What do you wear to a wedding?
Weddingwear inspiration for summer guests
What do you wear to a wedding? It's the question that instantly occupies your mind as soon as the invitation lands on your doormat. Especially in the summer, when one ceremony after another fills your calendar and your wardrobe calls for cheerful, elegant, and comfortable choices. You certainly don't want to overshadow the bride, but you also want to shine in the photos, from the first glass of prosecco to the last dance. And can it also be a bit comfortable?
What to wear to a wedding: the basic rules for guests
Lovely, such a wedding. Everyone literally clears out their closet to look their best. But it always brings some challenges. You certainly don't want to cast a shadow over the beautiful bride, but at the same time, you want to look fabulous and fantastic too. I have a few tips that will help you put together your perfect party outfit.
Check the dress code and stick to it
Is it nautical chic, tenue de ville, a touch of pink, or, as I once had, ‘Alice in Wonderland-style’? I know that a dress code can give you gray hairs, but ultimately it will inspire you to a creative act and it's fun to see how everyone has interpreted the dress code. It also says something about the guests and gives you a nice conversation starter with people you don't know yet.
Consider the wedding location
The wedding location is mentioned on the invitation. Dive into Google and gather as many photos of the location as possible. Is it very modern or classic, does it have a beach vibe or is it on an old farm? It will guide you in practical choices (high heels or better ballerinas), but also serve as a mood board for the background of your outfit. At that farm, you would choose lace and florals, while at that white villa in Greece, you would go for statement colors. I also apply this tip when I go to a restaurant I don't know yet: it works perfectly and you'll definitely get in the mood.
Opt for color (and avoid white)
I think you can wear a black dress to a wedding, as long as it's particularly festive and playful. But preferably choose color, especially for a summer wedding. Years ago, when I had my first event as editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, my fashion boss told me: “May, you can wear anything as long as it's not black.” It ended up being a bottle green dress from MaxMara, and when I saw the photos from the evening, I was thrilled with the advice. Almost everyone wore black, so with a dress in a different color, you immediately stand out.
You already know this: white is, unless the dress code states otherwise, a no-go.
Think about the right bag for a wedding
I still see bags that, how shall I put this nicely, don't quite match the outfit. I understand that, because a bag can be quite expensive and not everyone has twenty bags in their closet. But borrowing is also an option. And it doesn't have to be a designer bag. Make sure your bag at a wedding is primarily small. Think of a clutch that you tuck under your arm or a wallet on a chain that hangs from a long chain over your shoulder. Let it be more of a piece of jewelry than something that comes close to being practical.
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Comfortable and elegant: how to choose your wedding outfit
I would definitely choose something you can move in as if it were pajamas. You have to spend a long day in it, sitting at the table for hours, and you will also dance in it. You don't want to be in pants you bought when you thought you would lose a few pounds. And I would also choose a statement color, a print, and a special cut. So comfortable and utterly elegant at the same time.
Brands you might want to look at include: Natan (if it's good enough for Máxima...), Zimmermann (I'm really in love with everything these two Australian sisters bring to the market), and especially La Double J. La Double J is the label of J.J. Martin (hence Double J) and her goal — to wrap the world in joy — is quite successful. Ten years ago she started her label in Milan and now La Double J is a phenomenon. It's cheerful and feminine; when you take her Sorella Dress in Phoenix print off the rack, you already long for an espresso on the piazza municipio in Amalfi.
For a wedding, I would go for something like those lovely palazzo pants with a wide, flowing top, or that amazing Swing Dress. Really, the bride may be the most beautiful, but the coolest, that's you.
Where can I buy that? I would look online for Natan or go to the boutique on PC Hooftstraat. For Zimmermann and La Double J, I recommend Pauw , where you get fantastic advice and can try everything on right away. The best part; Pauw has a complete La Double J pop-up that you definitely want to see because it's so beautifully decorated. That pop-up, at Baerlestraat 70 in Amsterdam, is there until this Saturday (16-8).
