widow’s weeds

American  

[wid-ohz weedz] / ˈwɪd oʊz ˈwidz /

plural noun

1. mourning clothes worn by a woman after the death of her spouse.

   She was still in widow’s weeds, but starting to attend more social engagements.

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Etymology

Origin of widow’s weeds

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Vaill also notes that Eliza never remarried and wore black widow’s weeds for the rest of her life, a choice not customary in early 19th-century America, where most widows moved toward everyday dress within two years.

From Slate

Trina wears her wampum beads She fills her drawing book with line Sewing lace on widow’s weeds And filigree on leaf and vine.

From New York Times

A big, poofy white tutu is the antithesis of widow’s weeds.

From New York Times

What earrings matched a pirate widow’s weeds?

From Seattle Times

Heather McClintock-Racz stood on the slopes wearing 19th century widow’s weeds and a broad hat.

From Washington Post