Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses have evolved significantly, with colours and styles shaped by aesthetic preferences, cultural trends, and technological advancements. In the West, white wedding dresses have come to symbolise purity and grace, but this hasn't always been the case. So, what colour were wedding dresses in 1835?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1835 |
| Colour | Red, pink, blue, brown, black, green, yellow, purple |
| Fabric | Velvet, silk, fur |
| Style | Long, floor-length sleeves, high necks |
| Symbolism | Wealth, status, purity |
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What You'll Learn
Black was the norm
Wedding dresses have evolved significantly, shaped by aesthetic preferences, cultural trends, and technological advancements. In Western culture, white wedding dresses have come to symbolise purity and grace. However, this was not always the case. Before Queen Victoria popularised the white wedding dress in 1840, black was a common colour for bridal gowns in Western Europe.
Black wedding dresses were popular before the Victorian era due to various reasons. Firstly, wedding dresses were expensive, and black was preferred because it was the least conspicuous for stains and could be worn again. In Spain, wearing a black wedding dress symbolised the bride's vow to love her groom until death. Additionally, in some cultures like ancient China, black was associated with certain seasons, and it was customary for brides and grooms to wear black during winter weddings.
The colour of wedding dresses often reflected the status of the bride's family, with wealthy brides adorning rich colours and exclusive fabrics like velvet, silk, and fur. Black was also a popular choice for aristocratic brides, as it was a subtle way to showcase their wealth without being too extravagant. This was particularly true in Finland, where black wedding dresses were common before the Victorian era.
The white wedding dress became popularised by Queen Victoria's choice to wear a white gown trimmed with Honiton lace during her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Illustrations of the wedding were widely circulated, and many brides opted for white, emulating the Queen's choice. White also represented wealth, as it showcase[d] the delicate and expensive lace produced by the British lace industry at the time.
While the white wedding dress became the expected choice for most brides in the late 1800s, some brides continued to choose coloured or patterned fabrics, especially those from rural communities or with less money. In the 20th century, the white wedding dress became an established tradition, but alternatives like the colourful coat and dress chosen by Sara Donaldson-Hudson in 1971 and the red silk gauze dress worn by Monica Maurice in 1938 demonstrate that personal expression and cultural traditions continue to influence bridal fashion.
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Red, pink, blue, brown, and green were also worn
Before the Victorian era, wedding dresses came in a variety of colours, with black being a popular choice in Western Europe. In Finland, for example, black was the norm before 1840. In Spain, wearing a black wedding dress symbolized the bride's vow to love her groom until death.
In the ancient world, brides wore bright colours to express their happiness on their special day. In Athens, brides wore reds and violets, while in medieval times, blue was a popular choice as it was associated with purity. During the Renaissance, burgundy became the colour of choice.
In the 1830s, red, pink, blue, brown, and green were also worn by brides. Wealthy brides often wore rich colours and exclusive fabrics, such as bold colours and layers of furs, velvet, and silk. The attire of the bride reflected the wealth and social standing of her family.
The white wedding dress became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white gown trimmed with Honiton lace for her wedding to Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen's choice. White also symbolised wealth, as it was expensive to maintain.
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Colour choice was influenced by wealth
In the West, white wedding dresses have been popular since Queen Victoria wore one at her wedding in 1840. However, this trend only began to gain traction in the late 1800s, and even then, only among the wealthy.
Before Queen Victoria's wedding, brides in Western Europe wore dresses in a variety of colours, with black being a popular choice. This was because wedding dresses were expensive, and black fabric was the least conspicuous when it came to stains. In Spain, wearing a black wedding dress symbolised the bride's vow to love her groom until death.
Wealthy brides were the first to adopt the trend of wearing white wedding dresses, as white fabric was difficult to obtain and thus indicated higher social standing. As a result, the colour white became associated with wealth and social status. This association was further reinforced by the fact that only wealthy families could afford to have their daughters' wedding dresses made from expensive and exclusive fabrics such as velvet, silk, and fur.
Over time, the trend of wearing white wedding dresses trickled down to all economic classes and became a "tradition" in the 20th century. However, even as late as 1899, a 35-year-old lady's maid named Harriett Joyce wore a purple dress for her wedding, considering herself too old for a traditional white gown. This demonstrates that even after Queen Victoria popularised the white wedding dress, coloured wedding dresses remained a common choice, especially for those with less money.
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White symbolised wealth and purity
In the West, white wedding dresses have come to symbolise purity and grace since the 19th century. However, in 1835, wedding dresses were not typically white. In fact, before the Victorian era and Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, most brides in Western Europe wore dresses that were not white, especially black wedding dresses.
White symbolised wealth. As wedding dresses were very expensive, only wealthy women could afford to wear white because it was the least practical colour, being the most susceptible to stains. Thus, white also symbolised purity as it was a colour that could not easily be worn by all.
Queen Victoria's choice of a white dress trimmed with Honiton lace was widely covered in newspapers and magazines. This influenced wedding trends at home and abroad. Wealthy brides soon began to follow the trend, and eventually, it spread to all economic classes, becoming a "tradition" of the 20th century.
In the 1800s, brides were expected to dress in a way that reflected the status of their families. Wealthy brides often wore rich colours and exclusive fabrics, such as bold colours and layers of furs, velvet, and silk. The attire of the bride was a testament to the wealth and social standing of her family. Brides from lower social strata wore their best church dress on their wedding day, with the amount and price of the material in the dress reflecting their family's wealth.
Before the 1840s, brides wore a variety of colours, including red, pink, blue, brown, and green. Blue was a particularly popular choice as it represented purity.
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White became popular after Queen Victoria's wedding
Before the 1840 wedding of Queen Victoria, who wore white, it was common for brides to wear coloured wedding dresses. In Western Europe, black was the most popular choice, with red, pink, blue, and brown also being worn. Black was preferred because it was the least conspicuous for stains, and it was cheaper than white. In Spain, wearing a black wedding dress symbolised the bride's vow to love her groom until death.
Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was influenced by her desire to showcase the delicate Honiton lace produced by the then-struggling British lace industry. She wore a white satin dress, with a deep flounce of Honiton lace, and her choice was widely covered in newspapers and magazines. It was also a departure from the red ermine robe of state that was typical for monarchs.
The white dress was soon adopted by wealthy brides, and it quickly became a symbol of innocence and purity. Godey's Lady's Book claimed that white was an emblem of "the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one". However, it would be decades before the majority of brides chose white, and it was in the late 1800s that the white wedding gown became the expected choice for most brides.
The trend for white wedding dresses was also influenced by the fact that Queen Victoria's wedding was highly publicised, and royal weddings were often the most fashionable and circulated in the media. The white wedding dress became so popular that it became a 20th-century tradition, influencing bridal trends both at home and abroad.
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Frequently asked questions
In 1835, wedding dresses could be a variety of colours, including red, pink, blue, brown, or black.
In ancient times, brides wore bright colours to showcase their happiness. Colours also had different meanings and symbolisms. For example, blue represented purity and red symbolised fertility.
No. Brides were expected to dress in a way that reflected the status of their families. Brides from wealthy families often wore rich colours and exclusive fabrics, while brides from lower social strata wore their best church dress.
Yes, the colour of a wedding dress depended on the region and culture. For example, in Finland, black was a popular choice, while in India, red is a popular choice.
Yes, the colour of wedding dresses has changed over time. In the 1840s, after Queen Victoria wore a white dress, white became a popular option. By the late 1800s, white wedding gowns became the expected choice for most brides in Western cultures.
