The History of the Wedding Dress
The History of the Wedding Dress
By: Emma Greene
For more than two centuries, the white wedding dress, which began as a trend among the wealthy, has been a tradition. White wedding dresses are a given at many modern weddings, but this has not always been the case. In many cultures and for most of history, white wedding dresses were unheard of.
The legal institution of marriage dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. In both civilizations, white tunics were popular, however, a bride’s veil color was more important. Ancient Greek brides often donned yellow veils and Roman brides wore red. Both colors signified the sacred flame of Hestia or Vesta, the goddess of the home and protector of life.
White garments did not become the standard until the late 1800s, after Queen Victoria popularized the color amongst England's upper class.
Although Queen Victoria is responsible for creating this trend turned tradition, the first royal known to wear white on her wedding day was Anne of Brittany in her 1499 marriage to King Louis XII of France.
In 1840, when Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress, the color served as a symbol of power and wealth rather than purity. Due to the inability to bleach fabrics, white clothing was rare, and without modern laundering capabilities, if one was able to afford white clothing, it was understood that the item could only be worn a few times before it was too dirty to keep. Nonetheless, the off-white silk satin confection became the blueprint for wealthy brides thereafter.
A bride’s purity was originally symbolized by her wearing light blue on her wedding day, which has now evolved into the bride’s “something blue.”
As white became popular amongst the upper class, middle and lower-class brides often opted to wear more practical colors for the time period, and if they could afford a wedding dress, this new garment would become their Sunday best after the ceremony. If they chose to wear white, it was common practice to dye or alter the dress after one’s wedding to optimize it for everyday wear. Re-wearing a wedding dress was common amongst royals as well, as Queen Victoria wore her wedding dress several times, most notably to her Diamond Jubilee 57 years after the wedding.
While white reigns supreme in the Western world, red is both traditional and popular in Eastern cultures. In many Asian and Middle Eastern countries, red is worn to represent long life, luck, celebration, and abundance. The popularity of red bridal wear dates back much farther than white, as the tradition of red wedding attire began in China during the Ming Dynasty, which reigned over 650 years ago. In India, the color became popular over 500 years ago in the early 1500s. The rich color is representative of new beginnings and feminine power.
In the age of the internet, the Western standard of white has gained popularity in many parts of the world. For those of Eastern backgrounds or living in the Eastern hemisphere, it is common to wear one’s cultural wedding attire to the ceremony and then switch to a white wedding dress for photos or for the wedding reception. White elements are also becoming common additions to traditionally colorful garments.
As the world grows closer online, some brides are opting for more colorful and unique dresses. It is likely that this cultural divide of red and white will continue to shrink and may evolve to include untraditional colors. Ultimately, weddings are a celebration of love, which looks different for every couple.
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