle and loose skirts on one end, a fitted lace silhouette on the other.
Every Lace & Love gown is made to your measurements, so you are never locked into a sample size — you pick the silhouette and we build it around you.
Make It Yours
Made-to-measure means you can combine elements: the lace bodice of one design with the skirt of another, a different neckline or back coverage, sleeves added or removed, your choice of lining color. The dress is cut for you, not adapted from a standard size chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sleeves suit the style best?
Long sheer lace sleeves get ordered most often — romantic, breathable, and true to the period. Bell sleeves suit 1970s-leaning weddings, and flutter sleeves suit heat. Any sleeve style can be added to any design, since each gown is made to order.
How long does production take?
Production takes 5-6 weeks, followed by express shipping. Order as early as your timeline allows; rush options may be possible — just message us with your wedding date.
How does sizing and measuring work?
We do not use generic small/medium/large sizing. Your gown is sewn to your bust, waist, hip, height, and hollow-to-hem measurements. We provide a simple measuring guide, and you can request a video call so every number is right before we cut.
Can I customize the lace, neckline, or sleeves?
Yes. You can adjust the neckline, back coverage, sleeve style, lining color, and slit, and even combine a bodice from one gown with a skirt from another. Reach out and we will confirm every detail before production begins.
Will I be charged customs fees when my dress arrives?
We ship worldwide via DHL or UPS Express. Duties and taxes are prepaid where they are shown at checkout, so the total you saw is the total you pay. A few destinations still apply local charges of their own — ask us and we will confirm yours before you order.
Where to Start
Our vintage lace collection is the natural first stop — each gown handmade in French lace and sewn to your measurements. If a vintage boho wedding dress is the picture in your head, one of them is probably close to it already.
