Bridal Trousseau
What is a bridal trousseau?
So I’m getting married soon and my mother mention a bridal trousseau and I have no idea what that is she mentioned buying some lingerie, slippers, robe.. Is anyone else going to be using this tradition? Please give me some feedback on what your plans are.
thanks so much
http://honeymoons.about.com/cs/shopping/a/bridaltrousseau.htm
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language(Fourth Edition, 2000):
trous·seau, n. [French, from Old French, diminutive of trousse, bundle. See truss.] The possessions, such as clothing and linens, that a bride assembles for her marriage.
Throughout history, single young women all over the world have prepared for their change in marital status by accumulating a trousseau. A traditional trousseau — stored in a hope chest — included bridal accessories, jewelry, lingerie, toiletries and makeup, plus bed linens and bath towels for her new home.
From Victorian times till today, the trousseau also has consisted of brand-new outfits to see a woman through her wedding, honeymoon, and newlywed days.
Oftentimes the garments in a trousseau were hand-sewn by a a mother, aunt, grandmother, or the girl herself, if skilled with a needle. Wealthier families procured the skills of a professional seamstress to outfit the bride-to-be.
VICTORIAN TROUSSEAUS
Elaborate trousseaus were a sign of wealth and social standing during the Victorian era:
“The society woman must have one or two velvet dresses which cannot cost less than $500 each. She must possess thousands of dollars worth of laces, in the shape of flounces, to loop up over the skirts of dresses… Walking dresses cost from $50 to $300; ball dresses are frequently imported from Paris at a cost of from $500 to $1,000… There must be traveling dresses in black silk, in pongee, in pique, that range in price from $75 to $175… Evening robes in Swiss muslin, robes in linen for the garden and croquet, dresses for horse races and yacht races, dresses for breakfast and for dinner, dresses for receptions and parties…” from “Lights and Shadows of New York” by James McCabe, 1872.
“A visiting and reception dress was of maroon velvet, trimmed with wide bands of cocks’ feathers of the same shade. A second rich costume was of black brocaded silk and plain silk. .” — from “Miss Vanderbilt’s Trousseau,” Harper’s Bazar, December 15, 1877
THE TROUSSEAU IN LITERATURE
Literature carries many references to the trousseau. Symbolic of transition, a family’s financial status, domestic arts, leaving home, and virginity, trousseaus are mentioned in the works of Gustave Flaubert, Anton Chekhov, and Edith Wharton. Some excerpts:
“Mademoiselle Rouault was busy with her trousseau. Part of it was ordered from Rouen; her night-dresses and night-caps she made herself, from patterns lent her by friends.” — from Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert
“We had a fair here at Ascension,” said the mother; “we always buy materials at the fair, and then it keeps us busy with sewing till the next year’s fair comes around again. We never put things out to be made. My husband’s pay is not very ample, and we are not able to permit ourselves luxuries. So we have to make up everything ourselves.”
“But who will ever wear such a number of things? There are only two of you?”
“Oh… as though we were thinking of wearing them! They are not to be worn; they are for the trousseau!”
“Ah, mamam,what are you saying?” said the daughter, and she crimsoned again. “Our visitor might suppose it was true. I don’t intend to be married. Never!”
She said this, but at the very word “married” her eyes glowed. — “The Trousseau,” by Anton Chekhov
TROUSSEAUS TODAY
While beautiful cedar hope chests are still manufactured and sold, many who purchase this furniture item simply use it for everyday storage. Nonetheless, a woman preparing for a wedding, honeymoon, and new life certainly needs new things (as well as a place to store them).
For most brides, gifts for the home accumulate quickly at engagement, shower, and wedding parties, thanks to the generosity of friends and family. Cash gifts and items taken from one’s former home help to fill in the balance.
So what’s left to purchase for the modern trousseau? New clothes, vacation wear, sports gear, luggage.
What belongs in your own trousseau? Things that make sense for your lifestyle, and things that you love. Someone who wears austere all black is going to feel self-conscious in loud, frilly holiday wear. So select resort wear in subdued neutrals, if that’s your style. Remember, shopping for a trousseau shouldn’t calll for an image makeover; you’re just collecting some new things you probably need anyway.
On the wedding night, if you normally sleep in a T-shirt or the altogether, you may feel silly encumbered in a long, flowing negligee. Yet a short, sexy, white-satin chemise can certainly help you feel like a bride on that special night. And that’s one instance when the groom will likely appreciate your new trousseau, too.
Jagjit Singh – Kahin Door Jab
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Shadowline Stretch Lace Bodice Gown You’ll make a dramatic entrance in this gown by Shadowline. It has a stretch lace bodice that forms to you with a full sweep skirt. The lace is 84% nylon and 16% spandex. Colors: Ivory, Black and Purple. Style #31737 Sizes: S, M, L. Style #31737X Sizes: 1X, 2X, 3X. Great Bridal GiftPerfect Fit… |
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Shadowline Silhouette Gown and Peignoir Set (51737) Soft, luxurious stretch lace accents the bodice of this gown from the “Silhouette” collection by Shadowline. The same stretch lace adorns the front bodice, waist and cuffs of the delicate peignoir robe. This combination makes for a fabulous addition to any bride’s trousseau or a wonderfully romantic gift. Full sweeping skirts in silky nylon tricot. 100% Nylon. Approximately 53″ long…. |
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Shadowline Silhouette 54 Coat (71737) The Shadowline Silhouette 54″ Coat 71737 features stretch floral lace lapel, waistband, cuff trim and shirred shoulders for ease. Made of nylon knit. Shadowline’s Silhouette 54″ Coat is designed to match Shadowline Silhouette 53″ Gown 31737…. |
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gingham-pink $40.00 Cosmetic Case – train case style *for travel, or home toiletries *wonderful gift, suitable for monogram *has matching travel accessories *waterproof lining w/ pockets /*silk, 8″x6″x5″… |
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Pink Maribou Shoe Bag $16.00 Shoe Bag -for travel, around town & home closet wonderful gift for birthday, bridal, girlfriend & more suitable for monogram cotton, w/maribou pouf & velvet pompoms, washable, 10″x17″… |
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Hope Chest — Vintage Wedding Guide to Preparing a Bridal Trousseau $10.95 Originally published in 1917, this hard-to-find vintage book on preparing a trousseau for marriage has been reprinted with all the original pages. A vintage guide for the bride-to-be on creating and building a trousseau and planning for her wedding, this book contains many informative topics including: filling the hope chest, initials and monograms for garments, what types of linens to include and… |
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The Turn-of-the-Century Bridal Trousseau Collection, Miss November … |
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Miss January Going Away Frock [ 7801C ] The Turn-of-the-Century Bridal Trousseau Collection … |
Tags: bridal, bridal trousseau, bridal trousseau definition, bridal trousseau kate spade, bridal trousseau list, bridal trousseaux moline, dress, jewelry, trousseau, wedding
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