Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    I modernized my grandma’s vintage wedding dress for my own big day — trolls tell me I ‘Shein-ified’ a family heirloom but she loved it

    By Taylor Knight,

    8 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2aL72c_0vbLnwXJ00

    She turned something old into something new.

    Brittany Dalena, a Fresno, California bride, repurposed a third-generation wedding dress from her grandmother into a two-piece set. The vintage ivory gown covered in paisley prints, originally worn by her grandmother and then passed down to her mother, was transformed into Dalena’s rehearsal dress.

    “The dress is about 50 years old, and there are pieces of it where my grandmother and her mother-in-law stitched beading into it,” Dalena told The Post.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3m3lhw_0vbLnwXJ00
    Brittany Dalena unveiled how she redesigned her family heirloom wedding dress. brittanyldalena/TikTok

    In a resurfaced clip online on her TikTok , with over 13.4 million views, the bride walks inside the church, revealing how she transformed the vintage heirloom.

    “I knew she was going to be in total shock and I knew she was going to love it no matter what I did to it,” she said.

    As she walks in, her grandma screams, “Oh my god!” amazed her granddaughter is wearing the garment.

    Would you pop the question with a $10K lobster roll?: ‘I mean I would say yes’

    “She felt honored to have it used for such a special occasion, and it meant more to her to have me use it than leave it in a box for many more years,” she confessed.

    The duo embrace each other, and her grandma instantly breaks down in tears of joy, amazed by the revelation.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=139U2A_0vbLnwXJ00
    The tradition began with her grandmother who passed the dress down to her Dalena’s mother. brittanyldalena/TikTok
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3BFntt_0vbLnwXJ00
    Dalena transformed the dress into a two piece so it could fit better and match her style. brittanyldalena/TikTok

    “I always had plans to use the dress and keep it as one piece. Since I wanted it for rehearsal, a shorter version seemed like the best option,” Dalena revealed.

    The bride admits she is smaller than her mother and grandmother, so significant alterations would have to be made if she wanted the dress to fit like a glove.

    “In order for the seamstress to adjust the bodice to my waist, she had to take it apart into two pieces,” she said. “When trying it on in two pieces I thought it was much more my style and I immediately fell in love with the redesign.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3C8juG_0vbLnwXJ00
    Dalena’s grandmother in the gown when she got married. brittanyldalena/TikTok

    I refuse to invite my homewrecking stepmom to my wedding — am I being cruel to my dad?

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2rzjyj_0vbLnwXJ00
    Dalena’s mother transformed the dress by shortening the sleeves and adding a sweetheart neckline. brittanyldalena/TikTok

    Over generations, the dress has undergone alterations that suited each bride’s style.

    Although her grandma purchased the wedding dress as a long-sleeve gown with a high neckline, Dalena’s mom tailored it to have a sweetheart neckline and poofy short sleeves with beaded embellishments.

    see also https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=10t6D4_0vbLnwXJ00 Bride slams ‘hormonal’ pregnant sister for demanding she move wedding date

    So, when it came time for Dalena to add her flair, she kept the main elements of the dress but made it into a set.

    Meanwhile, many people online were distraught at the redesign, calling it “Shein-ified,” but Dalena knew that her family would be elated regardless of the style—she was following tradition.

    “You cut her wedding dress in half,” wrote a TikTok user. She was definitely mad.”

    “I would cry if my granddaughter did that to my wedding dress,” commented one person.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

    “That was a priceless heirloom; I couldn’t do something like that,” confessed a watcher.

    “But what about the next generation,” questioned another.

    However, some people understood the bride’s spin on the vintage gown.

    @brittanyldalena

    3rd generation wedding dress turned into a rehersal dress🤍✨

    ♬ A Thousand Years (Instrumental Version) – Wedding Music Experts & Instrumental Love Songs & Cover Classics
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4RPXdq_0vbLnwXJ00
    The California bride wore the dress to her dress rehearsal. brittanyldalena/TikTok

    “I think this is beautiful! My mom would be happy to see her dress used again rather than never again, even if it meant cutting it up to fit my style,” commented a woman.

    “I love that each generation had their own additions to it,” one person added.

    “Most people leave old dresses to rot cause they look outdated. Good for her for finding a way to use it,” declared a TikToker.

    Despite the naysayers, Dalena remains unbothered by the negative comments because her family admires what she did.

    “My family is extremely sentimental, so it didn’t matter how I incorporated a family heirloom; they would appreciate it no matter what,” she gushed.

    For the latest in lifestyle, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/lifestyle/

    Expand All
    Comments / 31
    Add a Comment
    Emily Dillon
    7d ago
    That looks awful
    Jill Lang
    7d ago
    After her changes, it looks nothing like a wedding gown. But if she's happy and her grandmother liked what she did, that's all that matters. Her wedding. I have my Italian made wedding gown from 36 years ago. It's been carfully preserved, and if my granddaughter wants to use it for her wedding and make her own style & design changes, I'd be happy with that
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News
    Total Apex Sports & Entertainment4 hours ago
    Total Apex Sports & Entertainment2 days ago

    Comments / 0