If you don't like dresses or your legs are not your best feature, pants are totally acceptable, so long as you keep the time of day and venue in mind. I've had a lot of requests lately for what to wear to a wedding, so I've updated this post with ideas about how to wear pants to a wedding with confidence.
For evening events, darker, more formal colors are recommended, while light colors and airy fabrics work best for daytime affairs. Women can wear below-the-knee dresses, slip dresses, a dressy skirt and top, or an elegant pantsuit (styled with heels, nice wedges, or formal flats).
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.
You may choose to wear any color except black or white. The guest's goal should be to blend in with the surroundings and let the bride shine. As her guest, you should avoid attire that could be considered informal or in bad taste. Pastels, jewel tones and earth tones are excellent choices, as are most primary colors.
Casual Wedding Outfits for Women
Sun dresses and maxis are ideal casual wedding guest attire, as they can easily look dressed up with the right accessories, hair, and makeup. Assuming it's a casual summer wedding, think about bright colors, florals, pastels, and bold geometric prints.
What dress styles can you wear to a casual wedding? Think midi-length sundresses, breezy maxi dresses, or even high-quality jumpsuits. High/low dresses are also great for a casual wedding if worn with an elevated sandal or a shorter heel.
Semi-formal might be the most common wedding dress code. Think date night at the nicest restaurant in your town. Men should definitely wear slacks and a dress shirt but they can choose if they'd like to wear a tie and sport jacket or not. Women should wear a nice dress, skirt, or pants.
A wedding ceremony is a serious occasion, so you should always dress respectfully: Skip anything that's too casual (no jeans), too bridal (no formal, white gowns), or too short. "I think a micro mini dress is always too short when it comes to a wedding," says Hurwitz.
Incorrectly deploy a tuxedo: Anything from a cocktail dress code down does not need a tuxedo. You're not terrible, but you'll look like you're upstaging. Mix and match: It's acceptable to wear a smart blazer and slacks for less formal weddings. It's not ok to take a suit jacket and slap it on pants.
Don't Show Up in Jeans, but Do Wear Trousers
Wear an elegant pantsuit with fancy heels and a formal women's blouse to make your pants cocktail-attire appropriate. You can also choose wide-legged or cropped ankle dress pants to wear with a fancy top.
The best midiskirts for summer offer the same easy, breezy wear but add a bit more dimension to your look—especially if a dress isn't in your style wheelhouse. While a sundress is an effortless, one-step way to beat the heat (while simultaneously acing summer style), a midiskirt allows you to flex your styling muscles.
However, short does not mean revealing. This means although a mini dress could be acceptable, it's best to avoid something that could be revealing, and not something you would want to wear around the bride or groom's grandparents. Like with any outfit at a wedding, you don't want it to overshadow the newly weds.
"White is still reserved for the bride(s) or groom(s) only. Of course, there's almost always an exception to the rule, and in this case I find only one: It is okay to wear white if, and only if, the couple has specifically requested that attire be worn," Megan Seaton, wedding planner at Molly Mae Events, says.
What does dressy casual mean? It's a way to describe an overall aesthetic that is basically not-all-the-way-formal-but-please-don't-wear-jean-shorts. Swann explains that dressy casual is typically requested for daytime weddings—and the earlier the event, the less formal the attire.
Casual Summer Wedding Attire
Pretty, flowy dresses paired with sandals works for women. An open-collared shirt, chinos and boat shoes are great for men. Keep in mind that if you're not sure how casual is "casual" then it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed (just don't show up in a gown or a tuxedo).
In fact, casual wedding celebrations can still boast all the energy and beautiful details that come with a dressy affair, but without the formality. Laid-back weddings typically put the emphasis on fun and a sense of togetherness, allowing couples to express their low-key style surrounded by those they hold dearest.
Mini dresses are appropriate for casual, cocktail, and semi-formal weddings. The SOLACE London Finley dress is a great semi-formal mini. However, for a black tie, white tie, or formal dress code, skip the mini and instead opt for a floor-length gown.
A dressy casual wedding means you have the ability to wear something a bit more laid-back (think lighter colors, casual fabrics and bolder prints). This suit is the perfect combination of all three. The modern plaid print livens up the gray color, while the soft fabric is comfortable enough to sport all night long.
Can I wear a floral pattern to a wedding? “Absolutely! Floral dresses are an excellent choice for a wedding no matter the season or formality,” says Varney. “There are plenty of different styles that can make the perfect fit.”
While you can wear black to a wedding during any season, as a general rule, it tends to be more appropriate for cold weather celebrations. In the fall and winter, dark hues are a no-brainer, and black is a chic and timeless choice. Plus, this elegant hue looks great in rich, seasonal fabrics like velvet and satin.
Neutral shades are timeless options that won't detract from the wedding's formal atmosphere. For a more colorful look, consider wearing shades of blue, lavender, or pink to show that you're in the celebratory spirit. If the wedding is in a tropical destination, opt for colors like yellow, orange, and green.