The Evolution of the Wedding Gown in Fashion

The idea of a white wedding gown was popularized by Queen Victoria in 1840.

Wedding gowns have been a part of marriage traditions since the medieval times. Over the years, the popularity of certain lengths, styles and colors of wedding gowns changed with the tastes, morals and resources of the era.

Long Sleeves

During medieval times, wealthy brides wore dresses made of fur, silk and other expensive textiles. Fashionable gowns had floor-length sleeves.

Something Blue

According to TLC Discovery, blue was a popular wedding gown color in the Middle Ages because it represented purity.

Hoops and Petticoats

The Wedding Channel notes that proper bridal style in the Victorian era (1800s) included wearing hoops and petticoats underneath a gown in order to add volume and prevent legs from showing.

White

Queen Victoria wore a long white gown and veil for her 1840 wedding. According to the History of Quilts, Queen Victoria's gown choice impacted the entire Western world's wedding industry.

Shorter

In the early 20th century, wedding gowns shorter than floor-length became popular and acceptable for the first time.

Personality

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, wedding dress fashion became more about personality than traditions. Vintage gowns, mermaid-cut dresses and sheaths were all popular choices in many colors including white, antique white and other neutral shades.

References

• History of Quilts: The Fabric of Marriage: Wedding Dresses
• TLC: Wedding Dresses History
• Wedding Channel: Weddings Then and Now

Resources

• The Knot: Wedding Gown Search