Jenna asks a challenging question:
What do you wear to a formal wedding that’s both modest and gorgeous? Oh, not to mention I’m still nursing and none of my really nice clothes fit me right now.
When I was a kid, before the casualist coup, formal meant long. Since then, we have had the mini-skirt revolution, two fashion cycles of pantsuits, and a whole bunch of new invitation designations have been invented.
The wedding is the beginning of March and in NC. The time is 5pm with a following sit down dinner and dancing with a band. When we asked the groom what the attire was, he came back with formal and defined it as a suit for my husband and a dress for me.
(Coutorture photo, Lyn Devon dress.)
Upon googling the term “formal wedding guest”, I see that, technically the groom is correct. Certainly Jenna’s husband should feel under no obligation to rent a tux. Jenna has several ways she could go:
- A simple dress, color or print, is always good. This is the option for someone whose priority is keeping the ultimate frugal wardrobe.
- A cocktail or party dress. See this article on wedding guest attire, with picture. And here’s a nursing mom who went with this concept to a gala event last October.
- When nursing, sometimes only a skirt and top will do. Do you have something a little festive and flowy, or embellished?
You’ve all got to admit, this is one of the harder questions we ladies have to face. What would you wear?
NC can still be cold in March. I’m a nursing mom, not a fashion maven, but I tend to wear skirts with a cashmere sweater set and jewelry. The cardigan gives layered coverage, while the sweater’s knit provides, um, absorption if needed.
I have a black velvet skirt with a stretchy but not visibly elastic waist that stands me in good stead when I’m nursing or early in pregnancy. I wear it with a nice red sweater or a dressy blouse depending on the occasion. It used to be bad form to wear black to weddings, but considering how many weddings I’ve seen where all the bridesmaids were in black, I’m pretty sure that rule is passe.
Meredith ~ that’s just the information I needed. Out here in the Great Northwest, I just wasn’t sure how cold it would be in NC. I definitely think a sweater set is a good option, either a cashmere one with jewelry or an embellished one, where the jewelry is part of the garment.
Your Majesty ~ That skirt of yours sounds like a keeper! And, even though I still don’t like black for weddings, maternity is my personal exception to that rule. As you wear it, combined with a color, it is certainly in the spirit of not wearing all black anyway.
Thanks ladies! I’m honored that you came by and contributed to the conversation!
Rebecca, you’re the best!! (And Meredith and Queen of Carrots!) I too was wondering what the weather would be like in NC in March. Since I hail from sunny South Florida where sleeveless reigns year round, I was at a loss! I love all of the suggestions! I’m headed out shopping this afternoon, so we’ll see what I can find! Thank you a million times over!
Formal is such a watered down term nowadays, isn’t it?
The last two galas I went to, I chose a simple black stretch velvet scoop neck 3/4 sleeve dress, with a sparkly wrap and accessories. But if I were invited to a formal wedding … I’ve got nothing! (Although you can bet I’d be looking for a cocktail length dress. And it’ll be that much more the rage given the hype around Reese Witherspoon’s Oscar dress.)
Jenna ~ I’m blessed that you found this helpful. Happy shopping!
Wendy ~ You are so right about the term formal. Couldn’t you wear either of your wrap dresses, if push came to shove? And I had the same thought about the Reese connection.
Rebecca, good point. The print would do in a pinch. The black I find more formal, but I am not comfortable wearing black to weddings …
(We think a good deal alike sometimes, you and I!)
I was stumped recently when Hubby’s office Christmas party invite said “formal or festive”. Plus it was his first year with the company, so no knowledge of what’s commonly worn to the party.
I went conservative: a teal (more blue than green), solid color, drapey blouse with matching longish skirt. Jewel-tones in the necklace and earrings for a little spice.
I was not the dressiest there, but I felt comfortably appropriate. As a 40-something, I value that over uncomfortably fashionable, 10 to 1!
“Comfortably appropriate”. Aaaahhhhhh …
Sounds like you were classically stylish as well. 🙂
where can i find this coral colored dress with the grey webbing? is there a site? thank you
You probably can’t. 🙁
The designer’s site is: http://www.lyndevon.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=6&p=6&a=0&at=0 and her stuff is sold at Neiman Marcus.
Since this post is 4 years old, you may be able to find the dress used, but that would be like hunting for the proverbial needle in haystack.
It is gorgeous!