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29th Apr 2017

This is the reason behind the ‘something borrowed’ bridal tradition

Cathy Donohue

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”.

We’ve all heard the above rhyme but where did it actually come from and how do 2017 brides feel about it?

Apparently, the custom dates back to an old English folklore tale where the full rhyme reads “something new, something old, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence for your shoe”.

As you may be aware, the old represents continuation, new stands for hope, blue is for fidelity & love and interestingly, borrowed is/was viewed as ‘borrowed happiness’.

However, during the 19th century, the ‘something borrowed’ had another specific meaning.

Dating back to English Folklore, the custom was meant to “communicate fertility to the bride”.

It gets stranger though because this *apparently* meant people would borrow underwear from older women in the hope that they too would become mothers one day.

Yep, we know just how crazy, cracked, bonkers, that sounds.

Moving on swiftly….the sixpence in your shoe is mainly a British custom, meant as a wish for good fortune, but we could see a coin in your high heel getting very VERY uncomfortable throughout the day!

What do you think, would you practise any/all of the above?