Wedding Dresses 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 prom dresses 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.