Appropriate Dress to Wear As Wedding Guest. Black? Red?

[mrswheats]

I found a site called vintagestyleclothing.com

This dress is $159.00

This one is $179.00

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Maybe something like this? There's only one size left and I'm not sure what size you are, but if you go into a store or call they can find one for you in another store I recently had to do that for a friend's wedding.

That's gorgeous, and an 8 would probably be my size, but I don't really want a black (or almost black) dress. But I kind of want that dress anyway.

Re: Cheongsam, I already wore one of those to a recent wedding, so I don't want to repeat! lol

 

[KittyT]

Keep in mind that "formal" implies floor length. Anything falling just below the knee is more likely a cocktail style dress.

 

[TessTrueheart]

That's gorgeous, and an 8 would probably be my size, but I don't really want a black (or almost black) dress.

You know in Sweden it's a big no-no to wear a black dress to a wedding. And if you wear a red dress it means you've slept with the groom! I'm not making this up!

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Keep in mind that "formal" implies floor length. Anything falling just below the knee is more likely a cocktail style dress.

I know, and I was wondering if the bride and groom actually know this. I was assuming that I was supposed to get a full length gown, but then my mom said she probably wouldn't, so I don't know.

 

[Laughing Magpie]

Wow - talk about a hard set of requirements to follow, and then they throw in that they'd prefer you not wear a Hawaiian print!

I wish I could point you to a particular dress or seller - but the image that pops into my mind is a long but floaty '30s summer dress. Also sometimes described as 'afternoon' or 'tea' or 'garden party' dresses. The length favored in the '30s would make it more formal, but a soft colored or floral print in a floaty fabric would make it more daytime and fit the surroundings, I think.

I found a couple patterns that are like what I was thinking:
http://www.longago.com/TP201.jpg
http://www.evadress.com/8212.html
http://www.evadress.com/3743.html
And Vintage Vixen is selling one sort of along those lines:
http://www.vintagevixen.com/images17000/v17546.jpg

Good luck
Jen

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

My all-time favorite stores for this type of dress are Ann Taylor and White House, Black Market. Here are a few examples:

Ann Taylor:

This is really pretty! How do I get to it on the site? NM, got it.

 

[mrswheats]

Ok, last contribution, I promise lol

David's Bridal has some lovely dresses in their "special occassion" line, and they usually come in several colors:

Happy hunting, Bella!

 

[Lauren]

I think that it's not nessessary to have floor length as formal anymore. It really just depends on what you'd like to do! And a shorter dress can be dressed up with jewelry and heels. Though I do get the not wanting to wear black to a wedding! I wouldn't either

Laughing Magpie, in the 30's it was actually popular to have full length cotton evening dresses in summer and during cruise season I have a few in my collection. They're really cool!

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Wow - talk about a hard set of requirements to follow, and then they throw in that they'd prefer you not wear a Hawaiian print!

I wish I could point you to a particular dress or seller - but the image that pops into my mind is a long but floaty '30s summer dress. Also sometimes described as 'afternoon' or 'tea' or 'garden party' dresses. The length favored in the '30s would make it more formal, but a soft colored or floral print in a floaty fabric would make it more daytime and fit the surroundings, I think.

I found a couple patterns that are like what I was thinking:
http://www.longago.com/TP201.jpg
http://www.evadress.com/8212.html
http://www.evadress.com/3743.html
And Vintage Vixen is selling one sort of along those lines:
http://www.vintagevixen.com/images17000/v17546.jpg

Good luck
Jen

I love this idea! It would be perfect. Now I just need to find one.

 

[Josephine]

I know, and I was wondering if the bride and groom actually know this.

They probably don't. I would bite the bullet and say to them "I'm getting conflicting information about what you would like us to wear, are you thinking floor length or tea length?"

They shouldn't get huffy about it, what's formal vs semi formal vs informal is all topsy turvy nowadays. Add that it's a tropical wedding and they can't blame any one for getting confused. The best thing for them to do is say "black tie" if in fact, that's what they want. not the wishy washy "formal".

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Ok, last contribution, I promise lol

David's Bridal has some lovely dresses in their "special occassion" line, and they usually come in several colors:

Happy hunting, Bella!

Don't stop, you're doing a great job! I was very skeptical about David's bridal but they have some perfectly nice things. I might have to go in.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I just got confirmation that "formal" means only "don't wear jeans and t-shirts," as in, not-informal, and that I can wear any length gown.

 

[KittyT]

I just got confirmation that "formal" means only "don't wear jeans and t-shirts," as in, not-informal, and that I can wear any length gown.

I wish people really knew what they were talking about most of the time.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I wish people really knew what they were talking about most of the time.

Seriously. I'm more concerned about the fact that they felt the need to tell people they shouldn't wear JEANS TO A WEDDING!!!! I blame Los Angeles.

 

[Josephine]

I just got confirmation that "formal" means only "don't wear jeans and t-shirts," as in, not-informal, and that I can wear any length gown.

oh, fer cryin' out loud...

 

[pennyseranade]

oh, fer cryin' out loud...

You can say that again. Are you kidding me.
MBH,
I was on the same page as you thinking "formal" means "black tie optional", Full length gown preferred.

Well, this makes your life a heck of a lot easier. (At least as far a the wedding wardrobe is concerned.)

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

You can say that again. Are you kidding me.
MBH,
I was on the same page as you thinking "formal" means "black tie optional", Full length gown preferred.

Well, this makes your life a heck of a lot easier. (At least as far a the wedding wardrobe is concerned.)

I guess it does, but I still want the perfect dress, and haven't found it yet! lol

 

[deadpandiva]

Seriously. I'm more concerned about the fact that they felt the need to tell people they shouldn't wear JEANS TO A WEDDING!!!! I blame Los Angeles.

lol

 

[PolkaDotMeggie]

http://www.lipstickvogue.com//index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.view_images&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=30&category_id=15&Itemid=1

A lovely, bright dress. I don't know if you like patterns though!