Page 282 - Trang Phục Việt Nam

In the Central region, the brides also wore three-dress suits. The innermost was a red or
pink dress, the next was an indigo gauze or vân thưa dress and the outermost was a black
gauze or vân thưa gown. Some brides only wore two dresses, one indigo dress over another
red or pink dress to create a delicate color scheme. They wore white trousers and
embroidered shoes. The hair was rolled and tied in a bun at the nape of the neck. Necklaces
or strings of beads were worn wound several times around the neck. Brides from rich or royal
families wore a brocade dress under the four-panel gown embroidered with flowers and
phoenixes. The gown had wide hems and edges which were patterned with flowers and
colorful phoenixes, mainly around the neckline and down over the chest. The sleeves of the
gown were loose. Gold bracelets were hidden inside the sleeves of the gown.
In the South, the brides wore brocade dresses; black satin trousers and embroidered
shoes. Their hair was rolled and tied at the back with a bánh lái comb made of tortoise-shell,
gold or silver. Some people wore a brooch to which a gold or silver butterfly was added,
mounted on a spring so that the butterfly could quiver to make the jewelry item more elegant
and impressive. Other jewelry consisted of gold armpit necklaces worn over the neck passing
through the armpit, and strings of beads worn several times around the neck.
The husband of the princess was nominated as the princess consort and aide-de-camp of
the king. He wore a hat with a yellow ball, yellow flower, and two gold-plated brass dragonfly
wings. He wore a blue royal tunic with loose sleeves stitched with red design embroidered
with clouds and cranes. His waist was tied with a pink belt and he wore mandarin boots.
Commoner bridegrooms wore loose indigo tunics made of brocade or gauze, trousers with
so legs. They tied their hair in a bun and wore indigo turbans. Their boots were also beautifully
embroidered.
From 1920 to 1930, in Northern cities, brides were dressed in a dark colored gauze tunic
over a pink or blue dress or a pink satin tunic over a Cổ Đô white silk long dress. They wore
glossy black silk or satin trousers. They wore shoes inlaid with beads or curved-toe wooden
shoes. They rolled their hair up and secured it with a black velvet headscarf, wore earrings
and many necklaces of gold beads.
Garments for the bridegroom included: a dark colored tunic made of gauze, satin, or flowery
brocade worn as the outer garment, a white tunic worn inside, white trousers with so legs, Gia
Định shoes or black shoes and turbans. At the betrothal ceremony, they wore an indigo tunic
on the outside.

In cities, brides gradually acquired Western styles of make-up and clothing. They applied
cosmetics and wore a white rose made of voile on their left chest and carried a bunch of white
gladioli which symbolized purity and also added to the beauty of the wedding gown at the
same time. In addition, the bunch of gladioli avoided the seemingly embarrassed bride from
feeling awkward with her hands. The bridegrooms wore a suit, a bow tie, and black leather
shoes. In rural areas, brides wore traditional gowns buttoned down the front and glossy black
silk trousers. Bridegrooms wore gauze tunics, white pants and turbans.
Since 1954, many complicated conventions in the marriage ritual and wedding outfits were