Posted by AnneLB on August 04, 1997 at 12:27:27:
In reply to Re: Wedding dresses posted by Beth on August 01, 1997 at 20:18:51
] Are they in white because white-based designs were in fashion, or was there a deep symbolism involved there? Since when did white equate with pure and virginal, anyway?
] Caroline, I had heard at one point that Queen Victoria wore white for her wedding, and that it was at this time that white wedding dresses became popular. Probably white became associated with purity then, too, considering the era...
] It was my understanding that prior to that time, women wore a special dress, but the color was variable. Certainly many families could not afford a dress meant to be worn only once.
] Hope this helps :-)
True about queen victoria. She popularized the white dress, as her daughter popularized the diamond engagement ring. The style of the dresses (empire waist) also came from a queen - The style in the french court, I believe, was adapted from one queen who wore the style to accentuate her pregnancy. (Maybe she was the king's mistress, not the queen?) Anyhow, maybe that will help to point this all in the direction that the styles pretty much followed the queen's tastes. The light colors and the cut of the dress, etc. I think that is why women began moving to the white and lighter colors in general for wedding dresses. (didn't Mary, queen of Scots marry in white?) that could be a long shot...
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