Wedding season is officially here—and if you’re anything like us, you’re already planning your outfits for the nuptials you’ve got coming up over the next few months. While weddings are generally less formal these days, that arguably makes the dress code even more challenging: no one wants to be underdressed, or overdressed, for a friend’s big day.
“The best wedding guest outfits strike the perfect balance between looking polished and chic without looking over-the-top or out of kilter with the dress code,” Rosie Williams, co-founder of bridal brand The Own Studio, which recently launched evening wear, tells Vogue. “While the dress code at weddings has definitely relaxed, making an effort is still super important—ultimately, the couple [will] see it as a sign of respect that their wedding is meaningful to you and that you appreciate the significance of the day.”
Of course, many age-old rules have gone out the window these days. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to wear black to a wedding, and no, wearing red does not suggest that you’ve engaged in a past relationship with the groom (although the color is to be avoided at some Indian, Pakistani and Chinese ceremonies, where it is traditional for the bride to wear red).
Still, there is a general unspoken etiquette around what a guest should not wear to a wedding. Below, we asked the experts to share their top tips for things to avoid.
White
It goes without saying that one should most definitely not wear white to a wedding, unless the couple has specifically asked you to do so (it’s not uncommon for members of the bridal party to wear white, for example). Wearing a printed white dress is more of a gray area, though. “Generally they are frowned upon [but], as with anything, context matters,” Williams says. “If you’re unsure, always check in with the couple to make sure they’re comfortable with it.”
Pale colors
Sydney Sweeney’s choice of a light blue dress while attending the wedding of Leslie Powell (sister of Anything But You co-star Glen Powell) sparked a debate, after social media commentators suggested it was too pale to wear to a wedding. In photographs, it looked closer to white, while in reality, it was more of a baby-blue color.
“Anything very light-colored that looks white in photographs is definitely not worth risking,” Williams advises. Meanwhile, Cassie Walker Graham, stylist and founded of bridal brand Cassandra Graham, suggests checking in with the bride if you’re opting for a pastel pink or Champagne color. “These are classic tones for bridesmaids, so you’re more likely to be similar to the bridal party than the bride,” she says. “But pastels feel right for summer when we are often attending weddings.”
Super-short minis
For most weddings—and particularly more formal or religious ceremonies—a super-short hemline is a major no-no. But today, more relaxed dress codes mean a minidress isn’t necessarily out of the question. “If the theme is less formal, then a chic minidress can absolutely be appropriate, especially when balanced with elegant styling—we love a delicate flat pump, a structured blazer and oversized accessories,” Williams says, noting that The Own Studio’s embellished mini is one of the brand’s bestselling styles for wedding guests. “A shorter hemline doesn’t have to mean less sophistication; it’s all about choosing the right fabric, fit and overall aesthetic.”
Low-cut dresses
Similarly, whether a low-cut dress is appropriate will depend on the type of wedding you’re attending—although we would generally proceed with caution. “Low-cut necklines are generally a no-go, but it does depend on the couple, the type of wedding and the venue,” Williams adds.
