Marriage a la Mode: Three Centuries of Wedding Dress - Softcover

Tobin, Shelley; Pepper, Sarah; Willes, Margaret

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0707803586 ISBN 13: 9780707803586

Publisher: National Trust, 1999

Synopsis

This book traces the development of dress from the silver and white brocades of eighteenth-century formal, aristocratic weddings, to the elegant crinoline revivals of the 1960s and '70s. The wearing of a white dress with a veil gradually gained ground during the nineteenth century, and the tradition as we know it seems to have been well established by the 1880s, probably influenced by the marriages of Queen Victoria, her children and grandchildren. Even then, fashionable white weddings were the preserve of wealthy families. Many brides were married in the best they could afford, often a smart day dress which could also be worn on many occasions after the wedding. Wedding veils might be used again in another form, particularly as christening robes.
Shelley Tobin has drawn on the collection of wedding dresses owned by the National Trust and kept at Killerton House in Devon. Whenever possible, she has focused on gowns and accessories where she can trace the provenance of the wearer or maker. The dresses themselves are supplemented with fashion plates, portraits, and photography, together, with bridesmaids' dresses, flowers, favours and customs, to provide a fascinating social history of the past three hundred years.

About this title

Synopsis

The accoutrements of the brides reflected the luxury trades of the 18th and 19th centuries, but it was not until the 1850s that the white wedding became established as a tradition. Even then, it was not available to everyone. Although formal, the wedding gown followed fashion and was often recycled as a suitable dress for first presentation at court as a married woman. Wedding veils, if not passed down through the family, might also be used again in another form, particularly as christening robes during the early 20th century. Bridesmaid's gowns became more fanciful as the fashionable set demanded more and more attendants from the 1880s onwards. Alongside gowns and accessories, the veil with flowers - real and artificial - were also important. These, together with wedding favours such as lucky heather, horseshoes and customs are explored in this text. The book traces wedding dresses back to the individuals who wore them and provides a fascinating social history of both personal taste and demands of fashion.

Edition details

• Publisher: National Trust
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0707803586
• ISBN 13: 9780707803586
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 127