# Bertha

/ˈbɝθə/ (US) · /bˈɜːθɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bertha
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a large, wide collar that women used to wear on dresses that showed their shoulders. It was popular in the 1800s and again in the 1940s.

For teachers: a deep, capelike collar falling over the shoulders, typically made of lace or silk. Frequently associated with mid-19th-century Victorian fashion and mid-20th-century evening wear.

## Examples

- Her evening gown featured a delicate lace bertha.
- The bride chose a vintage-inspired dress with a silk bertha that draped elegantly over her shoulders.
- Historical costume dramas often utilize the bertha to emphasize the sloping shoulder line characteristic of 1840s feminine silhouettes.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the context of historical fashion or bridal wear.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.