Hey Beautiful readers!
As we head into mid-march (crazy!!!) The seasons are changing, the weather is warming up, and spring weddings are in full swing. As we head into the peak of wedding season and enjoy more and more outdoor settings, in the back of our minds we’re all thinking the same thing: What Do I Wear?
For the wedding guests, brides looking for attire inspo, family members who don’t know what “Garden Chic” means or anyone in between, we’re navigating all things spring wedding attire this week, and pointing out some of my favorite sites to grab your outfit from!
Let’s Dress HIM!
Navigating a dress code can be a challenge to both men and women. For men, we immediately think of 4 basic questions: What color suit? Do I wear a tie? Jacket too? What color accessories?
Tans, Blues, and pastels find their way back into the palette in the spring, and for the really adventurous guys we even see shades of pink and green. Without getting ahead of ourselves there, bright colored undershirts, blue suits with brown accessories, a dressed up tan / khaki look or a nice patterned jacket all add a bit of spring-y flare to what men can consider when picking attire for a spring wedding.
When it comes to ties, jackets and accessories, the more formal the attire the more you add in - as a general rule of thumb. For example, your cocktail attire for men could include dress pants and a light colored button down, while your black tie would invite a traditional black suit, possible suspenders and vest, a bow-tie or at minimum a full length tie, and probably a pocket square or cufflinks. No matter the attire, remember bright colors and patterns are the way to spruce it up in the spring.
Buying The Dress
Women enter into a whole new realm when it’s time to switch their closets and move on from their fur coats, long sleeve sweater dresses, and velvet gowns. The winter is a great time for women to utilize deep colors and large accessories, and the spring and summer are exactly the opposite. Minimalist, sexy, and a pop of COLOR. If you can’t already sense, the theme is embracing the beauty of spring in your wedding guest attire choices. Unless it is laid out plain and simple, “please wear all black”, women are ordering at least 3 dresses before landing on what they'd actually like to wear.
In the springtime, especially in Florida, it gets hot… and FAST. Most ceremonies are being held outdoors, in the remaining sunlit hours of the day, with the potential of an outdoor cocktail hour as well. Fabrics such as silk, chiffon and tulle are popular choices and some will even choose linen or cotton for a beach setting. FashionUnited describes these fabrics as lightweight, breathable/ airy, and moisture wicking. The spring time opens up more styles and we commonly see Bardot, Tiered, Halter, high-low, slip, strapless, column, sundress, and mid-length dresses. These are common warmer weather dresses because they expose more skin both on the arms and legs.
There are some types of dresses that we see in both seasons including bodycon, maxi, off-the shoulder, wrap and asymmetric to name a few. The key to navigating spring wedding shopping is to focus on bright joyful colors - pink, blue, orange, yellow, green, purple and embrace patterns more than ever. Florals, ombre or tie-dyes, and even just whimsical light-weight designs are a perfect touch and pop of color for a spring wedding.
How do I know the dress fits the “attire”?
Without diving too far into the specifics of each attire, a dress past your knees and the likes of slacks and a sports coat are an appropriate base line. The last thing you want to do is walk into your family friend's backyard for his wedding, only to be in a fancier dress than the bride. But, the same goes for underdressing. If the attire stated is formal, as a rule of thumb short cocktail dresses should not be worn by women, and men should at minimum be in a full suit and tie.
The setting of the wedding should also be a contributing factor in your decision. The beach and a barn will bring out different vibes. If you are going to possibly be outside for an extended period of time, consider dresses that go well with up-do hairstyles for your longer lasting comfort and enjoyment while partying in the heat.
“Unstated” Attire Weddings
Some couples may not care, and may not have a venue that cares either. As a rule of thumb, ask the couple their preference to avoid being the eye sore in any of the above stated scenarios. In this case, the season is a dominating factor in the choices you make so remember to keep color and breathability in mind when looking for the spring. These choices can be utilized on rompers, 2 piece sets or skirts for women; and for men, a bright polo accompanies dark jeans or khaki pants quite well.
What about a themed wedding?
Themed weddings raise a totally different set of parameters for the guests. In some ways it becomes easier. For example, if your friends are getting married at a barn and having a Backyard BBQ themed wedding, jeans, cowboy boots, a good solid cowboy hat and ruffled dress will make you fit right in. On the other hand, the couple may be having a lavender themed wedding and request all guests wear some shade of purple. There are endless possibilities, and as couples become more specific in their wedding visions and desires, guest “dress codes” are coming into play.
Wedding guest attire is a fashion statement of its own, so make sure you get your moment and stand out this spring with a pop of color and pattern that adds to the joy and brightness of the day.
Xoxo,
Alyssa
Comments