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.
21 Dresses to Wear to All of Your Summer Weddings
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.
FAQs
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.
What is the taboo color for wedding guests? ›
When attending a wedding, it is important to avoid wearing any color that might be too close to white or off-white. The most common shades that should be avoided are: Ivory: A pale-yellowish shade of white. Champagne: A warm beige color with a hint of gold.
What is the number one rule as a wedding guest? ›
Unbreakable Rule #1: RSVP Promptly
If you're one of the chosen few to be invited, make sure you respond promptly. Many wedding invitations will include a deadline to reply.
Why can't you wear red to 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.”
What color shouldn't you wear to a wedding? ›
Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.
What should a 60 year old woman wear to a wedding? ›
Fit-and-flare Wedding Guest Dresses For Women Over 60
Fit-and-flare dresses whether knee-length or longer are chic and flattering. It has a defined waistline and fits closer to the body but is not too tight which makes it uncomfortable. This forgiving silhouette fits every body type.
What color is good luck for wedding? ›
However, red and white are considered the best for weddings. Along with decorations, wedding Kimonos in Japan are often made of these two colors. The combination of white and red is supposed to bring good luck to the new couple.
What is the best color to wear to a wedding? ›
Spring/Summer: Lighter colours like pastels, pinks, yellows, and lavender are popular choices for a warm weather wedding. Autumn/Winter: Jewel tones, darker shades like burgundy, wine red, or eggplant, and warmer colours like amber or mustard yellow are all flattering options for cold weather weddings.
What is the most popular color for weddings? ›
#1: Dark Blue
From navy or dusty blue bridesmaid dresses and royal blue suits, this flattering color was a great addition to any wedding theme or aesthetic. It also allowed couples to play up creative "something blue" wedding ideas.
What is the 2 2 2 rule wedding? ›
What if a simple framework for spending more time together could potentially improve your relationship with your spouse or significant other? Enter the 2-2-2 rule: Try and swing a date night every two weeks, a weekend away every two months and a week away every two years.
The most important people in a wedding are typically the bride and groom, as the wedding is a celebration of their love and commitment to each other. Additionally, close family members and friends often play significant roles in a wedding, such as parents, siblings, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and witnesses.
How to stand out as a wedding guest? ›
co*cktail Attire: A step down in formality, co*cktail attire allows for more personal expression while still maintaining a formal edge. A dark, well-tailored suit is ideal – think navy, charcoal, deep green, or black suit. Pair it with a crisp dress shirt and a silk tie.
Does red mean you slept with the groom? ›
While there are beliefs that wearing red to a wedding means that you slept with the groom, that's not the case. Plus, there are no hidden meanings or symbolism to any colours of guest clothing. Fashion designers advise guests not to wear red to a wedding as it can divert attention from the couple.
Can you wear purple to a wedding? ›
When it comes to early afternoon weddings, the best colors to wear are light and spring-like shades. Think soft pastels and airy tones such as blues, pinks and yellows. For a more refined look, try pairing classic navy or grey with a brighter accent color like white, peach or light purple.
Why should you not wear green to a wedding? ›
A friend mentioned to me the other day she had heard you're not supposed to wear green to a wedding. That was news to me. A quick Google revealed that, according to Irish tradition, the colour green attracts the fairies and they could bring mischief and mayhem to the event.
Is it OK to wear all black to a wedding as a guest? ›
Since nuptials are celebratory occasions, the dark hue was labeled off-limits for attendees in the past. However, in today's modern-day age, wearing black to a wedding is completely acceptable, and in many cases, it's even encouraged.
What do ladies wear to weddings as a guest? ›
Women wedding guests should wear a full-length dress, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line style. High heels are strongly recommended. Feel free to accessorize with opulent jewelry and even elbow-length white silk gloves.
Is it okay to wear yellow to a wedding? ›
When it comes to early afternoon weddings, the best colors to wear are light and spring-like shades. Think soft pastels and airy tones such as blues, pinks and yellows. For a more refined look, try pairing classic navy or grey with a brighter accent color like white, peach or light purple.
