Choosing a wedding guest outfit is easier said than done. There are many factors to consider outside of general style and comfort. How formal is the ceremony? Will it be indoors or outside? What time of year is the wedding?
While we can’t tell you exactly what to wear, we can help steer you in the right direction. Here are the top colors, items, and accessories to avoid when choosing your wedding guest outfit.
Colors to Avoid
Deciding what color to wear to a wedding might sound like the easy part, but you’d be surprised! Depending on where you are or what type of wedding you’re attending, certain colors may be considered inappropriate.
The color red, for example, is off-limits for guests in certain cultures because it is reserved for the bride. In China, red represents happiness and good fortune while it symbolizes prosperity and fertility in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
In Western culture, red is generally acceptable although some people view it as a loud, attention-seeking color meant to be avoided. Still others believe wearing red to a wedding signals an inappropriate relationship with the groom!
Red aside, colors you should never wear to a wedding include:
- White
- Beige
- Cream
- Champagne
- Gold
- Wedding colors
Some people also recommend avoiding the color black unless you’re attending a formal or black-tie wedding.
Don’t Wear Jeans
Over the last few years, non-traditional weddings have become the new normal. Couples are opting for casual, experiential venues over formal, grandiose ballrooms. But just because a wedding is casual doesn’t mean you can wear jeans.
In fact, you should never wear jeans to a wedding unless the couple explicitly asks you to. The only other exception is if the dress code is western-themed. Even then, be sure to wear a nice pair of dark denim — nothing with rips, holes, or stains.
Don’t want to wear a dress? Try a jumpsuit or elegant pantsuit instead. You’ll be comfortable and stylish without wearing your everyday uniform.
Try Not to Clash with Dress Code
Wedding dress codes used to be a lot more rigid. These days, (almost) anything goes:
- Monochrome
- Sunset colors
- Garden party
- All white
That being said, dress codes exist for a reason. If a couple chooses a specific dress code, do your best to adhere to it — even if you’d rather not.
Dress code details will usually be included on the wedding invitation and / or wedding website.
Accessories to Avoid
Once you choose your wedding guest outfit, it’s time to accessorize. Keep these tips in mind as you select your finishing touches.
Leave the baseball hat at home. While some types of hats are acceptable, you should never wear a baseball hat to a wedding.
Similarly, avoid wearing sneakers. Bring a pair along if you plan to dance the night away at the reception, but don’t wear them for photos or to the wedding ceremony.
How to Choose Your Wedding Guest Outfit
If you’re struggling to choose a wedding guest outfit, use this list as a starting point of what not to do. And remember:
Fashion trends come and go but wedding photos are forever. Have fun with your wedding guest style — within reason. Don’t wear anything that feels uncomfortable, risque, or over the top. If you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb in the wedding album, consider wearing something different.
When in doubt, ask for a second opinion. If you’re not sure if your outfit fits the dress code or is appropriate for the event, reach out to the bride or groom and ask for their input. They’d rather you ask ahead of time than show up dressed for the wrong occasion.
Rachel Kauffman is a Detroit-based content writer, bookworm, and cat mom to two feisty felines.
