A Comparative Study of Ottoman and European Bridal Gowns During 18th and 19th Centuries

Abstract

Marriage is a bond declaring the change of social stations of two young people to their social environment announced by a celebration called wedding. Wedding ceremony is the last point of wedding process comprised of a number of rituals and only thing that remains in the memory of attendants is the bridal gown: a symbol of the realization of dreams especially of the young bride. Concept of "clothes" which change and develop in time according to trends and "fashion" are very important economic activities in the Western world. This an activity, that evolves with every kind of social, economic, technological, political and cultural change and is accepted in the whole world and has assumed the same meaning everywhere. European fashion Turkey has followed during the Westernization process has also become the guiding light of changes in bridal gowns and Ottoman Palace has adapted European fashion in that regard almost at the same time with Europe.