wedding attire

April 25, 2006 8:09 PM

So... I am attending a wedding on May 6th at 7 pm. It is outdoors, what should I wear? It will not be a "formal" event.
posted by prairiepmb to clothing, beauty, & fashion (11 comments total)

Male? Female?
posted by occhiblu at 8:14 PM on April 25, 2006

Sorry, Female...
posted by prairiepmb at 8:17 PM on April 25, 2006

Sundress + cardigan would be my choice. Shoes without sharp heels so you don't sink into the ground.
posted by occhiblu at 8:33 PM on April 25, 2006

Do you know/can you ask the bridesmaids? I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help you coordinate with everyone else...
posted by PurplePorpoise at 8:34 PM on April 25, 2006

I don't know what your budget is like, but I have found several wedding guest dresses at Anthropolgie that fit the bill - not too formal, not too casual, and a little offbeat. They can be pricey, though, so check out their clearance items.
posted by piers at 8:35 PM on April 25, 2006

sorry, Anthropologie, but the link works
posted by piers at 8:39 PM on April 25, 2006

Eileen Fisher has great comfortable yet dressy stuff. It can be pretty pricey, but they do have sale items.
posted by jdl at 9:26 PM on April 25, 2006

I take it you're in the Northern Hemisphere? Because down here in Australia, I'd go with a nice dress with a wrap or pashmina. It's getting cold!
posted by web-goddess at 11:46 PM on April 25, 2006

Wear a dress or a skirt. Light colors and floral prints are a good choice for summer weddings. No white or ivory -- that's reserved for the bride. Black is considered okay now, but if it's outdoors or during the day, color would be better.

3/4 sleeves and short sleeves are good; sleeveless is fine if they are wide, cover your bra straps and look neat and respectable. Avoid spaghetti straps; it's a wedding, not a fraternity mixer. Same for the strapless dresses.

If you don't dress up often, make sure you have the appropriate underwear for your outfit. Wearing your old cotton panties under a jersey skirt will invite Visible Pant Line in the extreme, for example.

If you're prone to getting cold, bring a wrap or a cardigan. One never knows what the air conditioning might be like at a reception.

And for god's sake, don't wear pantyhose with open-toed shoes. If you're under the age of 50, you shouldn't be wearing pantyhose at all. But if you feel you must, wear some pumps.

All material condensed from Omigod, I Can't Believe She Wore That! Junkbox's Bitchy Observations and Snarky Asides on Wedding Attire and Etiquette.
posted by junkbox at 6:20 AM on April 26, 2006

Thanks, and the temp will likely be in the 70's. (south alabama)
posted by prairiepmb at 6:39 AM on April 26, 2006

Pretty dress or skirt, low shoes or sandals (if sandals, get a pedicure or at least nailpolish on your toenails), wrap/shawl/cardigan. Don't wear spike-y heels to an outdoor party of any sort. Take an umbrella or a dressy raincoat.
posted by jlkr at 7:18 AM on April 26, 2006