Tuesday, October 18, 2011

What to Wear to a Daytime Wedding

Daytime weddings can be really hard to dress for!

Day usually means more casual and colorful than evening, and you can get away with shorter lengths and lighter fabrics as well. But how does that help you? It mostly doesn't.

Striking the balance of a dress that is fun and light enough for day but still formal enough and special to be appropriate at a wedding is very difficult.

In my opinion, you don't want to wear to a wedding something that you would wear to work, so your gray sheath dress and blue shirtdress are right out. I think most business options are too normal and boring to be festive enough for a wedding.

You also don't want to wear something super shiny and sparkly though, which screams "nighttime."

Pattern:
I think the best thing to do for a daytime wedding is wear an abstract pattern.
Ditsy florals are too casual, stripes are too business or everyday.
NO!!!


Shape: 
I think strapless, sleeveless, cap sleeve, or 3/4 sleeve are the way to go. I would not choose one shoulder (too nightclubby) or one with a sweetheart or halter neck (too formal).



NO!!!


Length:
Don't go floor-length. Don't go Daisy Duke short. I prefer knee-length, tea-length (those come to your upper ankle), or slightly above the knee. Length really varies based on your shape and what looks nice but not too conservative or too daring on you.
 NO!!

Fabric:
Most of the time, jersey (think tee shirt material) is too casual. I have seen some really elaborate jersey dresses that are cut in interesting ways that could go to a wedding, but when in doubt jersey is out.
Washed silk and linen and woven cotton are good.
Shiny taffeta, satin, rhinestones, etc are bad for day.
 NO!!!

Warmth:
If you are worried about being cold, a pashmina is the safest option, but I think for a daytime wedding, a nicely tailored blazer or an embellished cardigan are also acceptable. I would not do those for an evening wedding though.

Here are some good cardigans:
$59.50 Jones NY Beaded Cardigan

$64.50 Jones NY Beaded V neck Cardigan

$43.38 Jones NY Signature Snap front cardigan


I recently went to a daytime wedding where the dress code was "fancy casual" whatever that means, and chose a short dark gray dress with long sleeves and an allover abstract hash-like graphic print. It worked very well for the occasion.

Here are some good options.

$99.95 Anthropologie Splashed Palette dress

$57 Eliza J Printed Cap Sleeve Dress

$39.99 GAP Cascade sleeve printed dress

$57 Club Monaco Kayleen dress

$82.50 Parker shoulder tie dress

$96.60 Maggie Ward Louise Brooks dress

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