To go to a wedding in formal attire?

[hibbledibble]

Not been to a wedding for a little while due to covid. The last one I went to, I wore a formal, ankle length dress, and I felt distinctly over dressed compared to most guests who were generally wearing something I would wear to the pub. (Floral dresses). Awkwardly, I wore the same colour as the bridesmaids too, who didn't wear matching dresses, so some people thought I was a bridesmaid. There was no mention of a dress code, or colours not to wear in the invite, and it was a traditional church wedding.

Going to a wedding this summer, which will also be a traditional church wedding, and wondering is formal for weddings out now? What is acceptable to wear as a female guest. Obviously not going for white or black, but wondering regarding style and formality.

For context, I wore a dress similar to the picture below previously.

Anything chiffon and lacy as well as full length in one colour will look bridesmaidy - it's not the length per se, just the full package!

Jumpsuits are lovely I think for a wedding...

The first is Liquorish

Second is Asos

Or if you wanted to stick with plain and blue (v classy, I love this one), the third is from Silkfred here

@hibbledibble

I guess the opinions on this vary!

Jumpsuits to me would seem far too casual as well. Gosh, I must sound very out of touch. I'm on the hunt now for a not too formal, not too casual dress now. Hope I get it right.

Some jumpsuits are dressy and that’s what I’d go for if I wanted to cover my legs. I don’t think the distinction between dressy daywear and evening wear is a fine line at all. Formal gowns are not wedding guest attire unless it’s black tie, which would be on the invitation.

@hibbledibble

I asked the mums at playgroup, maybe we all live under a rock!

Would something like this be acceptable then?

I'm learning a lot here.

That's lovely

I think the hotsquash dress you pictured I think second? Is fabulous. In fact i just discovered that brand while searching for a wedding outfit a few months ago.
Long but can’t be mistaken for bridesmaid. Can be dressed up or down depending on showers and jewellery so could also wear it other places.

For the first time ever I wore a more casual dress to a wedding last week thinking I could get away with it (I’ve just had a baby so “whatever fits” was the criteria) and most people were wearing ultra formal dresses, floor length, satin, “gowns”. The couple were in their late thirties if that makes a difference. I think the dress you posted is fine.

I think your first dress was lovely and if it was knee length something I’d definitely wear to a church wedding. I’m not sure why but the full length gives it an extra dimension of formal “ball dance” appearance.
So if sticking with long length then more casual style overall.
I wore a top and loose flowing trousers with sandals to a summer wedding and it was one of the most comfortable outfits.

I would wear whatever you like, and whatever you feel good in, I can't be doing with rules and regulations, and would never ask anyone's opinion on my clothes choices.. Be an individual, and not a follower.

Well OP this is obviously subjective. I find your blue dress by far the best amongst all the suggestions here. Those with huge floral /block prints are hideous in my opinion. However my opinion does not matter as we all have individual tastes. Stick with what you find comfortable . The blue dress is perhaps a little too long, does it need to be floor length to cover your leg issue? I would feel totally underdressed wearing a jumpsuit affair to a wedding, but I am ancient 53!

Agree with @1forAll74. I like your blue dress. I have worn all sorts of stuff to weddings, and when I got married I told friends to wear anything they felt comfortable in or wanted to wear.

@PurBal

For the first time ever I wore a more casual dress to a wedding last week thinking I could get away with it (I’ve just had a baby so “whatever fits” was the criteria) and most people were wearing ultra formal dresses, floor length, satin, “gowns”. The couple were in their late thirties if that makes a difference. I think the dress you posted is fine.

That seems so strange, that it wasn't mentioned on the invitation but they all knew. This thread shows this isn't the obvious choice for weddings

@YellowandGreenToBeSeen

Your second dress is far less formal. It’s lovely but may actually be a little too informal for a formal wedding. Great for a bbq / garden party.

I go to bbqs in jeans and a teeshirt

The first is a bridesmaid dress and quite dated. The second one is much better. What's your budget?

I go swimming at a hotel and get to watch a lot of weddings. The female guests tend to wear knee length or midi length pattered dresses. Some wear a plain colour such as cerise and some have a soft pastel coloured blazer type jacket. The younger women wear short dresses in similar patterns.

Dress is lovely for a wedding OP.

That second ones just an everyday outfit, not for a wedding.

That Anthropologie dress someone posted is ridiculous. Only fit for the Hunger Games.
I like the second one you posted OP. Lots of other nice suggestions on here too.

If you like block colour, longish, floaty but not remotely ballgown/bridesmaids then this dress from Ted Baker might fit the bill

A wedding is a day time event. A single colour full length dress I would usually consider as evening wear, eg a ball gown, or something a bridesmaid would wear.

If you must go full length, try a polka dot, floral or striped dress, in a style that covers shoulders, eg wrap dress can work well. If going full length I would possibly not wear too high a heel to avoid looking bridesmaidy/OTT.

Also in my circle a jumpsuit would be consider not really the thing at a wedding. It would be considered a bit trendy and not quite smart enough, especially by anyone over 50. I absolutely wouldn't wear one to a wedding myself.

@hibbledibble

Hmm, some comments a bit on the harsh side. I cover my legs due to a medical condition, and had shown the dress to other mums prior to choosing it and they said it was fine, so it is clearly not just me. I'll take on board the comments that a different style is required though.

In which case go for a dress with tights or a maxi dress. That dress is way too formal, its more of a gown.