Q: I am attending a wedding this spring, and wanted to know if I can get away with wearing my favorite dress, which happens to be black. It will be an outdoor wedding, so I’m interested in what colors to pair with my outfit, other than pearls. I want to look current, yet elegant. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
A: Etiquette and fashion often go hand in hand, especially when they attend weddings together. A Little Black Dress, “The LBD,” is a versatile closet staple that can be dressed up or down to suit almost any occasion. While you don’t want to wear something resembling a shroud, or have a hemline so short you draw more attention than the bride, a tasteful black dress is a suitable choice.
For a mid-afternoon celebration, consider pairing your dress with a long gold chain, or strands of colored gemstones. Pearls are pretty, but are obviously not your first choice. However, I do LOVE a pearl bracelet with everything and anything, and you might find a signature piece of your own. Here’s some pretty inspiration:
For an evening event, you may want to bring a light pashmina or sweater if the weather tends to turn chilly. I like to add a little sparkle to my evening jewelry and this is one of my favorites:
Day or night, heels often present a dilemma when walking on grass. While a wedge heel works perfect for a mid-afternoon wedding, it is often too casual for the evening. Consider purchasing a pair of Solemates so you can wear your favorite peep toes without sinking into the lawn. They are on my “must have list” this wedding season.
As a guest, your main job is to honor and celebrate the bride and groom. Your choice of clothing should reflect your stylish taste and good judgment.
For more wedding style tips, read my blog post, Can I Wear Black to a Wedding? and don’t forget to visit my Pinterest page for a sampling of my favorites.