The tradition of bridesmaids not wearing white is a long-standing one, with many believing that it is impolite for anyone other than the bride to wear white to a wedding. However, this tradition has been challenged in recent years, with an increasing number of brides choosing to dress their bridesmaids in white. This trend has been particularly popular among celebrities and royals, with the likes of Kate Middleton, Kim Kardashian, and Meghan Markle all choosing white bridesmaid dresses for their weddings. So, why the shift?
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Historical reason | To confuse evil spirits and safely disguise the bride |
Symbolism | Purity, virginity, innocence, cleanliness, immaculacy, perfection, status |
Fashion | White is flattering on all skin tones, it's a symbol of style and elegance |
Practicality | White dresses are easy to find, and there are many shades of white to choose from |
Aesthetics | White dresses provide a blank canvas for floral artistry, jewellery, makeup, hairstyles, etc. |
What You'll Learn
White symbolises purity, innocence and status
White is a symbol of purity, innocence and status. The tradition of brides wearing white dates back to Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert. Before this, a white dress was a symbol of status, as only the wealthiest women could afford to wear a dress that risked being stained.
White is also a symbol of purity and innocence. In the past, it was believed that wearing white would deter evil spirits. A bride would dress her bridesmaids in white to confuse these spirits, disguising herself among the bridal party.
Today, white is still seen as a symbol of purity and innocence, which is why it is the natural choice for bridal dresses. It is also a symbol of cleanliness, immaculacy and perfection, which is why it is also the colour of choice for doctors' coats and seafarers.
White is a popular colour for bridesmaids, especially in royal weddings and chic celebrity nuptials. It is a flattering colour that works for every type of wedding, from a boho bash to a black-tie celebration. It provides a blank canvas for floral artistry and is a great backdrop for the bride if she chooses to wear a different colour.
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White is a blank canvas for floral bouquets and other accessories
White is a versatile colour that suits every skin tone and flatters every body shape. It is also a blank canvas for accessories, especially floral bouquets. White dresses can be paired with bouquets of any colour, from pastel florals to bright, bold hues. White is also a great base for accessories, such as jewellery, hair styles, and makeup.
White bridesmaids' dresses can be styled in many ways to create a unique look. For example, white can be paired with different textures and fabrics, such as lace, satin, crepe, or chiffon, to create a cohesive yet varied look. White dresses can also be styled with different silhouettes, such as A-line, ball gown, or sheath, to add interest and variety to the bridal party.
White is a classic colour that never goes out of style and is universally flattering. It is a crisp, clean colour that creates an airy, angelic aesthetic for the bridal party. White dresses are also easy to find, as they are available in many different shades and styles, from bridal salons to online retailers.
White bridesmaids' dresses can be paired with white flowers for a cohesive look. White bouquets can be paired with greenery for a rustic or bohemian wedding, or with other colours for a more glamorous or modern wedding. White dresses also provide a beautiful backdrop for bridesmaids' accessories, such as earrings, necklaces, and hairpieces.
White is a versatile and elegant choice for bridesmaids' dresses that can be styled in many different ways to create a unique and stylish look for the bridal party. It is a blank canvas that can be accessorised and styled to create a variety of looks, from rustic and bohemian to glamorous and modern.
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White is flattering for all skin tones
White is a flattering colour on all skin tones, from fair to dark. It is also a universal colour, which means it is easy to find in stores and online. It is a blank canvas that allows for creativity with accessories, makeup, hairstyles, and jewellery. Everything stands out against a polished white palette.
White is a colour that suits every type of wedding, from a laid-back, boho celebration on a beach to a rustic wedding in the woods or a glamorous black-tie event in a castle. It is a colour that is versatile and timeless, and it is also elegant and chic. It is a colour that is associated with purity, cleanliness, and perfection.
White is also a great choice for bridesmaids because it creates a cohesive look for the bridal party. The bride can still stand out by choosing a different fabric, such as lace or satin, or a different dress length, such as a long gown compared to shorter dresses for the bridesmaids.
White is a colour that is often chosen for royal weddings, with royal bridesmaids dressed in white throughout history. It is believed that this tradition stems from the historical belief that white deterred evil spirits.
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White is a symbol of deterring evil spirits
Although it may seem outdated, the tradition of bridesmaids wearing white is believed to have stemmed from the historical belief that white warded off evil spirits. Brides would ask their bridesmaids to wear white to confuse any such spirits, thus safely disguising the bride among the bridal party. This belief dates back centuries and is particularly prevalent in royal weddings, where it is common for bridesmaids to wear white.
The colour white has long been associated with purity, cleanliness, immaculacy, and perfection, which is why it is often the colour of choice for bridal dresses, doctors' coats, and seafarers. In the past, only the wealthiest women could afford to wear white, as they could bear the risk of staining it. White clothing was a symbol of status.
Today, white is still regarded as a symbol of virginity, purity, innocence, and goodness, especially in the context of weddings. While it is generally considered impolite for wedding guests to wear white to avoid upstaging the bride, it is not uncommon for bridesmaids to be dressed in white, especially in royal weddings.
White is a versatile and elegant colour that can complement any wedding theme, from laid-back boho to glamorous black-tie affairs. It is a flattering colour on all skin tones and creates a light, airy, and angelic aesthetic for the bridal party. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of brides choosing to dress their bridesmaids in white, embracing the idea of an all-white wedding party.
When done right, an all-white bridal party can be a bold and stylish statement, showcasing the bride's unique sense of style. To ensure the bride still stands out, it is important to choose dresses with different details, such as varying necklines, sleeve lengths, and silhouettes. Playing with different textures and fabric types can also help distinguish the bride from her bridesmaids.
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White is a royal tradition
The tradition of bridesmaids wearing white can be traced back to Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress when she married Prince Albert in the mid-1800s. The white wedding dress was a symbol of the bride's virginity, purity, innocence, and goodness, and it is also believed that the colour white deterred evil spirits. By dressing her bridesmaids in white, a bride could confuse any evil spirits and disguise herself among the bridal party.
In recent years, the trend of bridesmaids wearing white has become increasingly popular, with celebrities such as Kate Middleton, NeNe Leakes, and Kim Kardashian embracing the idea. White is a versatile and elegant choice that flatters all skin tones and can be paired with a variety of colours and styles. It provides a blank canvas for floral arrangements and other accessories, and creates a cohesive and stylish look for the bridal party.
While some may consider it impolite for anyone other than the bride to wear white, the royal tradition of dressing bridesmaids in white is a striking and timeless choice that adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive rule that forbids bridesmaids from wearing white. In fact, it has become an elegant trend in recent years, with celebrities such as Kate Middleton, Kim Kardashian, and Poppy Delevingne choosing white bridesmaid dresses for their weddings. However, some people may still consider it controversial or impolite for anyone other than the bride to wear white during a wedding.
The colour white is often associated with purity, innocence, and virginity. Centuries ago, it was also a symbol of status, as only the wealthiest women could afford a white dress due to the risk of staining it.
There are several ways to distinguish the bride from the bridesmaids even if they are all wearing white. The bride can choose a different fabric, such as lace or satin, opt for a longer gown, or add embellishments and metallic detailing to her dress.