You might have heard that on their wedding day, a bride should wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. While the tradition is meant to bring about good fortune to a couple as they tie the knot, it’s also a fun opportunity to get creative with how you style your wedding look. Here, you can bring more sentimentality into your ensemble by wearing borrowed pieces from friends and family members, have some fun with vintage pieces as your something old, and add a touch of color to clean bridal white with your something blue. This tradition isn’t limited to brides, either. Any to-be-wed can play around with this dress code to add some luck to their wedding day.
“When it comes to the ‘something old, new, borrowed, and blue’ tradition, it’s about blending the old with the new in a way that feels authentic to you both—there’s no one-size-fits-all,” says Maisie-Kate Keane, bridal stylist and founder of Maisie-Kate Style. “There’s no need to stick rigidly to the typical items; you can get creative with how you incorporate each element.”
Bridal stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz echoes this sentiment. “Tradition is all well and good, but make sure whatever styling choices you re making feel authentic to yourself and how you want to feel and present yourself on your wedding day,” she shares. “Following traditions for the sake of following traditions, and at the expense of authenticity isn t worth it.”
Ahead, learn all about the something old, new, borrowed, and blue tradition’s history—and how you can incorporate these pieces into your wedding wardrobe.
The Meaning Behind the Rhyme
So, where exactly does this wedding tradition come from? It was actually a rhyme that originated in Lancashire, England during the Victorian era that reads, “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe.” Wearing these items were said to ward off the evil eye and curses that can be cast upon the marriage. While most don’t wear a sixpence in their shoe anymore (the coin was discontinued in the ‘80s after all), many in Western cultures still follow this rule for their wedding day.
“Traditionally, you walked down the aisle with ‘something old, new, borrowed, and blue,’ but I ve seen brides spread out the traditions over the course of the weekend,” says Hurwitz. “For example: wearing something blue to the welcome party, something old (vintage) for the after party, and borrowing family jewelry for their walk down the aisle in their new dress. If it s feeling forced to do it all for the ceremony, why not bend the rules a little and try to incorporate the tradition throughout the weekend versus all at once?”
Something Old
Wearing “something old” on your wedding day is meant to show that you will have a connection to and honor for the past in your marriage. This can be by wearing a vintage dress, an heirloom jewelry piece from a family member that can double as a “something borrowed,” sewing a piece of your mother’s dress into the lining of your own, or even just wearing a pair of shoes you have had in your closet for years.
Going vintage? Keane advises to take care when incorporating the pieces into your look. “Since vintage items often carry so much sentimental value, especially when they re family heirlooms, it’s really important to find the balance between updating them and preserving their original beauty,” she says. “Make sure to hold on to the details that make it special, like lace, embroidery, or those unique silhouettes that give it that vintage look.”
“Whether you’re looking to rework a family member’s wedding dress or something you found vintage, the key to success is a fabulous, trusted tailor,” notes Hurwitz. “Do your research, read reviews, and make sure they understand your vision before getting started on a revamp. After all, you can only cut once.” Keane also suggests working with wedding dress designers Danielle Frankel and Patricia Voto of One/Of if you want to give a piece a more modern look. “Both designers have a way of seamlessly blending contemporary design while honoring the integrity of a vintage piece,” she says.
Finding the perfect vintage bridal look can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Luckily, there are some great curators out there with their own physical and virtual shops that regularly refresh their collections with wedding-worthy pieces. “Happy Isles Salon, TAB Vintage, and Shrimpton Couture are all go-tos,” says Hurwitz. “I also love Timeless Vixen, Raffe Vintage, Sara Nicole Vintage, and Vionette.”
Vintage shows are also a great spot to get digging. “The Manhattan Vintage Show is a fantastic option, happening about three times a year,” says Keane. “Many of the vendors offer vintage veils, gloves, and accessories—perfect for finding something old with a lot of character.” She also recommends attending A Current Affair, which is held in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City. “It’s known for its highly curated selection of vintage pieces, blending fashion-forward finds with timeless bridal options,” she shares. “I love sourcing vintage gowns, heirloom-quality accessories, and standout pieces for brides, especially those getting married in historic locales like Italy or France.”
Something New
Wearing “something new” on your wedding day symbolizes the fresh beginning of your marriage. Purchasing a brand new dress, veil, shoes, or jewelry piece can all fit the bill for this tradition. “The dress is the most obvious choice, marking the start of a new chapter, but a new veil or shoes can be just as special,” says Keane. “I have had brides choose custom heels with their wedding date engraved on the sole or a veil embroidered with their initials—small details that make their ‘something new’ feel even more personal.” If you really want something new and unique to your wedding, you can work with a designer to create a custom look for your special day.
Something Borrowed
The tradition “something borrowed” alludes to wearing a piece borrowed from a happily married friend or family member so the good luck of their relationship can rub off on your own. “The borrowed aspect doesn’t always have to come from family—you could even borrow an accessory from your bridal stylist,” says Keane. While items like earrings from your maid of honor or a dress your mother wore could be borrowed, you could even just carry an item to fulfill the tradition. “Often, my brides will attach rosary beads, a pin, a brooch, or a handkerchief around the stems of their bouquet—items that have typically been passed down from their grandparents or parents,” notes Keane. “It’s a beautiful way to honor family history, and it’s usually something that was also worn on their own wedding day.”
Something Blue
While brides traditionally wear white, donning “something blue” is a nod to the blue evil eye symbol that is believed to ward off bad spirits. Hurwitz says, “Aquamarine or sapphire jewelry is a great option for something blue, but I’ve also seen brides sew a blue ribbon into their gown or wear a blue shoe.” While some heading down the aisle may choose to fully embrace blue with a look entirely in the shade, following this tradition can be subtle as well. “Vivienne Westwood includes a small blue bow on her bridal gown labels—perfect for those who want to incorporate blue without it being too obvious,” shares Keane.
