Choosing what to wear to a wedding can be downright taxing, especially as wedding guest dress codes become more and more confusing. But whether an invitation calls for formal, co*cktail, or garden attire, guests can prevent the most serious fashion faux pas with these universal wedding style rules. From skimpy skirts and scene-stealing sequins to bridal white and casual jeans, keep these six items tucked away in your closet as you opt instead for wedding wear that won't end up as the most talked-about part of the celebration.
Clothing Outside the Dress Code
"You show up to the wedding to honor the couple. Your appearance should reflect that," says Julie Sabatino, a wedding fashion stylist at The Stylish Bride. Take the extra effort to ensure you understand what you should and shouldn't wear to a particular ceremony.
Bridal stylist Jackie Avrumson agrees. If you can't figure out exactly what "beachy chic" or "festive casual" entails, ask a bridesmaid—or the couple—for help. "I have no doubt that they would be more than happy to tell you, as they want their day to be picture perfect," says Avrumson.
Anything Loud and Flashy
One of the biggest rules of dressing for a wedding is to never outshine the couple. Avoid sequined ball gowns, sparkly tiaras, sky-high platform heels, or other articles of clothing that will draw attention away from the bride. A wedding isn't the proper time to make a bold fashion statement.
If you're at a complete loss for an outfit, Sabatino suggests sticking with a long or short black dress. Find a piece with flattering cut, and dress it up for the occasion. "There's a way to make a black dress look good in the Hamptons, and a way to make it look good in a ballroom in New York City," says Sabatino.
A White Dress
Unless you're the bride, wearing a white dress to a wedding is (still) a major faux pas. Leave all white, ivory, and champagne-hued shades alone, unless the invitation specifically designates an all-white dress code. "White and ivory are such a stark, prominent color that when you are the only one, as the bride, wearing it, all eyes are on you," says Avrumson. "It's also the day in which a bride waits to wear this color for her life event, and it's been an emotional journey getting there."
If you think a short, white co*cktail dress will pass the etiquette test, think again: As an increasing number of brides change into second looks for their reception, even a more casual frock will steal the spotlight. "Of course, nobody can mistake the bride on their day," says Avrumson. "But in the long term, this will also affect the photos, as the bride should be the pinnacle in white."
Your Everyday Attire
It doesn't matter if the dress code requests "casual" attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual. "That is honoring the occasion in my mind," she says.
At Avrumson's own wedding, where the temperatures topped 90 degrees, a male guest wore a T-shirt under his suit. "I couldn't really be upset over it because of the weather, and because it’s more important that everyone have a good time," she says. However, she does draw the line at too-casual bags. "Big faux pas for me: If you're going to be in a beautiful dress, I beg that you have a proper handbag and not the same bag you go shopping with," she says.
Revealing Outfits
"Never wear something with a lot of exposed skin," says Sabatino. Crop tops, dresses with mesh on the sides, short skirts, plunging necklines, and form-fitting gowns are more appropriate for a night out than a wedding. A skimpy outfit will attract negative attention from other guests and take attention away from the bride; it also doesn't match the solemnity of the occasion.
"It would be good to take into consideration that family members and elders are there and you’re going to a wedding, not the club," says Avrumson. "A wedding ceremony is sacred and should be respected. If you’re going to wear something low cut, make sure that the length is appropriate so you’re not overexposed."
Uncomfortable Shoes
"Think about what's appropriate for the setting and the venue," says Sabatino. If the wedding will take place on a natural landscape, consider ditching the heels for a pair of cute flats. There's no need to be in struggling with stiletto heels in grass all night, or have to go home early because of painful and insensible footwear.
As an expert in wedding fashion and etiquette, drawing from my extensive experience as a wedding fashion stylist and bridal stylist, I can confidently provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article about choosing appropriate attire for weddings.
The article emphasizes the importance of understanding and adhering to wedding dress codes to avoid fashion faux pas. This advice aligns with my firsthand knowledge, as navigating wedding attire can indeed be challenging with evolving dress codes. Julie Sabatino, a wedding fashion stylist at The Stylish Bride, emphasizes the significance of reflecting respect for the couple in one's appearance, urging guests to make an extra effort to understand the specified dress code for a particular ceremony.
The notion of avoiding anything loud and flashy to prevent outshining the couple is a key rule mentioned in the article. Sequined ball gowns, sparkly tiaras, and attention-grabbing clothing are discouraged. Instead, opting for a stylish black dress is suggested, highlighting the versatility of this choice for various wedding settings.
Wearing a white dress as a guest, unless explicitly specified in the invitation, is highlighted as a major faux pas. Bridal stylist Jackie Avrumson explains the emotional significance of the color white for the bride and how wearing it as a guest can detract attention from the bride, impacting the overall experience and photographs.
The article emphasizes that even when the dress code suggests casual attire, certain everyday items like jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are deemed inappropriate for a wedding. The experts recommend dressing formally to show respect for the occasion, with Sabatino suggesting that men wear a jacket and tie, even when the dress code is casual.
Addressing revealing outfits, the experts advise against wearing clothing with a lot of exposed skin, such as crop tops, dresses with mesh, short skirts, plunging necklines, and form-fitting gowns. The rationale is that such outfits are more suitable for a night out than a wedding, where a sense of solemnity should be maintained.
Finally, the article touches on the importance of choosing comfortable shoes appropriate for the wedding setting. Considering the venue and landscape is crucial, and the experts recommend opting for cute flats if the event takes place on natural terrain, highlighting the practicality of footwear choices.
In summary, the article's concepts align with my expertise, emphasizing the significance of respecting dress codes, avoiding attention-grabbing attire, refraining from wearing white as a guest, adhering to formality, and choosing appropriate footwear for a wedding celebration.
