Franklin Dean
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is widely believed to have started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being a popular choice in Western Europe. White dresses were already reserved for women being presented at court, and Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was likely intended to showcase the British lace industry, which was struggling at the time. As royal weddings have always received extensive coverage, Victoria's choice of dress soon became a trend among wealthy brides and eventually spread across all economic levels, becoming cemented as a tradition in the 20th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Started by | Queen Victoria |
| Year | 1840 |
| Reason | To show off the detailed Honiton lace produced by the British lace industry |
| Symbolism | Purity, innocence, wealth, status, and tradition |
| Colour variations | Ivory, creamy pearl, natural white |
| Influenced by | Royal weddings, Hollywood, celebrity weddings |
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What You'll Learn
Queen Victoria wore white in 1840
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly associated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert on 10 February 1840. The dress was made from Spitalfields cream silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves. It featured a structured, eight-piece bodice with a wide, open neckline, short puffed sleeves, and a deep V-shaped pointed waistline. The full-length skirt contained seven widths of fabric in forward-facing pleats, and Victoria wore a satin train over six yards long, which was carried by twelve attendants.
Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was a break from royal custom. Prior to her wedding, royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being a particularly popular choice in Western Europe. Silver and gold were also common, as they signified royalty. White dresses were typically reserved for debutantes being presented at court for the first time.
There are several theories as to why Queen Victoria chose to wear white. One theory suggests that she wanted to be seen as Prince Albert's wife and not as royalty, so she avoided the traditional red ermine robe of state. Another theory posits that she chose white to showcase the delicate Honiton lace produced by the British lace industry, which was floundering at the time. Lace makers across England were thrilled by the sudden surge in the popularity of their handiwork. A third theory speculates that Victoria was aware of the perception of white as a symbol of innocence and chose the colour to reinforce this image.
Following Queen Victoria's wedding, the white wedding dress gained popularity among the elite on both sides of the Atlantic. However, it was not until after World War II that middle-class British and American brides fully embraced the trend. The white dress also took on new symbolism, becoming associated with purity and virginity, in addition to wealth and innocence.
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White symbolises purity and innocence
The colour white has long been associated with purity and innocence, and this is one reason why some brides choose to wear white, especially in Western cultures. However, historically, white was not the only colour considered for wedding dresses. In fact, other colours were often chosen over white. For many centuries in Western societies, wedding dresses came in a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, black, brown, and grey. Practicality was a key factor, as brides would often choose a dress they could wear again, or they would simply wear the best dress they already owned.
The tradition of white wedding dresses is often attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. As royal weddings have always received extensive coverage, Queen Victoria's choice of a white dress was widely reported in newspapers and magazines and soon became a trend among wealthy brides. White dresses were difficult to maintain and keep clean during this time, so they served as a symbol of wealth and conspicuous consumption.
Over time, as white wedding dresses gained popularity, they became associated with purity and innocence, in addition to wealth and status. This symbolism was further reinforced by etiquette books, which promoted the idea that a white wedding dress connoted innocence and virginal purity. By the end of the 19th century, white dresses had become the garment of choice for elite brides in both Europe and America. However, it took several more decades for white wedding dresses to become fully democratised among middle-class brides, as societal prosperity increased and clothing became more affordable in the 20th century.
Today, the choice to wear a white wedding dress is often rooted in tradition and aesthetic preferences. While white remains the most popular colour for wedding dresses, many brides are increasingly opting for bolder colours or non-traditional styles, reflecting the evolving nature of bridal fashion and culture.
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White dresses are hard to maintain
The white wedding dress is a tradition that began with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses quickly became a popular symbol of status, connoting "innocence and virginal purity". The trend was also boosted by the 1981 wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, which was watched by 750 million people.
However, white dresses are notoriously hard to maintain. Before the later part of the 20th century, laundering clothing was challenging, and white dresses were particularly difficult to keep clean. Even today, with modern laundry techniques, white clothing can be challenging to care for, as they seem to attract stains and can become yellowed or dingy over time.
One of the biggest challenges of wearing a white dress is preventing stains. Stains from food, drinks, makeup, and grime can quickly ruin the appearance of a white dress. It is important to treat stains as soon as they happen, using stain removal products such as stain pens, wipes, or hand sanitizer. Personal care products such as deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, and hair products can also cause staining, so it is important to allow these products to dry completely before putting on a white dress.
Another challenge of wearing a white dress is preventing discolouration. Over time, white clothing can become yellowed or dingy due to product buildup from laundry detergents and fabric softeners. It is important to use the correct amount of detergent and avoid overloading the washing machine, as this can lead to residue buildup on white clothing. To maintain the bright appearance of a white dress, it is recommended to use laundry boosters or whitening products such as oxygen bleach, Borax, or baking soda.
Storing white dresses properly is also key to maintaining their bright appearance. White clothing should be stored away from direct sunlight and protected from dirt and dust, as these can cause discolouration. Additionally, care should be taken to ensure that white dresses do not come into contact with garments that have loose dyes, as the colour can transfer and stain the white fabric.
Overall, while white wedding dresses have become a popular tradition, they require careful maintenance and attention to keep them looking their best.
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White dresses are a status symbol
The white wedding dress is a tradition that started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being a popular choice in Western Europe. White dresses were reserved for women being presented at court.
White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, initially embraced by wealthy brides. They were favoured as a way to show that the bride's family was so wealthy that the bride could choose an elaborate dress that could be easily ruined. White dresses were also hard to maintain, especially with the limitations of 19th-century laundering techniques.
As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread, white dresses gained popularity and new symbolism. The colour came to be associated with purity and innocence, in addition to wealth and status. White also looked good in early black-and-white or sepia-toned photography.
By the end of the 19th century, white dresses were the garment of choice for elite brides on both sides of the Atlantic. However, it took several decades for white wedding dresses to become common among middle-class brides in Europe and the US. This was partly due to increased prosperity in the 20th century, which made clothing cheaper to produce and allowed for the white dress to be worn only once.
Today, the majority of wedding dresses are still white or shades of white, such as ivory. While some brides deviate from this tradition, choosing bolder colours or black detailing, the white wedding dress remains a popular symbol of status, tradition, and beauty.
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White dresses photograph well
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread, white dresses gained popularity and new symbolism—the colour came to signify purity and innocence, in addition to wealth.
White dresses also photographed well in early black-and-white or sepia-toned photography. In the 20th century, the white wedding dress became cemented as "tradition", with the portrayal of weddings in Hollywood and the widespread sharing of images of celebrity weddings further popularising the trend.
Today, white wedding dresses continue to be a popular choice, with many brides choosing white gowns that photograph well and flatter their skin tones. When choosing a white wedding dress, it is important to consider the lighting of the venue and the silhouette and details of the dress. Satin wedding dresses, for example, are known to be photogenic due to their smooth and high-sheen fabric that looks good under any light. Additionally, light and floaty fabrics can add instant glamour and create beautiful pictures, especially with lightweight veils, long trains, or airy sleeves.
Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a photogenic wedding dress is finding a dress that makes the bride feel confident and comfortable, allowing her to express her personality and move around easily.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses haven't always been white. The trend is thought to have started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. White dresses were already reserved for debutantes being presented at court, and Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was likely intended to showcase British lace, which was floundering at the time. As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread, white dresses became a popular symbol of status and purity.
White wedding dresses became popular due to Queen Victoria's influence and extensive media coverage of her wedding. Royal weddings have long been trendsetting, and Victoria's choice of a white dress was widely reported in newspapers and magazines, soon influencing wedding trends domestically and internationally.
Today, most brides opt for white dresses largely due to tradition. White dresses are also considered beautiful and simple, flattering a wide range of skin tones and photographing well.
