By Susan Breslow Sardone
Honeymoons & Romantic Travel Expert, about.com
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: trous·seau, n. [French, from Old French, diminutive of trousse, bundle. See truss.] The possessions, such as clothing and linens, that a bride assembles for her marriage.
What Goes Into a Trousseau?
Throughout
history, single young women all over the world have prepared for their
change in marital status by accumulating a trousseau. In the United
States, a traditional trousseau -- stored in a wooden hope chest --
included bridal accessories, jewelry, lingerie, toiletries and makeup, plus bed linens and bath towels to use in her new home.
From Victorian times till today, the trousseau also has consisted of brand-new outfits to see a woman through her wedding, honeymoon, and newlywed days.
Oftentimes
the garments in a trousseau were hand-sewn by a a mother, aunt,
grandmother, or the girl herself, if skilled with a needle. Wealthier
families procured the skills of a professional seamstress to outfit the
bride-to-be.
Victorian Trousseaus[post_ads_2]
Elaborate trousseaus were a sign of wealth and social standing during the Victorian era:
"The
society woman must have one or two velvet dresses which cannot cost
less than $500 each. She must possess thousands of dollars worth of
laces, in the shape of flounces, to loop up over the skirts of
dresses... Walking dresses cost from $50 to $300; ball dresses are
frequently imported from Paris at a cost of from $500 to $1,000... There
must be traveling dresses in black silk, in pongee, in pique, that
range in price from $75 to $175... Evening robes in Swiss muslin, robes
in linen for the garden and croquet, dresses for horse races and yacht
races, dresses for breakfast and for dinner, dresses for receptions and
parties..." from "Lights and Shadows of New York" by James McCabe, 1872.
"A
visiting and reception dress was of maroon velvet, trimmed with wide
bands of cocks' feathers of the same shade. A second rich costume was of
black brocaded silk and plain silk. ." -- from "Miss Vanderbilt's
Trousseau," Harper's Bazar, December 15, 1877
The Trousseau in Literature
Literature
carries many references to the trousseaus. Symbolic of transition, a
family's financial status, domestic arts, leaving home, and virginity,
trousseaus are mentioned in the works of Gustave Flaubert, Anton
Chekhov, and Edith Wharton. Some excerpts:
"Mademoiselle
Rouault was busy with her trousseau. Part of it was ordered from Rouen;
her night-dresses and night-caps she made herself, from patterns lent
her by friends." -- from Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert
"We
had a fair here at Ascension," said the mother; "we always buy
materials at the fair, and then it keeps us busy with sewing till the
next year's fair comes around again. We never put things out to be made.
My husband's pay is not very ample, and we are not able to permit
ourselves luxuries. So we have to make up everything ourselves."
"But who will ever wear such a number of things? There are only two of you?"
"Oh... as though we were thinking of wearing them! They are not to be worn; they are for the trousseau!"
"Ah, mamam, what
are you saying?" said the daughter, and she crimsoned again. "Our
visitor might suppose it was true. I don't intend to be married. Never!"
She said this, but at the very word "married" her eyes glowed. -- "The Trousseau," by Anton Chekhov
The Trousseau Today[post_ads_2]
While
beautiful cedar hope chests are still manufactured and sold, many who
purchase this furniture item simply use it for everyday storage.
Nonetheless, a woman preparing for a wedding, honeymoon and new life
certainly needs new things (as well as a place to store them).
For
most brides, gifts for the home accumulate quickly at engagement,
shower and wedding parties, thanks to the generosity of friends and
family. Cash gifts and items taken from one's former home help to fill
in the balance.
So what's left to purchase for the modern trousseau? New clothes, vacation wear, sports gear, luggage.
What Belongs in Your Own Trousseau?
Pack
things that make sense for your lifestyle and things that you love.
Someone who wears austere all black is going to feel self-conscious in
loud, frilly holiday wear. So select resort wear in subdued neutrals, if
that's your style. Remember, shopping for a trousseau shouldn't call
for an image makeover; you're just collecting some new things you
probably need anyway.
On the wedding night, if you normally sleep
in a T-shirt or the altogether, you may feel silly encumbered in a long,
flowing negligee. Yet a short, sexy, white-satin chemise
can certainly help you feel like a bride on that special night. And
that's one instance when the groom will likely appreciate your new
trousseau, too.
