It may seem as if brides have been getting married in white forever, but this is not the case at all. The trend of wearing an all white wedding dress dates back only to Victorian times. Before that, brides wore a wide variety of colors and materials depending on their social status.
Way Back When
Even though colors and styles have changed throughout the years, brides have always dressed for the occasion. Of course royalty and those with a high social standing always dressed at the height of fashion, sparing no expense. Those who had limited means still treated a wedding as a special occasion and dressed as formal as their budgets would allow.
Ancient brides chose to symbolize their happiness by wearing bright colored wedding garments.
During Medieval times, the wedding was more than just a union between two people, in many occasions it was a union between two families, two businesses and even two countries. Weddings were more a matter of politics than love. Brides had to dress in a manner which cast her family in the most favorable light, for she wasn't only representing herself.
Medieval brides of an elevated social standing wore rich colors and expensive fabrics. It was common to see well-to-do brides wearing boldly colored layers of furs, velvet and silk. Those of a lower social standing wore fabrics that weren't as rich, though they copied the elegant styles as best they could.
Throughout the years, brides continued to dress in a manner befitting their social status. Always in the height of fashion, with the richest, boldest materials money could buy. Those without unlimited resources did the best they could, while the poorest of brides wore their church dress on their wedding day. The amount of material a wedding dress contained was a reflection of the bride's social standing. The more material used, the more sleeves flowed, the longer the train, the richer the bride's family was apt to be.
The White Wedding Dress
In 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe wearing a white wedding gown. In those days white was not a symbol of purity, blue was. In fact, many women chose the color blue for their wedding dresses for specifically that reason. White, on the other hand, symbolized wealth.
Since white wasn't generally chosen as the color in which to be married, Victoria's dress came as quite the surprise. It wasn't an unpleasant surprise, however, because soon after Women all over Europe and America began wearing white wedding dresses as well. There were still those who chose to get married in other colors, but it was the trend among those of an elevated social status to wear a glamorous white dress.
Evolution of the White Wedding Dress
By the turn of the century, white was the color of choice. These dresses followed the trends and style of their day and continue to do so a century later. In fact, it's very rare for a bride in Europe or the United States to get married in a color other than white.
It was a different story during the depression when women were married in their Sunday best. During World War II, many brides felt it was inappropriate to get married in a lavish white dress, and chose church dresses or a good suit for their wedding attire.
After the war, a prosperous era dawned and wedding dresses reflected this. Formal white wedding gowns became the fashion. Shades of white, such as cream, off white or ivory are all acceptable wedding dress colors, while bright colors such as blue, green or pink are frowned upon. It's considered bad luck to get married in a black dress.
Today's bride can get married in almost any style. From an ornate designer dress to a more informal beach wedding dress it's a given she'll look beautiful in whatever style she chooses.
Wedding Dress Styles
A-Line Wedding Gowns The classic A-line style will flatter and slender almost any figure and is characterized by the fitted bodice with no waist but gently flares at or near the natural waistline. Our beautiful A-line wedding dresses come in a variety of styles many with delicate lace trim and intricate beading and ebroidery designs. Some also include chapel length train.
Ball Bridal Gowns This classic and elegant style has a fitted bodice with the traditional full skirt. The bodice is often embellished with beaded Lace motifs and the skirt is frequently layered with airy fabrics such as crushed Organza ruffles.
Mermaid Wedding Dresses This curvacious bridal gown style exudes grace and elegance with it's fitted waist and hips and a gentle flaring at the knees. Bell sleeves and a sweetheart neckline provide beautiful accents and a stunning slender look that will evoke many admiring glances from your guests.
2 Piece Wedding Gowns A 2 piece bridal gown offers a less traditional yet very chic and stylish look.
Sheath Bridal Dresses These wedding gowns are very fitted and almost tube-like in appearance.
Wedding Dress Necklines Off the Shoulder - The wedding dress sits just under the shoulder line Spaghetti Straps - Thin or very thin straps that go over the shoulders to back Bateau - 'Boat' neckline slightly scooped from shoulder to shoulder Halter - Straps go around the back of neck Scoop - U-shape Square - Square neckline Strapless - No straps Sweetheart - Heart-shaped Jewel - Rounded V-Neck - V-shaped
Bridal Gown Waist Styles
Basque - Waistline dips below natural waist forming a 'V' in the center Dropped - Waistline dips below natural waistline and sits more on hips Empire - High waistline just under bust Princess Cut - Many wedding gowns, especially A-lines, have no defined waist Natural - Waistline sits between the empire and dropped waistlines.
Wedding Gown Bodice Styles
Corset - A form-fitting, strapless, or spaghetti-strap bodice with boning and lace-up or snap closures. Styled in the fashion of the ladies undergarment with the same name -- think Titanic.
Empire - A super-flattering bodice that ends just below the bust, this style looks great on pregnant brides and petite women alike. Very Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma and Shakespeare in Love.
Halter - A sleeveless bodice with a high wrap neck. Sometimes backless; always sexy.
Midriff - A bodice that fits snugly around the mid-cage. Great for accentuating tiny waists.
Asymmetrical (one-shoulder) - An asymmetrical bodice with one exposed shoulder. Extremely fashionable, and therefore popular, in recent years.
Princess-line - These wedding gowns are super-slimming and have a sleek bodice characterized by two vertical seams that travel from bust to hem, giving the illusion of extra height.
Surplice - Another fashion-forward style, the surplice bodice is created by the cross-wrapping of fabric in either the front or back. The lower the neckline, the higher the sex appeal.
Tank - A short, sleeveless top with wide armholes, this style has become the most sought after in the last few years. Looks great when paired with a sheer wrap.
Wedding Gown Fabrics
Batiste - Lightweight, sheer, delicate fabric in a plain weave. Similar to cotton, but thicker Brocade - Heavy material with a pattern Chiffon - Lightweight, flowing sheer woven fabric with a soft drape Crepe - Lightweight fabric with a wrinkled surface Peau de Soie - Is a medium to heavy, drapable fabric with a satin weave and de-lustered finish Damask - Medium weight fabric with pattern formed by weaving Dupioni - Thick, heavy 100% silk Gazar - Sheer stiff fabric similar to organza, linen-like Organdy - Stiffer semi-sheer fabric Organza - Sheer fabric similar to tulle but heavier Polyester - Man-made fabric often blended with silks or made to mimic a certain type of fabric Rayon - Similar to polyester but more elastic Satin - Smooth and heavy fabric typically used for wedding gowns. Comes in Silk or Polyester Shantung - Rough textured fabric with lines and nubby. Silk - The most popular fabric for wedding dresses. It soft and has a beautiful luster Taffeta - Crisp, rustling fabric Tulle - Stiff netting similar to organza but stiffer and coarser
Stark White The brightest, crispest white you can find. Looks great on brides with a darker complexion.
Silk, Diamond, or Natural White A shade off of stark white and may be hard to differentiate from stark white in photos. "Eighty percent of the population looks best in a soft, diamond-white wedding dress, which isn't as chalky as a white-white," explains dress designer Melissa Sweet. "When in doubt, buy diamond white."
Ivory Also referred to as "eggshell" or "candlelight." Some ivory wedding dresses have yellow undertones, making them look creamy; some are just a "quiet" white.
Rum or Champagne A white with pink undertones that looks nearly white in photos.
The Selection
The key to finding your shade? Knowing your skin tone.
If your skin is fair: you'll look best in yellow-ivories and warmer natural colors. You should probably steer clear of stark white, though -- it may wash you out.
If your skin is medium with pink undertones: opt for creamier colors.
If your skin is medium with yellow undertones: try diamond whites or champagne.
If your skin is dark: lucky you -- most shades of white will complement your skin. If you have yellow or olive undertones yellow-ivory wedding dresses may not be best for you. Try a stark white or rum pink wedding gown.
Jane Wang, designer and founder of JANE WANG, LLC. Jane Wang graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design. Jane Wang loved fashion at a very early age.
She was especially enamored with beadwork and embroidery. Jane Wang apprenticed as a ready to wear designer for several fashion houses including Jones New York and Philips Van Heusen.
In 2006, Jane Wang launched her first collection of bridal gowns. Jane Wang bridal gowns were designed with extraordinary, intricate beading and hand embroidery, which became her distinctive trademark. Every design is an amalgam of lush luxurious silks, exquisite embroidery and beadings designed and crafted with unsurpassed technique. Jane Wang Bridal previewed her collection in April 2007, at The Wedding Channel Couture Show with superlative reviews from both the buyers and the press.
Jane Wang's vision for her brides is elegance, style and femininity, combined with a touch of tradition and modernism in an upscale quality.
Her collections incorporate rich and luxurious fabrics including Duchess Silk Satin, Paper weight Silk Taffeta and an array of French lace.
Jane Wang believes in using only the finest beading and Swarovski crystals in her embroideries and with great attention to detail.
Jane Wang believes all brides have an added beauty when their Wedding day arrives. Her philosophy is to create beautiful bridal gowns for the beautiful someone.
She also believes her exquisite beadwork can add a lot more glamour to a bride, It is reflected in the fabrications she chooses and beadwork she creates.
"Yukiko Okada" (''Okada Yukiko'') (August 22, 1967-April 8, 1986 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture), known as "Yukko" to her fans, was a Japanese idol during the 1980s, signed to Pony Canyon records. She is still popular in spite of her death of more than 20 years ago. Okada has been called the "legendary Seitouha (pure style) idol".
Yukiko debuted in April 1984 with her first single "First Date" for the Sun Music Productions. She won the Japan Record Award for New Artists that year. She also appeared in a Sci-Fi series called "Kinjirareta Mariko" (The Forbidden Mariko) in which she played the main character Mariko who possessed ESP powers for 12 episodes.
New Style 9106 Sassy and absolutely precious! This short puff-hem gown features fantastic jewelry beading in Swarovski crystals across the top of the bodice. A wide waist is created on the elongated torso by gentle gathers of the satin. For a fashion forward bride who still wants that touch of elegance, for a destination wedding or for second weddings - this dress is perfect!
New Style TC1906 One of the sassiest short bridal gown or social occasion dresses ever! Bands of jewelry type beading accent the empire bodice, with additional beading in the center front. Fabulous French krinkle organza gives the dress fuller volume at the hem. This style can be ordered with a full length skirt as TC1906F. Available in white or ivory. A great versatile dress!
New Style TC1907 Want the perfect short, flirty bridal gown? This short fitted dress, whose attention getting, tightly pleated gloss organza bow says it all, is perfect for an informal wedding. If you are wearing the most elegant TC1908 gown, put this on your bridesmaids! An antique silver butterfly with Swarovski crystals centers the bow. A double ruffle of tightly pleated gloss organza be ...
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