Just found out the average wedding dress has like 50 yards of fabric

I was reading this old book from the library about costume history, and it mentioned that a standard 1950s ballgown silhouette used around 50 yards of material. That blew my mind, I always guessed maybe 20. It makes sense when you think about all the layers and the big skirt, but still. Has anyone here actually worked with that much fabric on a single piece?

3 comments

3 Comments

nathan_palmer17d ago

Ever try to move a dress with that much fabric? I made a big skirt for a play once and just carrying the roll of fabric was a workout, lol. It really makes you respect the craft.

rayadams17d ago

Remember that scene in Sleeping Beauty where the fairies make the dress? I always thought the magic was the easy part. After helping my sister with her wedding dress, I know the real magic is just getting the thing up a flight of stairs. You gain a whole new level of respect for historical costuming. Those people were athletes.

henry_ross17d ago

Those historical costumers must have had killer leg day from all that stair climbing.