Ceremonial clothing in Western cultures, life cycle celebrations associated with particular occasions are manifested by certain types of ceremonial clothing. For this articles equivalent regarding the East, see Eastern culture. ... Life cycle refers to: Biological life cycle New product development Honeybee life cycle This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Part of the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard in Whitehall, London. ... A baby wearing many items of winter clothing: headband, cap, fur-lined coat, shawl and sweater. ...

Birth

Infant baptism

Many people adhering to Western religions welcome a new-born child into the congregation or the community with a special ceremony, such as baptism for Christian children or a bris for Jewish males in religious families. Adult participants wear clothing appropriate for religious occasions. The child, in the Christian case, often wears a special christening robe. This white dress, worn by both males and females, is typically extremely long, so that the hem of the dress extends a meter or more past the infant's feet. The adult holding the child to be christened arranges the hem so that it falls free. The hem may be lavishly decorated with lace and embroidery. The christening robe thus serves as a display of wealth and status. Families may carefully preserve a christening robe to be used by several generations of infants. This article is about the Christian religious act of Baptism. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Brit milah (Hebrew: convenant of circumcision), also bris milah (Ashkenazi pronunciation) is a Jewish ceremony which welcomes infant boys into the covenant through ritual circumcision performed by a mohel in the presence of family and friends, followed by a celebratory meal. ... For other uses, see Jew (disambiguation). ... A Christening gown or christening robe is a very long, white infants garment made especially for the ceremony of baptism. ...

Leaving nursery status

Until the late 19th century, young Western boys and girls often wore the same attire: a dress. Unisex infant clothing made changing diapers easier and simplified the passing of garments from one child to the next. When a young boy had reached an age at which he could begin to train in manly pursuits, he would be dressed in pants rather than dresses. Before the 19th century, his clothing might be simply a miniature edition of adult wear. During the 19th century, men wore long pants and boys wore short pants. Look up dress in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Baby cloth diaper filled with extra cloth. ...

In current Western societies, even infant clothing may be marked for gender, and there is no such transition as the donning of the first pair of pants.

Reaching adult status

First Communion procession

Some Christian churches welcome children reaching "the age of reason" into the congregation as adults in the ceremony of confirmation. Girls being confirmed typically wear pristine but modest white dresses; boys may wear suits or other formal attire. In the Catholic church, where the child may receive both First Communion and somewhat later, Confirmation, the attire is similar for both sacraments. First Communion procession: First Communion in the Catholic Church requires the Christian have attained the age of reason The age of reason, also called the age of discretion, is the age at which children become capable of moral responsibility. ... confirmed redirects here. ... The First Communion (First Holy Communion) is a Roman Catholic ceremony. ... confirmed redirects here. ...

In 19th century England, coming of age was also marked by a boy's wearing long pants instead of short ones, and girl putting up her hair, in a bun or chignon (hairstyle) , rather than wearing it loose down her back or in schoolgirl braids. A chignon is also a type of bun hairstyle, made popular and worn by many women. ... A braid Step by step creation of a basic braid using three strings To braid is to interweave or twine three or more separate strands of one or more materials in a diagonally overlapping pattern. ...

In 18th and 19th century England, a well-brought-up girl was either "out" -- admitted to adult social occasions -- or "not out". Starting in the 18th century, it became customary to mark a girl's "coming out" with a special festivity, such as a ball in her honor. Wealthy families spent great sums of money on elaborate clothing, decorations, food and drink, etc. Late in the 19th century, it became more common for wealthy families to club together to sponsor a ball or cotillion at which many girls "came out" together, or made their debut. They were called debutantes. For other uses, see Ball (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Cotillion (disambiguation). ... A debutante (or deb) (from the French débutante, female beginner) is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal presentation known as her debut or coming out. Originally...

Debutantes wear ball gowns, of course, but usually ones of restrained cut and coloring that suggest a modest girl being introduced to society for the first time. Ball gowns of the 1860s A Ball gown is the most formal female attire for social occasions. ...

Most Western girls are not debutantes; that is reserved for girls of a certain class and wealth; however, more girls have sweet sixteen parties which may involve formal dresses. For other uses of Sweet sixteen, see Sweet Sixteen. ...

For Latin Americans, however, the debut is still a major occasion. It is called the quinceañera and held on the 15th birthday. Even the poorest families will spend large sums on a lavish dance, often held in a rented hall. The girl being honored typically wears a pink dress. For other uses, see Quinceañera (disambiguation). ...

Graduation

Cardiff University Graduation Ceremony

Western universities took shape during the Middle Ages and still retain many vestiges of medieval custom. One of those vestiges is scholarly attire: gowns, caps, and hoods, as worn hundreds of years ago. Once worn for all lectures and other public occasions, the cap and gown is now usually reserved for college graduation ceremonies. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 504 KB) Graduation Ceremony for Cardiff University students. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 504 KB) Graduation Ceremony for Cardiff University students. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ...

Ordinary bachelors, or holders of B.A., B.S., etc. degrees, wear a black gown over their ordinary clothes and a cap called a mortarboard, consisting of a stiff square panel sewn onto a skull-cap. Higher degrees call for gowns of different colors and hoods rather than caps. A bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married (see single). ... A B.A. issued from the University of Tennessee. ... B.S. redirects here. ... Graduation portrait of Linus Pauling, 1922 A mortarboard is an item of academic headgear consisting of a horizontal square board fixed upon a skull-cap, with a tassel attached to the centre. ... A large, yarmuke-like hat worn as an element of ghetto fashion. ...

In the 19th century in the United States, the bachelor's gown and mortarboard were annexed by the new institution of the high school. High school graduates proudly wore caps and gowns to their ceremonies. The custom further diffused, to the point that some kindergartens send their graduates out into the big world to the accompaniment of tiny caps and gowns. For other uses, see High school (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Kindergarten (disambiguation). ...

Marriage

Western wedding dress in Taiwan

The man marrying is the groom. In the US, he typically wears a suit, tuxedo or kilt; in the UK he wears morning dress or a kilt, almost never a tuxedo. The woman marrying is the bride and wears a wedding dress or wedding gown. Image File history File links Western_wedding_dress_in_Taiwan. ... Image File history File links Western_wedding_dress_in_Taiwan. ... See also: A groom is a type of officer-servant in the British royal household. ... Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and U.S. President Ronald Reagan wearing black tie with wives in Quebec, Canada, March 18, 1985. ... A kilt in the Black Watch tartan A kilt is a traditional garment of modern Scottish and Celtic culture typically worn by men. ... Morning dress is a particular category of mens formal dress. ... A kilt in the Black Watch tartan A kilt is a traditional garment of modern Scottish and Celtic culture typically worn by men. ... Bride Bride in formal dress North America. ... For other uses, see Wedding dress (disambiguation). ... A wedding dress seen at Thornbury Castle, England A wedding dress or wedding gown is clothing worn by a bride during a wedding ceremony. ...

For a first-time bride, the dress is white, symbolizing purity. Women marrying for the second (or third, or fourth) time are supposed to forgo the elaborate white gown and wear a colored dress or ensemble. Women other than the bride are not supposed to wear white to a wedding.

There is some dispute as to whether the white dress is a claim to virginity, or lack of sexual experience, or simply to modesty and purity. Some people would claim that a non-virgin should not wear a white gown (thus leading to malicious gossip regarding a bride's presumption in wearing white). Others say that it simply means "first marriage" and can be worn by any woman, even if she has been co-habiting with her boyfriend for years. This latter view is increasingly the norm.

The archetypal wedding gown is cut like a ball gown, with a wide skirt, tight waist, and decolletage. If the skirt is cut closer to the body, it may still have a trailing train, often carried by a child trainbearer. The dress is accessorized with a lace veil, often anchored by a tiara and a bouquet of flowers, often encased in an elaborate bouquet-holder. For other uses, see Train (disambiguation). ... This article is about the article of clothing, or a religious item. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Brides are supposed to be wearing, in the words of an old jingle:

Something old and something new,

Something borrowed and something blue,

and in the British version, a last verse:

and a lucky sixpence in her shoe.

Because wedding apparel is often quite expensive, most brides find no difficulty in mixing old and new. A new dress will be crowned with a family heirloom veil, an old dress with new earrings, etc. The borrowed item is often a handkerchief; the blue item is often a garter. The garter is a decorated band of elastic once used to hold up long stockings. Garters are no longer used, but survive in the wedding paraphernalia as an item that the groom removes and throws to the crowd at the reception following the actual marriage ceremony. Linen handkerchief A handkerchief or hanky is a square of fabric, usually carried in the pocket, for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping ones hands or blowing ones nose, but also used as a decorative accessory in a suit pocket. ... It has been suggested that Garters be merged into this article or section. ... A pair of dark grey nylon stockings. ... Look up reception in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The elaborate and expensive white wedding dress is an innovation of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is increasingly a component of wedding ceremonies in all parts of the world, often in parallel with non-Western costumes and customs. For example, Japanese brides may now dress several times, in the traditional Japanese wedding costumes, then appear again in a Western wedding gown.

Death

Day of the Dead, by William Bouguereau: mother and child in mourning

The dead are honored with a funeral and often a reception or a wake following. Anyone attending the funeral is expected to wear black or at least sombre or drab-colored clothing. A widow may wear a black veil over her face. William Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905) All Souls Day File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... William Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905) All Souls Day File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905), self-portrait (1886) Le Printemps, 1866 William Adolphe Bouguereau (November 30, 1825 - August 19, 1905) was a French academic painter. ... For other uses, see Funeral (disambiguation). ... Look up reception in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A wake is a ceremony associated with death. ... A widow is a woman whose spouse has died. ...

Following the funeral, family and friends now resume their normal clothing. This is a modern innovation. Until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, relatives were expected to wear mourning for periods that varied depending on the closeness of their relation to the deceased. The rules for mourning wear were strict and complicated. They may only have been observed in their entirety by the wealthy with money and time for a course of mourning that started with black clothing, progressed to grey, then violet, and ended with the wearing of colors again. The poor might just wear a black armband over their regular clothing as a sign of mourning. Margaret of Spain, Empress of Austria, in Mourning, 1666; note the children and servants in mourning dress behind her. ...

Mourning bore heaviest on the widow. In many Mediterranean countries, she might wear black for the rest of her life. In England, she wore a cumbersome outfit called widow's weeds: an all-black dress surmounted with a widow's cap trailing a long black veil. Tristanias album Widows Weeds was released in 1998. ...