17. 1949 Wedding Dress of Muriel Lampell

ID#: VC2005004
Date: 1949
Region: New York, USA
Culture: American
Materials: lace over satin, metal zipper

This dress was worn by Muriel Kahn Lampell (Vassar class of 1951) for her West Point wedding to Matthew Lampell in 1949. They chose to marry before she finished her degree at Vassar.

When they were stationed in Germany after their wedding (her husband was in the Army), she had the sleeves removed and had the higher neckline lowered. She had hoped to wear the dress for summer formals, but never did. The sleeves have been sewn back in for this exhibition.

With the end of World War II, a new series of trends were ushered into the bridal industry. Men were returning home from the war, sending women back to their more traditional home roles. This was reflected in a new silhouette that emphasized the femininity of the wearer: the bell-shape, created by Dior in 1947. In this particular wedding dress, the feminine shape is aided by the lace peplum. Dresses during the war years tended to be simpler affairs; there wasn't much material to be had, nor was there time. The lace used in this dress reflects a return to prosperity after the war, as well as increasing the feminine appeal of the garment.

- Alexandra Figler (Vassar class of 2016) and Ruby Pierce (Vassar class of 2016)

“I think I could have re-matriculated to come back if I’d wanted to[...] but then I had three children by the time I was twenty five so I just didn’t have the time to go back.” -Muriel Kahn Lampell (Vassar class of 1951)