Irene Schumann

The wedding rite is full of symbolism and customs that have been passed down through the centuries and one of them is the white wedding dress. However, this garment was not always as it is known today. What is the origin of the white wedding dress? Let yourself be surprised with his story in the following article.

Origin of the wedding dress

The first wedding dresses were very different from the ones that today show in the showcases, being the first ones to be Chinese pioneers in the use of ceremonial costume special to unite couples.

About three thousand years ago, the Zhou Dynasty imposed that in the marriage rites of the both bride and groom were to wear black gowns with red This continued under the Han Dynasty, which introduced the use of different colors: green in spring, red in summer, yellow in autumn and black in winter. In fact, Chinese brides today still marry in scarlet.

In the West, however, the story is somewhat different, since the wedding dress responds rather to a social process. Already in the Renaissance, at the weddings of the most important people in society, brides wore their best dresses, usually with gold brocade, pearls and jewels, to demonstrate family wealth that were at stake in this commercial exchange.

For centuries, this tradition was maintained regardless of color. However, over time it was discovered that white represented the greatest luxury and ostentation because of the technical difficulties involved in bleaching the fabrics at that time and maintaining the color beyond one posture.

The first to wear one was Princess Philippa of England. She wore a white tunic and silk cloak for her marriage to King Eric of Scandinavia in 1406, and so more and more women of the nobility and wealthy families chose white for their weddings. The opposite of the middle class promises The bride and groom, who opted for simple wedding dresses in dark tones, as they could wear them more than once.

Consolidation of the white wedding dress

Bride Choose Your Dress

Although several had already chosen it in the past, it was not until 1840, when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, that white was imposed as the bridal color Perhaps, because of the advances in printing and the rise of fashion magazines, which widely disseminated the official photo of this link, as well as the greater access to this color that generated the new industrialized techniques of textile production in the nineteenth century.

Now, although white is associated with purity, innocence and virginity, which is what was sought in those years in a wife, the truth is that the origin of the white dress is not linked to these characteristics. Rather, it is, to the economic power of being able to purchase a white dress that would be worn only once. .

But beyond its meaning, the wedding dress has managed to endure over time, mainly because of its ability to adapt over the years.

Thus, the following stand out iconic white dresses that stayed in the retina such as the voluminous suit worn by Jacqueline Kennedy, in 1953; Audrey Hepburn's mini dress, in 1954; Grace Kelly's elegant lace wedding dress, in 1956; Bianca Jagger's irruptive outfit, in 1971; and the vaporous model worn by Diana of Wales, in 1981.

Evolution of the white dress

Magnolia

Although the white dress is still the most chosen by brides in the West, there is a trend today that leans more towards nuances. That is, without straying too far from white, fashion houses are increasingly offering designs in colors such as ivory, champagne, beige, light gray, silver, nude and pale pink, among others.

They may be dressed entirely in a color other than white, or they may be dressed in a color other than white. incorporate some sparkles in other shades Whether through skirts in gradient, belts, veils or appliqués on the shoulders.

Many nowadays choose them, especially as wedding dresses for the civil wedding, but also for church weddings. However, this trend is not so new, since Elizabeth Taylor married eight times, wearing two colorful dresses: a bottle green one (1959) and a yellow one (1964). No wonder the Hollywood diva became an icon.of all time in bridal fashion.

The white wedding dress has an interesting history that is well worth knowing. It corresponds to a tradition that is still in force in today's weddings, such as splitting the wedding cake or throwing the bouquet, among other wedding rites.