Bridesmaids' White Dresses: A History Of Changing Traditions

The tradition of bridesmaids wearing white dates back to Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, where she and her attendants wore white gowns. This was one of the first heavily photographed royal weddings, and the images were shared worldwide. Bridesmaids continued to wear white until the turn of the 20th century, when weddings became more focused on the bride, who wanted to stand out in a unique colour. In recent years, celebrity weddings have revived the trend of bridesmaids wearing white, with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton choosing this style for their bridal parties.

Bridesmaids wore the same as the bride until 1880

The tradition of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses to the bride stems from ancient Roman times, when bridesmaids served as decoys to protect the bride from evil spirits and potential kidnappers. The idea was that if all the women at the wedding were dressed alike, any ill-wishers would become confused and leave the bride alone.

In the mid-19th century, Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress, which was considered a symbol of status and purity. Wealthier brides began to follow this trend, as they could afford to have their dresses professionally cleaned. This marked a shift where brides wanted to stand out, and white became a popular choice for brides to ensure they would be the centre of attention.

Bridesmaids wore the same as the bride until around 1880. By the 20th century, the focus of weddings had shifted more towards the bride, who chose a gown to help her stand out, in a colour no one else would wear. This put an end to the all-white wedding, with bridesmaids wearing different colours to the bride.

Nowadays, it is uncommon for bridesmaids to wear white, and it is usually only the bride who wears this colour. However, some modern brides choose to have their bridesmaids wear white, with subtle differences in fabric, silhouette, and length to distinguish themselves from the bridal party.

White wedding dresses became popular in the mid-19th century

Before Queen Victoria, royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being one of the most popular. White dresses were reserved for women being presented at court. Brides simply wore their finest dress, with lower-class brides often in black and wealthier brides in showier gowns, which they would wear again.

White wedding dresses were a symbol of wealth and status, as only the wealthiest women could afford to wear a dress just once and have it professionally cleaned. They also looked good in early black-and-white or sepia-toned photography. However, the colour soon became associated with purity and innocence, an association that has endured.

It wasn't until after World War II that white wedding dresses became popular among middle-class brides in Europe and the US, as society became more prosperous and clothing became cheaper to produce.

White wedding dresses became customary in the mid-20th century

The custom of brides wearing white emerged in the mid-19th century and became standard in the mid-20th century. However, the tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day is not as old as many people think.

Before the 19th century, brides did not traditionally wear white. A white dress was seen as impractical and financially unwise, as it was meant to be worn only once. Instead, brides usually wore their fanciest dress, which they could wear again. Lower-class brides often wore black, while wealthier brides wore showy gowns in lush fabrics, featuring gold and silver embroidery, as well as fur.

The white wedding dress tradition began with Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. This was one of the first heavily photographed royal weddings, and the images were shared worldwide. Wealthier brides began to follow suit, wearing grand white gowns as a status symbol, as they could afford to have their dresses professionally cleaned. However, white wedding dresses did not become widely popular until after World War II. During the Great Depression and World War II, luxurious fabrics were scarce, and brides often wore simple suits in non-white hues. After the war, white wedding dresses became more accessible, and by the 1950s, they had become customary.

The white wedding dress is often seen as a symbol of virginity, purity, innocence, and goodness. However, historically, white was a colour for the rich, signifying wealth and status rather than virginity. In some cultures, such as in Eastern traditions, white is considered unlucky for brides, and other colours like red, pink, blue, gold, grey, and black are often chosen.

White wedding dresses were a status symbol

The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is often credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress to her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840. The white dress became popular with Victorian era elites, as it was a way to show off their wealth. White dresses were expensive and impractical, so only the wealthiest women could afford to wear them and have them professionally cleaned. White was seen as a colour for the rich, a way to show off one's wealth and status.

Before Queen Victoria's wedding, most brides simply wore their fanciest dress or purchased a new gown that could be worn again. From the Middle Ages to the mid-19th century, white was not a practical choice in a world without running water and where laundry was hand-washed. Royal brides before Victoria did not typically wear white, instead choosing heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread. During this time, European and American brides wore a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, and practical colours like black, brown, or grey.

After Queen Victoria's wedding, white wedding dresses became a symbol of status and wealth. They were favoured as a way to display that the bride's family was wealthy enough to choose an elaborate dress that could be easily ruined by any sort of work or spill. The white wedding dress trend was further solidified in 1981, when Princess Diana wore a grand white silk taffeta and lace gown for her wedding.

In recent times, the white wedding dress has continued to be popular, with 82-83% of brides in the U.S. choosing to wear white. However, the meanings associated with the white dress have evolved. While it was originally a symbol of status and wealth, it later became a symbol of purity, virginity, and innocence. Today, the white dress is simply an expected part of the wedding celebration, with many brides choosing to follow this tradition.

Matching bridesmaids dresses minimise dress envy

The tradition of the bride wearing white dates back to the mid-1800s when Queen Victoria wore a white gown for her wedding to Prince Albert. The white dress was a symbol of status as only the wealthiest women could afford to wear a dress that could easily be stained. It also symbolised virginity, purity, innocence, and goodness.

In recent years, bridesmaids wearing white has become a trend, with celebrities such as Kate Middleton, NeNe Leakes, and Kim Kardashian embracing the look. While some bridesmaids' dresses may be white to match the bride, others may wear white because the bride has chosen to wear a different colour.

When it comes to bridesmaids' dresses, there are a few options to consider. One option is to have matching bridesmaids' dresses, which can help to minimise dress envy and create a cohesive look. This can be achieved by having the same dress style in different colours or the same colour in different styles. Another option is to have mismatched bridesmaids' dresses, which can allow each bridesmaid to showcase their unique style and express their individual fashion sense. This can be achieved by choosing different dress styles, colours, fabrics, hemlines, and silhouettes.

To ensure a cohesive look with mismatched dresses, it is important to consider the following:

• Choose one element that is the same across all dresses, such as the fabric or neckline.
• Opt for the same dress length to ensure everyone looks like they are part of the same event.
• Carefully select a wedding colour palette that complements each other.
• Provide ample direction to your bridesmaids by creating an inspiration board or providing sample photos.
• Use accessories, such as jewellery, shoes, or bouquets, to tie the whole look together.

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