Wedding Attire for Women: What to Wear to A Wedding
The proper wedding attire for guests of the bride or groom is often a fashion conundrum.
You want to be the envy of your stylish gaggle of girlfriends in the latest designer frock, but you do not want to upstage the blushing bride on her wedding day intentionally.
Here’s how to answer the dreaded and age-old question, “What should women wear to a wedding?”
If the wedding requires “Formal White Tie” wedding attire
Break out your ball gown and dust off your jewel-encrusted Giuseppe Zanottis; you are going to an evening wedding party. What is the wedding attire fashion code?
Think White House Dinner with the President and Mrs. O.
A woman should wear a gown that is floor length to formal evening wedding. No need to wear white gloves, (unless you are just fabulous) but your best accessories, smoky-eyed featured makeup and diamond jewelry should make an appearance at this formal wedding reception.
But remember: No tea length or short dresses allowed.
- What about the fellas? Men will wear tuxedos with white tie and often tails.
If the wedding requires “Black Tie” wedding attire
Black tie wedding attire indicates that the wedding will remain formal but Cinderella-ball gown dresses are not required.
A woman will have to wear a dress that grazes the floor or is at least mid-calf length.
Glitz and glamour is not optional at a black tie wedding, so pump up the volume with an amazing cocktail dress adorned with sparkle and shine and killer evening shoes.
If you need more clues as to what wedding attire is perfect for the Black Tie wedding, tune into the Oscars and Emmys for style hints.
- What about the fellas? Men will wear dark tuxedos with bow ties or standard-length ties with a Windsor knot.
If the wedding requires “Formal or Black Tie Optional” wedding attire
When you read the words ‘Formal or Black Tie Optional” the bride is telling you that the evening wedding is dressy but a floor-length sequined gown is optional.
Female wedding guests of the bride and groom should wear long dresses but choose a dress that is a step above your favorite “paint-the-town-red” cocktail dress.
- What about the fellas? Just like the Black Tie wedding attire mentioned above: Men will wear dark tuxedos with bow ties or standard-length ties with a Windsor knot.
If the wedding requires “Dressy Casual or Semiformal” wedding attire
Dressy casual or Semiformal wedding attire allows the wedding guest more sartorial options.
You can wear a riveting, but not too revealing, cocktail dress for an evening wedding or a bold floral strapless ensemble–paired with a magnificent colored straw dress hat–for a summer morning wedding.
No flat sandals or ballet flats allowed at a semiformal or dressy casual wedding reception (even if it lasts long into the wee hours) only your best shoes, strappy sandals and glam pumps will do.
- What about the fellas? Finally, men are released from the grasp of the boring dark tuxedo for their wedding attire. However, a suit and a tie are still required wedding wardrobe options for men.
If the wedding requires “Casual” wedding attire
Casual wedding attire gives the well-dress woman a plethora of fashion possibilities. To prevent wearing the wrong dress or pantsuit, ask yourself three questions:
- What would the bride wear if she were a wedding guest?
- What dress or outfit do I usually select for special events and weddings?
- What is the location and time of the event?
By answering these three questions, you will always be appropriate whether the wedding is on the beach in Jamaica or in the backyard of your Grandparents’ grand estate.
If you still need fashion tips, a simple knee-length black dress in a sumptuous fabric, or a classic linen shift or sheath in silk or wool crepe for spring or summer is always appropriate and elegant.
Still clueless? (Think first impression attire for a first date or the introductory meeting with your man’s parents.)
- What about the fellas? Casual wedding attire for men includes a pair of dress pants and a casual shirt or a dark or light colored suit without the tie.
Because wedding invitations have cryptic code words like” Black Tie Optional” and” Dressy Casual” the well-dressed woman needs a fashion cheat sheet to determine what to wear to a wedding.
Before you grab your plastic AMEX to shop for the perfect dress for wedding guests this season, use this wedding attire guide to get gorgeous…whether you are poised to catch the bridal bouquet or not.
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- Silk Scarves for Women: How to Tie a Winter or Spring Scarf
- Dress for a Job Interview: What Should Women Wear to a Job Interview?
- Vintage Rings for Women: How to Buy Them, Wear Them and Love Them!
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- Women's Fashion Questions: What to Wear to an Italian Wedding | September 6, 2010
Thanks for this. I went to a wedding and stole the show and I felt bad ( still am).
Weddings are momentous and are significant to people who are bound for each other. Wedding accesories, like cufflinks, are part of weddings’ art and elegance. When done out of love, weddings are just so hard to forget.
Just as the author say it really depends on the theme of wedding. If it formal then dress appropriately. In Jamaica most people tend to appreciate the traditional wedding format. Therefore casual attire would be a definite no no. However many of our nuptial visitors tend to be more flexible, open minded and adventurous. If you are planning a Jamaica wedding feel secure we will accommodate your needs.
I would like to know it is ok for a young teen to wear a strapless red dress to an evening summer wedding. Thank you, Toni Burroughs
Toni,
It depends on the age of the teen and the cut of the dress. If my daughter was closer to seventeen, than thirteen than she could wear a strapless dress. If she’s a pre-teen or early teen (between the ages of 11 to 15) than a dress with thin spaghetti straps is more appropriate. Also take in consideration the size of her bust. If she is well-developed, a strapless dress with a small shawl or bolero jacket draped around her arms, could ease any discomfort you have as a mom.
Thanks for asking this great question!
Mechele
Thanks for this very useful info. Finally someone has given clear definitions of what these different requirements really mean…so we can all avoid the panic and embarassment. At what point are dressy trousers acceptable?
I will be attending a summer wedding in the evening…(will be very hot and humid!) I want to know if there are pictures of any dresses so I could get an idea of what to where. And also if there is something that will help keep me cool without being to revealing. The wedding is probably going to be formal or semi-formal, if that helps for idea’s either? Thanks!
Dear Attending Wedding,
As the summer wedding season is right around the corner, this is a great question. Check back later in the week, and I will post pictures of summer styles (cocktail dresses, semi-formal and formal dresses) that are appropriate for hot and humid weather.
Mechele
I am the girlfriend of the groom. The wedding will be formal but I’m not sure how formal I should go. I’m not part of the wedding party, so don’t think I should look like I am. However I don’t want to look out of place on my boyfriend’s arm while he’s in his tux. Ideas?
Hi! I will be attending my cousin’s wedding towards the end of October..It’s a semi-formal/formal wedding, but it’s at 4:oo in the afternoon and it’s an outside wedding in Florida. It’s not a beach wedding, but I kinda have mixed feelings about what I would think is appropriate so I needed your help! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
Would if be acceptable for the 65 yrs. young aunt of the groom to wear a dressy chiffon top and coordinating chiffon pants to a 4:30 wedding at a fancy hotel at the beach in California in early October? The invitation didn’t state the dress type. Thanks.
I wish to see more dresses one can wear at a wedding who is not the bride! I need more info on what I can wear at a Spring wedding in March
I am going to a 10:30 a.m. wedding. Would it be acceptable for 60 yr. young Step Mother-In-Law to wear a simple short black dress to the wedding? The wedding is going to be in a theater and I do not know anything about what the wedding party will be wearing. Should I wear sheer black hose with my heels since my legs are very white?
Hello,
Really nice article. Pant suits are also a good alternative to wear at wedding. Pant suits are more comfortable, stylish and quite flattering.