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Published 8 years ago
Everything you need to know about the bridal trousseau
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It was once a source of pride, care and sacrifice that lasted years. Today, it is a forgotten custom, but the bridal trousseau is a tradition that has spanned generations upon generations of italian families. It is a piece of our history and our identity. According to tradition, the bride's relatives would make a gift to the new-formed family that included clothing, lingerie and undergarments. The trousseau (which would sometimes include a 'dowry' of money, required in Italy under the law until 1975) 'spoke' of the family, representing its taste and above all, wealth in the eyes of others. A 'typical' bridal trousseau included several items that, even for wealthy families were numerous: 12 or multiples of 12. The information available on the Internet refers to the Gentleman’s etiquette and has allowed us to draw up a list that includes:

 

double bed

  • 2-12 pairs of linen sheets
  • 4-6 pairs of linen and cotton sheets
  • 2-6 sleepers in linen and cotton
  • 4-24 linen pillowcases
  • 8-12 linen and cotton pillowcases
  • 2-4 linen and cotton blankets
  • 2-4 wool blankets
  • 1-2 feather or wool quilted blankets

 

single bed

  • 4-12 pairs of linen and cotton sheets
  • 2-6 sleepers in linen and cotton
  • 2-6 linen and cotton pillowcases
  • 2-6 wool blankets
  • 1-3 wool plaids
  • 1-2 feather or wool quilted blankets

 

toilette

  • 12-18 linen towels
  • 6-12 sponge towels
  • 6-24 guest towels in linen
  • 4-12 bathroom sheets in linen or sponge
  • 2-8 bath mats
  • 12 towels in linen and cotton

 

kitchen

  • 4-12 towels in linen and cotton
  • 4-18 glass drying cloths in linen
  • 6-18 dishtowels in linen and cotton
  • 6-18 pot drying cloths in hemp
  • 6-12 kitchen cloths
  • 6-12 dust cloths
  • 6-12 floor cloths

 

table

  • 1-4 sets of linen tablecloths for 6 (white)
  • 2-4 sets of tablecloths for 6 (coloured) in linen and cotton
  • 1-2 sets of tablecloths for 12 (white) in damask or embroidered linen
  • 1-4 sets of tablecloths for 12 (coloured) in linen and cotton
  • 2-6 sets for cart in linen
  • 1-2 tea placemats in linen
  • 1-2 tea placemats in linen and cotton
Then there was also the bride’s trousseau:
  • 6 nightgowns
  • 4 white/pink petticoats
  • 2 black petticoats
  • 1 white/pink petticoat
  • 1 black petticoat
  • 6 bras
  • 2 or 3 evening bras
  • 12 pairs of panties
  • 1 wool robe
  • 1 summer robe
  • 1 silk bed jacket
  • 12 pairs of socks
  • 2 or 3 bustier
In short, this is a full arsenal that families with daughters began to prepare for their girls from early childhood. Raw materials and craftsmanship made the linen so resistant to wear that often families would pass down several of the items received as part of the trousseau, from one generation to the next. Those fortunate enough to receive the family's old bedding as a gift can see the mastery of grandmothers and great-grandmothers who spent whole days, intricately embroidering cotton bedspreads and gorgeous linen sheets. To this day, they continue to be more beautiful, durable and useful than contemporary linen that was manufactured according to industrial methods. It is with the same care, skill and passion that Magniflex continues to manufacture its mattresses today.


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