Wedding Guest Style Guide { Do's and Don't }
You’ve been invited to your boyfriend’s best friend’s wedding – cue the pressure. Even for those of us who are generally confident in social settings, it’s nerve-‐wracking to meet so many of a SO’s friends, parents and extended family (…and even an ex or two?) all at once. Even if people are
amazingly nice, you’re still under a microscope.
In bringing you out to such a group of highly important people, a guy is probably showing that he’s
more than halfway to making a serious commitment. Yes, he probably also wants some evaluation and feedback from people he trusts. But he’s got confidence in you, and he wants people to see the same good things about you that he sees.
Knowing that, don’t sabotage yourself with a momentary fashion panic. Instead, take a look at these do’s and don’ts to create a first impression that’s exactly right for the situation.
DO Get Dolled Up
He may have told you that he thinks you’re most beautiful au natural-‐ no makeup, simple jeans and t-‐shirt, hair in a casual pony tail. But when it comes to wedding festivities, it’s picture, video, and
social media posting time! So wear something special, wear cute shoes, and do your most with makeup.
DON’T Wear White
Only the bride wears white. Even off-‐white, ivory, very pale pink, and other neutral pastels that at a distance appear white-‐ish could be heading into the danger zone. A white dress with a faint color floral design is also a no-‐no.
Also…DON’T Wear Black
Your LBD (little black dress) might be your safe go-‐to in pretty much every other situation and event. But not this one! Follow traditional wedding etiquette, even if you aren’t a traditional person. This isn’t about you and your personal style-‐expression; this is about respect for the bride and groom, their family, and tradition. Black, at a wedding, can come across as morbid, a bad omen, a rejection of the couple’s vows, and also directly going up against the bride-‐ who is in white. This is your chance to wear color! Have fun with it!
DO Read the Invitation
The suggested attire is generally listed on the invitation. Read it, or at least ask your man what
exactly it says, and follow it—for every event you’re invited to. Black tie is very different from cocktail attire, different from semi-‐formal, different from barefoot chic, and so on…
DON’T be Too Sexy
It’s ok to accentuate ONE of your best assets-‐ like wearing a plunging neckline or rocking a high thigh slit, but don’t show off more than one sexy element. Don’t show too much cleavage, thigh, and other skin from cut-‐outs (like stomach or your entire back). Save your super sexy dress for an evening out another time. For this occasion, dress with respect. Otherwise, you do risk scandalizing older members of the family as well as upstaging the bride-‐-‐ a definite no-‐no!
DO Over-‐Dress When In Doubt, But Don’t Overshoot the Occasion
If the dress code on the invitation leaves you confused, ask your man what he is wearing and try to wear the feminine equivalent, or even slightly more dressy. If your guy is a groomsman, then take this as an opportunity to turn it up a notch yourself too. All of that being said, while being overdressed is always preferred to underdressed, you also don’t want to show up in a ball gown if the wedding party is “sand in the toes” beach chic.
START WITH THESE STYLES
Lace Overlay
Lace, when done well, can be just sexy enough without being too sexy. This season’s styles are classically pretty without looking like, “I’ve turned my grandmother’s lace tablecloth into a gown.”
A Skater Dress
We love this silhouette because you can dance, move comfortably and confidently, and have a good time. In addition to giving you a space to shimmy, a skater style skirt dances around you and with you, adding flare on the dance floor.
Figure Flattering
A dress that grazes your skin without sticking to it is gracefully sexy but not get-‐a-‐
room sexy.