Are you looking for the right wedding guest attire for an upcoming wedding? Always take into account the time of day and location of the wedding to help determine proper wedding guest attire. From black-tie to a destination wedding, this list has the right tips to get you that perfect look. Make sure to read through the right dress code section for a guide to your ideal wedding guest attire, and to also check out what not to wear to avoid a wedding fashion catastrophe!
Black-tie dress codes are generally the most formal dress code you will see at a wedding. It’s possible that people might have white-tie affairs, but that is exceptionally rare. White-tie dress codes are most often reserved for things such as White House dinners, after all.
Black-tie wedding guest attire means that wearing tuxedos and evening gowns are absolutely necessary. The more glam you choose to go, the better. Your ankles should not be seen at the bottom of your dress in most cases, and cummerbunds and vests must be rented for the occasion. The wedding couple wants to dress to the nines to celebrate their love, so it’s time to dress to impress. Think elegance. Think movie star. You might not have another chance to wear something so formal after this black-tie wedding! Unless you frequent red carpets or black-tie fundraisers, that is.
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Formal wear is still quite formal, but if you show your ankles, it isn’t the end of the world. You can opt for a suit or a tuxedo, but darker colors like black, navy, burgundy, emerald green, and dark gray are encouraged. Elegant, luxurious fabrics will keep your look on par with the other guests’ formal attire while wearing a simple cotton frock would leave you feeling sorely out of place. Some invitations will state that the wedding is “black-tie optional,” which is a bit more formal than formal. In either case, the wedding guest attire that is expected is pretty similar, and you should still be glamming yourself up.
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Cocktail attire is a popular choice for wedding guest attire dress codes because it is a nice bridge between comfortable choices and elegant ones. If your invitation says cocktail attire, you should wear a suit, although you should feel free to add some accessories if you’d like to personalize a bit. A dress above the ankle and below the knee is ideal, and a very fun length to wear! If you’ve ever wanted one of those elegant, silk, spaghetti strap dresses with a cowl neck, but never had a place to wear one, a cocktail attire wedding is the perfect occasion for which to purchase one!
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Shirts and slacks are appropriate for semi-formal occasions, although a sport jacket certainly wouldn’t be out of place. A formal dress or tuxedo, however, would make you stand out in an uncomfortable way. Semi-formal is generally a common dress code for more casual weddings, but that doesn’t mean you should wear jeans. This dress code is often seen when the location of an event must be taken into account as well as the time of day. Patterned wedding guest attire is common for this dress code, and there are sure to be lots of lovely florals.
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A festive wedding is the perfect time to flaunt your style while also dressing for the occasion. Chances are, the wedding couple loves your personal style and wants the individual choices of their guests to be just another form of ambiance at their wedding. For example, getting married in a barn is really common these days, and wearing a really cool, stylish outfit will only make the party seem more fun and more beautiful. More rompers, various lengths of dresses, various prints, patterns, and fabrics will all be present at a festive wedding, but that does not mean that just anything goes. Be sure not to underdress and not to upstage the wedding couple!
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A tropical or beach wedding is the time to break out all the linen and cotton that you possibly can. Although not all beaches are hot or humid, you should have a general sense of what the climate is like in order to prepare your wedding guest attire adequately. Sundresses and sun hats are good ideas to stay cool and to protect yourself from the sun, and breezy trousers and button-downs will keep you from getting too hot and sweaty. Feel free to opt for an island vibe specific to the location of the wedding in your look!
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There are a few wedding guest attire faux pas that you should generally avoid, regardless of the dress code. A good rule of thumb is to notice whatever the wedding couple requests on their invitation, and then aim to adhere to those guidelines.
For example, if the invitation says wear all white, you should wear all white. If the invitation says nothing about wearing white, you should never wear white because traditionally a bride’s dress is white and sometimes a groom’s ensemble as well. It’s their day, so let them stand out. This statement also applies to purposely dress like you’re the belle of the ball: it’s not your wedding. Don’t look your absolute best. Just look really nice.
You should also avoid dressing like a bridesmaid or groomsman, if possible. These people were chosen by the bride and groom, and they often have designated outfits for the festivities. If you can get a heads-up on what the wedding party will be wearing, you can expertly avoid dressing like you are part of the group.
Lastly, don’t underdress. It’s better to look like you cared too much than too little. Jeans are generally not a good idea for a wedding unless you know that members of the wedding party will be in jeans. Even still, go with a dark wash sans rips, tears, or bling.
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