Denim. "Unless its a Denim and Diamonds dress code, denim is pretty much an unwelcome guest at a wedding," Jacobs said. "This doesn't mean that pants or a jumpsuit are off the table, but it's best to leave your jeans at home."
We highly recommend that wedding guests avoid wearing jeans to any wedding unless the invitation specifically mentions them. Some weddings have themes that encourage guests to wear jeans, like “Diamonds and Denim” or “Cowboy Casual.”
Casual Wedding Attire for Men and Women
Avoid jeans, shorts, tank tops, and tennis shoes, unless the invitation specifically says otherwise.
Steer Clear of Anything Too Casual
No one wants to quit their coziest clothing like yoga pants, slippers, and jeans. But these have no place at a wedding. Even if a wedding is casual and relaxed, still dress with respect. No flip, flops, shorts, or jeans should be on your list of options to wear.
Jeans are not typically considered acceptable for a cocktail attire wedding even with a blazer.
Wedding dress colour superstitions
Married in white, you will have chosen all right. Married in grey, you will go far away. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Married in red, you'll wish yourself dead.
Ditch your everyday jeans and tee. Even if the wedding initiation says “casual”, wearing sneakers, t-shirts, shorts, and jeans are never appropriate for a wedding. Wear dress pants and tuck in a button down shirt for casual. If the wedding is more formal, then step it up a notch with a tie, dress shoes and vest/jacket.
Women should wear a formal floor-length gown that does not reveal the ankles at the hem of the dress, but if the wedding seems a bit less formal, a sophisticated cocktail dress may also be acceptable. Women may also wear elegant pantsuits. Men must wear a tuxedo.
For a formal or semi-formal wedding, grandmothers may choose a formal gown, a longer style dress, or an elegant suit-like style. For a casual wedding, a dress is still appropriate, as is a pantsuit, or skirt and blouse or dress and jacket combination!
Denim is seen as casual attire for a wedding so it's best to avoid jeans of any kind.
Because jeans are casual, comfortable, and easy to move around in! They make you feel relaxed and confident, which is exactly what we want on your wedding day! They also look great with any other outfit you're wearing.
Dressy casual attire (also called smart casual) is a combination of relaxed and refined pieces—think blouses, dress shirts, button-downs, dress pants, dark jeans, and clean shoes.
In general, daytime weddings are more casual, so lighter fabrics, festive colors, and less-formal attire is the rule. For women, a nice daytime dress, skirt, top, or jumpsuit are good choices. For men, a well-tailored suit in a mid-to-dark neutral color like gray, blue, or charcoal is appropriate.
Evening wear is most appropriate here. For men, this typically means a dark tuxedo, a white dress shirt, a coordinating bow tie, a cummerbund, and suspenders (optional), says Corry. Dress shoes, like oxfords, are suitable. Women can wear either a long gown or a dressy cocktail dress.
"Unless its a Denim and Diamonds dress code, denim is pretty much an unwelcome guest at a wedding," Jacobs said. "This doesn't mean that pants or a jumpsuit are off the table, but it's best to leave your jeans at home."
“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.”
It's always better to be a little overdressed rather than underdressed in my opinion. That said, being overdressed should not mean erring on the side of formal and stuffy. It's important to stay true to your personal style, regardless of the occasion!
As a general rule, "wearing black is totally acceptable, as the hue is very versatile," Sabatino affirms. However, you should avoid wearing white unless you are told otherwise. That shade, she says, is reserved exclusively for the bride.
This practice comes from an ancient Irish and Scottish tradition that forbade women from wearing any green on her big day, explaining that the color was dangerous and associated with fairies who would destroy the person wearing green if they were discovered.
Your best bet is cocktail attire. Sure, you might be overdressed if it ends up being a more relaxed affair, but you'll fit right in at a cocktail attire party, and (with the right accessories) can easily dress up for something on the more formal side. Women should opt for a dress in a luxe fabric, such as silk.
According to Debretts, jeans can be smart casual, but only on the condition that the event or place you're heading to is a more laid back one. (Jeans would not be welcome at a smart casual wedding, for example.)
For more formal events, opt for a darker color like merlot red, dark grey, or even black. For casual daytime events, choose from a light pink or white denim that is lighter and brighter.
Jeans are usually considered business casual, with some exceptions. Business casual jeans should be clean and in good condition, free of any tears, fading or fraying. Avoid bright-colored jeans or styles that have flashy details, in favor of classic styles that you can pair with accessories or layers as needed.