Formal Attire Or Black Tie Optional Dress Code
How to say it on your invitation: Formal Attire or Black Tie Optional
What it means: These two phrases are very common in todays weddings. They indicate that the wedding party will be in formal wedding attire, and it’s optional for all guests.
What to wear: We recommend a dark suit or tux for the men and formal evening wear for the women.
What To Wear To A Beach Wedding: Men
- If the dress code is beach formal, you should wear a traditional suit and tie, especially if the reception is being held near the beach in a restaurant, resort ballroom, or on a yacht.
- If semi-formal beach wedding attire is required, then you should wear slacks and a button-down shirt. You can also wear a suit jacket or vest, but you can forego the tie! It is not needed since the venue is non-traditional and can make you feel restricted and overheated in warm/tropical weather.
- Long pants and a light color button-down shirt with short or three-quarter sleeves is appropriate casual beach wedding attire for male guests.
White Tie: Nows Your Chance To Wear A Ball Gown
White tie affairs are as formal as it gets. Usually reserved for over-the-top galas, ultra-fancy wedding parties and state dinners, this is probably the only time in life besides prom that you have the excuse to wear a ball gown. Pump up the volume with options that feature exaggerated ball skirts, or if you prefer form-fitting silhouettes reach for a glittering metallic gown. Theres no such thing as going overboard at these glamorous events, so be sure to accessorize with statement jewels and a great pair of high heels.
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Follow The Wedding Dress Code
A wedding is not the occasion to showcase your inner rebel the day is about the couple, not the beating of your maverick heart. If there’s a dress code, follow it – you can always include a subtle, personalised twist. These are the classic wedding dress codes:
You may also see couples putting a 2021 update on wedding dress codes – ‘red carpet Beyoncé’, for example, or ‘Roaring 20s’. If in doubt, ask the couple what they mean.
Black Tie Wedding Attire For Guests
Black tie is a highly formal wedding dress code that is typically called upon for evening weddings. For female guests, it requires a formal, floor-length gown. However, you may be able to get away with a sophisticated cocktail dress. Just be sure to double-check with the bride or someone in the bridal party beforehand to ensure you dont appear underdressed.
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Don’t Break Out Your Old Prom Dress
Whether they have sequins or not, prom dresses are a no-go for weddings. While it may be a shame that I have two beautiful prom dresses hanging in my closet that will likely never see the light of day again, it’s better to keep them there than break them out to wear to a wedding.
“Often there is a correlation between colors, fabrics in bridesmaid and prom dresses,” said Stafford. “Remember prom was a time when you wanted to shine, so chances are it would be an attention grabber at the wedding where all attention belongs to the bride.” Be safe, don’t reach for your “Night Under the Stars” attire.
Strange Unusual Or Confusing Dress Codes
It’s always tricky dealing with wedding dress codes that you’ve never heard of before, as they’re always up to interpretation – “funky” could mean a paisley-print bellbottom suit, or it could mean a purple tie! Just remember that, no matter the style of wedding, most guests will err on the side of safety, so unless you’re happy to stand out from the crowd, it’s best to stick fairly close to typical wedding dress attire, AKA a suit or a dress and heels. The couple’s own personal style will give you some clues, too. If they’re proudly eccentric dressers, you should be safe adding a little creative flair to your look. If not, stick with the classics.
Featured image credit: Gia Canali via Style Me Pretty
Wondering where to shop for wedding guest outfits? We’ve got a handy list of reliable stores right here!
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Solutions For Saggy Breasts
Unless you’ve had breast augmentation, it’s likely your breasts aren’t as pert as they once were. What once were full and bouncy now sadly, are akin to the ears of a Labrador. In our next life, hopefully, we will be on a gravity-free planet where this type of thing doesn’t occur. If you have the chance, put into a Google search ‘normal women’s breasts’. There are websites where normal women of all ages have uploaded images of their boobs. You will be amazed at what you see, and I promise you after seeing them, you will love your own pair.
If you feel your girls are letting the side down when it comes to dressing up, don’t worry, this problem is easy to fix without resulting to drastic measures. Correct fitting corsetry is a must have to make you feel comfortable in any formal wear.
These might include:
Under $150 Formal Dresses
So many great dresses in todays post. But some may be on the pricier end. And while not everyone may not have the budget for a fancy ball gown, I also understand that even if you DO, you may not want to spend a ton on something youll only wear once or twice. Here are some of my favorite formal dresses for formal wedding dress codes that are all under $150.
Black Tie Wedding Accessories
Lastly, you want to ensure your accessories also match the dress code. Leave the espadrilles and leather purses at home. This night calls for sequins, sparkles and all things dressy. I like to always bring out my fun small bags like this calf hair lady bag, or a sequined clutch. For shoes, You can always be safe in these strappy Steven Madden shoes and get away with them just fine. But to go over the top and really lean into the formal attire, opt for sparkles! Plus, love these under $100 ones that are for sure going to be comfy with that block heel.
Jewelry can go a few ways. I like to keep things simple especially if the dress is bold. A simple gold hoop or stud works. But if you want something more fun, a sparkly earring or tassel like I did above is always a great choice.
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What You Should Choose As Your Dress:
You will want to stick to a formal daytime dress with a hat. This is a formal dress code, despite the fact the event is held earlier in the day.
Dresses should not be too short or too revealing with an optional tailored jacket or blazer added. They may be worn with no jacket in summer but if so, should be modest with sleeves or at least not narrow straps.
As a general rule, if HRH Duchess Kate wouldn’t wear it, you shouldn’t either.
Some of my favourite picks:
Things You Should Wear To A Wedding And 7 Things You Shouldn’t
We all hit that age in our mid-to-late 20s when all of a sudden it seems like every person we know is getting married. For some, that may even include their own wedding. I am not yet married, but many of my friends are. Now, at 30 years old, I’m in my craziest year of weddings to date.
It may seem like wedding attire should be fairly straightforward, but you may be surprised to find out it can be a bit more intricate and, regardless of how long it’s been since you last attended a wedding, we could all use a little review on what is acceptable to wear to a wedding and what should stay at home in our closets. I spoke to the experts and here’s what they said you should and shouldn’t wear to a wedding.
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Black Tie Dress Etiquette
Apart from white tie attire, black tie is the most formal of all dress codes. As such, it requires a sophisticated level of dressing. For women, the code typically calls for a floor-length dress or gown. While cocktail dresses can be an appropriate option for black tie, long dresses tend to be a more elevated choice. Selecting a refined dress that features a simple and feminine silhouette and an elegant colour, such as black, will help you nail the etiquette of this dress code.
SHOP THE LOOK
Festive Attire Dress Code
This is a tough one to gauge as it can refer to the time of year , or the theme of the wedding, if there is one. It can also serve as an invitation to show some personality in your outfit.
What to wear: If the couple haven’t specified a theme, you’ll be safe in a suit and tie that incorporates a bold colour or print. You can always strip down to slacks and a shirt if you’ve overstepped the mark. Colour and print is a good idea for womenswear, too, along with sequins and glitter.
Photo by Paul McGinty via One Fab Day
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Feel Confident And Look Radiant
With these styling tips, you will feel confident as you leave for the wedding celebration. Always make sure to check yourself in the mirror before venturing out. If youre unsure of your clothes, opt for another style.
If the wedding is at night, you can select richer and bolder shades. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with the norms of your locale. When the event is over, youll be glad that your wedding attire paid off.
You Can’t Go Wrong With A Little Black Dress
It is common to hear that every woman needs to have their go to LBD, or little black dress, hanging in their closet for a variety of occasions like cocktail parties, happy hours, and date night, but is the LBD acceptable in a wedding scenario? As it turns out, it is!
“The little black dress is a go to for every occasion,” said Stafford, “and weddings are no exception any longer.” If you don’t have a LBD hanging in your closet, then consider this the perfect opportunity to head to the mall and find your new go to, you know you’ll wear it plenty!
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Festive Wedding Attire For Guests
Festive attire is a relatively new dress code for weddings. As such, it can cause quite a bit of confusion. Essentially, it is providing you with the freedom to have fun and be playful with your outfit. If youre unsure where to start, try aiming for cocktail party attire with a twist. Think bold colors, exciting embellishments and accessories, and unique textures and details.
Black Tie Wedding Clothes
If the wedding attire says black tie dress code then you should wear clothes that are appropriate for evening wear. Black tie events are less formal than white tie events, but you should still aim for an elegant and smart look.
Men should wear a tuxedo for black tie weddings, complete with a black-tie , a cummerbund, and smart leather shoes. Again you can accessorize your outfit a little by adding a wedding pocket square or by choosing smart cufflinks.
Women should wear an elegant cocktail dress or a long evening gown. If the wedding is taking place in winter, then you might also want to think about adding a smart blazer, cardigan, or shoulder throw to keep warm.
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Don’t Bring A Large Purse Or Bag
As women, we are used to having everything we need at our fingertips and in our purses. Pain medications, tampons, chapstick, sunglasses, and our wallets are just a few of the many things we’re constantly toting around. While this may be okay for the day to day, ensuring we have everything we need for a long day at the office or while on a trip, you can likely leave most of that stuff at home or in the car when attending a wedding.
“Opt for smaller handbags and clutches over large purses,” said Schweitzer. “It’s a good idea to be touch-up ready, but refrain from lugging around heavy and unnecessary items.”
For my best friend’s wedding a few weeks ago, I opted for a small clutch. I made sure I had my ID, some cash for tipping at the bar, chapstick, my phone, tissues, and a few other small “emergency” items that the bride may have needed as we ran around all morning.
Find Your Ideal Formal Wedding Attire
Follow our guide on what to wear to a formal wedding and make sure you look the part at your next special occasion. Dont forget to have some fun with your outfit and make your appearance pop.
Discover our fashion and wear articles to get more inspiration on what to wear for all sorts of occasions. And remember to read some of our other wedding articles so you know what to expect, what gifts to buy, and how to create the best speech.
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Beach Wedding Attire For Male Guests
Check out these beach wedding outfits for men. Theres a lot of variety here, so make sure you click the arrow on the right to see more photos. If you see an outfit you like, click on the image for more details.
I hope these tips on what guests should wear to a beach wedding were helpful. Just consider the sights, sounds, and temperatures that will surround you on the beach in order to select an outfit that will not only make you look great but feel great too. Do you have more tips or questions about guest beach wedding attire? Id love to hear from you in the comment box below.
Dress For The Weather
While summer calls for light, breezy fabrics and winter definitely commands a few extra layers, fall can be a little trickier to figure out. There are so many different factors to consider before you decide on an outfit. Is the wedding taking place earlier or later in the season? Where is the venue located? Is it indoors or outdoors? Will the celebration be held during the daytime or in the evening? These are all important questions that’ll help you properly plan for the occasion.
If you’re attending an outdoor fall wedding, the possibility of chilly temperatures should be top of mind. Outdoor fall wedding attire should be a little more versatile, meaning layers are your new best friend. “Dress in layers for any outdoor weddingyou might be shivering outside one minute and sweating on the dance floor the next,” warns Lee. A dressy pashmina, cropped blazer, or bolero could work depending on the look you’re going for.
When it comes to choosing a suit fabric, location is a big deciding factor. Handspiker recommends sticking with lightweight fabrics, including cotton or a wool-linen blend for warmer destinations, like the Southern states. “As temperatures cool further north and the weather becomes less predictable, all-season options are a good idea, as well as textured, brushed fabrics such as flannel,” he adds.
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