World War II wedding dress moves down generations
A rationed Second World War wedding dress that travelled across the globe from New York to Kilmarnock has made a sentimental 21st century renaissance.
Troon Belhaven House care home resident Netta (Janet) Hastings, 95, has shared a piece of her one-of-a-kind dress after part of the garment was sewn into the hem of her granddaughterin-law’s wedding dress and floral bouquet.
Netta’s satin wedding dress was shipped here from New York in 1953 as clothing rations in the 1950s prevented her from buying a dress in Scotland.
She was unable to attend grandson Laurence’s wedding due to lockdown restrictions – but this symbolic act allowed her to be included in the celebrations.
Netta’s daughter, Sandra Hastings, said: “There were still rations at the time as the country was still recovering from WWII so finding a real wedding dress was unheard of. Crowds gathered just to see it.
“It wasn’t just a wedding, it was a special occasion for everyone; so having a piece of the fabric in my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding is a bit of a legacy, seeing the dress move through generations.”
Married to Alexander Hastings, an RAF pilot during WWII, the Guinevere-style dress was handpicked from a shop in Times Square by Netta’s sister, Margaret Proudfoot, who lived in New York at the time. The dress fitted Netta‘perfectly’ despite only trying it on for the first time after it had made the journey of 3,210 miles.
Sandra added:“It’s bringing in the past but moving it forward. I’ve saved a few pieces for the veil and for when my daughter gets married.”