Trends in bridal fashion shift from year to year, but quality garments never go out of style. To find the perfect attire, brides and grooms can turn to vintage stores to find unique, high-quality garments that express their personalities and interests.
Kim Myers opened The Way We Were vintage boutique on Charlotte Street about 7 years ago, and recently moved Uptown to a larger space at 74 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. The shop is curated and furnished for a full-emersion shopping experience where she greets guests warmly wearing vintage fashion.
“Anyone can have a shop and sell clothes,” she said. “I want to enjoy meeting you.”
Myers procures men’s and women’s fashion from the 1800s to the 1990s including accessories — hats, gloves, shoes, jewelry, wigs, masks, belts, ties and more. She often has couples who come in to browse and end up making an appointment for a private shopping experience to find their style.
“The younger generation is becoming more conscious about fast fashion,” Myers said. “They’re looking for more sustainable options such as vintage instead of buying new.”
For the bridal party, matchy-matchy dresses are mostly “out,” with brides choosing a common color or style and allowing her attendants to choose something that reflects each personality. To find the perfect fit, the bride can schedule a fashion show with a photo shoot at the boutique with her friends.
There is a fee for dress-up parties and photo sessions based on the number of guests and event requirements such as food, beverages or activities. Vintage movies and fashion shows are popular. The event could be as simple as a couples date night private photo session for two, a fun photo session with the bride and bridal party or a bachelorette party with a lingerie fashion show. Myers also rents attire for weddings, parties or themed events.
Couples looking for nontraditional weddings can coordinate a special ceremony in the shop for just the two of them or include a few guests. The entire wedding party can participate, choosing an outfit from The Way We Were’s wardrobe and costume collection.
Choose a theme — 1920s, Beauty and the Beast, Titanic, Robin Hood and the list goes on. Myers even has a Knight in Shining Armor suit.
“If you can dream it, we can probably outfit it,” she said.
For more information, call (904) 825-0114, email hello@thewaywewerevintage.com or visit www.thewaywewerevintage.com .
