When we think of a white wedding dress, purity and innocence usually come to mind. However, this color choice is not as old a tradition as we might think. For centuries, wedding dresses could be of any color. In fact, white was a color that was not preferred for a long time because it was quite difficult to use.
So, how did it happen that almost every bride wears white today?
From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, brides in Western societies wore dresses in shades of blue, red, gray, or gold rather than white. The reasons for this were both practical and economic. The ease with which white could get dirty made it impractical under the living conditions of the time.
Most women did not have a special dress made for their wedding; they usually wore their best dress. These outfits would continue to be worn after the wedding. However, due to its tendency to get dirty quickly, a white dress was a symbol of luxury. Therefore, it was considered suitable only for the wealthy.
The association of the color white with purity actually dates back to Ancient Rome. In the Roman Republic, brides wore white tunics, symbolizing both virginity and the transition to marriage. However, this habit completely disappeared for centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Victoria broke the royal tradition of the time by choosing a simple white dress for her ceremony instead of red or gold. The Queen wanted to support the struggling English lace industry of the time by using Honiton lace in her dress. The wedding received extensive coverage in the newspapers of the time. The image of her dress was published in fashion magazines and was discussed all over the world.
Over time, the white wedding dress became a status symbol among the aristocracy. Because wearing a dress made of white silk was a sign of wealth under the industrial conditions of the time. Initially, this fashion trend was popular only among the nobility, but by the 20th century, it had spread to all segments of society.
This trend rapidly spread across the US and Europe in the early 20th century. From the 1930s onwards, white tones became a fashion that the middle class could also afford. Even when fabric restrictions were introduced during World War II, wedding dresses were exempted from these rules. Because, according to the authorities of the period, the white wedding dress was considered a morale factor.
From the 1940s onwards, the white wedding dress practically transformed into an integral part of the dream wedding. Now, this color did not represent purity; it was seen as a symbol of love, happiness, and a lifelong union.