Ukrainian fashion – yesterday and today! / Walking down memory lane

 

 

Old days wedding fashion and ceremony

A typical wedding back then was very colorful and exciting. Many guests were invited, there was lots of food and whoever had an accordion or violin would come by and play. Even though wedding ceremonies have not changed much, the dress code has. They may no longer wear hats and caps, but men still wear a new suit, shirt and tie. Women on the other hand, now wear elaborate white wedding gowns, elegant shoes and, depending on the season, are no longer afraid to show their legs and cleavage.

Photo Copyright - © Oksana

Old days wedding fashion and ceremony
 

Western fashion influences are tempting, and because of the endless material, style and accessory choices, folkloristic weddings are becoming more an anomaly then the norm. Despite the shift in clothing designs for brides, grooms, best-men, bridesmaids, flower girls and the entire wedding party, one thing still stands strong: the wedding veil. Covering parts of the head and face shows honor, and also represents youth, modesty and virginity. The head piece is used to protect the bride from evil spirits on her wedding day, which in my mother’s case, kept her safe throughout her entire life.

 


Walking down memory lane

Holding a 1956-dated portrait, taken of the entire family in front of their modest Bosnian home, I notice how pretty my mother looks in her red dress with white accents. Her luscious hair combed back, she is standing tall between her two brothers, who are wearing their Sunday suits. Studying my mother’s face I can see hope and maybe a little touch of mischief. I can only assume, but maybe she had already met my father, who she would marry one year later, in 1957.

 

 

 

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