What the Modern Bride was Wearing

Chicago Mail Order, 1941

An outfit for “Today’s Bride” of 1941, virtually as streamlined as any 1941 warplane.

Because the bride was practical, the wedding gown was two-piece — ditch the coat and wear the sleeveless gown alone to dances. Because “all eyes (are) on your figure as you walk down the aisle” everything is smooth and satin-y. Because the bride was modern, her stockings were made of Nylon, the man-made wonder that looked and felt like silk.

Because the depression was just behind us, the outfit was affordable, right down to fake pearls for $1.89. And because the wedding day was followed by the wedding night, this ensemble included panties with lace and ribbon. (“Worth every bit of 79 cents”!)

From the “Chicago Mail Order” company (an uninspired name but certainly a clear enough one) the complete bridal outfit as pictured on these pages was only $33.31 – and you’d get the fake pearls for free!