Bridal Fashions – Winter 1873

Historical significance of high-Victorian wedding etiquette in 1873

This authentic hand-colored engraving from the March 1873 edition of Bow Bells magazine exemplifies the luxurious bridal customs of the high-Victorian era. The central focus features a bride in an ornate white satin gown and a grand tier-layered lace veil, flanked by elegant bridesmaids and a young boy in formal attire, presenting a clear visual representation of social hierarchy and the rigid sartorial decorum expected at elite 19th-century European weddings.

Design analysis of early 1870s high-set bustle silhouettes

The fashion plate masterfully showcases the structural evolution of early 1870s garment construction, where the volume moved entirely to the back into prominent, almost horizontal bustles. Notable textile details include a striking emerald green visiting dress trimmed with heavy black lace frills, an icy blue gown featuring a voluminous contrasting pink underskirt, and a rich mauve reception dress detailed with intricate pleated flounces and silk ruffles.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges