As we all know, our favorite magazine, clay, is to be no more, so allow this article to aid you in expressing your utmost grief at this time. In this modern day, when most funerals are private and black is worn as a fashion color, it is rarely possible to recognize that a person is in mourning. Historically, throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, it was the privilege of the royal courts to wear black mourning attire and was regulated by court protocol laws. After about five hundred years however, the use of mourning dress spread outward to the rest of society. Regardless of who wore it, mourning attire was used to show respect for the dead and for their families to express their sorrow in a proper way.
A Historical Timeline of Mourning Garb
The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, royalty and the aristocracy wore mourning dress during times of bereavement. There were funeral processions that would be held along with masses and feasts in honor of the dead. Widows would wear black and veils for multiple years after their spouse’s passing. Constraints against the wearing of black mourning clothes was to prevent commoners from showing up their betters and on top of that the expense of black dye prevented the common people from wearing black.
The 18th Century and the Victorian Age
Wealthy European merchants, determined to copy aristocrats, paid any fines imposed, and wore versions of court mourning dress as they pleased. From this point onward, the traditions of morning became more common.
The length of time one was in morning was now determined by etiquette rather than the sumptuary laws of the middle ages –“Laws made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures for apparel, food, furniture, etc” (Black’s Dictionary). Widowed women would be dressed in mourning for two and a half years. The first year was considered full mourning and she was not permitted to wear anything except black with no embellishments or jewelry. She would also wear a veil when she left the house and would avoid luxurious events like balls. After this time she would be able to wear some small accessories and colors. The morning period for a man was shorter but similar expectations were in place.
Jewelry made from the hair of the deceased loved one was a popular ornamentation. Jet or imitation jet broaches also were common.
Seen above is Queen Victoria with her children after the death of her husband Prince Albert in 1861. She wore morning dress until her death in 1901
In the modern day:
Women:
While expectations can vary, the general rule for formal funerals is black dresses or suits for women. They are generally expected to be covered up to the neck and the knees should be covered.
Women should wear subdued styles and colors subdued style and colors so as not to attract attention away from the deceased.
Black is always ideal, along with dark grays and deep blues. Brown shades, lighter grays, and other earthy colors are good as well, with white acceptable for jewelry and accents.
Below is the funeral outfit of Jackie Kennedy at the 1963 funeral of her husband, John F Kennedy.
Model Kate Moss at 2010 Funeral for designer Alexander McQueen
Men:
Men should be tastefully dressed in dark colors. Avoiding sports clothing, shorts, and jeans, though depending on the event and the preference of the family, dark colored jeans in good condition can work. If wearing a sweater or a vest rather than a suit, a tie is recommended to pull the look together and give it a more formal appearance.
Any shade of gray or dark blue is acceptable and depending on the occasion the colors below also can work. So long as the colors are understated and the pattern is minimal.
Family members at Michael Jackson’s funeral. You can see how the men all are dressed nicely with just a spot of color.
Given this sad news, it only seemed suitable to give you suggestions for a proper fashion sense during this melancholy time.
My most fond regards to all of you.
Citations
www.usurnsonline.com/funeral-resources/funeral-outfit-ideas-what-to-wear-at-a-funeral/
bellatory.com/fashion-industry/FashionHistoryMourningDressBlackClothingWornDuringBereavement
www.bbc.com/culture/article/20141103-mourning-glory-funeral-style
www.today.com/style/funeral-fashion-evolution-mourning-attire-1d79887634
bellatory.com/fashion-industry/FashionHistoryMourningDressBlackClothingWornDuringBereavement
www.theresmorguetoit.com/post/the-history-of-funeral-attire
fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/clothing-types-styles/history-mourning-dress
Pinterest.com