I am really struggling with this. It just seems kind of “wrong” to me to wear red to a wedding. Am I overthinking this?
I would love to wear a suit of some sort, but everything I have found is too business-y, too mother-of-the-bride-y (I’m just a random guest), or too expensive!
I just feel like I have looked and looked but nothing seems right. I have a purple, long-sleeved (it will likely be cold), ponte knit dress with black leather insets and an exposed back zipper. I love it, but it seems to “edgy” for a wedding. I have another purple dress that only has a cap sleeve that is more cocktail-y, but I’m afraid I will be too cold. I will be taking a coat but would not want to have to wear it in the church. I do NOT want to wear black.
I’m also have shoe issues. It’s probably going to be cold, but boots (even heeled boots) seem “wrong” for a wedding. But the thought of bare legs makes me shiver.
I have found a red dress that I like with 3/4 sleeves, but I am still not sure about that color for a wedding even if it is on Valentine’s Day.
Someone please tell me what to wear! Thank you for any advice!
Well, my D just wore red to a wedding (right after new year). I’m the last person to give fashion advice, but I don’t think it would be wrong to wear red to a wedding --unless that’s what the bridesmaids are wearing. Don’t overthink. The long-sleeved purple dress sounds fine, too.
Years ago I bought a dress to wear to a wedding and it was red. I remember I paid full price for it, about $60, which is something I never do! I began to call it my ‘wedding’ dress because I think I wore it to 6 or 7 weddings. It was a fall dress, but just seemed right for the day at all these other weddings I attended. A co-worker was getting married in June and I was rather sad because I knew it would be too hot for the dress. The day arrived and it was cold and blustery - out came the red ‘wedding’ dress as the one I’d planned on wouldn’t have been warm enough.
Don’t worry about the color if you like the dress.
Red is completely fine to wear to a wedding. Let’s talk about shoes…a high-heeled stretch suede boot in black would look appropriate…assuming the dress fabric is wintery enough. I have Stuart Weitzman stretch suede boots in black and brown, and they are quite refined and dressy looking. What is the dress fabric? An alternative would be black hose or lightweight tights and pumps.
Red, black, and white dresses worn by wedding guests used to be considered inappropriate in my culture of origin. However, it seems not to be a custom followed much anymore, even in that culture, except by women over 70 and me. I’m 59. If you are comfortable, I think you are fine. The interesting question to me is why you asked?
I am pretty comfortable following gourmetmom’s advice here.
Thanks, all! @thumper1 - if this dress were pink, I would have no hesitation about it.
I guess part of my reasoning, too, is the dress is rather fitted. I wouldn’t say it was “sexy,” per se’ but it is form-fitting in addition to being red. It is not low-cut or short or anything. I guess I feel like the red coupled with the fittedness of the dress might be “too much.”
@Gourmetmom - you mean tall boots, not booties, right? One friend suggested booties, and that seemed wrong. I know short booties with dresses are in, but I have short legs and bootieswith a skirt or dress just seem to make my legs seem even shorter. Maybe I will do some boot shopping!
Wear the red dress. I would also think boots are fine as long as they are appropriately dressy for the dress - not cowboy boots – for example! I agree with you about booties - I do not like them. I also think the purple dress would be OK. Wear pearls if you have them. Have fun.
Red and black are now widely acceptable for wedding guests. Personally, I would still avoid white but know others who are fine with that also. Wear the dress that makes you feel most comfortable. I think you will see a lot of red that night. YMMV by location.
Well, I guess I’m in the minority. I think the red would probably be ok, since it’s Valentine’s day. But a fitted one may make it seem that you are trying to draw attention to yourself. I would be self conscious about that.
What everyone else said - wear the red dress. You will not be the only one dressed in red on Valentine’s day.
Agree with Gourmetmom about stretch knee-high boots with dresses being a good (and smart) look for festive events during colder times. Stuart Weitzman boots are not only gorgeous - they are also well made and comfy. Something like this:
– for example! I agree with you about booties - I do not like them. I also think the purple dress would be OK. Wear pearls if you have them. Have fun.