Research Significance

April 7, 2023

I chose to write and research this topic because I have always had a particular interest in wedding gowns. The symbolism of wedding gowns has always fascinated me as it varies with each culture and time period. As an Asian American, I wonder how the symbolism and meaning of the Asian wedding dress clash with the typical American wedding dress, as they are two very different cultures. The wedding dress is one of the most symbolic aspects of a wedding, and learning more about this article of clothing will help me understand more about the cultural gap between America and Asia in light of the marriage ceremony. The wedding gown can be made in countless ways, styled differently, and designed with different fabrics and embellishments, but each unique gown symbolizes a different character and personality behind the woman who wears the dress. I noticed that Asian Americans are losing their cultural roots and are becoming more and more disconnected from their ethnic origins and traditions. Some women may not notice that they can miss so much of their cultural representation just by their choice of wedding dress. So much of a country's culture and identity are often represented and reflected in a single article of clothing, like the sari (India), the kilt (Scotland), the kimono (Japan), the cheongsam (China), and the filipiniana (Philippines). Learning about any clothing style from any country is important for those who would like to learn more about their cultural roots and explore their bicultural identity. They could then possibly incorporate those special cultural traditions and values into their own lives.