Since I once decided to never really grow up, I need my surroundings to notice that I am indeed getting older. Drunken one night stands turn into relationships, dating partners become housemates who eventually share last names and later produce offspring together. In love, engaged, married, and parents, even I cannot deny that we are unfortunately really getting older. Last year I attended about three weddings and there are a few more planned for this year. Not from my parents' friends like before, but from my own friends. Now, a wedding always causes immediate stress and panic for all parties involved. From the master of ceremonies to witnesses or guests, everyone is in a flurry because WHAT do you wear? So today in the Explorer: this is how you tackle a wedding, fashion wise.
Let's start with the dress code. Every wedding has a dress code and sometimes you even get a real theme thrown at you. Such a theme is almost always crap (“spring sun”, “be inspired by love”, “winter wonderland”) but you just have to swallow it. Ignoring a theme and thus the dress code is really rude, so one way or another, pull your spring sun outfit out of the closet. The misery of a theme is that you are imposed something you really don't feel like. For example, colleague Josselin is expected to show up soon with “a touch of fuchsia”, a color she normally never wears. This brings me to the first tip: adapt the dress code to your own style. In Joss's case, I suggest painting her nails fuchsia pink because nails are an ideal way to incorporate color dress codes. Furthermore, I will now give you a whole list of do's and don'ts, thoroughly researched, but before we start with that, first a basic lesson you must remember: It. Is. Not. About. You. The bride must be the absolute center of the day or evening and you adapt.
– That means you do not show up in a super tight Hervé Leger dress with bulging breasts because that has a rather distracting effect. Your friends should be neatly tucked away in a not too low neckline and with a not too effective push-up bra.
– That also means you don't wear white. And yes, “everyone knows that” but coincidentally I know someone (coughMayBrittcough) who a long time ago really went to a wedding in a white dress. Not allowed. Can't do it. Really not.
– Be also frugal with black. In principle, black is for mourning and as cynical as I am, we should just assume for convenience that the couple in question stays together until death. So there is no reason for mourning and only for celebration, and you don't do that in black. Of course, a bit of black in your outfit is fine, but keep it happy.
– Denim. No matter how attached you are to your jeans, they stay at home for a wedding. And no, not even if you wear a nice silk blouse on top.
– I know, it's hotter than ever, women in suits. Recently I wrote a whole Explorer about how to wear a suit as a woman but everything you learned then you can forget for one time because for a wedding you prefer not to wear a suit. This is a festive occasion, not a meeting.
– This brings me to a point of nuance. Much of what you wear depends on the couple in question. If the husband and wife are very fashionably responsible and understand what you mean by Le Smoking from Yves Saint Laurent, I have said nothing. But usually, that is not the case and you do well not to go too far with complicated clothing. Keep it nice and keep it simple.
– Consider the location. A wedding at a country estate in a rural style is of course super fun, but do you know what is not super fun? Constantly stumbling half to the ground in your 12-centimeter stilettos because you can't walk on grass. A wedge heel offers a solution, but a nice elegant ballerina or loafer is also a great idea.
– Really no idea what to wear? Check with other guests what they are going to do and agree to go in more or less the same style. A bit cowardly, but hey, it might just help you.
For those looking for inspiration, the shopping below may help. And remember, it will be fine, such a sweet day with love left and love right will pass by again. Good luck! And go ahead, have fun too.
1. Light pink long dress, €109.99, , Josh V via debijenkorf.nl
2. Orange cocktail dress, €225, Karen Millen via debijenkorf.nl
3. Mint green dress, €180, Ted Baker via debijenkorf.nl
4. Long light blue dress, €59.95, Zara
5. Candy pink dress, €455, Preen Line via net-a-porter.com
6. Green dress with embroidery, €202.75, Needle & Thread via net-a-porter.com
7. Long blue dress, €79.99, Mango
