Story | Leslie Yip Boucher-Harris
The western tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” is based on an old English rhyme that dates back to the 19th century.
It is said that “something old” represents a tie to the past, “something new” is hope for the future and “something borrowed” from a happily married friend or relative that can bring good luck for the couple. The colour “blue” wards off evil and also stands for love, purity and fidelity.
Many didn’t know that there is a fifth “something”—a sixpence in your shoe, which symbolizes prosperity for the newlyweds.
It is worthwhile to take some time to hunt down each trinket to add to your wedding memories. Here’s some inspiration to get you started.
Something Old
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate family legacy. Does your mother or grandmother still have the necklace or earrings that she wore on her wedding day? This could be an intimate way for them to be a part of your big day. Some families go one step further by remounting old diamonds or gemstones to a more updated style as a meaningful and sentimental gift to the bride.
Something New
Bottega Veneta The Knot clutch, $4,570 bottegaveneta.com
The big day is every girl’s biggest excuse to splurge on something new. Bonus points for choosing something that can be enjoyed and cherished for years to come. Aptly named “The Knot”, this minaudière clutch, crafted from foulard Intreccio leather, is big enough to fit an iPhone 15 Pro Max and makeup essentials for quick touch-ups. The leather offers a beautiful hand feel, while the metal closure adds a touch of whimsy.
Something Borrowed
and Happiness” Gift Set in Verawood, $229.90 tan-mu-jiang.ca
Others choose to borrow something from a happily married friend or relative hoping that their good fortune will be passed on. The sentiment is similar to the Chinese “hair combing ritual”, where a happily married woman will brush the bride’s hair while saying different blessings. Elevate this ritual with a handcrafted comb made with precious woods.
Something Blue
Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Summer Vibes (limited edition), 100 ml | $165
Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense Pour Homme (limited edition), 100 mL | $165 sephora.com
Unless your wedding theme colour is blue, it may be hard to incorporate something blue into your wedding attire. That’s why many brides wear a blue garter or blue lingerie. You can also interpret this tradition figuratively with a blue-colour perfume. These ones come in a his-and-hers version, the bottle is adorned with a blue-and-white majolica print, and the scents are inspired by the sparkling blue sea in Capri.
A Sixpence in Your Shoe
Mejuri Dot Chain Anklet, $325 mejuri.com
Custom says the father of the bride should place the coin in the bride’s left shoe. Alas, the British sixpence is no longer in circulation, but you can still buy them online for a few dollars. North American brides usually substitute the sixpence with a penny. However, it cannot be comfortable walking with a coin in your shoe! To give the tradition a twist, how about an anklet with a coin motif? In some cultures, an anklet worn on the left ankle can indicate that the person wearing it is married or in a committed relationship.
