Bridesmaid dresses in 1904

[cupcake]

 Have come across a detailed report of my Grandmother's wedding day in 1904. I am trying to picture the bridesmaids - can anyone help me with this.

She was accompanied to the alter by two bridesmaids who wore dresses of cream nuns veiling, with cream sash and black picture hats and carried bouquets of choice flowers.

The bride wore a dress of grey silk.

cupcake

[Jamjar]

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nun's%20veiling

https://www.wolfintextiles.co.uk/product-page/nuns-veiling-100-wool

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mrr/


Jamjar

[Ruskie]

I can't quite imagine black hats with cream dresses. It sounds too 'heavy'.

..... however I'm sure they all looked wonderful (as everyone in 1904 would have done). 

[Mowsehowse]

I am guessing the bridesmaids dresses were NOT silk, or that would have been specified, probably cotton or wool according to the season.

Might we assume that although black for a picture hat does sound rather "heavy", cream hats were less practical for every day use, and unless the bride's family were wealthy, money would always be spent in a pragmatic manner.

It is quite possible the hats were trimmed with cream flowers made from off-cuts of the dresses. That would have been easy to do, and would change the concept wouldn't it? 

[Gadget]

Some examples of 1904 fashions:

http://bartoscollection.com/fp1904.html

and the year before:

http://bartoscollection.com/fp1903.html


Gadget

[cupcake]

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nun's%20veiling

https://www.wolfintextiles.co.uk/product-page/nuns-veiling-100-wool

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mrr/


Jamjar

Thank you for these.

[cupcake]

I can't quite imagine black hats with cream dresses. It sounds too 'heavy'.

..... however I'm sure they all looked wonderful (as everyone in 1904 would have done). 

I thought that too but, I am sure they would have looked wonderful. The colours would have blended in with the brides dress of grey silk  .

[cupcake]

I am guessing the bridesmaids dresses were NOT silk, or that would have been specified, probably cotton or wool according to the season.

Might we assume that although black for a picture hat does sound rather "heavy", cream hats were less practical for every day use, and unless the bride's family were wealthy, money would always be spent in a pragmatic manner.

It is quite possible the hats were trimmed with cream flowers made from off-cuts of the dresses. That would have been easy to do, and would change the concept wouldn't it? 

The Brides dress was silk. They were married in October 1904. I believe the Brides family were reasonably well off.I agree with you the hats may have been trimmed with cream flowers.

Thank you for your thoughts, gives me a better picture.

cupcake

[cupcake]

Some examples of 1904 fashions:

http://bartoscollection.com/fp1904.html

and the year before:

http://bartoscollection.com/fp1903.html


Gadget

Some lovely fashions back in 1904 and giving me a clearer picture of styles and what they may have looked like, back then.

Thank you

cupcake