Clothes for both men and women were elaborate in the 17th century.
The fashions of the 17th-century Restoration Period were elaborate and over the top, and weddings were no exception. Men and women alike dressed in layers of rich, colorful fabrics, like walking pieces of art. Many of the wedding gowns of the day had the flowing fullness of a quintessential princess gown and would be coveted by some brides today. Men dressed quite differently, however, for their 17th-century wedding than would a modern-day groom.
Upper-Class Brides
Bridal gowns for the well-to-do in the 17th century were a lavish affair, consisting of many layers made from every luxurious material available. Women did not traditionally marry in white then; they mixed colors in the dress like light blue with ivory or gold. The look of layered skirts was trendy in the mid-1600s. For a wedding gown, a floor-length, solid-colored skirt of silk or satin was split in the middle and tied back like curtains to reveal another skirt of silk brocade beneath. Bodices were form-fitting and lined with whale bone to contain a woman's chest. The necklines on these gowns were often rounded and cut low.
Merchant-Class Dresses
Puritan women, or those of less financial means, wore more simple dresses for their weddings. A dress for a "working-class" girl was made from the best material she could afford, like an inexpensive silk or velvet. The dress was often all one color; a simple floor-length gown of a deep red or green was common for a woman in the merchant class of the 1600s. The sleeves were tapered and simple. The bodice of this gown would sometimes have a patterned design, in the same color as the skirt, to make the dress more fancy.
Embellishments and Accessories
Lace and ribbons were used in great quantity in 17th century dresses, and wedding gowns were no exception. Lace collars were often sewn along the neckline of a bride's dress if she wanted a more modest neckline, as well as to add some flourish to the gown. Lace was also added to short sleeves on a gown, creating a dramatic, wide bell sleeve. Ribbons were used to tie back overskirts as well as to decorate the sleeves and bodice. Women wore accessories like feathers in their hair, pearl necklaces, and lace glove,s and they carried elaborately painted fans made from ivory, shell, or wood.
Groom Outfits
A groom's wedding outfit in the 1600s was no less elaborate than that of his bride, sometimes more so. To marry, men wore similarly-styled outfits to what they wore daily, only made of richer fabrics and design. Men of affluence wore brightly colored stockings and knee-length trousers, or breeches. Over this, they wore shirts of linen or silk with a ruffled collar of lace. Over the whole outfit they wore long waistcoats made of velvet or silk brocade. The style was similar for Puritans, but colors were darker and more conservative and materials were simple and less expensive.
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