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Wedding dresses have evolved over the years, with brides historically wearing their best dresses, regardless of colour, which they would then re-wear after the wedding. However, the colour white has become the standard in Western culture. This practice dates back to the mid-19th century and is often credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses were further popularised by Princess Eugenie, Princess Victoria, and Princess Alexandra, who also wore white. The white wedding dress became a symbol of status and purity and was conventionalised in the 20th century with advancements in the garment industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses originated in 1499 when Anne of Brittany wore a white dress to her wedding to Louis XII of France. However, some sources claim that Mary, Queen of Scots was the first high-profile bride to wear a white wedding dress in 1559. |
| Popularisation | Queen Victoria is credited with popularising the white wedding dress when she wore a white lace gown to her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. |
| Symbolism | White symbolises new beginnings, purity, innocence, virginity, youth, and virginal purity. |
| Status symbol | White wedding dresses were initially a status symbol because white fabric was difficult to bleach and maintain, and the dress was unlikely to be worn again. |
| Mass popularity | White wedding dresses became increasingly popular in the 20th century due to advancements in the garment industry, making white fabric more accessible and affordable. |
| Single-use | The tradition of wearing the wedding dress only once became popular in the 20th century, with the wear-once white wedding dress first being advertised in 1927. |
| Current trends | While white remains the most popular colour for wedding dresses, recent trends have seen an increase in colourful dresses, including shades of blue and black. |
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What You'll Learn
- The colour white symbolises new beginnings, purity, and innocence
- White wedding dresses were first popularised by Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1559
- Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress in 1840, which further popularised the trend
- In the 1920s, it was advertised that wedding dresses should be worn only once
- In the 20th century, white dresses became more accessible and desirable due to advancements in the garment industry
The colour white symbolises new beginnings, purity, and innocence
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is relatively modern, dating back to the mid-19th century. In 1850, Queen Victoria wore a white lace gown to her wedding, and as her wedding photos were some of the first to be widely circulated among the public, many brides in Europe were influenced by her choice.
The colour white has come to symbolise new beginnings, purity, and innocence. In Western cultures, white is often associated with weddings, hospitals, and angels, and is used to convey a sense of purity, cleanliness, and peacefulness. In fashion, white is often used to evoke a sense of purity, innocence, freshness, or cleanliness. White is also described as a blank slate, symbolising a new beginning or a fresh start. In many religions, white is an important symbolic colour, often associated with purity. For example, in the Catholic Church, the Pope has worn white since 1566 as a symbol of purity and sacrifice.
In addition to purity and innocence, the colour white also symbolises sterility, simplicity, and cleanliness. In interior design, white is often used to make rooms seem larger and more spacious. However, it can also seem stark, cold, and isolated, and may be perceived as unfriendly, empty, or barren.
While the colour white is now commonly associated with wedding dresses in Western cultures, brides in the past typically wore their best dress, regardless of colour, and would wear it again after the wedding. Wedding dresses could be any colour except black, which is a colour typically associated with mourning.
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White wedding dresses were first popularised by Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1559
Wedding dresses have been white in Western culture for a long time, but this practice is relatively modern, dating back to the mid-19th century. Before this, brides usually wore their best dresses, regardless of colour, and would continue to wear them after the wedding.
Queen Victoria is often credited with popularising the white wedding dress when she wore a white lace gown to marry Albert of Saxe-Coburg in 1840 or 1850. As her wedding photos were among the first to be widely circulated among the public, many brides in Europe were influenced by her choice. However, Victoria was not the first to wear white, and during her reign, the nobility often wore white gowns interwoven with silver and gold.
In the United States, brides were less influenced by European fashion trends until after the American Civil War, when they became more drawn to Britain as a cultural leader. The trend was further conventionalised when Empress Eugenie, Princess Victoria, and Princess Alexandra all wore white to their weddings. By the mid-20th century, with the advancement of the garment industry, the trend was fully conventionalised.
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Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress in 1840, which further popularised the trend
Wedding dresses have traditionally been white in Western culture, but this practice is relatively modern, dating back to the mid-19th century. Before this, brides typically wore their best dresses, which could be any colour except black (the colour for mourning) and red (which was associated with prostitution in many countries).
Following Queen Victoria's wedding, white wedding dresses became a status symbol, associated with purity, innocence, and virginity. They also became a symbol of new beginnings and youth. However, it is important to note that Queen Victoria was not the first to wear a white wedding dress. Mary Queen of Scots wore a white wedding dress in 1559, and white gowns interwoven with silver and gold were common among the nobility during Queen Victoria's reign.
The normalisation of white wedding dresses in Western culture can also be attributed to various factors, including the advancement of the garment industry in the 20th century, which made white fabric more accessible and affordable. Additionally, the mass marketing and circulation of wedding photographs influenced bridal fashion choices, with many European brides inspired by Queen Victoria's dress.
Today, while the majority of brides still opt for white wedding dresses, there is an increasing trend towards more colourful and daring bridal styles.
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In the 1920s, it was advertised that wedding dresses should be worn only once
The white wedding dress has been normalized in Western culture, but this practice is relatively modern. Wedding dresses could be of any colour except black, which is the colour for mourning, and red, which was associated with prostitution. Brides from privileged backgrounds wore expensive and extravagant dresses that reflected their social status.
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. However, Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding gown earlier in 1559. At the time, a white dress indicated her social standing because white fabric is difficult to bleach and maintain, and it was unlikely to be worn again.
During the 20th century, the tradition of wearing a wedding dress only once was further influenced by factors such as increased prosperity and the desire for full-scale formal weddings. Brides wanted to emulate the aristocracy and showcase their wealth by choosing elaborate dresses that would be ruined by any sort of work or spill. Additionally, the mass marketing of weddings through magazines and columns like 'So You're Going to Get Married!' contributed to the idea of a wedding dress being a one-time garment.
Today, while most brides still opt for white wedding dresses, there is a growing trend of deviating from this norm. Brides are becoming more daring with their choices, and colourful dresses in various shades, including blue and black, are gaining popularity.
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In the 20th century, white dresses became more accessible and desirable due to advancements in the garment industry
In the 20th century, white wedding dresses became increasingly popular and accessible due to advancements in the garment industry. The tradition of wearing white on a wedding day dates back to the mid-19th century, when Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress to her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. However, it was in the 20th century that white dresses became more widely adopted and desirable.
Several factors contributed to the growing popularity of white wedding dresses in the 20th century. One key factor was the advancement of the garment industry, which made white fabric more accessible and affordable. Improvements in dyeing techniques, for instance, made it easier to produce and maintain white dresses. This was particularly significant as, prior to these advancements, white fabric was difficult to come by and maintain, and a white dress was often a luxury that only the wealthy could afford. With these advancements, brides from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds could now choose a white wedding dress.
The influence of Hollywood and the media also played a role in the increasing popularity of white wedding dresses. Hollywood movies often featured brides in white gowns, creating an "idyllic chapel-look" that many women aspired to emulate. The widespread circulation of photographs, such as those of Queen Victoria's wedding and later Princess Diana's wedding in 1981, also contributed to the trend. Additionally, with the introduction of wedding-focused media, such as bridal magazines and advertising, the desire to conform to a particular wedding aesthetic, including the white dress, grew.
The 20th century also saw shifts in societal norms and values, which influenced wedding fashion. As full-scale formal weddings became more common, there was an increased emphasis on the bride's attire. The white dress, with its symbolism of purity, innocence, and new beginnings, became intertwined with these values. Additionally, with growing prosperity in the post-World War II era, more brides could afford to purchase a wedding dress specifically for their big day, contributing to the trend of choosing a white dress that would be worn only once.
The fashion trends of the time also played a role in the popularity of white dresses. The 1920s and 1930s saw a rise in daring wedding fashion, with shorter hemlines and raised waistlines. The simplicity and elegance of a white dress complemented these emerging styles. The 1960s brought even more variety to wedding fashion, with brides embracing trendy mod-themed dresses, A-line shapes, and 'Babydoll'-esque styles.
By the 20th century, white wedding dresses had become a global phenomenon, with brides around the world embracing the tradition. While the color white holds symbolic significance, the accessibility, affordability, and influence of media and fashion trends have also played crucial roles in solidifying its place in wedding culture.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is relatively modern, dating back to the mid-19th century.
White wedding dresses became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was the first high-profile bride to wear a white wedding dress in 1559.
White wedding dresses were originally a symbol of status, as white fabric was difficult to bleach and maintain, and unlikely to be worn again. Over time, they also came to symbolise purity, innocence, youth, and new beginnings.
White wedding dresses became the norm in the 1950s, with the post-World War II prosperity and culture of plenty.
