How to Dress as a High Society Guest
12:00 AM
Wedding season is upon us and the best gift you could give to the ceremonial bride and groom would be to dress appropriately for their nuptials! All too often guests show up in inappropriate attire. Whether your outfit is too revealing, casual or outrageously ostentatious you want to dress well! Pretend you're attending Sunday morning church; i.e. Dress to Impress. OR read this post and consider these 3 simple guidelines I use when choosing an outfit for an event. Think about the occasion, the time and the place.
Consider the Time:
Consider the Occasion:
Whether you're attending a wedding, work dinner or party, a religious ceremony or celebration, a funeral or even your Sunday morning service, dressing appropriately will be more than appreciative.
If you are attending a religious event for a religion you do not practice or are unfamiliar with, checking with the host is the most respectful way to tackle this situation. Some religious events could require women to cover their legs, shoulders, and backs as a form of respect. So remember to consider the length of your outfit and to bring a cardigan as backup. Also consider the outfit's COLOR for each event you attend. This is mostly common sense; don't wear bright colors and patterns to a funeral and skip any outfit with predominantly white, off-white, or cream to a wedding. The bride will thank you!
Below I have a column of DONT's on the left DO's on the right!
Consider the Time:
Time is a concept most people do not even consider and could be thought of in a few ways. What is the time of the year (or season), the time of day, and just in general "Is this the time to wear THIS outfit.?"
Most of the time I see people dress appropriately for the season but best to check to see if your event will be held outside. This way you can choose your outfit accordingly The time of day is best to consider for yourself. Unless a wedding invitation specifies a dress code, a day wedding is generally a bit more casual than an evening wedding. This may also designate whether or not you wear heels or flats or a long dress versus a mid or knee length dress. However, JEANS ARE NEVER APPROPRIATE. Unless your hosts invite you to kick back and wear your cow-girl boots and blues, its probably not the right time.
Lastly, is it the right time to wear the sheer black lace dress you bought from Nasty Gal last week? Probably not… I'd say as a rule of thumb for any public event being held in the honor of another individual or group, wearing a dress or skirt that is too short and/or too tight is not going to be well accepted. An important idea to remember is just to think and be considerate. Low cut tops or see-through material that will show your bra are just not appropriate.
Consider the Place:
One thing all the above places have in common is decency. A beach or barn wedding may allow you to forego traditional dress clothes in exchange for lighter more breathable clothing in linen, cotton or silk. However, casual does not translate to what you'd normally wear on a beach or in a barn on any other occasion. If you'll be venturing to an our doors event think about the chance of rain, blistering sun, whether you'll be standing in the grass or on pavement and the possibility of a lot of wind (top of a high-rise in the city). Sinking heels, pit stains, see through fabrics when wet and fit and flare dresses that could blow with the wind and show a bit too much are just a few bloopers we all want to steer clear of!
Most of the time I see people dress appropriately for the season but best to check to see if your event will be held outside. This way you can choose your outfit accordingly The time of day is best to consider for yourself. Unless a wedding invitation specifies a dress code, a day wedding is generally a bit more casual than an evening wedding. This may also designate whether or not you wear heels or flats or a long dress versus a mid or knee length dress. However, JEANS ARE NEVER APPROPRIATE. Unless your hosts invite you to kick back and wear your cow-girl boots and blues, its probably not the right time.
Lastly, is it the right time to wear the sheer black lace dress you bought from Nasty Gal last week? Probably not… I'd say as a rule of thumb for any public event being held in the honor of another individual or group, wearing a dress or skirt that is too short and/or too tight is not going to be well accepted. An important idea to remember is just to think and be considerate. Low cut tops or see-through material that will show your bra are just not appropriate.
Below I have a column of DONT's on the left and DO's on the right!
Consider the Place:
The place is really indicative to the first two rules. Where is your event being held? A church, temple, or a synagogue? On a beach, the top of a city sky-scraper or in a hometown country barn?
One thing all the above places have in common is decency. A beach or barn wedding may allow you to forego traditional dress clothes in exchange for lighter more breathable clothing in linen, cotton or silk. However, casual does not translate to what you'd normally wear on a beach or in a barn on any other occasion. If you'll be venturing to an our doors event think about the chance of rain, blistering sun, whether you'll be standing in the grass or on pavement and the possibility of a lot of wind (top of a high-rise in the city). Sinking heels, pit stains, see through fabrics when wet and fit and flare dresses that could blow with the wind and show a bit too much are just a few bloopers we all want to steer clear of!
Below I have a column of DONT's on the left DO's on the right!
I really hope this helps you ladies! I know how daunting of a task choosing the right outfit can be. No stressing, I've got your back! ;) Not a huge fan of any of the above looks? I've attached a few more below!
Happy Shopping!
To prove that I practice what I preach… a photo from my friend's July 3rd wedding in Detroit. My friends Nicole and Peyton dressed impeccably! Notice the length of their dresses, the necklines and color? Total knock-outs! Remember to consider; the occasion, the time and the place and you'll be a knock-out too!
Similar options to our dresses are below (from left to right)
Nicole's black halter --> Nordstrom Aidan Mattox
Peyton's coral sleevless --> Small Treasures Big Talent
(Please read a previous post I wrote about a similar dress!)
Ally's blue fit and flare --> Chi Chi London Fit and Flare Dress
Similar options to our dresses are below (from left to right)
Nicole's black halter --> Nordstrom Aidan Mattox
Peyton's coral sleevless --> Small Treasures Big Talent
(Please read a previous post I wrote about a similar dress!)
Ally's blue fit and flare --> Chi Chi London Fit and Flare Dress
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