Page 283 - Trang Phục Việt Nam

Since 1954, many complicated conventions in the marriage ritual and wedding outfits were
eliminated as a result of more enlightened and progressive social attitudes after the North
gained its independence. The simplified marriage rituals and wedding outfits also suited the
social context in wartime.
In cities, brides wore white wedding gowns, white pants, high heels, and carried bunches of
gladioli. They had their hair permed, or tied it back and applied lipstick and face powder.
Bridegrooms wore suits, ties and shoes.

Since 1975, after unification, cultural exchanges were increasingly enhanced. Noticeably, in
1980 and 1981, brides in cities of the North and the South favored wedding gowns in white,
faint yellow or faint blue, with folds on the sleeves and across the bodice. The gowns flared
out and extended to the ankle. The lower part of the gown had many horizontal laces. The
bride wore high heels, thin gloves, necklaces of diamond or imitation diamond, or sparkling
sapphire. She had her hair permed with nine curls of hair falling down. She wore a garland of
fabric flowers or a string of beads and tassels around the head and wrapped a white voan
headscarf. When being escorted, the bride drew her veil to conceal the face. Most of them
wore strong eyeliner, green eye shadow above the long false eyelashes. She carried a bunch
of gladioli and a garland of white roses that fell to her feet. Her outfit made the bride stand out
prominently among the team of bridesmaids. The bridegroom wore a suit in light brown, dark
color or checked pattern (or a shirt in the summer), a colorful flowery tie and black leather
shoes. Most importantly, he wore a white rose at the chest to be distinguished from the
groomsmen.
In rural areas, the wedding outfits were similar to everyday clothes but they were nice and
new. In 1981 and 1982, brides turned to the traditional long dresses again in their weddings.
The long dresses for the wedding had several designs. The “queen” long dress had a stand-
up collar, loose sleeves, tight bodice and it was mainly red. The dress was not very long. The
yellow turbans were made of gold lamee fabric. A white rose was attached to the chest. They
wore white pants, high heels, and a little make-up. Simpler wedding long dresses were
mainly white, or in bright colors with a few flower designs, a tight bodice, flared sleeves and
shoulders of rác lăng style. The dress reached to just above the knees. The brides wore white
pants and high heels. Their hair fell down naturally and some small white flowers were
attached to their hair. Their arms held a bunch of white gladioli.

Mourning outfits

During the Hung Kings period, when someone died, the mortar and pestle would be
pounded to announce the death. Mourning rituals and outfits started in that ancient time. The
mourning headband is mentioned in the ancient legend of the Trưng Sisters who are said to
have removed the mourning headband to lead the fight against the invaders. In Vietnamese
feudal society, the ceremony of the state funeral has been known since the Lý dynasty.
Mourning outfits were made of xo fabric, a kind of coarse cheesecloth, or flax. If the king died,
the whole nation had to be in mourning. However, it was not until the king Lê Thánh Tông’s
death in 1497 that the regulations for mourning clothes for state funerals were carefully
defined.
During the Nguyễn Dynasty, state funeral ceremonies were sumptuous and extravagant.