Consider The Wedding Locale
Its very common to see guests wearing black to weddings that take place in metropolitan areas of the northeast United States, like New York and Boston. Its much less frequently seen among guests attending weddings in the South, however, so you should think about wearing a more colorful look to a wedding held there. Formal or full-length black ensembles may also seem out of place in warm weather or tropical settings. Likewise, you might want to stay away from wearing black if the couple is having a traditional church ceremony. Because black is still considered the color of mourning in a church, wearing it at somebody’s wedding ceremony can be a faux pas.
Dramatic Black Wedding Dresses You Should See
Similar to Hindu weddings, black and white should be avoided at Chinese weddings as its a symbol of mourning in the culture and worn to funerals. Red is also reserved for the bride. Go with bright pinks, orange, yellow, or other celebratory shades like purple.
Irish
Black is reserved, strictly, for funerals in Irish tradition as well. Go for pinks, yellows, or blues in this environment. Mid-length dresses, floral prints, and small headpieces are also welcomed.
Can Wedding Guests Wear Black
While guests should take great care never to wear white to someone elses wedding , wearing black to a wedding is almost always a free game. Black is an inclusive default color to wear during most special events.
In the past, black was considered a color for mourning, and was therefore not appropriate for the joyful event that is a wedding.
Now, however, black is considered sleek, modern, and classy, and for most, the connotation of black as a color of mourning is less relevant. As a wedding guest, you can wear black to a wedding as long as it fits the dress code.
For men, what to wear as a wedding guest is usually pretty simple: a suit or a tux, most commonly in black. Wearing black to a wedding is common for most men. Regardless of the weddings dress code, a black suit with a white shirt is safe for a male wedding guest.
For women, black dresses are also appropriate. It may be good to consider the dress code, time of day, and season fo the wedding when choosing to wear a black dress, but it is an appropriate choice regardless.
One of the greatest qualities about the color black is that you can match black with almost any style or look. Black can have sophistication, and it can also have simplicity. There are several ways that one can incorporate black into ones wedding attire.
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How To Wear Black For A Wedding If You Are A Wedding Guest
So how to wear black for a wedding if you are a wedding guest and dont really want to offend the bride by wearing black to her wedding?
For sure, this is a tricky question if you think about a black dress as the only option to wear black for the wedding and look chic. After all, we all want to wear black for a wedding to look chic, and feel confident, right?
Except, a black wedding guest dress is not the only way to wear black for a wedding.
You can wear a black blazer over a colourful wedding guest dress instead. Trust me, you will feel as chic and as confident in a black blazer over a pastel wedding guest dress as you would feel in a black wedding guest dress.
Especially if you copy my winter wedding guest outfit from heels to hairpins. Just make sure that the black blazer you are about to wear for a wedding, is made from jacquard thats woven with flowers or a luxurious pattern.
Colors You Can’t Wear To A Wedding
Brides often state they want their guests to be comfortable. However, the rule is that you’re allowed comfort as long as it doesn’t make others uncomfortable. Knowing what colors not to wear to a wedding is just as important as knowing what is appropriate to wear to a wedding. Clothing in sheer fabrics and lighter colors can often create a fashion faux pas at a wedding. Err on the side of formality and subtlety when in doubt.
- White
- Overly sparkly or heavily metallic
- Bridesmaid dress color
- Mother of the bride or groom dress color
Avoid colors that resemble or coordinate with the wedding colors unless you are told otherwise. Also, remember to avoid white unless you are specifically asked to don that color by the bride and groom. More traditional couples may also have an aversion to black, so check with someone close to the couple before choosing an all-black ensemble for an afternoon wedding.
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Be Aware Of Your Neckline
I’m here for a great cleave moment, but weddings are generally a bit more family-friendly, so it’s best to keep your J-Lo-level Versace dress in mind for a different occasion. Not saying don’t do a deep V, just saying don’t ask the question “how low can you go.”
Here’s a plunge that should still work.
When To Avoid Wearing Black As A Wedding Guest
At one point in time, black was a mourning color. Those who wore black to a funeral did so to symbolize that they were mourning the loss of someone. As a result, wearing black to a wedding was seen as the wrong thing to do.
While the objection of wearing black clothing to a wedding has become obsolete, if you are attending a traditional wedding, you may want to skip out on the black wedding guest dresses. If you know that the bride and groom or their families are very old-fashioned, it may be best to avoid wearing
Even if the wedding is very modern, the groom and bride of the wedding may have specific dress requirements that prohibit you from donning the hue. Always stay true to the dress code requirements that your bride put in place.
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Some People Will Always See It As A Sign Of Mourning
As more and more customs are seen as old-fashioned, it can be difficult to know which so-called rules are meant to be followed when it comes to weddings.
As more and more customs are seen as old-fashioned, it can be difficult to know which so-called rules are meant to be followed when it comes to weddings. One of the trickiest things is in regards to guest attire. Those getting married or in the bridal party are likely to spend time looking up all the various guidelines on etiquette, and thus will feel well-versed on what is appropriate. Attendees, on the other hand, will have a range of experiences when it comes to etiquette for your nuptials. This can lead to misunderstandings about what to wear, which is why a dress code can actually be helpful for your friends and family. Stating attire doesnt help when the question regards color though, and thats the most debated aspect of whats okay for a guest to wear. Some people are softening on the issue of wearing white to someone elses wedding though we tend to disapprove. But what about black?
Unspoken Rules Of What To Wear To A Chinese Wedding
For anyone whos been to a Chinese wedding, youll know that there are certain traditions and rules that everyone, including the guests, needs to follow. As a wedding guest, what you wear to a Chinese wedding is very important. Here are 9 unspoken rules of what to wear to a Chinese wedding. You can thank us later!
1. Dont wear red
Chinese brides usually wear red on their big day, so wearing red as a guest will be considered impolite. After all, you dont want to look as if you are trying to upstage the bride! Choose a different, more subtle color for your dress, or shirt if you are a man. You really don’t want to be known as the guest who tried to compete with the attention of the bride!
2. Wear warm tones, if you can
Purple, pink, and peach all symbolize new life and happiness in Chinese culture, so wearing these colors indicates that you are supportive of the marriage, and also helps to bring good luck and happiness to the new couple. These are also good color choices because they tend to be flattering on many different skin tones and hair colors, and can work in almost all seasons. Wearing yellow or orange is also considered acceptable.
3. Avoid wearing too much black or white
4. You can include festive accents, as long as they fit the dress code
5. Dress length depends on the specific wedding
6. Keep it classy!
9. Make sure your dress stretches!
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Best Colors To Wear To A Wedding
If the bride has no preference, then any color of the rainbow is appropriate for weddings, as long as you consider the event carefully. Even white is acceptable if the bride specifically asks the guests to comply. If the bride doesn’t specifically say what guests should wear, there are a few things you can consider to help you choose. The formality, location, and seasonal weather will all be key factors in determining your best outfit.
Dont Be Afraid To Ask For Guidance
Some couples will include a dress code specification on their invitations or websites, but others might not. In that case, you may need to do a little detective work to find out whats appropriate. One way to help you determine just how fancy a wedding might be is to look up the venue, Gottsman said, for an indication of how formal you should dress. An outdoor garden party typically wont be as fancy as a wedding in a five-star hotel ballroom, for example.
But if youre really not sure what to wear, you can always ask for a little clarification, Senning said.
If you know the couple well, you can touch base with the couple, he said. You dont want to add to their burdens or to-dos, but if its an easy ask to make, you can always check.
You can also talk to other people you know who are attending, and get an idea of what they may be wearing to help you decide on your own outfit, he said.
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Mango Asymmetric Neckline Dress
RRP: £49.99 | Sizes: 6-14
Minimalist and modern, this fuss-free style is incredibly versatile and one that is certain to stand the test of time. The asymmetric neckline and midi length keeps it fresh yet modest, making it suitable for a formal wedding. You can get away with flat sandals for a casual daytime affair but swap them out for something more glitzy in the evening, such as these Kurt Geiger sparkly slip-ons.
Tradition Says Not To
So lets start off by saying that traditionally, it is not a good sign to wear black for a wedding. For many years, black has been associated with funerals, mourning and evil, which arent things we tend to associate with weddings.
Wearing black to a wedding as a guest, or choosing it for your bridesmaid dresses at your own wedding will be quite unusual and it is the kind of choice that may shock older people attending your wedding. Remember that your parents and grandparents wouldnt have considered wearing black or having people wear black at their weddings.
Its only in recent years where many of the rules have gone out the window. So if you want to stick with tradition and not freak people out, then perhaps steering clear of black is the best way forward.
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Can You Wear Black To Bridal Shower
Ironically, style experts say that you shouldnt wear black to a bridal shower. The reason cited is usually that its a celebratory event, and black doesnt belong. Why black is appropriate at a wedding but not a bridal shower is a question without an answer. White is considered off-limits as well, for obvious reasons.
Can I Wear Black To A Wedding
Posted on Last updated:
Dear Budget Fashionista,
I have a wedding to attend in late June and I found a black dress with small white polka dots that I love. Can I wear black to a wedding?
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Answer: While you want to avoid wearing black to a daytime wedding, its fine to wear the dress to an evening wedding .
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Rule #: You Shall Not Wear Fancy Footwear
Assuming you dont have a pair of formal leather pumps in your rotation, then you want sleek, minimalistic lace-ups of some shape or form: Oxfords, derbies, bluchers or whole-cuts, which are made from one piece of unbroken calfskin. The less adorned, the more appropriate. Wingtips, for instance, have too many fussy details, which ironically makes them more casual, not less.
Patent leatherthe kind thats as shiny as your fiancees engagement ringis not essential, and some find it over the top. But, like wing-collar shirts, its not strictly wrong.
Velvet slippers are supposed to be for Downton Abbey-style at home events. But if you want to feel comfortable on your big day, who are we to argue?
Dont Stray From The Dress Code
If the couple has specified a specific dress code, you definitely want to support their request and stick to it.
For instance, if the invitation says black tie, protocol calls for men to wear tuxedos and women to opt for gowns,Gottsman said. A cocktail dress code typically means dark suits for men and pretty dresses, which can be cocktail or knee-length, for women, she said.
Formal, Gottsman said, is traditionally a long dress for women, but she noted the reality is, you will see people in beautiful dresses that are cocktail length.
I just say, if theyre asking you specifically, thats what they want, so do as they request, she added.
But, as Senning said, you shouldnt think of formal as stuffy.
You can enjoy it and have fun with it, he said. Sometimes weddings are our best opportunities to do that.
Senning also noted that the look and feel of each wedding you attend will probably be different, but the basic fundamentals stay the same.
You can always look to those fundamentals when youre thinking about attire, he said. The thing I like to remind people is the focus of the wedding is the two people who are there to get married. So you really want to be thinking about what supports them in what theyre doing.
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