Well good morning and Woohaa! Let's give a very warm welcome to Franky, my Intern, and her very first blog feature for Love My Dress. Franky considers the notion of a 'going away oufit' for the bride. Over to you Franks…
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The dance floor was positively heaving with bodies as I slipped off to the bathroom with my Mother. My new husband and his friends were dominating the revelry with their exuberant moves, arms draped over one another’s shoulders and their pint glasses swaying precariously in the air. Older relatives danced more sedately and a gaggle of small children weaved playfully in and out of the tangle of guests.
The corridor that would eventually lead us out of the venue and away from our wedding was peacefully deserted. Garment bag and shoe box in hand; we quietly secreted ourselves in the decidedly unglamorous confines of the disabled toilet. My memories are a little hazy, but I’ve no doubt I expressed my desire for the evening to carry on indefinitely. I could have stayed in the ballroom at Heatherden Hall forever, caught in an unwavering whirlwind of drinking, dancing and conversation.
Sartorially speaking, I’d given a lot of thought to my exit that night. I’d always been a little bit in love with the idea of wearing a proper ‘going away’ outfit…
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Eliza Claire
Once upon a time, this particular outfit, usually a suit, made up part of the bridal trousseau. Throughout history, young single women prepared for their change in marital status by accumulating a series of outfits for the wedding, honeymoon and early days of married life. The trousseau was traditionally stored in a hope chest {or what my Grandmother would call a ‘bottom drawer’} and also consisted of an array of bridal accessories, jewellery and lingerie, plus bed linen and bath towels for the marital home. Often, the garments in a trousseau were hand sewn by a mother, aunt or grandmother, or even the girl herself, if she was handy with a needle and thread.
The Victorians even created a pre-wedding gathering known as the ‘trousseau tea’ at which the assembled articles were displayed and shown off to visitors…
At the time when it was customary for newlyweds to leave the wedding reception and embark on their honeymoon right away, a bride would usually change into her travelling clothes before making an exit. Nowadays, it’s much more common for couples to stay to the very end of the party and even leave a short gap {or in our case a large one, 6 months to be precise} before jetting off for some post-wedding sunshine. As a result, the tradition of wearing a ‘going away’ outfit has waned somewhat.
I adore the romance of the notion though. It’s a bit of a throwback to the past, an inoffensive nod to tradition that also provides the opportunity for an extra touch of retro elegance. Besides, it meant I could buy another pair of shoes. What’s not to love?!
While many brides today readily embrace the idea of a second dress for the evening do, I decided to stay true to the origins of the ‘going away’ outfit and began scouring the high street for a perfectly tailored suit to wear as I departed. Here’s a glimpse of the inspiration behind my ensemble…
Image Credits: 1. 1950s skirt suit 2. Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy 3. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier dressed for their Civil Ceremony in 1956 4. Heyday 1940s Wartime Suit 5. Grace Kelly in ‘Rear Window’ 6. Audrey Hepburn in ‘Funny Face’ 7. 1950s pale blue suit 8. ‘Weekend in the Country’ suit by Puttin’ on the Ritz
I found my going-away suit in LK Bennett . I fell in love with the pale grey fabric and the fact I felt like Audrey Hepburn the minute I slipped it on. A smart pair of patent pewter pumps made their way home with me too, and I also acquired a delightful little fifties inspired cocktail hat from Hello Strumpet. I only wish I’d had time to find a pair of vintage dress gloves to complete the outfit, and maybe a sweet little traveling case too.
I enjoyed those quiet moments with my Mother as she helped me out of my wedding dress. It was handy too, I’m not sure my new husband would have been up to the task. The consumption of beer is certainly not conducive to the removal of complicated bridal attire. My Mother packed away my frock while I carefully buttoned my jacket, slipped my stockinged feet into my shoes and reapplied my lippy.
As I strode back into the bar filled with friends and family all drinking and chatting happily, I felt as if a mental shift had taken place alongside the change in apparel. I was still reluctant to leave, but without my wedding dress I already felt like less of a bride and more of a wife, ready to make this first brief journey with my new husband…
I thoroughly enjoyed making an entrance in my second outfit of the day. All the fun of the first one, but without the pressure of, you know, actually walking down the aisle. The change in attire also seemed to signal to our guests that we were preparing to leave. Much hugging and handshaking ensued. One more dance to Hotel California by The Eagles and my husband and I were soon making our way towards the exit.
I still didn’t want the day to end. As we stepped out into the cold night air beautiful pale gold and lilac petals rained over us from all directions. My suit was covered in confetti. It travelled inside my jacket. It settled on the silk of my hat. It felt quite magical…
We kissed once more for the camera and climbed into the car. I have a clear mental image of my husband’s hand entwined with mine, resting gently on the pale grey fabric of my skirt. The tiny diamonds on my wedding ring sparkled delicately in the near darkness of the vehicle’s interior.
‘I’m your wife,’ I said…
So, if you have to go {and you really DO have to go}, you may as well do it in style, and perhaps even in an outfit intended solely for that purpose.
Oh, and if you do go to all that effort, be sure to book your photographer to the very end of the night. The photos of me in my suit, clutching the arm of my new husband, as friends and family pelted us with confetti, are among my favourites from the whole day..
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Oh Franky, I love you, you demure, glamorous, gorgeous lady!
I'd like to invite you to show Franky some love for her first post {she was a little nervous I know, though she had absolutely no need to be!}.
What are your thoughts on idea of having a traditional going away outfit, or a going away outfit at all for that matter? Are you planning on investing in one? Has his post changed your perception in any way?
You can see Franky's wedding feature on Love My Dress here, and visit Franky's own blog here. Franky is also on Twitter and can be contacted by email.
Lots of Thursday morning love,
Annabel
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