The Wedding Dress: 300 Years of Bridal Fashions

by Edwina Ehrman

From the romance of its evolution to the splendor of its design, the wedding dress is unlike any other garment, a talisman from a fantasy world, the manifestation of dreams coming true. This book draws on wedding garments in the V&A’s renowned collection along with photographs, letters, memoirs, and newspaper accounts to explore the history of the white wedding dress and the traditions that have developed around it from 1700 to today, when designers from Vera Wang to Vivienne Westwood continue to challenge the aesthetic. Paintings, drawings, and wedding photos depict queens, princesses, celebrities, and everyday women—including Kate Middleton—in their gowns. The text considers the dress in the context of the commercialization of weddings that began in the Victorian era. The Wedding Dress is not only about costume, but also about the cultivation of the image of the bride.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, History, Art, Fashion History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK I didn't read the text, just the odd snippet but adored the photos. There's something so magical about brides, grooms and those gorgeous gowns. Includes a snapshot of Winston Churchill looking rather chuffed on his wedding day. Lots of close up snaps of fabric used hundreds of years ago as well as Kate's dress from last year. All beautiful. Wistfully thinking why didn't I keep my own wedding dress!
Highly recommend for a visual feast.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that when I got this book it was going to be so awesome, I was wrong. It was such a big let down. I am really big into fashion and I really love the history of fashion. I thought that that is what this would be. It is more of a whose who through history and what they wore. This is not worth your time.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for Bridal fashion: lots of glossy pictures as well as some genuinely interesting text that, while remaining technical as far as design terms, still is accessible for someone with a layman's interest.

[Melanie Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book from waterstones the week I got engaged. I was absolutely fascinated to see how the gowns and fashions had changed over time. I still pick it up now, five years later and always notice something new. More of a coffee table book than a cover to cover read.

[Susan Liston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coffee table-y book with large, clear photos, very nice.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A weighty coffee table book stuffed with photos, drawings and paintings of British wedding dresses from the past 300 years. A delight to page through.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely breathtaking photographs of many dresses in the V&A's collection. Personally, I'm such a fan of their historic costuming collection.

I not only appreciated the beautiful photographs, but also the detailed description of how wedding gown trends evolved. I do wish there were more Edwardian examples- my favorite period!

All in all, it was a wealth of information and will prove to be a great reference for me.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether your a fan or history buff of fashion, don't miss this book. Beautiful photographs. Text is a little dry but then again you're covering 300 years.

Ehrman is a director at the Victoria and Albert Museum in England. Donated items from the last 300 years are on display to show the style, workmanship, culture, etc. of wedding clothing and accesories.

[Marissa Sherman Deziel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was filled with stunning photographs of wedding dresses from the past two hundred years. The book also packed tons of facts about the history of the wedding dress itself and the history of wedding trends such as wearing white, hem lengths and veils.

[Jan Polep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book with beautiful dresses, stories, and more. I particularly liked pictures of the actual brides wearing the dresses. Awesome.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book more for the pictures than the actual reading, but I found the history of brides, weddings and fashion quite fascinating.

[Christine D · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not quite what I expected. it had A LOT of history, I love history but I was shallowly expecting a photobook. It was interesting, but I admit, I did not read ALL the history.