Modesty was the theme for the Edwardian bride and the aim was to be covered entirely from the neck down. Necklines were high, gloves were long and ruffles covered every surface. Dresses were typically made from chiffon over satin, cotton or silk and detail was added via embroidery and lace.
At the start of the century the ready-to-wear industry was in its early days. Most bridal dresses at the time were hand sewn, either by the woman herself, a female family member or by a paid dressmaker. It was also quite common for women of more modest means to simply wear their "best dress" when getting married as the expenditure for a one-off gown was rarely justifiable. By mid-decade department stores in major cities began advertising ready-made gowns for brides with a more limited budget.
Edwardian bridesmaid dresses reflected the style of early 20th century women's fashions, most noticeably characterized by an s-shaped silhouette, blousy sleeves and full skirt. Similar to brides, bridesmaid gowns were made from delicate fabrics like cotton, linen and lace and incorporated feminine details such as ruffles, bows and ribbons. Popular colours included pastel hues in blues, greens and pinks, as well as soft and romantic patterns such as florals. CC links and reference images under the cut.
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