While black is still the most popular choice of clothing for attending a funeral in most settings, wearing white can be done without fear of offending. Sometimes, the deceased's family asks their guests to wear a particular color to honor their loved ones.
For a funeral, keep your dress shirt simple. A clean, white dress shirt is the best choice. A subdued color like gray or black can also work. Again, avoid bright colors.
A dark suit is most appropriate for a funeral, worn with a tie. If you don't have a black tie, a plain or muted-patterned tie in a dark colour is acceptable these days. It's tradition to wear a white shirt at a funeral, but a plain, unpatterned buttoned shirt in a muted colour is okay.
Plain blouse or top – if you are wearing a skirt or trousers, you can pair this with a smart blouse or top. This should be conservative and plain i.e. no bold colours or patterns. Cardigan, jumper or blazer – if it is winter or the venue is cold, it's a good idea to bring an additional layer.
A funeral is also not the place to turn up a mini LBD or sheer top, so hemlines should remain around or below the knee, and spaghetti straps are often a no-go. Instead, opt for a sleeveless, shoulder-length or long-sleeved dress, or pair a turtle neck with a pair of black flared trousers.
Stay Conservative
In warmer weather, you may find a simple dress that covers your shoulders and knees is perfect. A shawl or shrug is another option to help cover your shoulders if you just can't resist that off the shoulder dress!
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Can a woman wear a white dress shirt and black pants to a funeral? Yes, a white shirt and any dark dress pants are ok to wear to a funeral.
While black is still the most popular choice of clothing for attending a funeral in most settings, wearing white can be done without fear of offending. Sometimes, the deceased's family asks their guests to wear a particular color to honor their loved ones.
In general, the etiquette for funeral attire is the same for both men and women: business-type attire that is respectful and conservative. Err on the side of dressing up as opposed to dressing down. Black or another dark color is almost always appropriate.
While you don't need to feel pressured to strictly wear black, especially with hot weather, it's best to be respectful. Wearing neutral colors like gray, navy, white, and beige is always a good idea. However, pay attention to any cultural expectations, as some cultures use different colors in funeral services.
In the West, showing respect at a funeral typically requires conservative attire in black or dark colors. However, white is the color of mourning in China, and for Sikh, Hindu, and some Muslim services.
If you are attending a wake for a child, it is important to be respectful of the family's wishes. Some families may request that everyone dress in white, while others may prefer that everyone dress in black. It is best to ask the family beforehand what their preference is.
How to Wear a White Blouse Casually. The easiest, no fuss way to wear a white blouse is with jeans. It's the effortless option as most white blouses go well with shorts and full-length denim in any wash. Just add a sandals and you're ready to head out.
White is meant to signify purity and rebirth and is a popular colour of mourning for many East Asia countries. It also has strong connections to Europe as well. Starting in France in the 16th century, white was worn by bereaved children and unmarried women.
Yes, of course. At the last couple of funerals I went to people were wearing all sorts - your dress sounds absolutely fine.
Some religions and traditions have set attire for the family members, but if you are just a visitor to the funeral, colours like black, white, or muted shades are acceptable. As red is a colour of celebration in the Chinese culture, it is highly offensive to wear red at a Chinese funeral.
While in most cultures wearing black to a funeral is the norm, during a Hindu funeral most mourners will wear white. To the Hindu culture white means purity, and it is used to show respect to the departed and the family. It is also very common for the deceased men to be wearing white clothes when buried.
Traditionally, white is the colour of choice for most funeral and condolence flowers. In the language of flowers, white flowers represent peace, innocence and purity. This makes them a perfect fit for funerals, as well as weddings and baby showers. White flowers are elegant and understated in their beauty.
Whether your inspiration is Carrie Bradshaw or iconic French femme fatales, a black bra under a white top, when done right, is rebelliously chic and fashion-forward. HOW TO WEAR IT: The black should be noticeable but not distracting (not to be worn under a super-sheer white shirt).
If in doubt, follow our earlier advice for people who can't find a black outfit. Grey, navy and brown are all formal, non-black colours. Muted floral patterns can also be a good choice for women, such as a floral dress or blouse.
Would a black skirt and a white and black polka-dotted blouse (mostly white) be ok to wear to a funeral? So long as you are wearing something modest, respectful, and not too “loud” it is perfectly acceptable to wear colors other than all black to a funeral.
The truth of whether wearing white to a funeral is likely to offend anyone has to do with the circumstances. It's more likely to be offensive if: You're very close family, such as a parent, child, grandchild, or spouse, of the person who has died. You're wearing white with lettering or prints on it.
For women, adding color can be done through patterns and floral designs. Much like with men's funeral attire, color should be used to subtly accent your outfit. Try to make sure that your outfit does not have overly bright colors or wild patterns that draw attention.
What do you wear to a casual funeral if the family simply says it's "Casual"? If the family has not specified what they would like attendees to wear, a good rule of thumb is to dress as you would for a nice dinner out. This might mean slacks and a blazer for men, or a sundress for women.