The original wedding dress was not very complicated in design. The high-waisted long skirt with vertical lines, the pleated sleeves, and the low-cut neckline seemed to be a replica of the fashionable clothing styles at that time. Silk and satin were the main materials for wedding dresses. Later, the style became ankle-length, with straight-cut skirts in the front and an additional trailing train attached to the back, which would gracefully sweep the carpet as the bride walked down the aisle of the church, giving her a fairy-like elegance.
Later on, the wedding dress styles featured a tight top and wide bottom, replacing the low-cut neckline with a dignified high collar. The material often used luxurious brocade, with decorative flowers added around the collar, cuffs, and hemline. By the end of the 19th century, the texture of wedding dresses gradually became softer, with double crepe and taffeta being highly favored by brides.
In the early 20th century, wedding dresses began to shorten, also serving as dance skirts, allowing the bride to shine uniquely at the wedding dance. Entering the 1930s, popular wedding dresses tended to be more fitted, making the bride appear more charming and seductive. In the 1940s, simple cuts, heart-shaped necklines, and long gloves became a fashion trend. By the 1960s, wedding dresses became much shorter, some even resembling "mini-skirts." Linen and cotton fabrics were the most popular choices. In the 1970s, wedding dresses presented a strong nostalgic tone, featuring longer trains, multiple pleats, and layered lace, with soft flesh-toned fabrics predominating. In the 1990s, wedding dress designs broke away from traditional large-skirt designs and incorporated features from contemporary fashion. The tops exposed more skin, while the skirts came in cheongsam-style, ultra-short skirt style, and even a practical combination-style wedding dress that allowed the bride to adjust herself when going to the church in the daytime or hosting guests at night.
Wedding dress styles from the 1920s to 1940s:
- **1826 Wedding Dress**: Decorated with daffodil patterns, the puffed sleeves exuded a romantic atmosphere full of fantasy.
- **1836 Wedding Dress**: A lace overlay on a satin gown, with an A-line opening at the front, reflecting the styles of Renaissance and Rococo women's wear.
- **1846 Wedding Dress**: Featuring a low-cut neckline adorned with large satin bows and layers of lace, bouquets, bracelets, and elegant fans were indispensable accessories for evening events.
Key matching points: Related theme articles include how to select high-quality wedding dresses in stores, guides for choosing wedding dresses based on body types, and tips for cleaning, organizing, and preserving wedding dresses.
A wedding dress is the Western attire worn by the bride during the wedding ceremony and banquet. It can refer solely to the outfit or include accessories like veils and bouquets. The color and style of the wedding dress depend on various factors such as culture, religion, and fashion trends. Distinct from the red-dominated traditional Chinese Qipao, the wedding dress originates from the West.
(Sources: Shenyang Wedding Photography Studio - http://www.miiloo.com.cn)