One Dress, Many Memories: Bar Mitzvah Mom Re-Styles 100 Year Old Gown

The search for a dress or gown to wear to your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah typically involves some online searching and trips to local boutiques and department stores. Lucy Segal, of New Jersey, found just what she was looking for in… the basement of her aunt’s home in Atlanta! Segal decided to re-style the 100 year old creme color satin wedding gown of her beloved grandmother, Oma. “For my son Jaden’s Bar Mitzvah, we only needed a few tweaks to literally create new memories in a dress that already held so many of its own,” she shares.

With the help of a local seamstress (also named Lucy, of Lucy Cleaners), Segal shortened the bell sleeves of Oma’s gown and removed much of the 6-foot train, which was repurposed into a wrap skirt at the waist. The finishing touch? “A special crystal pin from the other side of the family, a gift that my mom’s dad gave to her as a teen,” she says. “I felt like a princess-with-a-purpose, carrying mementos with meaning, from our own family monarchy! This vintage dress filled my heart and soul with such joy on a day that was already over-flowing with love. It personally fulfilling in terms of religion and spirituality.”

Never one to shy away from a major fashion moment, Segal enjoyed not one but two more wardrobe changes on that special day. “I wore a purple gown for portraits and then a black one for dancing and candle lighting  — all of which make our fabulous day look like a three day event!” she laughs. Son Jaden’s service was at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ and the reception was held at Glen Ridge Country Club in Glen Ridge, NJ.

Photo above (L-R): husband Andrew, Bar Mitzvah boy Jaden, Lucy, son Asher, daughter Skyler. The photographer for this event was Giulianna Maria Studios in New Jersey.

Style & Substance

One of a kind: the re-styled 100 year old dress Lucy Segal wore to her son Jaden's Bar Mitzvah service

The original gown, worn by Lucy's grandmother Oma

Before... and after!

The dress, as found in Segal's aunt's home in Atlanta; Segal hopes the next generation will wear the dress or have it made into handkerchiefs, baby blankets or other keepsakes

The Segal family before Jaden's service

Lucy and her husband Andrew strike a pose before the kiddush

Dress #2- Lucy changed into a sophisticated purple gown for family portraits

Dress #3- a black cocktail gown for the party

Jaden during the horah at Glen Ridge Country Club

We thank Lucy Segal for sharing this touching story with our readers. Lucy is a Communications expert who upon utilizing her own services for Jaden’s big day, expanded her business to include Creative Media for Party Planning. She now also works with other families on momentous events like Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. She can be reached at The Media Cure at 917-273-2437.

Looking for your own fashion inspiration? Check out what people are saying on Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Bar and Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here!