Now that you can put my name with a face and you know I’m a food junkie, I have another confession. I love reality television shows.
One of my all-time favorites was The Hills when it was still airing (I quit watching when Kristin Cavallari took over). Lauren Conrad is one of my favorite celebrities/designers, so when I came across what she had to say about wedding attire, I just had to share.
Chances are you’ll be attending at least one wedding this year and we want to make sure you’re dressed in the proper ensemble so you don’t end up on What Not to Wear!
The invitation should say what type of occasion the couple is planning. To ensure you’re within the couple’s dress code, here are some guidelines when choosing your apparel:
Black Tie. Black tie (or formal attire) is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Most often, black tie weddings are in the evenings, so turn up the glamour and bring on the beads and sequins. I suggest wearing an evening gown or an elegant cocktail dress. Dramatic jewelry is welcome and coiffed hair is a must.
Semi-Formal. Semi-formal is semi-vague. When going through every piece of clothing in your closet or every rack at your favorite store, opt for a cocktail dress or a fabulous blouse and skirt. Remember to stick with lighter shades of clothing for daytime weddings and bolder shades for evening, and include eye-catching statement accessories to add an extra something to more simple pieces.
Beach Formal. Remember that you’re going to be out on the beach in the sand and sun and near the water. You’ll want to keep all of these elements in mind when dressing for a beach wedding. For an easy, yet ethereal seaside look, wear a simple (solid or floral print) chiffon gown. Another option is a prim but delicate sundress. When looking for shoes, stick with flat sandals and bring along a wrap or coordinating cardigan in case it’s cool or windy.
Casual. Casual usually means anything goes, but in the world of weddings it translates to business casual. To achieve the perfect balance of informal chic, wear a sundress or a nice blouse and skirt. As for hair and makeup, stick with your natural, everyday look.
Other tips to keep in mind:
- Opt for simple, pretty or romantic looks rather than edgy or sultry ensembles.
- For weddings that are earlier in the day, try to stay away from wearing black.
- Keep hair and makeup natural and pretty.
- Don’t wear white or ivory. While this is something I’ve heard from every adult in my life, this rule isn’t as prominent as it once was. Cream-colored clothing and print dresses with white backdrops are usually fine. The bottom line here: it’s impolite to upstage the bride so let her be the only one wearing white.
- “Absolutely, positively no jeans and sexy or revealing clothing. No exceptions.
If the formality of the occasion isn’t specified, take note of the style of inviation and use your best judgement. And remember, when dressing for any occasion, if you have to ask if your apparel is appropriate, it probably isn’t.
