How to dress for weddings
By Alexandria O.
Spring is in the air, and you know what that means… It’s wedding season! Many people are unsure of how to dress for these momentous occasions, and it’s important to remember that the rules vary depending upon whether you attend an afternoon or evening wedding, indoors or outdoors, or even how well you know the bride and groom. Most importantly, though, let’s look at the wedding “don’ts.” These are often cultural rules that have been passed down from generation to generation, and therefore it’s very important to observe them with respect.
Top wedding “don’ts”:
Do not wear a white or ivory dress. White is reserved for the bride alone, and ivory is often the color for the mother of the bride. A white/ivory top or skirt is fine as long as it doesn’t resemble bridal wear and is combined with a different colored garment (example: a white skirt with a blue top).
Do not wear jeans to a wedding. It doesn’t matter how casual the wedding is — jeans are never appropriate. The same goes for shorts, tight-fitting, stretchy pants (like spandex) and cargo pants. Freshly pressed, clean khakis are okay, but be sure to dress them up with a pretty top.
Do not try to outshine the wedding party. This rule may seem obvious, but it is broken more than any other. Outshining the wedding party is considered both rude and obnoxious. Don’t wear tiaras or slather yourself in glitter and cocktail jewelry. Please, please don’t show a lot of skin — it’s unbelievably tacky. Don’t wear an outfit similar to anyone in the wedding party. Be respectful and considerate when making your wardrobe choices and remember that weddings are about looking classy and timeless.
Old myths:
Don’t wear black to a wedding.
This is outdated. You may certainly wear black as long as it is chic and elegant. Too much black can make you look like you’re attending a funeral, so choose your garments carefully and add a dash of color in your accessories to liven things up.
Everything should match, including shoes, handbag and jewelry.
Definitely not!! It will really date you if you choose to follow this old rule. Shoes, bags and jewelry do not need to match as long as they compliment each other (in other words, they shouldn’t clash). Definitely don’t match everything to your clothes, either! Be creative. Don’t be afraid to look fashionable as long as you aren’t over-the-top.
Wear pastel colors.
Please don’t! Pastel colors are extremely overrated and actually don’t flatter most skin tones. Bright colors are much more popular now. If you’re unsure of what to choose or worried about clashing, wear a classic color like navy blue or black with a bright, flattering scarf.
Next week I will discuss in greater detail what to wear for the different wedding ceremonies, and also provide you with handy definitions for terms like semi-formal and black tie.
Originally Published: Issue 648 - May 14, 2008
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