Ah, weddings – a grand celebration of love, friendship, and family. It’s nothing short of magical to be part of someone’s special day. And as much as it is an honour to be invited to a wedding, it’s also a responsibility. As a guest, you’re expected to act and dress appropriately.
Dressing for a wedding is always a bit stressful. Nowadays, people are a lot more laidback about the ‘wedding dress code’ than they used to be, but there are still a lot of (unwritten) rules about what you should wear.
Can you wear red? Can you wear black? Can you wear white? If you’ve ever worried about your wedding wardrobe, then this guide is for you.
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Unless it’s a casual backyard ceremony, most weddings are a formal event. Generally, it’s expected that men go in suits and women wear dresses.
But “suits” and “dresses” are pretty vague, which makes shopping for wedding attire a lot harder than it should be. And while that’s the general guideline to appropriate wedding clothes, there are of course exceptions – many exceptions, in fact.
We’ll get into what suits and dresses to wear to a wedding in a bit, but first, let’s cover some of the rules of wedding fashion.
Do’s And Don’t’s: What To Wear To A Wedding (And What NOT To Wear)
DO: Follow the dress code.
Sometimes, the couple throws you a bone and will specify a dress code on the invitation. From casual to black tie, these categories will give you a much better idea on how to dress. Oh, and if there’s a colour palette you need to stick to, please try your hardest to work with it!
DO: Think about when and where the wedding is going to be.
Always consider the time of the year, time of the day, and location of the ceremony. If it’s in the summer or on a beach, you could probably get away with sleeveless dresses in a shorter length. But if it’s outdoors or at night, you might need to incorporate some layers to keep from getting chilly.
DO: Overdress when in doubt.
It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed! So if you’re picking between two outfits and one is a lot more casual than the other, go for the more formal option just to be safe.
DON’T: Show too much skin.
This applies to both men and women. Leave the shorts and skimpy dresses at home! Church weddings require a level of modesty in your dress, but you should still cover up even if it’s a civil wedding. Remember, weddings are a classy event, and you should be too!
DON’T: Wear no-no colours, prints, or fabrics.
The number one rule for dresses to wear to a wedding: never EVER wear white (unless the bride specifically says you can/should). Black is a lot more acceptable nowadays, but more traditional families might not think it’s appropriate. Avoid loud patterns (like animal prints) and definitely no denim.
Decoding The Wedding Dress Code: Great Suits & Beautiful Dresses To Wear To A Wedding
Summer
For summer weddings, light fabrics and bright colours reign supreme. Go for a chic wrap dress or a strappy cocktail number in a pastel shade. Guys can get away with a casual, light-coloured dinner jacket, a button-down, pants, and a tie.
Winter
In colder months, make sure to cover up and keep warm! A long dress with sleeves might be enough to ward off the chill, but bring a shawl or coat if necessary. You can go for darker shades, jewel tones, and thicker fabrics. Men should wear a classic pantsuit with a tie.
Spring
Florals for spring? Might not be original, but it definitely fits! Most summer wedding outfits would work for a spring wedding, just add a blazer or shawl to stay warm. You could also dress it up with jumpsuits or evening pants, a smart blouse, and your favourite pair of heels.
Formal
Formal wedding clothes are just one step below black tie, so you need to be more careful about what you wear! An evening dress for ladies and a coat and tie for men are absolute no-brainers. A dressy pantsuit is acceptable as well.
Garden
Garden weddings are more laidback than most because of the setting. You can go in a shorter dress (but not too short), just make sure to wear heels or fancy flats (making it age-appropriate for teenage girls as well). For men, a polo shirt with pants (khaki or dress pants are fine) plus a sports jacket will do.
Black Tie
The most formal of the dress codes, black tie is very strict about what you can wear. For ladies, it’s a bit easier, since it’s the same kind of dress you would wear for a formal wedding. For guys, you MUST wear a full tuxedo – waistcoat, bow tie, and all.
Casual
Even though it’s “casual”, this doesn’t mean you can wear a shirt or jeans. Casual weddings are often outdoors or on the beach, so it’s okay to be a little bit more laidback. Women can wear a short summer dress with dressy sandals, while men can wear a collared shirt with dress pants – tie and coat optional.
Conclusion
Weddings are a great opportunity to dress up and wear something you normally wouldn’t. But that also opens up the possibility of a fashion faux pas. So the next time you get an invitation in the mail, pay better attention to the dress code and you’ll be fine!
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