8/20/11

Bouquet de 'Pink' Corsage

Corsage Collecting!!! 
One might think that an unsual thing to collect, but I bet just about every girl had a
 'Corsage Collection' at one time or another. 
Mine decorated the curtains in my bedroom. 
By the end of my senior year, the 'Carnation Corsage Collection' was a reminder of .....

.....the first formal dance....thank goodness for Brothers!

And the memories of an Iowa Farm Girl at her first Texas Dance.
(My Mama's BFF Phyl in 1945)

If you look at portraits from history, you may see single flowers worn in a woman's hair or a crown of flowers for both men and women. Portraits also show women wearing large bouquets of flowers off the shoulder or on a gown.

 A corsage originally referred to the bodice of a woman's dress. Since a bouquet of flowers was often worn in the center of the bodice, the flowers took on the name "corsage." Our modern sense of the corsage comes from the French "bouquet de corsage," meaning "a bouquet of the bodice." Although the placement of the flowers might have changed, the name stuck and is still used to refer to any small bouquet of flowers worn on the body.
Corsages are made from a small bunch of flowers or a single bloom. The corsage was originally worn at the waist or the bodice of a dress. Later, it became common to pin flowers to the shoulder or on a handbag. Corsages today may even be tied around a wrist, neck, ankle or worn in the hair.

Read more: History of Corsages | Garden Guides

 The wearing of a corsage at weddings dates to the time of the ancient Greeks, who believed that the fragrances of flowers and herbs warded off evil spirits. Not only the bride but other females at the wedding held flower bouquets or attached them to their clothing.

Corsage Etiquette & Tips...FYI
Wedding Corsages:  It is common to give a corsage to the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom. Smaller corsages may also be given to godmothers or other females who are important to the participants. A corsage is traditionally worn on the left, since it is closest to the heart.
Dance Corsages:  In the 20th century, it became common for escorts to present their dates with corsages, particularly for formal  dances and proms. As women's dresses have changed to styles with spaghetti straps or no straps, it has become more common for women to wear the flowers on the wrist.
Mothers Day Corsages:  Anna Jarvis spearheaded the development of an annual Mother's Day celebration in 1907. Since her mother's favorite flower was the carnation, it has become traditional to wear a carnation corsage on that day. According to FlowershopNetwork.com, florists promoted and made popular the custom of wearing a red carnation if one's mother was living, and a white carnation if one's mother had passed away.
Happy Birthday Corsages:  HappyBirthday.com recalls the "candy corsage," a popular tradition of the 1950s and '60s. A young girl might receive a "candy corsage" from her friends on her birthday. Decorated with candy such as lollipops, gum drops, tootsie rolls, bubble gum or lemon drops, such corsages were inexpensive to make and were held together with curly ribbon.
Happy Pink Saturday!!!

And As Always....Thank-you Beverly for making Saturdays Pink!!!


PS...The summer after my Senior Year, my Sisters moved into my Bedroom.
 Mama thought it best to get new curtains.

17 comments:

  1. I like the kind you wear on your wrist! I think I need one for the first day of school, don't you?

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  2. WHat a fun post! I love all the corsages and stories and tips! Happy Pink Saturday. Grace xoox

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  3. Anonymous8/20/2011

    What a great post. Lovely lead photo and great oldies. I didn't know that about corsages! Thanks. I was scrolling down on Beverly's post to find the comments and saw your blog name - recognized it from when I previously blogged. I have blogged and quit, back and forth. Back again, probably to stay this time. Ha. I couldn't find an "about" to further jog my memory to be sure I've been here before . . . but . . . am fairly certain I have. Either way - enjoyed my visit. I'm not posting pink today - just visiting a few perhaps. Thanks, Jenn

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  4. I love seeing those old pictures and wondering what these people are thinking or doing! Thanks for the info on the corsages too!

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  5. LOVE this post... I remember my sisters corsage when she went to prom. I was 8 at the time and thought it was the most dreamy pretties thing ever!! I love to learn the history of things like this! And I LOVE all the photos!
    Thanks for sharing!
    -april

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  6. What a lovely post. I love the history and beauty of them. Thanks for your comment on my mini glass ware, I have 7 sets my mom gave me about 12 years ago, I love them all and 4 other sets are in older blog posts, they are ALL in the box they were shipped in, Mosser Glass still sells them $24.00 per set.

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  7. What a wonderful post. I love corsages and I am glad they are still there at weddings and such. Happy pink Saturday

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  8. Thanks for the history lesson and the beautiful pinks. I love the vintage photos! Happy Pink Sat.
    Blessings,
    Tricia

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  9. I worked as a floral designer for many years. we made 1000's of corsages for Easter, Mothers Day, Prom and Homecoming. I do not think many people give corsages much any more. I have to admit they look a little funny on modern ladies. The groom is suspose to pay for the 2 mothers and grandmothers corsages. Also the Brides bokay and going away corsage. Thanks so much. I have come by, by way of, Pink Saturday. Richard from My Old Historic House.

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  10. How interesting! Loved this post~ happy Pink Saturday :)
    poetryinapotoftea.blogspot.com
    Shawn

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  11. oh my goodness I loooove all your photos and vintage corsages~~~beautiful !and your first formal dance...priceless!

    Happy Pink Saturday!
    Bless you for stepping by my blog too :))

    Kay Ellen

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  12. This is the sweetest post. I just love the old photos and the information on the history and use of corsages. Every girl loves to receive and wear a corsage.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  13. Thank you so much for stopping by and letting me know about your corsage post! I haven't thought about the candy corsage since seventh grade and I've wanted one ever since. When we were young we always got a Christmas corsage from my dad. My mom got one at Easter. Corsages, along with hats are two things I wish were still traditions though I'm happy to continue to enjoy them.

    Happy weekend!

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  14. I love this post! I appreciate the beautiful presentation you did. My mother always said you wore white flowers if your mom was deceased on a Mother's Day corsage and colorful ones if she was alive. I like the pretty little orchid ones that they carry for Mother's Day. But I am a flower person anyway. Thank you for sharing with us today. Hugs Anne

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  15. that was a fun post...

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  16. Anonymous8/22/2011

    fabulous post Sue. And thanks for the memories. I had totally forgotten about the corsages pinned to the curtains. Sweet memories. HPS (belatedly) and have a wonderful week. xoxo

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  17. What a gorgeous post. Corsages seem like something from a gentler, sweeter era.

    I haven't been by in so long but I saw you on Coralie's blog and wanted to say hi! The new background is so elegant.

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