Exactly What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest, According to Experts (2023)

FAQs

What's appropriate to wear to a wedding as a guest? ›

Evening wear is most appropriate here. For men, this typically means a dark tuxedo, a white dress shirt, a coordinating bow tie, a cummerbund, and suspenders (optional), says Corry. Dress shoes, like oxfords, are suitable. Women can wear either a long gown or a dressy cocktail dress.

It doesn't matter if the dress code requests "casual" attire; jeans, T-Shirts, shorts, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally.

Traditionally, the only off-limits color for wedding guests has been white, for obvious reasons—no one wants to take attention away from the bride. But times are a-changin'. Now, many people simply don't see wearing white as a big deal. Some brides and grooms are totally cool with it.

Being overdressed is more appropriate AND, to be honest, it will draw people to you making it easy to make new friends, allowing you to feel a little more comfortable whereas being underdressed would do the opposite. So, in general, it's a good rule of thumb!

What dress styles can you wear to a casual wedding? Think midi-length sundresses, breezy maxi dresses, or even high-quality jumpsuits. High/low dresses are also great for a casual wedding if worn with an elevated sandal or a shorter heel.

Generally, wearing black to a wedding is appropriate. "Guests can absolutely wear black to a wedding," says Shawne Jacobs, President and Creative Director of Anne Barge. "In the past, black was a color typically worn for mourning.

Can I wear a floral pattern to a wedding? Yes! A floral print outfit is an appropriate and stylish choice for all seasons and types of weddings.

The short answer is yes, as long as it's tasteful and elegant, and not against the cultural traditions of the couple or event. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind when wearing a red dress to a wedding.

Absolutely! Wearing a maxi dress to a wedding is a great choice year-round. Be comfortable and fashionable when you spare the gown and wear a maxi-length dress to a wedding. Also known as a tea-length or a full-length dress, a maxi dress is long with a hemline that typically rests at or just below your ankles.

5. Low-Cut Outfits. It is best to skip the plunging necklines for a wedding. Avoid wearing anything backless as well.

Is it OK to show cleavage at a wedding? ›

Remember, you're going to a wedding, not a club. Anything too short, with too much cleavage or see-through, is a straight-up no. You can wear those sorts of dresses on any other event but a sacred event that should be treated with the utmost respect.

In general, daytime weddings are more casual, so lighter fabrics, festive colors, and less-formal attire is the rule. For women, a nice daytime dress, skirt, 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.

This one's obvious; don't wear anything that could be mistaken for a Wedding Gown. This means steering clear of white and ivory tones, long trains and lots of lacework. If you have even the slightest inkling that you might upstage the Bride, get a new dress.

Yes! Women can wear pants to a wedding, even a formal wedding, with some stipulations. These days, the old gender norms of men wearing pants and women wearing skirts are out the window (thank goodness). There is absolutely no reason why you can't rock pants to a wedding, as long as you do it right.

What Not to Wear is an American makeover reality television series based on the British show of the same name. The show premiered on January 18, 2003, and aired on TLC in the United States. What Not to Wear was hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, though Stacy London's Season 1 co-host was Wayne Scot Lukas.

Dressing classy but casual is all about combining high-quality clothes for a stylish look. You can look classy with clean jeans and a nice, well-fitting top. Or, pair slacks with a dress shirt for a business casual look. During summer, wear shorts with a loose-fitting t-shirt.

Steer Clear of Anything Too Casual

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.

Women should wear tailored pantsuits or skirted suits with fitted shirts or blouses. Leather shoes and matching dress socks are usually appropriate for men. And traditional business attire for women includes dressy shoes and hosiery.

Whatever You Do, Don't Wear White

As a general rule, "wearing black is totally acceptable, as the hue is very versatile," Sabatino affirms. However, you should avoid wearing white unless you are told otherwise.

“Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple,” explains Hurwitz. “Visually, it's quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if it's next to neutrals like white, black, gray, or beige.”

What is the average cash gift for a wedding? ›

The average wedding gift amount hovers right around $100, which is a great place to start, and you can increase or decrease that based on how close you are. If you're very close or related to the couple (and have the wiggle room in your budget), you may choose to spend more—about $150 per guest (or $200 from a couple).

Wearing White to a Wedding: How to Do It (If You Dare)

As mentioned above, white-based prints are widely acceptable. If you're nervous about them, try to choose a bold or colorful all-over print, like this pretty pink floral design, to distract from the white base.

Are floral dresses in style for 2022? Absolutely! Floral print are definitely in style for 2022 and not just for Spring and Summer. There were more floral print dresses and outfits than ever before at the Spring Summer 2022 fashion shows and they stuck around for the Fall Winter 2022-2023 runway shows.

Can you wear a black dress or ensemble to a wedding? In short, yes, but the key is in the styling. You want to avoid looking like you dressed for a funeral, and your outfit should feel like it was chosen with a special occasion in mind!

You may choose to wear any color except black or white. The guest's goal should be to blend in with the surroundings and let the bride shine. As her guest, you should avoid attire that could be considered informal or in bad taste. Pastels, jewel tones and earth tones are excellent choices, as are most primary colors.

There are no rules against wearing red lipstick at a wedding as a guest. You can usually wear anything that you want as long as you don't wear a completely white outfit. Red lipstick isn't on the radar of most brides or grooms, so you should be fine wearing it.

To show you're not trying to look like a bridesmaid, go for a down do. Yes, some bridesmaids may leave their hair down, but even in that case, they'll probably have it blown out by a pro. Go natural with your tresses and that'll set you apart from the done-up maids.

Floral Maxi Dresses for weddings are always an excellent and appropriate choice this time of year. They are feminine and fitting for a wedding. Modern Prints – a Modern graphic print can look lovely, especially in bright colors.

If the wedding is in the fall or winter, it is best to wear layers. She can choose to wear a long sleeve dress. Long dresses are also appropriate for winter weddings. Over that, women can wear a wrap, cardigan, or a formal jacket.

Whether you're headed to a semi-formal summer wedding or a black-tie optional winter event, a tea-length dress is always a solid choice to satisfy almost any wedding fashion requirement.

What does a woman wear to a formal wedding? ›

For formal wedding attire, you can't go wrong with a classy black gown. The one-shoulder neckline, single long sleeve and side slit all exude sophistication. Accessorize your outfit with gold statement earrings and dressy black heels.

The staff suggests that if a wedding is taking place at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., you should wear something that easily transitions from day to night; any ceremony after 6 p.m. should be strictly cocktail. What about the old rule that red is also off-limits?

A daytime celebration (typically less formal) is held before 6 p.m., while an evening wedding (typically more formal) is held after 6 p.m. or begins a bit before and continues well into the night. Second, your dress code will depend on your wedding's style.

At many black-tie or formal weddings, a very short skirt is not acceptable. You can undoubtedly find formal dresses that are shorter than floor-length, but if it is far above the knee, the chances are good that you'll stand out, and not in a good way. Use your common sense when choosing your wedding attire.

“Traditionally, you would not wear white. White and ivory should be left for the bride — and that still holds true today,” said Gottsman. “Of course, you can wear a dress with some white in it, or have white somewhere within your outfit, but you shouldn't plan to show up wearing an all-white ensemble.”

Typically formal dresses are floor length, though midi or knee-length options can work for certain occasions. Feel free to choose the neckline of your choice (but depending on the occasion, you may want to avoid ultra-plunging options).

Semi-formal is currently the most popular dress code for weddings. Men can wear a suit and tie ensemble or a sport coat. For women, it's super easy, just wear a cocktail dress! The hem of the cocktail dress can range from midi to just above the knee.

Essentially, it means you should dress in relatively formal clothing—but not too formal. It's kind of an in-between place, if you will. Think: mini and midi dresses that are chic and polished, suiting that's a bit more tailored, and footwear that feels elevated (literally, if you're wearing heels).

One outfit for the entire day for guests is the standard protocol, though the bride may change her dress depending on the nature of the ceremony and reception. However, guests sometimes change their ensembles as well.

Whether you are the mother-of-the-groom, a bridesmaid, or a guest, the answer is – yes, you should wear stockings to a wedding. For the most part, weddings are formal events, and stockings are perfect for special occasions.

What should a female guest wear to a formal wedding? ›

Formal wedding guest dresses include both evening gowns and elegant cocktail frocks, so pick the hemline you feel best in. That being said, you don't have to wear a dress at all. "A jumpsuit is the perfect alternative to a dress and will provide ultimate comfort for a busy day of wedding festivities," says Rivera.

What does dressy casual mean? It's a way to describe an overall aesthetic that is basically not-all-the-way-formal-but-please-don't-wear-jean-shorts. Swann explains that dressy casual is typically requested for daytime weddings—and the earlier the event, the less formal the attire.

If the wedding is in the later months of fall (such as an October or November wedding), make sure to bring a coat, shawl, or wrap to stay warm. If the wedding is in a church, choose a dress that covers your shoulders for modesty. Avoid wearing colors of the wedding based on the colors used in the wedding invitation.

There is no definitive answer to this question. Some people feel that it is perfectly acceptable to go bare legged to a wedding, while others believe that it is more appropriate to wear socks or tights. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what they feel comfortable wearing.

Classic sheer, nude pantyhose are worn with dresses to keep from baring legs, and all their imperfections, in formal and professional environments.

So, when going to a more formal event, consider skipping the hosiery so that you can show off your bare legs and pretty pedicures in sandals and peep-toe heels. It's perfectly fine to go bare-legged when it's too hot and stuffy for hosiery.

At many black-tie or formal weddings, a very short skirt is not acceptable. You can undoubtedly find formal dresses that are shorter than floor-length, but if it is far above the knee, the chances are good that you'll stand out, and not in a good way. Use your common sense when choosing your wedding attire.

Elegant casual is also known as “ casual elegance” and is typically similar to something you would wear to a country club or upscale restaurant. A step above resort evening, with this dress code, men are expected to wear a long-sleeve dress shirt with slacks and dress shoes—no shorts, t-shirts, or sandals.

What do I wear to a 4pm wedding? ›

In general, daytime weddings are more casual, so lighter fabrics, festive colors, and less-formal attire is the rule. For women, a nice daytime dress, skirt, 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.

Smart casual: For the ladies, a summery midi/maxi dress or top and skirt combo are appropriate for a smart casual affair, with a more relaxed shoe style like wedges or even dressy flats. For the guys, a suit is definitely not required.

For fall and winter weddings, floral dresses in moody and muted hues crafted from heavier fabrics are perfect for braving cooler temperatures in style. If the nuptials are more formal, elegantly drape an embroidered shawl or faux fur over your shoulders for an ultra sophisticated look.

Try a cute fall dress in lightweight chiffon fabric and an autumnal floral motif—it's the perfect transitional outfit! If there's an outdoor ceremony, you'll want to wear something that's comfortable whether unseasonably hot out or there's a crisp breeze in the air.

Fall weddings are in full swing, and that means ditching all of your summery fabrics and patterns for jewel tones, textured materials and maybe even long sleeves. As for shoes, we're seeing a ton of platform heels, kitten heels and even some feminine ballet flats trending, so there really is something for everyone.