The History of the Wedding Trousseau
For several centuries, as soon as a girl was born, the women in her family—often her mother and grandmother—would begin assembling a trousseau for her future marriage. They would start very early to ensure they had time to gather all the essential pieces, which were made by hand and embroidered with her initials. Often, these items were stored in trunks to make them easier to transport on the day of the ceremony. In some regions, they would even go so far as to reserve a field of flax for her, which would provide the material to spin and then weave her wedding trousseau!
An array crafted by the bride’s mother
This tradition of the wedding trousseau is extremely old, said to date back to the 14th century. It was, in a sense, a reflection of a family’s financial standing as well as the care devoted to the young girl’s upbringing. That is why this custom was widespread among the bourgeoisie.
Did you know? To demonstrate the extent of their wealth, neighbouring families were even invited to admire the contents of the trousseau.
At the time, assembling the trousseau was an almost obligatory step before marriage. Its creation took time, as it required numerous items, including household and bed linen—sheets, towels, handkerchiefs, tablecloths, and so on—as well as clothing (lingerie, nightdresses, bonnets, petticoats, blouses, etc.). These garments, undergarments and linens had to last a lifetime.
Our tips and tricks for caring for linen household linen
As a result, strong and high-quality fabrics were chosen, such as linen. The wealthier the family, the finer the fabrics would be.
Attitudes have changed considerably on this subject, especially since the Second World War; today, this tradition is no longer widely observed.
Linen sheets: a trousseau essential
With this array, the young woman was being prepared for her future life as a wife. Each piece was personalised with her initials, and sometimes even embroidered. The contents could also vary from one town to another, depending on local custom, and from one family to the next. Yet some linens were regular features in wedding trousseaux. Linen sheets were among them.
At the time, it is worth remembering that only natural materials were used, as synthetic fibres did not exist. Linen was a benchmark because it was produced in several regions of France and suited every climate, as it is thermoregulating. So, if you would like to reconnect with this tradition while giving it a modern twist, you could opt for linen household and bed linen. They are always a safe bet!