
Traditionally, women prepared for marriage by accumulating a trousseau. A trousseau, from the French word for bundle, was a trunk or hope chest that included jewelry, lingerie, clothing, linen, and toiletries for the new bride. Although the trousseau was popularized by Victorian brides, the custom is shared by women in other countries as well. Indian brides traditionally receive a lavish trousseau of clothing and jewelry from their parents. Made up of formal Indian outfits (saris and shalwar kameez) and gold jewelry, it’s meant to provide the bride with new ensembles to see her through her wedding, honeymoon, and newlywed days.
Although the trousseau is a bit of a forgotten tradition, I think it’s a completely charming custom and I would love to see it make a comeback. The idea of collecting special items to prepare for this new stage in your life is so sweet– and a nice excuse to indulge yourself! Here are some items I would include in a modern (fantasy!) trousseau:
A beautiful, feminine robe with matching chemise:


Luxurious Frette bedding– this is my fantasy! ![]()

A lush, sweet-smelling candle for your boudoir, like these lovely ones from Tocca.

A special perfume: My personal favorite is Bond No. 9 Nuits de Noho. The eye-catching bottle would glam up any vanity or dressing table. Or if you’re a classic romantic, Estee Lauder’s Pleasures, Ralph Lauren’s Romance, or Chanel No. 5 might be ideal choices.

A glamorous lingerie bag for all your travels:

A chic apron to don while you and your hubby prepare a fabulous dinner together– how’s that for a modern trousseau?

A day planner and iPhone to keep track of your many appointments, both professional and personal.


A cozy Barefoot Dreams throw for cold evenings at home:

The classic Little Black Dress like these from Calvin Klein or Diane von Furstenburg:


Domestic inspiration from the Barefoot Contessa, Martha Stewart and Amy Sedaris:



What would you put in your fantasy trousseau?
images courtesy of The Telegraph, Nordstrom, Frette, Saks, Julianna Rae, Jessie Steele, Smythson, Apple, Nordstrom, and Amazon
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