In a fantastic thrift store discovery, a savvy shopper uncovered a breathtaking gown that had adorned Miss Atlanta in 1957—all for an incredibly low price of only $20. This exceptional find not only exemplifies the fascination of antique fashion, but it also tells an intriguing story of beauty and history. An unexpected $20 thrift store purchase. Molly Katherine from Tennessee routinely shares her second-hand clothing findings on social media. She recently came to Instagram to show off her latest thrift shop bargain, a stunning white strapless gown with a glittering crystal embellishment in the center.
In a riveting video that has since gone viral, with over 6.7 million views, Molly swirled effortlessly in the eye-catching dress while relaying the intriguing story of Betsy Tant, the beauty queen who earned the title of Miss Atlanta over sixty years ago while wearing the same vintage gown. “I bought a dress for $20 at a vintage store, only to discover it was worn by Miss Atlanta 1957!” the influencer explained in her video.
Exploring the history of the Miss Atlanta gown.As she told the story, Molly disclosed fascinating facts about the pageant outfit. “When all you have are some newspaper clippings of Miss Atlanta in 1957,” she commented, taking a step back to showcase the gown in all its magnificence. “Oh, and also the dress she won in,” she said, rotating around to offer spectators a full picture.
Molly explained that her quest to find this piece of history began when she worked at a vintage clothing boutique in Nashville. She discovered the vintage clothing while shopping at a woman’s home. “She showed us this dress and showed us the matching newspaper clippings of Betsy Tant, Miss Atlanta 1957, in this dress when she won!” Molly recalls.
Molly attempted to contact the pageant winner, but her efforts were unsuccessful. “I looked her up, and she seemed to be still alive! I tried to contact her but never received a response, but it would be awesome to find her and show her her old dress.” Vintage pageant gowns are becoming increasingly valuable. Her discovery triggered a flood of adoration in the comments, with many marveling at both the outfit and its fascinating past.
One user said, “What a great story and gorgeous dress,” and another said, “Love this dress, and it looks spectacular on you.” “Beautiful!!!! “I love your red hair,” one follower commented, and another added, “What a lovely story.” As antique clothing becomes more collectible, rare, and sought after, prices rise. This trend makes antique clothing not only a fashionable purchase, but also a wise investment for the future.
Molly also discussed her plans for the gown, noting that she would not make any changes and would do everything necessary to keep its stunning beauty. In an interview, Molly expressed her profound gratitude for the tulle gown. “Wearing a historical piece is very sentimental,” she told me. “I wear a lot of vintage, but I generally don’t have much background on its previous owners, and for this one to have documented wear, and that it was the dress that Betsy won in, is very special!”