Deborah Chan
During Shakespeare's time, in the Elizabethan era, brides took every opportunity to dress to impress. The wedding day was a grand celebration, even if the couple wasn't in love! The typical wedding dress of this period featured a corseted bodice with a low-cut neckline, showcasing cleavage, and an ample skirt achieved through multiple petticoats. The hair was worn down, often with a middle part and curls at the ends, and a crown or small cap of herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, and lavender, added a fragrant touch. While white was not a prevalent choice, the dresses were made of heavy gold or silver brocade, adorned with rows of tiny buttons. The bride carried a herbal bouquet, known as a pomander, which infused the air with a pleasant scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hair | Long hair worn down with a middle parting and curls at the ends |
| Headwear | A crown or small cap made of herbs like thyme, rosemary, and lavender |
| Dress | Corseted top half with cleavage, heavy gold or silver brocade, and rows of tiny buttons |
| Underneath | Multiple petticoats to create a large, balloon-like skirt |
| Colour | White was uncommon; golds, dark greens, deep yellows, and dusky pinks were typical |
| Accessories | A bouquet of herbs in the shape of a ball (pomander) with a ribbon handle, infusing the air with pleasant smells |
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What You'll Learn
Corseted bodices and balloon skirts
During the Elizabethan era, brides' dresses were designed to impress. The dresses were big and extravagant, with corseted bodices and balloon-like skirts. The top half of the dress was designed to showcase the bride's cleavage, with a row of tiny buttons down the front. The bodice would be tightly laced to accentuate the waist, with multiple petticoats worn underneath to add volume to the skirt.
Heavy gold or silver brocade was often used for the dress, adding to the opulent appearance. While some brides chose to wear white, this was not the most popular colour choice during Shakespeare's time. Instead, a range of colours and fabrics may have been chosen to create a luxurious and impressive ensemble.
The corseted bodice provided a structured and supportive base for the skirt, which would be full and voluminous. The petticoats underneath added to the overall silhouette, creating a dramatic and eye-catching effect. This style of dress was not unique to weddings; Elizabethan women often wore similar styles for other formal occasions.
The bride's outfit would be complemented by a bouquet of herbs in the shape of a ball, known as a pomander. A ribbon would be attached to the pomander, acting as a handle, and the herbs would release a pleasant fragrance as the bride walked down the aisle. The bridesmaids would carry smaller herbal posies, each with a unique selection of herbs to create a variety of complementary scents and colours.
Overall, the wedding dress style of Shakespeare's time reflected the elaborate and celebratory nature of the occasion, with corseted bodices and balloon skirts taking centre stage as a popular choice for brides.
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Gold and silver brocade
During Shakespeare's time, which spanned the late 16th and early 17th centuries, wedding dresses were colourful, elaborate, and flamboyant. They were often made from heavy brocade, a rich, decorative fabric featuring intricate patterns woven with gold or silver threads.
The use of gold and silver brocade in wedding dresses during this period was influenced by Queen Elizabeth I, a dedicated follower of fashion. She imposed sumptuary laws in 1559 and 1597 to curb extravagant spending on clothing and ensure that only the elite could access the finest clothes. These laws restricted the use of certain materials, including gold cloth, which was reserved for earls or higher ranks.
The choice of gold and silver brocade for a wedding dress in Shakespeare's time also reflected the belief that women should embody the 'faire maiden' ideal. This included wearing their hair down, often waist-length, with a middle parting and curls at the ends. Brides would also wear a crown or small cap of herbs, including thyme, rosemary, and lavender.
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White was uncommon
During Shakespeare's time, Elizabethan brides took every opportunity to dress to impress. The wedding day was a day of great celebration, even if the couple was not in love!
The typical wedding dress during this era featured a corseted bodice that exposed ample cleavage and was made from heavy gold or silver brocade with rows of tiny buttons. The skirt was full and balloon-like, achieved through the use of multiple petticoats underneath. While some women did wear white, it was not a popular choice. The preferred colours for weddings during this period were gold, dark green, deep yellow, and dusky pink.
To enhance their attractiveness, brides often wore their hair down, with a middle part and curls at the ends. Waist-length hair was common, and a crown or small cap of herbs, typically thyme, rosemary, or lavender, completed the bridal hairstyle.
Carrying a bouquet was also customary. The bride would hold a ball-shaped arrangement of herbs called a "pomander," with a ribbon attached to serve as a handle. The pomander masked body odour, as baths and hygiene were not yet common practices. Bridesmaids carried smaller herbal bouquets, and herbs were also incorporated into the church decor, attached to pews, candelabras, and table settings.
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Herbs for fragrance
During Shakespeare's time, fragrance and scent played an important role in daily life. To mask foul odours, small bouquets or nosegays made of fragrant plants were used. Strewing herbs were scattered over the floor for their fragrance, and some plants were believed to have magical properties.
Herbs were also used for medicinal purposes and in cooking. For example, marjoram, related to oregano, was used as a food seasoning and added to nosegays and washing waters. It was also part of the garlands of newly married couples, symbolising honour, love, and happiness. Another herb, chamomile, was popular in Elizabethan gardens for its medicinal qualities and scent. Its name comes from the Greek "chamaimelon", meaning "earth apple".
- Lavender
- Mint
- Savory
- Marjoram
- Marigold
- Wild Thyme
- Chamomile
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Fennel
These herbs were used to create fragrances and perfumes, added to foods, and scattered on the floor to impart a pleasant scent. They were also used for their medicinal properties and symbolic meanings.
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Hair worn long and loose
In Shakespeare's time, it was customary for women to wear their hair down on their wedding day. Most women during this period had waist-length hair, which they styled with a middle parting and sometimes curls at the ends.
To complement their hair, brides wore a crown or small cap of herbs, which served a practical purpose as baths and hygiene were uncommon. The herbs used included thyme, rosemary, and lavender.
The bride's hair, adorned with herbs, would frame her face, which was expected to reflect the ideal of the time: a "faire maiden." This look was achieved by showing cleavage and styling the hair as described.
The waist-length hair worn long and loose, with its middle parting and gentle curls at the ends, was a style that symbolized beauty and femininity in the context of Elizabethan culture and aesthetics. It is a reflection of the value placed on the aesthetic of the "faire maiden," a standard of beauty that was highly regarded during this era.
This hairstyle also serves as a contrast to the elaborate and structured nature of the bridal gown, with its corseted bodice and multiple petticoats creating a voluminous skirt. The loose, flowing hair adds a sense of softness and romance to the overall bridal ensemble.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses in Shakespeare's time (Elizabethan times) were large dresses with a corseted bodice and many petticoats to create a huge, balloon-like skirt.
Heavy gold or silver brocade was used, often with rows of tiny buttons.
White was not a popular choice for wedding dresses in Shakespeare's time. Typical colours included gold, dark green, deep yellow, and dusky pink.
Brides carried a bouquet of herbs in the shape of a ball or a pomander with a ribbon attached to act as a handle.
Elizabethan brides took every opportunity to dress to impress, and the wedding day was one of great celebration, even if the bride and groom were not in love.
