The evolution of wedding dresses and how society has changed with it

2021-12-08 09:01:00

From very formal petticoats and corsets to sleeveless and colorful modern wedding dresses, bridal dresses have come a long way. In addition to being a symbol of happiness, the wedding dress can tell us a lot about the social and cultural norms of a certain era.

The Bright Side editorial team draws inspiration from the gorgeous design and fascinating historical facts behind every one of them to take you on a journey into the evolution of your wedding dress.

The evolution of wedding dresses and how society has changed with it

In ancient Rome, weddings were considered an important social event, and the bride wore a long, dark yellow or orange veil. These warm colors represent the "color of the flame" and symbolize the warmth and light that the bride brings to her husband's home. The trends in ancient Greece were similar. The brides wear long loose skirts and fire-colored veils to ward off evil spirits.

Back then, marriage was more of a legal transaction than a romantic occasion. Brides will simply choose the best dress they already have, rather than making or buying a separate dress for the wedding. A similar practice continued into the Middle Ages, although the colors of the bridal garments kept changing.

In the Middle Ages, blue was often associated with purity and royalty, so it's no surprise that this color became a common choice for medieval bridal dresses. Dresses in yellow, red, green, and other gem shades are also popular, especially among women of higher social status.

The floor length, wide neckline and fitted corset were the most notable features of medieval wedding dress styles and are often reproduced today. Some royal brides, such as Princess Charlene Wittstock of Monaco, chose the blue wedding dress for her folk wedding.

Although lavish wedding ceremonies were still uncommon in the 1700s and 1800s, bridal dresses became more luxurious and sophisticated. At that time, the French court dominated the fashion trend, and Marie Antoinette took the lead. While the average woman still keeps the wedding private and modest, royals are taking over it.

Her extraordinarily expensive robe was made of silver cloth studded with diamonds, but it did not suit her because it had been made even before she arrived in France. Too late to try on, corsets are too small, so the cost aside, the ill-fitting wedding dress was another gossip topic at the time.

On the wedding day, Queen Victoria said she would swear an oath to Prince Albert as his future wife, not queen. Therefore, instead of wearing a traditional coronation robe, she chose a white satin dress with lace trims to symbolize her decision. This inspires other future brides to express their feelings and personal preferences by choosing a wedding dress.

Until then, many women had not considered trying to obtain this luxury, because in a world without washing machines and running water, whiteness is difficult to maintain.

As the 20th century approached, the styling of Victorian wedding dresses changed. Corsets became looser, skirts became less loose, and veils became standard. Brides of this era often wore turtleneck dresses with long sleeves and plenty of lace details. 1920s and 1930s

Technological developments brought more freedom to women, which was reflected in the latest fashion of the time. Flapper style is a huge trend that makes bridalwear more sexy and loose.

To balance out fairly simple silhouettes, extra-long veils are popular. Since the structure of the dress is less complex, more women are able to afford the wedding dress of their choice. By the middle of the 20th century, the white of bridal dresses would soon become the norm.

In the 1930s, fashion drew inspiration from movies. Of course, the dresses worn by movie stars are designers and only the rich can buy them, but replicas of these dresses are available on all budgets. This decade also brought the first bridal magazines to a wider audience.

Even in the 1940s, when the world was facing turbulent times, wedding bells did not stop. Luxury fabrics such as silk and satin are in short supply, which is why many brides choose to wear the dresses they already have or make new ones to wear again after the ceremony. Wearing their mother's wedding outfit was another option. Brides living in big cities can also choose to rent a wedding dress.

The big fashion houses that emerged in the 1950s, such as Dior, introduced new styles that redefined the bridal style. A small waist and a long skirt were the hottest trends, and at that time, it was also often seen in wedding dresses.

The legendary wedding dress worn by Liz Taylor in the pre-1950 film Father of the Bride blended everything that was considered fashionable at the time. The same designer, Helen Rose, later designed a similar timeless dress for Grace Kelly's wedding.

Although church weddings required a modest dress that covered shoulders, hands, and legs, women of that era still wanted to try something modern. The simplicity of Audrey Hepburn's signature wedding dress in Funny Face is a breath of fresh air, paired with a tea dress.

Fashion trends may have changed faster than at any other time in history from 1960 to 1969, and bridalwear is no exception. Ten years after the Krinolin skirt and petticoat, the bride in the 1960s chose a more stylish, more sophisticated look.

As women became more powerful, the hem of the skirt became shorter and shorter. The length of the skirt and veil was significantly shortened, and with the popularity of mini dresses, it almost completely disappeared. While the popularity of miniskirt wedding dresses has declined over the years, slim styles remain.

The hippie era of the 1970s revived long, flowing styles and loose waistlines. A major feature of '70s fashion was individuality, reflected in bold fabric patterns, the use of individualized sleeves and accessories.

Some brides choose to replace the veil with a delicate hat, and even pants and jackets become part of the bridal attire. It's easier than ever for anyone to get a beautiful and extravagant wedding dress.

The '80s, by contrast, are full of glamour and voluminity: fluffy sleeves, large skirts, oversized ruffles and bows, and fairytale-style veils. In general, another iconic feature of the 80s bridal trend and fashion is the dress with transparent elements, plenty of lace and chunky jewelry.

In the 1990s and 2000s, celebrity weddings appeared on the cover of fashion magazines, inspiring a plethora of strange and stunning wedding dress designs. As church weddings became less fashionable and silhouettes became more revealing, strapless corsets remained a favorite of the era.

The end of the 90s marked a simple comeback. A minimal slip dress like a Caroline Bessette Kennedy wore at her wedding, prompting many brides to opt for a stylish, understated look.

As we approach the millennium, the trend is starting to get faster and faster. The early 2000s were about simple, strapless gowns or dresses with thin shoulder straps. As destination weddings become more common, the demand for practical wedding clothing determines this trend.

Over the past 10 years, we've seen the invention of new styles and the re-emergence of old styles that seem more diverse than ever, with the skinny mermaid dress being one of the most popular choices of the 2010s.

Over the past hundred years, the white wedding dress has a place in history in all cases. But what does the future hold? Can you guess what the future bride will look like?

The evolution of wedding dresses and how society has changed with it

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