Shopping for Your Parisian Wedding Trousseau

Dictionary.com, defines Trousseau as

The possessions, such as clothing and linens, that a bride assembles for her marriage.trous·seau, n. [French, from Old French, diminutive of trousse, bundle. See truss.]

Also known as: Trousseau, modern trousseau, bridal trousseau, what is a trousseau, trousseau collection, contents of renaissance bridal trousseau,

Traditionally, a young woman and her mother would start gathering beautiful items to prepare for her future married life. The collection would be stored in a beautiful trunk or luggage.

Back in those days, things cost a lot more than they do today in percentages of what people earned. For example, a bedspread may only cost a mere $35 then but average income per month back then was about $150! People got married much younger in those days as well, making it harder to start a home.

Mothers would thus prepare for an easier transition for their daughters by slowly putting away perhaps an extra bedsheet set, blankets and some china they received as gifts - mostly what they could spare.

Most of these times, their daughters may not even have met a boy yet!

These collections could contain bridal accessories, jewelry, fine linens, cushions, china, silverware, pillows or quilts, toiletries, bath towels in addition to clothing and lingerie. They go with her to her new home when she gets married.

In Victorian times, the bride-to-be will collect lovingly a few sets of new clothes to see herself through her wedding, honeymoon and newlywed days. If she was from a wealthy family, her garments would be sewn by a professional seamstress. Most of the time, she either sews them herself or her mother does.

How amazing it would be to sew everything and monogram your new initials on it!

It has been rumoured too that in those times, a wealthy bride's family would host a "Trousseau tea" where friends would be invited to view her collection. The luxury items it may contain sometimes is shown as a sign of wealth. (Though I'll never imagine I could do that...showing my possessions to others!)

Interested in French Table Manners

Your Trousseau

For most brides, depending on culture and family tradition, gifts for the home are given as wedding presents. If you use a registry, it can be a virtual trousseau. Or you can have a separate one to collect your personal items that can't be bought at a store.

In my opinion, I would still love to make my own collection. It will be like my very own journey where I commemorate my future role. It would be really nice to do so for my daughters in the future. What a beautiful tradition.

So select what you like from my list below and make your own beautiful Trousseau!

Ideas for assembling your Trousseau

1) Fine table linens: Napkins, place mats, preferably monogrammed.

2) Fine China! Plates, bowls, cups, teapots.

3) Fine Stationary: (It should be kept in a box) Thank you cards, blank cards for writing birthdays etc, a monogrammed stamp.

4) Candles, drawer liners, decorative elements like soap dish sets etc that are currently too precious to use.

5) One classic beautiful bedspread or bedsheet set.

6) A self-assembled recipe book of family recipes!

7) A couple of childhood books, toys that meant a lot to you. You might want to save for your children, even if its just to simply share a piece of your childhood.

8) A very small box of childhood and family photos: A reminder of the family you grew up in.

9) Beautiful silk pajamas, lingerie.

10) A copy of "A Well-Kept Home : Household Traditions and Simple Secrets from a French Grandmother"

Interested in learning french?

Additional Info on Trousseaus

Additional ideas for assembling your Victorian Trousseau (For the Society Woman)

1) One or two velvet dresses

2) Lace, lots of lace for embellishing

3) Day dresses & neligees

4) Ball gowns imported from Paris

5) Traveling dresses in black silk, in pongee, in pique,

6) Evening robes in Swiss muslin,

7) Robes in linen for the garden and croquet,

8) Dresses for horse races and yacht races,

9) Dresses for breakfast and for dinner,

10) Dresses for receptions and parties

Heavily summarized from "from "Lights and Shadows of New York" by James McCabe, 1872.

Interested in learning french?

or in french table manners?

or french wedding style

References of "Trousseau" in Books

From the book "Madame Bovary":

"Mademoiselle Rouault was busy with her trousseau. Part of it was ordered from Rouen; her night-dresses and night-caps she made herself, from patterns lent her by friends."

From the book "The Trousseau,"

"We never put things out to be made. My husband's pay is not very ample, and we are not able to permit ourselves luxuries. So we have to make up everything ourselves." said the mother;

"But who will ever wear such a number of things? There are only two of you?"

"Oh... as though we were thinking of wearing them! They are not to be worn; they are for the trousseau!"

"Ah, mamam,what are you saying?" said the daughter, and she crimsoned again. "Our visitor might suppose it was true. I don't intend to be married. Never!"

She said this, but at the very word "married" her eyes glowed.

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