Like a Virgin
The societal journey of the white wedding gown, from tradition to alternatives
Written by Ava McNarney, Fashion Staff Writer
Graphic by Riya Shah, Contributing Artist
While the process of a traditional Christian wedding has changed over the years, one of the celebration’s more material hallmarks has withstood the test of time. For centuries, the decadent white gown has been considered essential for a wedding. In many cases, it serves as the symbol of marriage in Western culture (Clarke, 2014).
The wedding dress directly reflects even minute cultural shifts through minor details. As our society’s third eye opens to a broader acceptance of women’s sexual liberation, the white dress as a symbol of premarital virginity remains but alternative choices of dress are available. If a bride chooses to dress according to Western customs, however, they are engaging in a deeply symbolic historical act.
The religious history of white wedding apparel is notably significant. In her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, Queen Victoria indelibly altered the cultural trajectory of bridal wear by choosing to wear simple white instead of a flamboyant gown typical of the time. The celebrated British queen led the country to flourish in a deeply religious manner under Puritan values. Her stylistic choices certainly reflected this, and their replication in modern weddings is incredibly impressive in its scale (Why so many brides wear white on their wedding day, 2019).
This imitation is illustrated in clean bright white in a multitude of ways, but the customary floor-length white gown and sheer veil is its most frequent exhibitor. While many brides enjoy adorning these opulent pieces, the longevity of this stylistically expressive practice is remarkable considering how dramatically Western culture’s opinion of sexual liberation has changed.
Methodically, the physical process of a wedding fully realizes the meaning of this attire, potentially at the cost of the bride’s sense of personal empowerment. Shrouded in silken white and hidden in a mesh veil, brides are gifted to their groom as pure maidens. This unspokenly alludes to their virginity within the realm of Christianity (When Did a White Wedding Gown Become a Symbol of Virginity, 2014). Although premarital sex has become more socially acceptable in the past century, cultural remnants of the custom’s original meaning can be morally discomforting for plenty of brides, regardless of religious faith.
Not only can the requirement of sexual purity be troubling for those in the act of donning this traditional apparel, but also young women of any virginal status with an intent to marry. The teaching of a direct correlation between choice of dress and sexual prowess to young girls at a jarringly young age begins, for many, the lifelong journey of worth defined by society’s view of the female body and its maidenhood (Masrour, 2019).
Sexual expression is not the only thing correlated with a woman’s choice of dress. Her style is also heavily associated with how others perceive her gender identity. As mentioned above, the process of the traditional wedding is growing in flexibility, and so are brides’–of any gender identity–choices for wedding attire (Varina, 2021).
Gender-neutral apparel is the perfect fashionable choice for brides searching for freedom from gendered or sexual stereotypes, as well as customary wedding day expectations. It is inclusive, can resemble the historically traditional white gown in various ways and does not have to be associated with any symbolic meaning.
Jumpsuits and rompers are incredibly versatile examples of this. There is “almost no end” to what you can do with this piece considering length, neckline, sleeves and any other aspects (Schaefer, 2020). Both a full-length getup or a two-piece set allow for wiggle room in the way individuals choose to express themselves on their special day. Additionally, gender-neutral clothing is inclusive and can be designed and fitted for any body type.
Lady ties, pantsuits, shorts and blazers—alternative options to the white wedding gown and accessories are endless. If you find yourself planning a wedding one day, it’s valuable to understand the historical and symbolic meaning of the tradition’s hallmarks, especially when practicing them. Even if you don’t end up choosing a non-traditional route, having those options in mind is liberating. Your opportunities for self-expression are endless and maybe even more potent when exhibited in such a bold setting.
Sources:
Clarke, K. (2017). The bizarre origins of Western wedding traditions. Life.
Komar, M. (2019). Why so many brides wear white on their wedding day. CNN.
Masrour, D. (2019). 6 Majorly Disturbing Qualities Of Fashion For Little Girls That Somehow Still Exist In 2019. Odyssey.
Schaefer, K. (2020). 8 Picks for Wedding Attire That Breaks Down All the Gender Norms. Catalyst.
Varina, R. (2021). 9 Gender-Neutral Wedding Fashion Brands Everyone Should Know. Brides.
(2020). Victorian Religion of Christianity. Victorian Era.
(2014). When Did a White Wedding Gown Become a Symbol of Virginity? Youbeauty.