What To Wear, Wedding Style

The last few weeks I have spent styling many clueless clients for weddings. It's sometimes astonishing how little I've found people understand about dress etiquette for the most common events. I can't tell you how many times I've asked the first basic question "how formal is the event?" to be answered with stammers and blank stares. I feel bad because this lack of knowledge ads to the frustration that already lies in simply trying to find something that fits the figure, let alone searching through stores and traveling from shopping center, to boutique, to malls to find something appropriate. For many women this is like trying to find a location in a 5 mile radius with vague descriptions, and no address. For these reasons I've decided to dedicate the next few blogs to wedding guest attire and etiquette. For many people this will kill many birds with a pebble as I'm learning how few people understand the real differences between Formal and Semi-formal. We are going to work our way from fancy to casual. Today's blog is focused on the formal wedding. For assistance I have turned to the almost hundred year old stand by and expert on Etiquette, Emily Post. Emily Post has guided American's in the early 1920's on, and the tradition is now carried by her relatives. For more information on Emily Post, you go to the website here at www.emilypost.com.

Guest etiquette is extremely important. When you don't dress appropriately for events, you not only risk standing out for all the wrong reasons, it can distract from the guest of honor or be considered a sign of disrespect. Yes, dressing appropriately is that big of a deal. It shows you care. For this post I have utilized  www.nordstrom.com which has a section titled Wedding Guest Attire. The link I provided will direct you to the that section.

 Formal attire for women after 6 pm means long cocktail gowns or dressy evening separates. These need to be floor length and consideration for the venue must be taken. If the ceremony takes place in a house of worship, be sure to have an appropriate cover such as a jacket or shawl to show modesty. Here are some examples.

St. John satin gown Nordstrom $1,395

 I love this gown because it has everything you need. It's a beautiful color, it's sexy and has an interesting shape, but it's still modest enough to not distract from the occasion. Remember, you're a guest and you want to look great, but it's all about the bride. Here's another example:

Pisaro Lace Evening Gown Nordstrom $178

 This gown does not go all the way down to the floor, but is still considered formal as the hemline is at or just past the ankle. Here's one more. Evening doesn't have to mean strapless or sleeveless. Here is a cap sleeve option. This example isn't necessarily for color.

JS Collections Cap Sleeve Chiffon Dress - Nordstrom $378

This last example is light and airy and great for warm weather occasions. Now I'm a traditionalist when it comes to attire. I may push the envelope with color, or a print, but I like to stick to convention when it comes to attire length and fabric. A wedding is no place to make too personal of a statement. It's not about you. There are some women however who just do not feel comfortable for whatever reason in a long gown or separates. Today you might hear reference to the formal cocktail dress which in my opinion is an oxymoron. If you go this route it needs to be a truly special dress. You might be able to get away with it if it's formal, but if it's black tie I say stick with the longer styles.

Daytime formal offers many more options with regard to style and length. It is daytime and therefore lighter colors are encouraged. For the formal morning or afternoon wedding, cocktail or dressy afternoon dresses are considered acceptable. Here are some examples:

Adrianna Papell Strapless Lave Peplum Dress - Nordstrom $228

I love this dress because it has all the elements of a formal daytime wedding dress. The length is perfectly acceptable for the time of day. It is a beautiful sophisticated style with interesting elements. Don't be put off by it being strapless if need be the shoulders can be covered with a simple shawl or shrug, or jacket which can be taken off at the reception. This dress is feminine and a great light color, perfect for the time of day. Here are two more examples:

Tadashi Shoji Embroidered Lace Sheath Dress -  Nordstrom $368

I like this dress because of the fabric, and the color and it offers a bit more modesty. The right accessories will make you wedding ready. Here is a long option:

Calvin Klein Embellished Strapless Chiffon Gown  - Nordstrom  $198

The print makes this gown a little less formal making it and the color perfect for a formal, or semi-formal daytime wedding. Remember, when it comes to dressing, fit and appropriateness of style always beats out cost. If you don't have cocktail dresses or formal gowns in your closet, opt for styles that are versatile and can be worn year round.

Check back soon for the next Post in the series of What to Wear Wedding Style where I identity styles for the Semi-formal wedding.