Do you remember getting your first corsage for the high school prom, or wearing an orchid on Easter or a carnation on Mother’s Day? Where do these traditions come from? When did people start wearing bras? Many florists and flower experts present various compilations on the history of the corsage.
The word corsage comes from the same French word that refers to the bodice of a woman’s dress. Women wore flowers pinned to their bodice, usually in the center of the bodice, and thus the flowers became known in French as “bouquet de corsage.” The concept of wearing flowers on special occasions dates back much further than the 19th century in France. Many reports note that in ancient Greece, brides and their attendants wore flowers pinned to their wedding attire not only for a pleasing appearance, but also to provide a pleasant scent. The scent of the flowers was supposed to ward off evil spirits that could bring bad luck and disfavor to a marriage.
In the 1600s, men wore flowers on their clothing in order to ward off evil spirits and disease. These individual flowers were called buttonholes which, when translated into English, mean “little buttonhole”. In the 17th century, a man could wear a boutonniere every day, but over time, the practice was reserved for formal events like weddings and other formal occasions.
Over time, the practice of wearing flowers in the center of a woman’s bodice first evolved to wearing small bouquets pinned to the shoulder of the dress or suit. A bra should be worn on the left side because that side is closer to the heart.
In the early 1900s, the bodice was worn backwards, with the lacing holding the flowers together facing up and the flowers pointing downward. This tradition is no longer so rigid and the bodice can be worn in any way that complements the woman’s outfit.
Since many formal party dresses are now strapless or have only small spaghetti straps, the placement of the corsage has changed, and small bouquets can be worn on a wristband, in the hair, or less often on the ankle. For formal events and graduations, the men’s boutonniere and the women’s corsage should match or at least complement each other to bring the couple’s look together.
Corsages are worn not only at weddings and graduations, but also on Easter, Mother’s Day and birthdays or any other occasion when the man or family member wishes to show affection to the woman or girl and tell them that they are special. . For Easter, an orchid is often the flower of choice for a corsage, but the wonderfully sweet-smelling gardenia is also popular. A tradition that began in the early 1900s is to wear a red carnation on Mother’s Day if her mother is still alive, and to wear a white carnation if her mother is deceased. It is a nice tradition to honor the mother on this special day.
The origin of graduation corsages is fascinating. In the early 1900s, a young man would bring a gift, often a bouquet of flowers, to his date’s parents when he picked her up for prom. He would then take a flower from that bouquet and pin it to his date’s dress, and maybe take a flower for his own label. This is believed to be the origin of the prom corsage, a must-have accessory for any couple attending high school prom today.
