Choose Something With The Venue In Mind
If you know where the wedding is taking place, you can get a lot of cues from what may or may not be appropriate to wear. If you’re outside sitting in the sun for a wedding in the middle of the summer, you can and should dress a lot different than a wedding inside of a church.
“Whether a Southern Baptist church, mosque, or a beach there are fundamental cues gained when the venue is known,” said Dawn Stafford, a wedding and event expert. “The religious event may require your hair or arms being covered or a sundress would be appropriate for a beach event.”
What Color Should I Wear
When it comes to the best color to wear to a wedding, there are a lot of choices but there are also a few exceptions. The most obvious one is white, as well as tones like ivory and cream. Wearing white or off-white especially in a dress is seen as trying to compete with the bride and considered in bad taste. Red is often considered unacceptable as well since such a bold color can also be seen as trying to take attention away from the bride. Black is traditionally another controversial color for weddings since its associated with funerals. This tradition is fading in some circles, however, and black is becoming more acceptable and even trendy. In general, guests should strive to blend in and avoid calling attention to themselves, so pastels and earth tones are ideal.
Why Follow The Wedding Dress Code
It is a sign of respect for the couple and the event to get dressed up for a wedding, and your attire should always be respectful, conservative, and appropriate. But keep in mind, the rules of etiquette were designed to help one feel more at ease and comfortable in all social situations. So simply remember your cheerful presence at the wedding is what counts here, and you’re likely to have a good time no matter what you decide to wear.
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Do Consider Your Footwear
Weddings offer the perfect excuse to get dressed up, and wed recommend you take it with both hands. Unless you have specific problems or concerns, Lucy recommends no trainers, flip-flops or heavy boots. Not only are they too casual for such a special occasion, but the latter two are notoriously noisy, especially in echoing halls and churches.
A classic court shoe, the kind favoured by Kate Middleton, is our top pick. Buying a pair in a neutral hue like nude, tan or silver is a smart investment. Theyll coordinate with any colour of clothing you choose, and can be re-worn for other weddings and occasions to max out your cost-per-wear. If you struggle to walk in high heels, look to block heels or wedges instead for extra stability. There are plenty of pretty flats on the high-street too. Choose a pair with a pointed toe for effortless elegance and to create the illusion of longer legs.
New Look Cream Pointed Stiletto Heel Court Shoes | RRP: £19.99
Zara Flat Mules with Rhinestones | RRP: £59.99
There are plenty of fancy flats out there proving you dont have to wear heels to feel dressed up. The slingback design on these mules means they will stay put whilst the rhinestone detailing adds a glamorous finish.
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So Read On For Our Best Advice On What Not To Wear To A Wedding
Whitewearing white should be the brideA bridesmaid dressDenimShortsFlip-flopsA ball gown or tuxedo, if the wedding is casualSweats, athleisure apparel and sneakersNeon
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Dont Wear Anything Too Sexy
Remember when Kendall Jenner posted photos of herself in a barely-there Mônot dress at a friends wedding and the internet collectively came together to rage against her? Yeah, dont be the Kendall of your cousins wedding. The model later explained that shed asked permission from the bride, who said yes, which is an option if you feel comfortable doing so, but really the best thing is to just save that sexy little frock for another time and opt for something with more coverage instead.
Is It Ok To Wear A White Dress
In almost all cases, no. Its not okay to wear a white dress to a wedding. This also includes dresses that are off-white and other very pale shades, as well as those that are mostly white, even if they do have some other color. The biggest no-no? A floor-length white dress, as it will definitely seem like youre trying to make yourself the bride.
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Watch Out For The Pantsuit
When it comes to wearing a pantsuit to a wedding, it isn’t necessarily something you need to completely avoid, but there is a relatively fine line with what is wedding formal and what is going to come across as business casual. If you’re going the route of a pantsuit, Stafford suggests keeping fit, fabric, color, and accessories in mind.
“Proper fit is a must and a wide leg that is flowy for pants will come across more formal,” she said. “Black, gray, and navy will certainly seem business. Choose a color other than white or ivory.” She suggested wearing a lace blouse under the jacket and choosing some nice accessories to enhance the overall formal look.
Dont Dress As A Bridesmaid
One of our top pieces of advice is to ask the couple what colour their bridesmaids will be wearing ahead of the big day. Sometimes the wedding invite will follow an overall theme and if this is a colour then best to avoid it, as it could match the clothing worn by the wedding party, explains Lucy.
Brands such as Ghost, Whistles and Monsoon all have dedicated bridesmaid ranges, which, while could be worn by a guest, are better to bypass for risk of ending up matching. For the same reason, choose midi dresses over floor-lengths, as most couples favour a full length style for their bridesmaids. If youve fallen in love with a dress thats long, no problem. Enlist the help of a seamstress or dry cleaner to adjust the hemline for you.
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Things Guests Should Never Wear To A Wedding
Choosing what to wear to a wedding can be downright taxing, especially with as dress codes become more and more unclear. Whether an invitation calls for formal, cocktail, festive, or casual attire, wedding guests should remember a few universal style rules to prevent fashion mishaps. Here are six things you should simply never wear to a wedding, no matter what the dress code says.
Wedding Guest Attire Guidelines For Any Type Of Wedding
Before 4 PM
In general, daytime weddings are more casual, and so lighter fabrics, festive colors, and less-formal attire is the rule.
For women, a nice daytime dress, skirt, and top, or jumpsuit are good choices.
For men, a well-tailored suit in a mid-to-dark neutral color like gray, blue, or charcoal is appropriate.
After 4 PM
In the case of evening weddings, more formal styles, longer dresses, and gowns special occasion fabrics are appropriate for women
Men should wear darker suits in navy, black, gray.
Although sometimes a white dinner jacket or suit in a fun color can work too! We go into deep detail in our wedding attire style boards
Above all, the wearer should also always chose something that fits with one’s own personal style as well as the requested dress code.
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Ten Things Not To Wear As A Wedding Guest
If you have been invited to a wedding, deciding on an outfit is the most important decision youre going to have to make about the day. Its a decision that takes a lot of thought and no little coordination with your friends.
Men have it easy, get the suit out of the wardrobe, brush it down, clean their shoes and off they go. Girls have a lot more thinking to do. Thats why we wrote this post. If you have received a wedding invitation, these are the ten things you dont want to wear.
Quick Wedding Guide To What To Wear For Women
What to wear as a wedding guest? As a wedding guest, you should always look at the invitation first. Most couples specify the type of wedding and expected dress code. In some cases, you may see come as you are or dressy casual.
What youll wear also depends on the specified dress code, location, and weather. Not surprisingly, you should also choose what to wear based on your body type. We are all built differently and there are some items that are more flattering than others. If being the best dressed at the wedding is your goal, then this guide has some great tips for what to wear.
- Absolutely no white .
- Wear a shawl or jacket if headed to a church.
- Try shorter, comfortable heels for all-day weddings.
- Wear a square or box heel for garden weddings.
- Its better to overdress than to underdress.
- Bring multiple options for a destination wedding and reception.
- Simple jewelry like a gold drop necklace or rose gold chain.
- Dont wear denim, even if its casual or come as you are.
- Keep fabrics light and airy for summer weddings or hotter locations.
- Long dressy gowns and chic cocktail dresses work best for most weddings.
Next, well look at each wedding type. So, Ill provide more details on dresses, shoes, and accessories that work best for each dress code. Ready?
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Steer Clear Of Anything Too Casual
We get it, especially after spending most of the past year at home. No one wants to quit their coziest clothing like yoga pants, slippers, and jeans. But these have no place at a wedding. Even if a wedding is casual and relaxed, still dress with respect. No flip, flops, shorts, or jeans should be on your list of options to wear. Instead, ladies find a casual dress, and men wear a nice pair of this with a relaxed shirt.
Keep those shirttails tucked in, and wear a belt regardless of how casual the wedding is.
A More Beautiful Dress Than The Bride
Last but not least, you are not supposed to wear a more beautiful dress than the bride to the wedding. Whatever you wear, just make sure you dont outshine the bride.
Again, if you dont like the bride, we wont blame you. However, this is a courtesy you should show to the bride and groom. Mostly the groom since he will be the one who will have to deal with the bridezilla at the end of the night.
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Wedding Attire For Women
Whether you are headed to one wedding or your fridge is covered in invitations, the first question that probably pops into your head is what to wear. Women have a lot of choices when it comes to black tie, formal, semi-formal, or cocktail dresses.
Your ensemble also has to include the right shoes, jewelry, and other accessories to really set off your look for these extra-special celebrations. There are a few simple rules that every gal can follow to stay on the best-dressed list.
What Not To Wear To A Wedding: White Or Another Color The Bride Could Be Wearing
“Unless it explicitly states on a wedding invitation that guests should be wearing white, they should avoid the color, as it could be seen as if you’re trying to take attention away from the couple,” says Meier. “This also goes for variations of white, like cream or ivory. What might look like a cream dress to you, might look white dress in photos,” she adds. This rule also applies to colors commonly worn as the bride’s wedding dress in other cultures. For instance, the bride traditionally wears red at a Chinese wedding, so it’s helpful to do a little digging on the couple’s culture or background if you think that may come into play on the wedding day.
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Why Is Petite Length So Hard To Find Are There Any Go To Shops Youve Found For Petite Occasion
The struggle is real, my friend, the struggle is real
Actually, my favourite brand for petite occassion-wear is also my favourite brand for occasion-wear in general, and its Chi Chi London, who made the pink floral dress Im wearing in this post, plus the one at the top of the page, and quite a few other dresses Ive worn over the years. The dress Im wearing here is their regular length , but tons of their styles are also available in both petite and tall, so theyre well worth checking out.
Can You Wear Black To A Wedding
In the past, black was seen as a funeral color thats not appropriate for weddings. Its even been thought of as bad luck. Wearing a very gloomy black outfit isnt a good idea. However, a black dress with floral embroidery, colorful accessories or bright jewelry is totally fine. Make sure your black outfit has some element of color or sparkle to make it appropriate.
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Anything Against The Dress Code
The happy couple is most likely going to list their dress code on the invitation. Make note of this and dress accordingly as a sign of respect towards this unique moment in their lives. Even if the event is semi-casual it is still better to show up in a suit and tie or a flattering dress than to appear underdressed.
As a wedding guest, it is important to show respect towards the bride and groom. After all, they did invite you to one of the biggest days of their lives. To show your gratitude, make sure you know the wedding basics like digital wedding etiquette and how to find the right wedding gift idea that will put a smile on the faces of the happy couple.
