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| Recommendations for the Edwardian bride’s trousseau, from the early 1900’s. |
What is a Trousseau?
According to Engagement and Wedding Etiquette, by Barbara Wilson, "The trousseau can be directly traced back to the barter-price, purchase-price and dowry systems. It was customary for a bride to come to her husband well-provided with a dowry, so that the man might be compensated for his expenses in caring for the children of his wife’s lineage.
In our present time in this country, it is not thought essential that a bride bring to her husband money or land, but she is usually provided with a good supply of personal clothing, household linen, silver, china, etc., although much of this also comes along as wedding presents.”
Many young women began collecting various items during their teens that they stored in a “hope” or cedar chest over the years. The trousseau may consist of furniture, silver, china, crystal, linens, kitchen equipment, glassware, cosmetics and anything else a young girl might collect over the years. Parents and relatives contributed to the trousseau, as well.
McCall’s Engagement and Wedding Guide states the following about a Trousseau: “A modern trousseau usually consists of a complete set of clothes that will span one or two seasons, depending on the date of the wedding. All items in a trousseau do not have to be new and very seldom are. Most brides base a trousseau on favorite dresses, coats, and suits form their existing wardrobe, augment it with some easily packable dresses for the wedding trip, and add a new going-away outfit and several new negligees, nightgowns, and other lingerie items.”
Bridal showers and gift registries have taken the place of a trousseau in the 1990s. When trousseaus were popular, weddings were smaller which meant fewer gifts. Gift registries, which were unheard of, allow a bride-to-be to receive items that would normally go into a trousseau. Now, both a bride and groom can register together, in order that both tastes might be incorporated into their new home.– Reedley Exponent, 1998
Many young women began collecting various items during their teens that they stored in a “hope” or cedar chest over the years. The trousseau may consist of furniture, silver, china, crystal, linens, kitchen equipment, glassware, cosmetics and anything else a young girl might collect over the years. Parents and relatives contributed to the trousseau, as well.
McCall’s Engagement and Wedding Guide states the following about a Trousseau: “A modern trousseau usually consists of a complete set of clothes that will span one or two seasons, depending on the date of the wedding. All items in a trousseau do not have to be new and very seldom are. Most brides base a trousseau on favorite dresses, coats, and suits form their existing wardrobe, augment it with some easily packable dresses for the wedding trip, and add a new going-away outfit and several new negligees, nightgowns, and other lingerie items.”
Bridal showers and gift registries have taken the place of a trousseau in the 1990s. When trousseaus were popular, weddings were smaller which meant fewer gifts. Gift registries, which were unheard of, allow a bride-to-be to receive items that would normally go into a trousseau. Now, both a bride and groom can register together, in order that both tastes might be incorporated into their new home.– Reedley Exponent, 1998
🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor or the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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