Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

One of the most popular wedding day traditions is centred around what a bride should wear on her wedding day for good luck. The Victorians turned it into a rhyme: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.

Something Old
Traditionally, the old item provided protection for the baby to come, warding off the "Evil Eye," thought to render women barren. The more modern meaning represents continuity, and contemporary couples use this as a chance to wear a sentimental piece of jewelry or item of clothing belonging to an older relative. Often the parents of the bride will gift her an heirloom before the ceremony.

Something New
This offers optimism for the future, as the couple enter into a new chapter in life. Buying new represents an investment in the relationship and a hope it will flourish. More often than not, both bride and groom shell out for a brand new dress and smart suit, or even top hat and tails. It can be any other item from luxurious underwear, jewellery or shoes.

Something Borrowed
The item borrowed from another happy bride provided good luck. Another countermeasure against the Evil Eye was to wear the undergarment of some woman who has been blessed with children. The belief was the clothes communicate fertility to the bride. Today, it is more often about honoring a loved one or holding onto something of sentimental value or an heirloom passed down for generations.

Something Blue
The colour blue was a sign of fidelity and, in medieval times, was worn by brides as a sign of their virginity. This has been replaced in modern days by white, and the blue item frequently takes the form of a garter, with its own traditions.

The wedding garter tradition originated in the Dark Ages. In Wedding Customs Then and Now, published in 1919, Carl Holliday describes medieval England: “The brides-maids start with the weary bride to the wedding chamber when suddenly the cry arises, ‘Get her garter!’... If the woman has been thoughtful, she has fastened it loosely to the bottom of her dress so that it drags in plain view of the scrambling ruffians; if she has not been a wise virgin, she may find her clothes in rags after the struggle.” For a guest, having a tatter of the bride’s dress was considered good luck. Modern traditions include the groom removing the garter at the reception (with his teeth!) and throwing it to the crowd of bachelors.

Sixpence in her shoe
The sixpence—a silver British coin—was a symbol of prosperity or acted as a ward against evil done by frustrated suitors. Traditionally, it was worn in the bride's left shoe.




Of course it is possible for a single item to tick more than one box, e.g. you could borrow an old blue handkerchief.