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Undeniably, fashion plays a crucial role in weddings, and what you choose to wear down the aisle speaks a lot about who you are as a couple.
When it comes to wedding attire, there are numerous traditions and cultural norms to consider. For couples, choosing the right outfit can help to reflect their personalities and cultural heritage while also fitting in with the overall style and wedding theme.
From formal tuxedos and suits to traditional gowns and robes, there is a wide range of options available to couples who are looking to incorporate traditional elements into their wedding day look.
Whether you are inspired by Western, Asian, African, or any other cultural traditions, there is something for everyone.
This article will help you explore some of the most common traditional wedding attire options for couples while providing some helpful tips on how to keep your outfit spick and span on the big day and even after that.
Every tradition has its own significance and difference, which reflects in what the groom wears on the wedding day. While some traditional wedding attires are simple and elegant, some have intricate workmanship of fabrics. Irrespective of tradition, the groom’s wedding attires look absolutely phenomenal.
Here are more details on what is considered a traditional wedding attire for men based on different traditions around the globe.
In Western weddings, grooms typically wear a formal black or navy tuxedo or suit. The tuxedo usually has a black jacket with satin or grosgrain peaked lapels, black trousers with a satin or grosgrain stripe down the sides, and a black satin or grosgrain waistcoat or cummerbund.
The white dress shirt that grooms wear has a classic, formal fit with French cuffs. The groom may choose to wear a necktie or bowtie in a coordinating color. Black dress shoes and black socks are worn to complete the look. Some grooms even prefer a folded white handkerchief placed in the breast pocket of the jacket for a more traditional look.
Since the Indian traditional weddings are rich in culture and heritage, grooms typically wear a Sherwani, which is a long, coat-style garment that resembles a traditional Indian robe. The dress is often made of luxurious fabrics, such as silk or brocade, and is typically adorned with intricate embroidery, beading, or other decorative elements.
The Sherwani is usually worn over loose pants, called churidar, and is paired with a turban or pagri, which is a type of head covering that is common in Indian culture. The turban may be decorated with a jewel or other embellishment.
In addition to the Sherwani and turban, grooms may also wear other traditional Indian accessories, such as a sword, a shawl, or a pair of slippers. The groom may also wear jewelry, such as a ring, a bracelet, or a necklace, to complete the look.
The concept of traditional Chinese weddings is a combination of traditional and formal wear. According to Chinese traditions, grooms wear a traditional Chinese suit known as a Mao Suit. The Mao Suit is a type of formal, unadorned suit that is characterized by its simple, clean lines and dark color. It is typically made of dark-colored wool or silk and features a Mandarin collar, frog buttons, and a side slit.
Some traditions also require the groom to wear a traditional Chinese hat, known as a Changshan, which is a long, flowing gown that resembles a robe and is often made of silk or satin and is decorated with intricate embroidery, beading or other decorative elements. The Changshan is worn over the Mao Suit and is paired with traditional Chinese shoes, such as slippers or loafers.
The groom's attire should coordinate with the bride's outfit, and the couple may choose to wear matching or complementary colors.
There is no specific attire for the groom in the African tradition, and these grooms can wear a variety of different attire depending on their cultural background and personal preference. The most popular African traditional wedding attire for grooms includes Dashiki.
The Dashiki is a colorful, loose-fitting shirt that is typically made of cotton or another lightweight fabric. It is often brightly colored and decorated with intricate embroidery, beading, or other decorative elements. Grooms wear it over loose pants, called Sokoto, and pair it with a matching head wrap called a gele.
Another traditional African garment that grooms often wear is the kaftan. The kaftan is a long, flowing robe that is typically made of silk or another luxurious fabric. It is often decorated with intricate embroidery, beading, or other decorative elements and is typically worn over loose pants or a skirt.
Traditional wedding attire for women is often a beautiful long white gown, symbolizing purity and elegance. The style of the gown can range from a simple, classic design to a more elaborate ball gown silhouette with a full skirt and intricate embellishments.
However, these attires also vary depending on the tradition and the bride’s preferences. Here are some wedding dresses brides of different traditions wear.
The traditional western brides wear a white wedding gown, a veil, and white bridal accessories such as a tiara, pearl necklace, and white gloves. The white gown symbolizes purity and is often the centerpiece of the bridal look.
The veil can range from a simple, shoulder-length style to a long, cathedral-length veil that trails behind the bride. A tiara or other hair accessory is often used to complement the veil and add a touch of elegance to the overall look.
In addition to the gown and veil, traditional Western brides may also wear white gloves, a pearl necklace, and earrings. The gloves can be elbow-length or wrist-length and are often made of delicate lace or satin. The necklace and earrings add a touch of glamour to the overall look.
For Indian brides, traditional wedding attire usually includes a colorful, elaborate sari or lehenga choli combined with intricate jewelry and hair accessories. The color and style of the outfit can vary depending on the bride's cultural background and personal taste, but red and golden hues are common choices.
The sari is a long piece of fabric that is wrapped around the body and draped over one shoulder, while the plunging neckline lehenga choli is a three-piece ensemble consisting of a long skirt, crop top, and scarf. Both types of attire are often heavily embellished with intricate embroidery, beading, and other decorative elements.
Indian brides also typically wear a range of jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, often in gold or other precious metals. Hair is often styled in an elaborate updo and adorned with flowers, hairpins, and a maang tikka, a pendant that is worn at the center of the forehead.
Traditional wedding attire often includes a red qipao dress combined with gold jewelry and hair accessories. The color red is considered auspicious in Chinese culture and is often chosen for wedding attire as a symbol of good luck and happiness.
The qipao, also known as a cheongsam, is a form-fitting, one-piece dress that originated in Shanghai in the 1920s and has since become a traditional attire for Chinese brides. It is typically made of silk or satin and can be embroidered with intricate designs or adorned with gold or silver accents.
Along with the qipao, Chinese brides often wear gold or other precious metal jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Hair is typically styled in an elaborate updo and adorned with flowers, hairpins, and other decorative elements.
Along with the qipao, Chinese brides often wear gold or other precious metal jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Hair is typically styled in an elaborate updo and adorned with flowers, hairpins, and other decorative elements.
African traditional wedding attire can vary greatly depending on the specific cultural group, but it is often characterized by brightly colored, elaborately patterned fabrics and bold, statement-making accessories.
For African brides, traditional attire often includes a brightly colored, patterned dress or skirt and blouse set paired with a headwrap or headscarf. The headwrap is a particularly important accessory, as it is not only decorative but also symbolizes the bride's marital status and cultural identity.
With the dress and headwrap, African brides often wear elaborate jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, often made of colorful beads or other natural materials. They may also carry a beaded or embroidered purse or clutch.
Traditional wedding attires for couples have different characteristics, but one thing that’s common among all dresses is the cleaning they need. Whether you have a formal white gown or a tuxedo, cleaning the wedding dress properly is indispensable to make it look good when you walk down the aisle.
At Laxa Cleaners Bride N Queen, we are the traditional wedding attire cleaning experts that can clean any traditional wedding attire and its accessories. We even preserve the dress so you can pass it on to the next generation with all the fondest memories intact.
Contact us to get your dress and its accessories cleaned, and look your best on your special day!