Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding dresses are a significant aspect of weddings, symbolizing personal expression, cultural traditions, and societal values. The style, colour, and ceremonial importance of a wedding dress vary across different cultures and religions. While white wedding dresses are common in Western cultures, with red being a popular colour in Eastern cultures, there are several unique traditional wedding dresses around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | White in Western cultures, red in Eastern cultures, green in China during the Tang Dynasty, and other vibrant colors like yellow, purple, pink, blue, gold, etc. in other cultures |
| Fabric | Satin, silk, cotton, lace, chiffon, velvet, tulle, or mikado |
| Details | Intricate embroidery, embellishments, sequins, beads, stones, crystals, delicate laces like Chantilly or Alençon, and vintage charms |
| Style | A-line, ball gown, mermaid, trumpet, sheath, column, or modified A-line silhouettes with strapless, sweetheart, off-the-shoulder, or V-necklines |
| Accessories | Shimmering headpieces, veils, jewellery, and shoes |
| Weather | Lighter fabrics for summer, heavier fabrics for winter |
| Body Type | Hourglass, apple-shaped, rectangle-shaped, or petite |
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What You'll Learn
Traditional wedding dresses around the world
Wedding dresses have evolved and adapted to reflect changing styles and trends, but many brides still choose to honour their heritage and culture by wearing traditional dresses on their wedding day. While white is now the standard colour in many countries, traditional wedding dresses around the world showcase a variety of vibrant colours and intricate designs.
In India, for example, weddings are known for their vibrant colours, with brides wearing sarees or lehengas that have been worn for centuries. These dresses are usually made from lightweight silk or cotton, draped around the body, and decorated with intricate embroidery and embellishments such as sequins, beads, and stones. Similarly, Nigerian weddings are large, boisterous affairs, with the bride wearing carefully woven cloth referred to as Aso Oke, which is highly regarded and meant to demonstrate high-class taste. In the Philippines, Yakan women wear heavy but vibrant fabrics with geometric shapes woven into their dresses, bottoms, and matching headscarves.
In Mongolia, brides wear bright shades of silk and cotton, while in Peru, weddings are filled with colour, with the bride wearing geometric shapes outlined in red, yellow, blue, and green. In Bolivia, too, wedding attire is colourful, with brides wearing polleras, or colourful and multi-layered woollen skirts, with a wide hat adorned with cloth tassels and reflective materials. In Japan, the colour white is also used to symbolise pureness and virginity, but it also represents a woman's willingness to come into the marriage "blank" and open to her husband's values.
In China, the mandarin collar is the most signifying element of a traditional wedding dress, while in South Korea, traditional weddings are becoming more popular, with brides wearing a hanbok, a traditional dress style dating back thousands of years, in shades of pink or purple. In Sri Lanka, the groom's costume is the most expensive item of clothing, complete with a crown and enormous shoulder pads.
In Europe, traditional weddings are also making a comeback, with grooms in Scotland wearing kilts and brides in Bulgaria painting their faces with white and decorating them with coloured sequins.
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The evolution of wedding dresses
Wedding dresses have evolved significantly over the centuries, reflecting the ever-changing fashion world and cultural trends. While the concept of marriage dates back to ancient civilisations, the idea of weddings as romantic affairs is more recent.
In ancient Rome, brides wore braided hairstyles and veils in deep yellow shades, while Athenian brides wore violet and red dresses with symbolic girdles that the groom would loosen after the ceremony. Chinese folklore is said to be the earliest known origin of unique wedding attire, with princesses wearing phoenix dresses and crowns to symbolise good luck and strength in marriage. Even today, Chinese brides often wear striking red gowns with phoenix tails. Similarly, Japanese and Korean brides wore silk robes in bright colours, with styles varying based on the dynasty and season.
During the Middle Ages, weddings were often more than a personal union, symbolising the union of families, businesses, or nations. Brides, particularly from wealthy families, wore rich colours and exclusive fabrics, including bold colours and layers of furs, velvet, and silk. The amount and price of the materials used in a wedding dress reflected the bride's social standing.
In the 1400s and 1500s, white dresses became a status symbol at expensive British weddings. However, it wasn't until Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840 that white gowns became the norm in the Western world, symbolising purity and virginity. Victoria's gown featured a cinched waist, a voluminous skirt, and layers of ivory lace, setting the standard for modern bridal fashion.
In the early 1900s, wedding dresses incorporated decorative frills and lace. By the 1920s, hemlines were rising, and brides were experimenting with shorter dresses, elaborate headpieces, and cloche-style veils. The 1930s brought silk or satin gowns with long sleeves, small trains, and minimal ornamental designs. During World War II, brides wore formal pieces they already owned due to austerity.
In the early 21st century, wedding dresses became more varied, with some brides opting for sleeveless or strapless styles, while others preferred sleeves, higher necklines, and covered backs. Today, wedding dresses continue to adapt to contemporary trends while retaining traditional elements, allowing brides to express their individuality and cultural heritage. While white dresses remain popular in Western cultures, colourful and elaborate garments are still favoured in many Eastern traditions.
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Wedding dress colours and their meanings
The colour, style, and ceremonial importance of a wedding dress can depend on the religion and culture of the participants. Wedding dresses symbolise personal expression, cultural traditions, and societal values. Here are some of the meanings behind popular wedding dress colours:
Red
In Western culture, a bride who wears red is typically bold, passionate, and full of desire. In Eastern cultures, brides often choose red to symbolise auspiciousness and joy. Red has been a traditional colour for Chinese wedding dresses since the Ming Dynasty over 650 years ago. It was also the traditional colour for a Kurdish first-time bride, symbolising the postcoital bleeding she would experience after losing her virginity.
White
White is the most common wedding dress colour in Western culture, symbolising unity, equality, simplicity, and purity. In Chinese culture, however, white is associated with death and sadness, and is considered bad luck for a wedding. Before the late 1800s in the upper class and early 1900s for other classes, the traditional colour for wedding dresses in Europe was black, and white was reserved for formal dresses worn after the wedding.
Blue
Blue is a calming colour that signifies peace, purity, love, fidelity, and trust.
Purple
Purple is associated with wealth, opulence, luxury, power, elegance, whimsy, and magic. It was once worn exclusively by nobility.
Orange
Orange suggests youthful vitality, strength, flamboyance, and a cheerful, cheeky attitude.
Yellow
Yellow is the happy colour, signifying intelligence, wisdom, humour, curiosity, imagination, energy, and happiness.
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Wedding dress styles and body types
The process of finding a wedding dress can be overwhelming, but it should be fun and exciting. The key is to find the right silhouette for your body type. To do this, you must first identify your body shape. The most common body types are hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, inverted triangle, and oval.
If you have an hourglass figure, with a well-balanced bust and hips and a cinched waist, most dress styles will suit you. However, dresses that highlight the waist will be particularly flattering. Fitted gowns, trumpet-style dresses, and mermaid silhouettes are all good options for this body type, as they emphasise the natural curves of the body.
If you have a pear-shaped figure, A-line and ball gown dresses are a good choice as they balance your proportions and highlight the upper body. A-line dresses are universally flattering, creating a slimmer waistline while drawing attention to the bust. They are also a good option for petite brides as they elongate the body. Ballgowns, with a fitted bodice and a full skirt, can also be a flattering look for those with a big bust or broader shoulders as they even out the top and bottom half.
If you have an apple-shaped figure, empire waist dresses and flowing A-line styles will beautifully drape over the midsection. An empire waist sits just beneath the bust, creating an elongated skirt, so this style is also a good option for petite brides.
If you have an athletic build, you might want to consider a sheath or mermaid style to add some curves. Sheath dresses are designed to flow straight down from the neckline to the hem, skimming the body's curves. This silhouette is also a good option for tall, slim brides with an hourglass or rectangle shape, especially when paired with a sash or belt to highlight the waist.
If you have a rectangular body type, ballgowns are a great choice as they create a feminine silhouette by defining the waistline. Column or sheath dresses can also help to elongate the figure, and a belt can be added to create the illusion of curves.
For petite brides, it's important to find a style that elongates the figure and doesn't overwhelm your proportions. Tea-length dresses and V-necklines can help to create the illusion of height.
Other dress features to consider include the colour and neckline. While ivory is the traditional choice, there are many other options, such as white, champagne, and blush. The V-neckline is a popular choice for brides who want to create an elongated look, while an off-the-shoulder neckline is a great choice for those who want to flatter their upper body.
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Accessories for traditional wedding dresses
Wedding dress accessories are an opportunity to express your unique sense of style and personality. Accessories can also be used to add drama and fullness to your dress, or to create multiple looks.
A veil is a classic bridal accessory, adding a "tradition meets modern" flourish to your look. Veils come in different lengths, from the fingertip-length veil, which is perfect for brides on the move, to the chapel-length veil, which is formal without being too long. If you're looking for something more dramatic, you could opt for a wedding cape, which is also a great alternative to a veil.
Jewellery is another way to accessorise your wedding dress. You can find pearls on tiaras, earrings, headbands, necklaces, handbags, and even wedding dresses and shoes. For a pop of colour, consider adding some red or jewel tones to your bridal look.
For cooler temperatures or venues, jackets and wraps can add coverage, sophistication, and intrigue to your bridal look. Sleeves are another accessory that can add coverage, as well as a unique and timeless element to your dress.
Other accessories to consider include gloves, bows, and overskirts, which can be removed to reveal a more fitted gown.
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Frequently asked questions
In Western cultures, white wedding dresses are considered traditional and symbolize purity and grace. The tradition of wearing white was started by Queen Victoria in 1840.
In Eastern cultures, brides often wear red, which symbolizes auspiciousness, life, luck, and celebration. However, wedding dress traditions in the East vary by country. For example, in China, brides wear red qipaos, while in Japan, they wear white kimonos or colorful outfits during Shinto weddings.
In Africa, wedding dress traditions vary by country and ethnic group. In Nigeria, Yoruba brides wear Aso Oke, a carefully woven cloth that demonstrates high-class taste. In South Africa, the Ndebele people dress brides in a beaded train called a Nyoga, which symbolizes a snake. In rural areas of Peru, brides wear layered skirts with geometric shapes in various colors, including red, yellow, blue, and green.
When choosing a traditional wedding dress, consider your personal taste, culture, and heritage. You should also take into account the season and weather conditions to ensure you are comfortable on your wedding day. Additionally, select a dress that flatters your body type and reflects your individuality.
