I’ll be attending a wedding in Sevilla, Spain, next month, and I’m super excited about it! I had visited Sevilla once many years ago and immediately fell in love with the city. To be honest, this will be my first time attending a wedding, which might be because I don’t have many friends, or perhaps many of my friends simply aren’t interested in getting married ;)! But that’s not what this blog post is about. Today, I’d like to share with you my quest for the perfect wedding guest dress. It was quite a challenge, but I finally found the right one.
Apart from the obvious rule of not wearing white or any colors that may be associated with the bride or bridesmaids, I didn’t know much about the unwritten rules surrounding wedding guest attire, especially when it comes to color. Can I wear my little black dress (LBD), which, being French, I love so much? Are there any other colors that are not appropriate to wear? Let’s find out.
Can I Wear Black to a Wedding?
I did some research on the web and asked many people around me, and interestingly, I got different responses. First, I found this helpful guide, “What Can I Wear to a Wedding?” and learned a few things, such as the fact that beige should be avoided (which could be too close to the bride or bridesmaids’ gowns), as well as white shoes, cardigans, or even patterned dresses with a white base. Since all shades of white, such as cream, ivory, off-white, eggshell, champagne, and cream, are off-limits, can we wear black instead?
According to Vogue, “this shade used to be off-limits, reserved solely for those in mourning.” Indeed, in the Victorian era, widows were expected to wear black for at least one year after the passing of a spouse (or longer: Queen Victoria wore it for the rest of her life after Prince Albert passed away). Attending parties and other celebratory occasions was strongly discouraged during that period. Nowadays, this rule feels antiquated, and from what I read, it seems perfectly acceptable and chic to wear black to a wedding —as long as the dress is festive and not funereal. According to Brides, the only reason why you shouldn’t wear black is if the couple’s dress code asks otherwise.
What About Red?
So, if black is acceptable to wear for a wedding, is it okay to wear red? A friend told me that it was a big no-no as this flashy color could distract from the couple. Well, it depends. According to Who What Wear, wearing red to a wedding is considered acceptable by some as long as it’s culturally appropriate. For instance, in some cultures, such as Chinese and Indian, red is highly inappropriate as the bride wears two dresses, one of these being red. Also, if, for others, red seems appropriate, it’s advisable to lean more toward a muted cranberry or a crimson, perhaps with a pattern, instead of bright red. In doubt, simply avoid red and look for variations of the color instead, like pinks, blushes, lavender, or mauves. Finally, always refer to the dress code stated on the invitation —which often includes subtle guidelines for colors— or simply ask your hosts if there are colors that are too loud or taboo.
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Léonce’s Picks for Wedding Guest Dresses
With these rules in mind, I did some research and found several wedding guest attire options. I hope these suggestions will be helpful if you’re planning to attend a wedding this season. Firstly, if you are looking for a dress, I found this beautiful Sandro pleated satin-effect maxi dress (note that the blue color appears less vivid in real life than in the photo). Alternatively, there is this beautiful black tweed dress with a jewelry collar (à la Chanel), which I have opted for.
Update! In the meantime, Sézane has launched a stunning collection for special occasions. I snapped up this beautiful Leontina dress in size 36 (it runs large, as I’m typically a size 38 at Sézane). This dress is absolutely gorgeous, and I was thrilled to receive it just in time for my trip to Sevilla for the wedding.
If your budget allows it, I recommend checking options at Self-Portrait, such as this lovely bouclé mini dress (which I recommend wearing with a pair of ballet flats) or this beautiful metallic bouclé-tweed mini dress. Another option is this beautiful Zimmermann asymmetric ruffled silk-satin midi wrap dress, which also comes in a shorter version (Zimmermann has a lot of great wedding guest attire options). If you do not want to wear a dress, I found this gorgeous Sandro tailored jacket in the color “vert d’eau” (aqua green) and the matching tailored pants that are currently available on Sandro’s FR site (I hope they will be available on the US site soon).
Since the wedding I am attending is in Spain, I bought these Chiara 80 canvas wedge espadrilles in the color blush from the Spanish brand Castaner. Espadrilles are comfortable, stylish shoes that add a “bohème-chic” (boho-chic) vibe to any spring/summer outfit. As for the bag, I came across this stunning Roger Vivier Flower Strass Buckle Clutch made of satin. I love the combination of black and pastel-pink colors. If you opt for a blue dress, I suggest you select accessories in beige or pastel pink shades.
Et voilà! I hope this post has been helpful to you in some way. Please let me know in the comments below if you are aware of any other unwritten rules regarding wedding attire or if you have any advice to share. I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Merci!
I’ve never heard of red being considered too flashy at weddings, at least here in the states, fascinating! These days, I typically opt for black in a pinch. I will say, with lots of brides choosing to wear non-white dresses, I try to do a little digging about the color of the bride’s dress or the bridesmaid’s dresses ahead of time. I don’t want to accidentally appear part of the bridal party either.
Bonjour Elana, thank you for your comment! Before writing this post, I had no idea that red was considered too flashy for weddings either, so you’re not alone! Like you, I’ve decided to opt for a little black dress with a jewelry collar as a chic and safe choice. Thank you for sharing the tip about checking the bride’s dress color in advance. It’s always better to be in the know, especially with the trend of brides choosing non-white dresses :).
Every time a blog letter shows up in my e-mailbox, I open it immediately. Merci beaucoup for each and every post. You have a lovely sense of style and know what we want to read – and – you write in a friendly, welcoming way – as though each one of we, your readers, could fit into (ahem) and afford all the beautiful clothes and accessories shown. Simply a delight from start to finish. Passez une belle journée !
Bonjour Julie, thank you very much for your kind words! It means the world to me to know that my blog posts resonate with you. I aim to create a space that is inspiring for everyone, and your appreciation for my style and content truly motivates me. Merci for being a part of this journey. Passez une belle journée vous aussi! xo
Another great wedding tip I learned in order to wear white to a wedding is to choose a white dress with a noticeable print. It still looks formal without feeling bridal in any way especially if you choose a toile print or something similar. I wore a great Reformation linen dress that was white with blue toile print for a spring wedding and still use it all the time for formal occasions. When in doubt choose toile.
Thank you very much Angela for this helpful tip! Choosing a white dress with a noticeable print like toile is a very clever way to embrace the color without stepping into bridal territory. I’ll definitely keep this advice in mind. Merci! xo