The Sunday News
Rutendo Chidawanyika
JULY is slowly coming to an end, and you know what the next couple of months are all about: WEDDINGS! We love weddings, the food; the décor; the fashion and a bit of drama. Weddings nowadays have become tricky because of fashion trends which are incorporated in themes and colours; nude, blush pink, peach and so on.
It may seem like wedding attire should be fairly straightforward, but you may be surprised to find out it can be a bit more complicated and, regardless of how long it’s been since you last attended a wedding, we could all use some pointers on what is acceptable to wear to a wedding and what should stay at home in our closets.
COMFORTABLE SHOES ARE EVERYTHING
While it may seem like common knowledge, some choose style over comfort. Do wear nice dress shoes that you can comfortably wear for a few hours. If you cannot walk in very high heels, wedges or kitten heels will do. Rather look simple, because falling off your high heels isn’t sexy at all. While we would all probably leave our shoes under the table and head back out to the dance floor during our teenage days, we should know better these days. Keep your shoes on, always.
Stay away from WHITE
This may be one of the more obvious clothing choices to avoid as it seems to be relatively common sense these days, but it has to be said anyway, especially after the all-white trend had been introduced a few season ago. All white dresses and all white suits are never okay to wear to a wedding unless you are specifically asked to do so by the bride and groom. Do not wear white, off-white, beige, cream, white lace, or any dress that could resemble a wedding dress. Keep it simple and drama free; if there’s white, look for an alternative.
Always carry a clutch, never a big bag
As women, we are used to having everything we need at our fingertips and in our purses. Pain killers, pads, lipgloss, sunglasses, and our wallets are just a few of the many things we’re constantly toting around. While this may be okay for the day to day, ensuring we have everything we need for a long day at the office or while on a trip, you can likely leave most of that stuff at home or in the car when attending a wedding. Opt for smaller handbags and clutches over large purses. It’s a good idea to be touch-up ready, but refrain from lugging around heavy and unnecessary items.
Dress appropriately
This is the bride and groom’s special day and the attention should be directed their way. Wearing an overly revealing or excessively tight dress is not an acceptable outfit choice as it will take the attention away from the happy couple and divert it elsewhere. Dresses that are too revealing become a distraction. Weddings are often a family affair and with so many children running around, low necklines or sheer dresses are just not acceptable. When in doubt, the best rule of thumb is conceal, don’t reveal!
Follow the guidelines on the invitation card
The good news is that even if you don’t know much about the venue you’re attending or are still feeling unsure what is appropriate, most invitations specify on the theme colours. Consider the setting and time of the wedding to decide how to dress. If the invitation dictates it is in the evening, then you know you have to dress up. If the invitation states the wedding is in the afternoon, then it can be more casual and informal.
These days most invitations will also specify “formal attire requested” or any other additional requests the bride and groom may have for their special day. Appropriate attire often falls into a few categories, including white tie, black tie, dressy casual, or casual. White tie is at the top in terms of formal attire and would indicate to break out a beautiful floor-length evening gown; black tie indicates a fancy floor-length gown or a short, yet still dressy cocktail dress; for dressy casual a cocktail dress will be good; and for casual a simple summer sun dress is acceptable. If you follow these guidelines, then you know you’re in the clear.
NO to Sequins
While it may be tempting to see that old gown hanging in your wardrobe that has only been worn once, it’s important to remember that this is not the opportunity to give it a second wear and show it off. Shy away from all over sequins! They reflect a lot of light and can be hard to photograph. An obvious exception to this rule could be a theme the couple has listed on the invite, but these instances are few and far between so on the side of caution and choose something else. Being a walking disco ball is great for a club, but not so great for a wedding.
The rule of Pantsuit
When it comes to wearing a pantsuit to a wedding, it isn’t necessarily something you need to completely avoid, but there is a relatively fine line with what wedding formal is and what is going to come across as business casual. If you’re going the route of a pantsuit, do keep the fit, fabric, colour, and accessories in mind. Proper fit is a must and a wide leg that is flowy for pants will come across more formal. Black, grey, and navy will certainly seem business. Choose a colour other than white or ivory.
Wear a lace blouse under the jacket and choose some nice accessories to enhance the overall formal look.
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