Guest Attire: A Definitive Handbook
Yes, all of these things are under my completely subjective opinion. But, you can trust me đ
The guests at any given event, wedding or otherwise, set the tone for how the night is going to go. Itâs not just the couple getting married or the planner who worked so tirelessly to get everything done, the guests get to partake in a special occasion too. The chance to dress up, or just simply attend a celebration of love, gets those serotonin juices flowing.Â
Whether youâre reading this as an upcoming guest yourself, a planner looking to compile information for your clients, or a couple trying to figure out how to delicately explain how you want your guest to dress, this handbook is for you. I have compiled three Do’s and three Don’ts for how to go about picking an outfit as a wedding guest. I also take a look at three fabulous sustainable and ethical fashion companies, with strong brand images, that anyone can utilize for formalwear.
#1 Do: Dress Comfortably
Maybe youâre about to attend a super formal wedding — or, one that really just asked for you to show up. All different types of scenarios are worth considering as wedding trends change. Â
Because there are so many varying degrees in formalities and style preferences in weddings these days, Iâm going to keep it brief. When picking a guest outfit for a wedding, always go with the basics. A black dress or black suit combo is one of the safest ways to go.
My number one tip for aiming to dress comfortably, as a guest, is to ask yourself: “If I were to imagine myself in this outfit five hours from now, would I still be comfortable?” If you have a hard time answering that, or you immediately shudder at the thought of wearing a skin tight dress after five hours, then donât go with that look. Reimagining the traditions of weddings stems beyond the couples’ attire. Guests should also be aiming to shake up formality norms and let go of conventional styles.
Itâs important to remember that you donât necessarily have to buy something new when planning your outfit as a wedding guest. But, every single person at a wedding needs to be wearing comfortable shoes. Period. If youâre going to buy something new, such as a comfy pair of shoes that you can wear to dress up your look, I have a place for you.
Where to shop: Everlane
Everlane is a fashion brand I stumbled upon, that mostly specializes in shoes. On their website, youâll find that they offer both comfort-based women’s and men’s style shoes â many of which can be worn at weddings. A lot of their shoes are affordable and can be reused for other occasions.
The Brand Image Everlane Has Built
Using my PR perspective and taking a look through Everlaneâs website, I came across an about page with six different sub categories. Those categories include things like “environmental initiatives” and “our carbon commitment”. Everlane really wants their customers to understand the quality and sourcing practices of their products. Taking a look through their Instagram, I found that Everlane is verified — with 1 million followers. They got there by building a brand from showcasing their products being worn by a mix of models and everyday people. Their brand image is clean and chic, yet has a modern flare.
Don’t: Be Too Comfy
Absolutely go for a comfy shoe. However, itâs important to not be too casual. Although we are trying to strive away from traditional, itâs important to understand that formality will always be there. Definitely do not opt for something that might offset the aesthetic of the wedding you are going to.
#2 Do: Pick Useful Accessories
(Thank me later)
I know that getting dressed, as a guest, from head to toe can often be complicated, expensive and even daunting. However, it is important for me to officially state â please bring a bag, please.
Thereâs something about working a wedding and seeing somebody walk in with a camera, their phone, their wallet, their keys, a portable charger and God knows whatever else in their hands, with no bag in sight. Let’s work smarter not harder and pick accessory that will make everyone’s experience that much better. The good news about making an effort to ensure you have a bag, no matter what gender you are, is that most bags can be used again.
I think itâs important for everybody to have that one specific formalwear-type bag in their closets, that they can bring to events like weddings. From a fashion standpoint, the right bag can really complete a look. While I do encourage everybody to look throughout their own wardrobe and use a bag they already owned, there are great sustainable brands, like Pixie Mood, that offer sustainable bag buying choices.
Where to shop: Pixie Mood
Pixie Mood is a handbags and accessory company that are certifiably vegan. Their products range from large everyday bags, to clutches and smaller bags that would be perfect for any gendered wedding guest.
The Brand Image Pixie Mood Has Built
From an aesthetic standpoint I am a huge fan of Pixie Mood. The proclaimed âfemale-ledâ brand utilizes a specific design style of feminine colors and fonts in order to sell their bags and accessories. With 74K followers on their verified Instagram, Pixie Mood nails successful marketing. Many of their Instagram posts show their customers using, and therefore styling, their products. They also really drive home the message that they are vegan by having a giant header saying âWhy We’re Veganâ on their site.
Don’t: Schlep Your Things Around With Bare Hands
Carrying things with your bare hands is a no-go. It sounds really simple and maybe you’re thinking, “Of course I will bring a bag.” But if there was ever any doubt, here’s your sign to have a bag so you can look that much more put together photos, not worry about your belongings, and complete your look.
#3 Do: Follow Dressing Guidelines From The Invite
Having to follow a dress code isnât the most fun thing in the world, it can often debilitate our sense of style freedom. While many couples opt in for specifying what to wear at their weddings, not every couple will. On either side of the coin, when you are given an invitation to go to a wedding, you should be keeping in mind that formality is still alive and well.Â
If a couple specifically ask you not to wear a certain color, or to dress up in any certain way, you should always be trying your hardest to abide by that. Maybe youâre wondering, “Whatâs the big deal?” And thatâs a totally fair question to ask. Having a dressing guideline, put in place by wedding planners or couples, helps those who are envisioning the big day have their visions come to life. So yes, youâre a part of the imagery just as much as the table, linens, and chairs!Â
It might be helpful to start your journey of looking for what to wear by considering sustainable options. I found one sustainable dress company that not only has an amazing brand image, but a variety of timeless, chic options.
Where to shop: Quince
On sustainable clothing brand Quince‘s website, you’ll find their dress options and discover the simplicity of their formal designs. I recommend this dress for anyone having a hard time deciding.
The Brand Image Quince Has Built:
What works so well about Quince’s brand image is their choice of specific design elements, like a blue and orange color palette, that makes them that much more recognizable. Their marketing is proved successful as they have a verified Instagram with 181k followers. They don’t show as many customers wearing their goods as the other guys, but they are also sustainable.
Don’t: Diminish Your Personal Style
I am a firm believer that no matter what you were dressing up for, stick to your guns. Make sure that no matter what you pick as a guest, you are dressing like you. While it is so important to consider what the couples prefer never doubt a certain color or stylistic choice (that wasnât specifically mentioned is off-limits by the couple).
Any other tips you feel like you should know when picking an outfit for a big event? Let me know in the message column to your right.
Happy planning!
Thalia