According to historians, the tradition of the bride's hope chest began around the 15th Century. It was called a trousseau, from the French word trousse, which means package in which the bride would take her accessories and fabrics to her new home. In the Middle Ages, the girls learned to embroider and began, at an early age, to make and collect pieces for their weddings.

During the 20th Century, it was still very common for mothers, aunts and grandmothers to spend years embroidering bedspreads and acquiring special pieces for their daughters' and nieces' hope chests. When the bride walked down the isle to the altar, she would literally have chests of bedding, towels and tablecloths, a trousseau so complete that it would last the couple's entire lifetime.

Times have changed and currently the hope chest is purchased a few months before the wedding and selected by the bride with a little help from family members. The amount of items is also sufficient for the first few years of the marriage and the style and finishing depends on the couple's taste. Only one detail is emphasized by everyone: practicality.

4 sheet sets
2 duvet covers with pillow shams
4 pillow cases
4 throw pillow covers
2 bolster pillow covers (as required)
1 bed skirt (for bed with box spring and mattress)
4 pillow protectors
4 bed pillows
2 throw pillow forms
1 bolster pillow form
1 mattress protector
1 blanket
1 piquet bedspread
3 sets of towels (5 pieces)
2 bath towels
2 face cloths
1 terrycloth bath mat
1 decorator bathroom mat
4 powder room hand towels
1 tablecloth with napkins
2 everyday tablecloths
6 placemats
2 tray liners
8 dish towels