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Why Your Fashion Matters
Funeral attire needs to fulfil two basic requirements; presentable and comfortable. Memorial services can last a surprisingly long time, with some of them being held outdoors, so you don’t want something too stiff to wear.
Your funeral wear also needs to be as respectful as possible. It’s not an occasion to celebrate so hang up the sequins and stow away the flashy accessories.
Do’s And Don’ts Of Funeral Dress Etiquette
- Do: Pick out something easy to wear. If you feel stuffed in a funeral suit, skip it and find a less constricting outfit.
- Don’t: Wear anything too revealing. Again, you shouldn’t be drawing attention to yourself!
- Do: Choose proper footwear. No flip-flops, sneakers, or sports shoes – it’s a funeral, not a fun run.
- Don’t: Comment on anyone else’s clothing, even if it’s a compliment.
- Do: Bring a jacket, cardigan, or any other outerwear. It’s always good to have something to cover up with.
- Don’t: Put on too much perfume or makeup.
Funeral Outfits For Men
What can men wear to a funeral? That really depends. Ideally, you’ll want to be wearing a primarily black formal suit, but men with no suit can easily pass with some nice leather with slacks and a collared long sleeve shirt.
Jeans can work as long as they’re in dark shades (so no denim) and only with collared button-downs. You can also wear a hat but should take it off indoors.
Funeral Dresses For Women
As for the ladies, a dark pair of jeans can work with a fitted blazer and a cotton blouse. For footwear, choose flats or open-toed shoes (though that’ll depend on the weather).
Otherwise, a dark, simple dress or a blouse and skirt are perfectly acceptable options. Dress conservatively and don’t opt for anything too flashy.
Do You Have To Wear Black To The Funeral?
Chances are, you don’t have an entirely black attire that you specifically set aside for funerals, and that’s fine, all-black isn’t strictly compulsory. Dark colours like grey and navy blue are all perfectly fine substitutes, so long as your outfit is primarily dark.
But there is ONE exception to this rule: if the memorial is a “celebration of life” service rather than a funeral. These types of celebrations are meant to be happy occasions that celebrate the life of the deceased rather than mourning their loss – in which case, you wear lighter, more vibrant colours. There are also times that the family of the departed will request what colour you should wear, so you can be guided accordingly.
3 Famous Funerals (And What The People In Attendance Wore)
Princess Diana
Judy Garland
Michael Jackson
Conclusion
Just remember to be respectful of both the occasion and the family the person left behind. If you’re in doubt, you can always ask someone else for advice or check the guidelines of the venue.
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