Clothes that document family history
Weddings

Today, the most commonly accepted color for a wedding dress is white. However, although white wedding dresses were worn in the 18th and 19th centuries, white did not become "traditional" until the 1900s. Very often during the 19th century, an outfit was chosen so that it could become a "best dress"-suitable to be worn after the wedding for church and special events. In fact, during World War II, brides often adopted the same plan when time and wartime shortages did not allow for a big family affair. Displayed here are both wedding and wedding trousseau garments from the 1870s through the 1970s.