Avoid sequined dresses and any clothing that will draw attention away from the bride. A wedding isn't the proper time to make a bold fashion statement. Ditch your everyday jeans and tee. Even if the wedding initiation says “casual”, wearing sneakers, t-shirts, shorts, and jeans are never appropriate for a wedding.
“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.”
Overly bright hues are among the colors not to wear to a wedding, because again, you don't want to steal the spotlight from the newlyweds. Wearing neon colors will seem like you're trying to grab attention—definitely not cool.
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. That shade, she says, is reserved exclusively for the bride.
Both beige and lace are O.K. to wear to a wedding, and your skirt and blouse sound like acceptable guest attire. In fact, today's female wedding guests may even wear white, as long as they do not attempt to look like a bride themselves.
Yes, a pale blue or a muted pink is fine, but if the colour is working its way to white, you should swap it for something else.
In general, it's not appropriate for guests to wear white to a wedding. "When you're a guest at a wedding, the most important thing to keep in mind is not to upstage or upset the bride," says wedding dress designer Madeline Gardner. "It's safe to stay away from any outfits that are predominantly white, cream or ivory."
Women should wear a formal floor-length gown that does not reveal the ankles at the hem of the dress, but if the wedding seems a bit less formal, a sophisticated cocktail dress may also be acceptable. Women may also wear elegant pantsuits. Men must wear a tuxedo.
The wedding colours are for the wedding party, not guests
Unless you're in that bridal party, you'd be best to steer clear of trying to match them. Think of it a bit like a stage show. The actors, in this case the bridal party, all wear the same colour to identify themselves as being in the cast.
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.
Your best bet is cocktail attire. Sure, you might be overdressed if it ends up being a more relaxed affair, but you'll fit right in at a cocktail attire party, and (with the right accessories) can easily dress up for something on the more formal side. Women should opt for a dress in a luxe fabric, such as silk.
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.
It all depends on the dress code and the overall tone of the wedding. If the wedding is black tie, then a sequin dress is probably not appropriate. However, if the wedding is more casual or even semi-formal, then a sequin dress could work. It's all about understanding the dress code and the vibe of the wedding.
Clearly the rule of not wearing white to a wedding doesn't apply to smaller details like white stripes or polka dots, but my rule of thumb is this: If you're picking an outfit and the question pops into your mind of whether or not this is too much white to wear to a wedding, then don't wear it."
For a formal or semi-formal wedding, grandmothers may choose a formal gown, a longer style dress, or an elegant suit-like style. For a casual wedding, a dress is still appropriate, as is a pantsuit, or skirt and blouse or dress and jacket combination!
The general consensus of our experts? Say no to the dress. "As far as I am concerned, if the dress is white with a print over it, it still is white," shares etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. "There is very little wiggle room when wearing a white dress.
Short answer: Yes. The times have changed when it comes to wedding etiquette and most couples wouldn't bat an eyelid - or think it was rude - if their guests chose to wear black to their nuptials, whether they fall in summer or winter. “100% you can wear black to a wedding.
Pink is a perfect color choice for a wedding guest. Pink dresses for wedding guests can range from a lovely raspberry cocktail dress, a shimmering rose gold gown, to a muted mauve lace dress, a blush midi dress, or something in between!
While dark pinks and light reds are appropriate, blush and other shades of light pink have a chance of looking too similar to the bridesmaids, or getting washed out and looking white in photos. If you're set on wearing light pink, break up the color with patterns or vibrant accessories.
This practice comes from an ancient Irish and Scottish tradition that forbade women from wearing any green on her big day, explaining that the color was dangerous and associated with fairies who would destroy the person wearing green if they were discovered.