Rhiannon Hendricks
The history of the wedding dress is a fascinating one, with its roots in ancient times. While the concept of marriage dates back to ancient civilizations such as Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria, the wedding dress as we know it today is a more recent phenomenon. In ancient times, brides often wore their best dress or a new dress to their wedding, with no specific colour or style being mandated. Chinese folklore, however, mentions a princess wearing a phoenix dress and crown, bringing her luck and strength in her marriage. Over time, wedding dresses evolved, with the colour white gaining popularity in the 19th century, thanks to Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress in 1840, setting a trend for Western brides.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress colour | White, red, green, yellow, black, blue, purple, brown, ivory, silver |
| Wedding dress fabric | Silk, lace, tulle, taffeta, satin, velvet, fur, synthetic fabrics |
| Wedding dress style | Full crinoline petticoat, long-sleeved, sleeveless, strapless, straight lace, ballgown |
| Wedding dress accessories | Veil, flower crown, headpieces, bouquets |
| Wedding dress symbolism | Purity, virginity, wealth, status, good luck, strength in marriage, fertility |
| Wedding dress trends influenced by | Celebrities, royalty, Hollywood, Chinese folklore |
| Wedding dress cost | Costly, expensive, hard to maintain, affordable, cheap |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Wedding dresses in Chinese folklore
The Tang Dynasty, known for its openness and diversity, showcases the importance of colour in Chinese wedding attire. Brides during this period wore lime green dresses, with the pronunciation of the word "green" in Chinese resembling "blessing". Red was also favoured, with its bold and vibrant presence in Tang Dynasty weddings. The poetry of the time captures the beauty and emotion of the wedding rituals, including the anxious family of the groom urging the bride to hurry her preparations, a tradition known as "Cui Zhuang".
Moving forward in history, the Ming and Qing Dynasties continued to emphasise the significance of colour and symbolism in Chinese wedding dresses. The fengguan xiapei, a wedding attire set, was composed of an upper and lower garment. The mangao, or "python jacket", was typically red, while the mangchu, or "python skirt", could be red or green, embroidered with dragons and phoenixes. The Xiuhefu, another set of attire from the Qing Dynasty, featured a waist-length liling dajin ao and a long A-line qun, often embroidered with flowers and birds to symbolise love.
In Northern China, the traditional wedding dress is the Qipao, a one-piece frock predominantly in red, embroidered with intricate gold and silver designs. Southern China, on the other hand, favours the Qungua or QunKwa, a two-piece dress adorned with gold dragons and phoenixes. This dress is also known as the longfeng gua or dragon phoenix coat. The dragon and phoenix motifs are considered indispensable elements in Chinese wedding dressing, symbolising good luck and happiness.
Chinese wedding dresses have evolved over the centuries, with each dynasty leaving its mark on the attire. From the Tang Dynasty's bold colours to the intricate embroidery of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese wedding dresses are a testament to the ancient culture's beliefs, traditions, and aesthetics. Even today, Chinese brides often incorporate these symbolic colours and motifs into their wedding attire, honouring the rich heritage of Chinese folklore.
How to Cancel a Wedding Dress Order?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
White wedding dresses
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is often attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. The fashion-conscious queen chose a non-traditional dress and flower crown for her wedding, which she described as "the happiest day of my life". The dress was made from Spitalfields cream silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves. It featured a slim waist, a full crinoline petticoat, and lace embellishments—a silhouette that is still considered classic in the West today.
White dresses were already a status symbol at expensive British weddings in the 1400s and 1500s, and they were reserved for women being presented at court. However, it was Queen Victoria's wedding that truly cemented the white dress as the norm in the Western world. As accounts of her wedding spread, other European leaders followed suit, and the white dress became a symbol of purity, innocence, and wealth.
The portrayal of weddings in Hollywood, as well as the widespread dissemination of celebrity wedding photos, also helped to solidify the association between marriage and white dresses. For example, in 1956, images of Grace Kelly's wedding gown quickly spread around the globe. More recently, Meghan Markle's dress by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy inspired overnight copies.
It is worth noting that the history of the wedding dress is shorter than the history of marriage and weddings. In ancient China, brides wore red phoenix dresses with mythical roots, which symbolised good luck and strength in marriage. Similarly, brides in Korea and Japan wore silk wedding robes in various bright colours, depending on the dynasty and season. In the West, during the reign of the Tang Dynasty, it became fashionable for brides to wear green, while grooms typically wore red.
Fall Wedding Guest Dress Ideas for September
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Wedding dress trends in the Edwardian era
The Edwardian era, from 1901 to 1910, marked the reign of King Edward VII in the United Kingdom and set some distinct trends in wedding dress fashion. Modesty was a key theme, with high necklines, long gloves, and ruffled petticoats being prominent features to achieve full coverage. The idealised silhouette of the time shifted from the S-shape of a Gibson Girl to a more A-line shape, with satin, ruffles, and lace being popular elements throughout the decade. Wedding dresses during this period were often made of ornate and intricate lace, with flowing fabrics and draped designs.
Corsets were a popular design element in the Edwardian era, emphasising a tiny waist, full bosom, and ample curves. The S-shaped corset thrust the bosom forward and hips back, with dresses featuring flowing skirts that draped over the hips and a small train at the bottom. Puff sleeves, accented with lace ruffles, were also a notable trend of the time, adding a romantic and whimsical touch to the overall look.
For brides seeking a more minimalist approach, silk satin gowns with simple column fits and square necklines were also in vogue. These dresses were often embellished with beaded details or sparkles, adding a touch of glamour to the ensemble. The colour white had gained popularity for wedding dresses during the Victorian era due to its association with purity and virginity, and this trend continued into the Edwardian era, with white dresses symbolising status and wealth.
Towards the end of the Edwardian era, wedding dress styles evolved to include tunic dresses with shorter sleeves, moving away from the full-length sleeves of the earlier years. High dog collar necklines and bretelles, or bands rising from the bodice to the shoulders or back, became prominent features. The waistlines of dresses also rose higher, and sleeves tightened at the forearm, creating a more structured and tailored silhouette.
How to Dress for a Wedding: Full-Length Gowns
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$54.99
$44.99 $54.99
Wedding dresses during World War II
Wedding dresses, as we know them today, are a relatively recent phenomenon. While the concept of marriage dates back to ancient civilizations, weddings as romantic affairs are a more modern concept. The tradition of wearing a unique garment for weddings is said to have its origins in Chinese folklore, with brides in China still opting for striking red gowns, a colour with mythical roots. In the Western world, the tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is often attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840.
During World War II, wedding fashion was heavily influenced by the circumstances of the war, with rationing and restrictions impacting both food and clothing. Brides had to be creative and resourceful, often wearing their best clothes or altering their husband's suits in line with the "make do and mend" mindset of the time. Wedding dresses during this period were typically simple and practical, with minimalism being a popular style. Due to fabric restrictions, hemlines were kept short, and dresses were often designed to be functional, allowing brides to ride their bikes to the wedding venue.
Some brides chose to forgo the traditional white dress, opting for colours like blue or even non-traditional materials like nylon parachutes. Wartime conditions made white weddings inappropriate for some, and brides wanted to avoid appearing too extravagant. Wedding dresses made from parachutes, for example, were considered good luck, as the parachutes had saved the lives of soldiers. These dresses were also practical, as the nylon material was strong and could be used to create unique silhouettes.
Despite the challenges, couples during World War II made their wedding days special with the support of their families, friends, and communities. Weddings were often casual and quickly planned, as brides tried to coordinate with their sweetheart's military leave. The uncertainty of war also meant that weddings happened without much notice, leaving little time to acquire a special dress. The post-war period in the late 1940s reflected renewed hope, and weddings during this time embodied this joy, with designer Christian Dior's "New Look" influencing wedding fashion.
Why Choose a Colored Wedding Dress?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.98 $37.98
$36.99
Wedding dresses in medieval times
The wedding dress has evolved significantly over the centuries, with medieval bridal attire varying based on the century, region, and social status of the bride. Medieval wedding costumes remain a popular choice for modern weddings, with their romantic and chivalrous associations.
In medieval times, brides typically wore their finest dress and robe, often in dark blue, which was considered the colour of purity. Wealthier brides might choose shades of red, gold, or other jewel tones, with golden buttons and elaborate headdresses. The dress, known as a cotehardie, featured fitted sleeves with buttons down the length and trailed to the ankles. Brides of lower social status might wear dresses made from linen or cotton, resembling as closely as possible the dresses worn by ladies of higher status. Underneath, all brides, regardless of status, wore a chemise, breast band, and knee-length stockings.
The Middle Ages span several centuries, and fashion evolved during this period. As Europe transitioned into the Renaissance, a style known as Burgundian or late Gothic emerged, characterised by shorter bodices with V-necklines and high waists. Flowing sleeves became more fitted, and floor-length skirts evolved to include trains of varying lengths.
Grooms wore woollen robes, tunics, or kirtles that fell to the calves or knees, with metalwork belts, sometimes adorned with jewels. They also wore headdresses, which could be richly coloured moire hats with wide white brims or velvet birettas with white linen coifs. Grooms of higher social status might have daggers with intricate jeweled hilts and scabbards.
While the specific fashion choices varied, the medieval wedding was characterised by the finest clothing and jewellery available to the couple, with royalty and nobility commissioning new outfits for the occasion.
Pencil Skirt Wedding Dresses: Where to Buy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses have existed in various forms throughout history. Brides in Ancient Rome wore long, white, one-piece robes. In medieval times, weddings were a union of two families, and brides wore rich colours and expensive fabrics like silk, velvet and fur. However, the white wedding dress became popular in the Western world after Queen Victoria wore a white gown on her wedding day in 1840.
Before the 19th century, wedding dresses were usually fashioned from rich colours and elegant and/or rare fabrics. Velvet and silk were popular selections, and some designers incorporated fur. Red was one of the most popular colours among brides, perhaps because it symbolised fertility.
Queen Victoria chose to wear a white wedding dress in 1840, which was considered a non-traditional colour choice at the time. White dresses were a status symbol at expensive British weddings in the 1400s and 1500s, and Queen Victoria's dress set the standard for modern bridal fashion. The colour white became associated with purity, innocence, and wealth.
