Throughout history, brides have wanted to look special on their wedding day. Usually, what they wear is representative of women's clothing at the time, and as times change, so do the fashions. Bridal fashions are no exception. Living history expert Kathleen York examines the bridal fashions of early twentieth-century America in this colorful book that looks at wedding gowns, bridesmaids' gowns, and bridal accessories from the Edwardian era through World War II. With a particular focus on what everyday gals wore for their weddings, <i>American Bridal Fashion</i> explores the historical events and popular attitudes of five key decades and examines how they translated into women's clothing and bridal fashions. York looks at the evolution of bridal fashion, from curvy, corseted Gibson Girls to jazzy, boyish Flappers and from the penny-pinching weddings during the Great Depression to the basic, rationed wedding dresses worn during World War II. Charming photographs and illustrations detail the dresses and accessories worn by women of the early 1900s on one of the happiest days of their lives.