Franklin Dean
Coretta Scott King was a civil rights activist known for her stylish fashion sense, which became symbolic of the growing Black is Beautiful movement in the 1950s and 1960s. On her wedding day to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1953, she wore a pastel blue, waltz-length dress with a lace bodice and tulle overlay, along with a matching tulle veil and sheer fingerless gloves. This choice of colour was not a coincidence, according to scholar and author Imani Perry, who argues that blue has been intertwined with the concept of blackness throughout history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | Blue |
| Fabric | Indigo |
| Style | A-line frock with lace bodice and tulle overlay |
| Length | Waltz-length |
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What You'll Learn
Coretta Scott King's wedding dress was blue
Coretta Scott King was a civil rights activist and the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1953, she wed Dr. King in a pastel blue, waltz-length dress with a lace bodice and tulle overlay, a matching tulle veil, and sheer fingerless gloves. The dress was A-line and had a divine, elegant look.
The colour blue has had a significant presence in Black history. In her book, Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People, Imani Perry explores the history and symbolism of the colour blue in the context of Black culture. She traces the colour's journey from the indigo of the slave trade to Coretta Scott King's wedding dress and beyond.
Perry argues that the colour blue holds a dual significance of hope and melancholy within Black history. She suggests that the choice of blue for King's wedding dress was intentional and held a deeper meaning. This interpretation is supported by an 18th-century letter written by a fabric trader, referencing a planter who insisted on bringing back blue cloth for the clothing of the Black women he had enslaved.
The colour blue has continued to hold symbolic value in Black culture, with civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer wearing a blue dress when she testified before Congress in 1964.
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The dress had a lace bodice and tulle overlay
Coretta Scott King wore a pastel blue wedding dress when she married Martin Luther King Jr. in 1953. The dress, which had a lace bodice and tulle overlay, was an A-line frock with a waltz-length cut. King paired the dress with a matching tulle veil and sheer fingerless gloves.
The colour blue has a rich history and deep significance in Black life, as detailed by scholar and author Imani Perry in her book, "Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People". Perry explores how blue has been a symbol of both hope and melancholy throughout Black history. She argues that it is no coincidence that notable Black figures, including Coretta Scott King, have worn blue for significant occasions.
The choice of blue for Coretta Scott King's wedding dress may have been influenced by the historical and cultural significance of the colour within the Black community. The colour blue has a long history of use in West Africa, where it was valued for its dyeing properties and used in the creation of indigo cloths. During the slave trade, indigo cloths were traded for human life, and blue cloth was specifically requested by enslaved Black women for their clothing.
The colour blue has continued to hold symbolic value for Black communities, appearing in American art forms such as blues music and sartorial choices. Coretta Scott King's decision to wear blue on her wedding day can be seen as a powerful statement that reflects the enduring importance of blue within Black culture and history.
Overall, the choice of a blue wedding dress with a lace bodice and tulle overlay by Coretta Scott King was not only a stylish choice but also a meaningful one, connecting her to the rich history and cultural significance of the colour blue within the Black community.
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The veil was made of matching tulle
Coretta Scott King's wedding dress was a pastel blue, waltz-length dress with a lace bodice and tulle overlay. The veil, made of matching tulle, hung gracefully alongside the dress, complementing the bride's style and adding a touch of elegance to the overall ensemble. The choice of blue was significant, with author Imani Perry arguing that it was more than just a coincidence. In her book, "Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People," Perry explores the colour blue as a symbol of both hope and melancholy throughout Black history. The colour blue has a long history of significance within the Black community, dating back to the creation of dyed indigo cloths in West Africa that were traded for human life in the 16th century.
The matching tulle veil, in conjunction with the dress, created a cohesive and ethereal look for Coretta Scott King's wedding to Martin Luther King Jr. The veil's fabric, made of fine tulle, added a delicate and airy touch to the outfit, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the bridal ensemble. The decision to have the veil made of matching tulle demonstrates Coretta Scott King's attention to detail and desire for a harmonious wedding day look. It is also a testament to her fashion sense, which became symbolic for the growing "Black is Beautiful" movement in the 1950s and 1960s.
The veil's sheer fabric provided a soft and romantic touch to the outfit, allowing Coretta Scott King's face to be visible while still offering a touch of tradition and modesty. The tulle fabric of the veil, similar to the dress, contributed to the overall elegance and sophistication of the bridal look. It is safe to assume that the veil, made of matching tulle, was carefully crafted and designed to complement the unique features of the wedding dress, ensuring that the two pieces worked together harmoniously.
The choice of tulle for the veil also speaks to the style of the era, as it was a popular fabric choice for wedding veils during that time. Tulle veils were often favoured for their ability to add a touch of whimsy and fairy-tale-like quality to the bridal ensemble. Coretta Scott King's decision to choose a tulle veil, in addition to its symbolic and aesthetic value, also reflects the fashion trends of the time, showcasing her awareness of current styles. Overall, the matching tulle veil played a significant role in enhancing the beauty and symbolism of Coretta Scott King's wedding dress, adding a touch of grace and romance to her bridal ensemble.
The veil, crafted from the same fine tulle as the dress's overlay, demonstrates Coretta Scott King's thoughtful approach to her wedding attire. It showcases her understanding of fashion and its power to convey a message. By opting for a matching tulle veil, she not only created a visually stunning ensemble but also paid homage to the historical significance of blue within the Black community, making her wedding day a powerful statement of both personal style and cultural importance.
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She wore the dress when she married Martin Luther King Jr. in 1953
Coretta Scott King wore blue when she married Martin Luther King Jr. in 1953. The dress was pastel blue, in a waltz-length style, with a lace bodice and tulle overlay, and a matching tulle veil.
The colour blue has a long history and symbolism in Black history, from the indigo cloths of West Africa to the present day. In her book, *Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People*, Imani Perry explores the colour blue as a symbol of both hope and melancholy in the Black experience.
Coretta Scott King's choice of a blue wedding dress was thus not a coincidence. The colour blue has a particular resonance in the history of the African diaspora, and King's dress choice can be seen as a powerful statement of cultural pride and identity.
The dress was also a vision of beauty, with its delicate lace and tulle fabric, and the matching veil added a romantic touch to the overall look. The dress's A-line silhouette and waltz length were also fashionable and elegant choices for the time.
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The dress was pastel blue and waltz-length
Coretta Scott King wore a pastel blue, waltz-length dress on her wedding day to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1953. The dress featured a lace bodice and tulle overlay, with a matching tulle veil and sheer fingerless gloves.
The colour blue has had a long history of symbolism in Black life, from the creation of dyed indigo cloths in West Africa that were traded for human life in the 16th century, to the American art form of blues music. In her book, *Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People*, Imani Perry explores the colour blue as a symbol of both hope and melancholy throughout Black history.
Coretta Scott King's choice of a pastel blue wedding dress was thus not merely a sartorial choice but a meaningful symbol. The dress was also A-line in shape, a style that was very popular in the 1950s.
The bride had the traditional language about obeying her husband deleted from the marriage vows. This was fitting, given that Coretta Scott King was a civil rights activist known for her stylish fashion sense. Her poised demeanor and lady-like style became symbolic of the growing Black is Beautiful movement in the 1950s and 1960s.
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