Outfits for wedding guests

The most important styling tips
to avoid a fashion faux pas

The most important styling rules for wedding guests

Do you have the honour of being inviting to a wedding this year, but are already worrying about what to wear? With all the potential fashion faux pas out there, it is easy to forget what’s what, which is why we have put together the most important rules and dress codes for you here.

Contents:

Outfit ideas to shop
The right colours
Styling tips for every body type
Dress codes

What colours can I wear to a wedding?

There is a lot to consider when choosing colours for a wedding guest outfit, but with these colours you will always be dressed in the right colour for the occasion:

Colours for spring/summer

✔ Pastel colours such as dove blue, mint green, pink, lilac, apricot or lemon yellow
✔ Lime green
✔ Beige
✔ Light grey

Colours for autumn/winter

✔ Navy blue
✔ Beige
✔ Mustard yellow
✔ Light grey
✔ Forest green, bottle green

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Colours you should avoid

If the bride and groom did not specify any specific colour in the invitation, it opens up your options a bit. But be careful: a few colours are absolute no-gos!

✘ White – Just a friendly reminder: White is of course reserved for the bride. The only exceptions here are accessories such as scarves, jewellery or handbags. With the express consent of the bride, cream tones such as ivory, champagne or eggshell are allowed.

✘ Black is still seen as a colour of mourning, making it a no-go for female wedding guests.

✘ Red – Did you know? The question of whether you can wear a red dress to a wedding can be answered with a resounding No. This radiant signal colour would steal the bride’s thunder, making red dresses a faux pas for wedding guests. By the way, wearing red might also stir up a rumour or two: some people say that women that wear red to a wearing had an affair with the groom. Accessories like a red bag or red shoes are fair game, though, and can be worn without any such concerns!

✘ Dazzling or explosive colours such as neon

The right wedding guest outfit for every figure

A wedding is a great opportunity to buy yourself a new outfit! To save yourself some frustration when trying things on, you should follow a few simple tips based on your figure type.

Styling tips for petite women

Floor-length dresses are not a great choice for petite, delicate women, because they will make them appear shorter. Better alternatives are knee-length skirts and midi dresses. Straight cuts can also help you look taller. Monochrome outfits are ideal: with a tone-on-tone look, your body is not divided up visually, which has an elongating effect.

Of course, you can also combine various nuances from the same colour family to make sure your outfit doesn’t look too boring. Pigeon blue works very well with navy blue, for instance, as does mint with dark green. High heels boost the elongating effect of your outfit.

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Styling tips for tall women

If you are taller than 1.75 m, you will have no problems wearing maxi dresses, jumpsuits or trouser suits to a wedding. However, you should ideally opt for two-tone looks and patterns that give your body some structure. With shorter dresses, you have to be careful not to inadvertently show too much leg.

Attention: With shorter dresses you have to be careful not to show too much leg unintentionally. Do the fit test at home beforehand.

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Styling tips for curvy women

If you have a few extra curves, choosing an outfit for a special occasion is often thought to be more challenging – but there is no reason why it should be! Accentuate your assets and emphasise your décolleté flatteringly with a fitted wrap dress or a V-neckline. Sequins and appliqués under the bust optimise your silhouette. When it comes to elegant dresses and skirts, the classic A-line is the perfect cut for concealing your tummy, legs and bottom area.

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Do’s for wedding guest outfits:

✔ Knee-skimming cocktail dresses

✔ Maxi dresses

✔ Midi skirts

✔ Long jumpsuits

✔ Trouser suits

✔ Formal blouses

✔ Elegant, fitted blazers

✔ Understated make-up

Don’ts for wedding guest outfits:

✘ White, black and red dresses

✘ Skirts and dresses that are too short

✘ Necklines that are too low

✘ Too casual clothing such as jeans

✘ Patterns that are too bold

Dress codes at weddings

What kind of outfit are wedding guests expected to wear?

Fashion faux pas are never pleasant, but as a wedding guest they are the last thing you want. To avoid the biggest blunders right off the bat, it helps to read the invitation carefully. The bride and groom generally specify their wishes by stating a specific dress code, expressing special colour requests or revealing the wedding theme. You should always follow the requests on the invitation – anything else would be impolite.

If the invitation does not include any such information, you can also go by the design and colour of the card itself. Is it simple, extravagant or fun and playful?

The location of the reception provides another clue. Will the reception take place outdoors or in a ballroom? The time and place provide clues as to how formal and fancy the bride and groom expect their guests to dress.

Anyone who is still clueless should simply pluck up their courage and ask the bride and groom personally.

White tie dress code for women

White tie attire is considered to be the most formal dress code and calls for elegant evening attire. The evening gowns must be floor length and tights are a must. For shoes, wear simple court shoes. On cold evenings, you can drape a stole around your shoulders. Bold colours and bright patterns are a no-go. Accessories are a different story – you can be a little freer in your choices and don’t have to skimp on the jewellery. It is frowned upon to leave your hair open, so opt for a classic updo.

For men, white tie attire calls for a tailcoat, a shirt with a wing collar, cufflinks and a white bow tie – never a tie.

Black tie dress code for women

Black tie attire is exclusively for evening events. Female guests are expected to wear long evening gowns that suit the attire worn by the men. In contrast to the white tie dress code, cocktail dresses are allowed. You should, however, cover up any bare shoulders with a stole or silk scarf. For shoes, wear closed court shoes whose heel is no higher than 6 cm.

For male wedding guests, black tie means a tuxedo and a black bow tie. Single-breasted jackets must always be worn with a waistcoat, though this is optional for double-breasted jackets.

Combining matching accessories

A stylish outfit as a wedding guest does not come down to the choice of dress alone, because it is the accessories, bags and shoes that round off the look. An elegant clutch has room for all the essentials you need at a party. For shoes, you can’t go wrong with court shoes, but the heel should not be too high.

If you want to keep warm in the evening, have a delicate scarf, stole or bolero close to hand. These should be plain in colour so that they don’t draw too much attention away from your chic dress.

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