You can’t help wonder about clothes’ history

IRENE GUERRERO, 41

When bride-to-be Irene was organising her wedding for May this year, she was in no doubt about the style of dress she would wear.

She found an authentic 50s wedding dress, which she planned to have on as she walked down the aisle to marry groom Hugo.

Coronavirus lockdown restrictions led to the couple having to postpone their wedding for a year.

Instead, they staged their own handfasting ceremony on what would have been their wedding date, with former vet Irene wearing a 50s-inspired skirt and tartan corset. Hugo wore a vintage kilt jacket.

Irene, who discovered a love of vintage clothes after moving to Scotland from Spain five years ago, said: “We were heartbroken that our wedding couldn’t go ahead but we heard that Wildflower Ceremonies were doing handfasting ceremonies on Zoom for couples like us in exchange for a donation to the NHS and decided to celebrate that way.

“I couldn’t wear the 50s dress I was supposed to wear as it still needed some alterations so I decided to save it for the proper wedding and wore a 50s-inspired tulle skirt and a tartan corset I already owned.”

Irene loves the flattering shape and glamorous style of vintage clothes, which she now wears all the time.

Irene, of Edinburgh, said: “You should wear and do whatever makes you happy every day – not keep what you love to wear only for special occasions. I’d always loved the look of vintage clothes but living in the south of Spain there was really nowhere to buy them. When I moved to Scotland, I started buying new clothes that looked like vintage, then found the joy you get from finding and buying the real thing.

“To find an item you love that is 60, 80 or even 100 years old is so special and you can’t help but wonder about its history.

“I love finding clothes from the

40s, although because of the war not a lot of clothes were being made.

“I’ll never forget trying on my first vintage dress and realising the style of clothes suited me.

“Once you fall in love with the dresses, it’s time to learn about the vintage belts, hats, jewellery and, of course, the vintage make-up style and hair.

It becomes a lifestyle.

“I’ve never had a bad comment about my style and it’s nice when someone tells you the outfit reminds you of when they were young or even reminds them of their mum.”