Can I wear a coat to a funeral which isn't black?!

[horsesanddrywhitewine]

We're going to a very formal and large funeral tomorrow of a family friend.

My black coat doesn't fit since having a baby 8 months ago. I said I'd wear my camel coloured one, my husband says that isn't an appropriate colour for a funeral.

I don't want to be cold, it's forecast cold tomorrow, can I wear it if I take it off once I get into church?

The formal thing to do in this situation used to be to wear a black armband over your non-black coat.

I would wear it. No one is going to take any notice Who can honestly say they have been to a funeral and notice what people are wearing. Aslong as you have black underneath it will be fine.

Different culture that's all, not conservative but old-fashioned respect if it's a formal funeral.

Sorry, but I still don't see how wearing black is any more respectful than wearing any other colour. It is conservative, and old fashioned. And what on earth is a "formal funeral"? Funerals here are celebrations of the life of the deceased, which is as they should be.

If it's as formal as you say I'd nip to a shop first thing this morning and pick something up not to expensive. Then you will be at least comfortable.

I think it sounds fine

Camel is neutral and smart. If trained with black tights, shoes, scarf, hat, gloves, bag etc I think it would be perfectly acceptable. It’s not like you are proposing to wear like green or shocking pink!

The last funeral I was at was a few years ago in Ireland. A traditional catholic funeral I thought so I was dressed head to toe in black - I was slagged mercilessly - even by the deceased’s children! I was the best dressed person there by an absolute mile - I was mortified as I’d never even met the man. I know you said this is a formal funeral so might be different. I would have been more comfortable in jeans at that funeral looking back. I don’t think camel will raise an eyebrow, certainly if taken off once inside.

@olivehater

I would wear a dark coat personally but it doesn’t need to be black. Navy or grey etc but camel could look quite striking against a sea of black. Fine if it’s a small piece but a coat is the first thing you see.

🙄 Wear the camel coat OPits fine

Please don’t buy a new coat just for this! (What a waste?!) In your shoes I’d wear your old coat with a scarf to cover the gap and keep you warm as pp have suggested.

In my mind a smart camel coloured coat is formal attire? If everything else you are wearing is black you will still look smart, I doubt every single person attending tomorrow will own a black coat.

Camel is fine for a formal funeral. I'd be surprised if most people were in black, I don't have any black clothes.

I’m sadly of an age where old friends start popping off, so have been to quite a few funerals in the past few years, and I honestly don’t think black is considered necessary any more. I’ve worn a camel coat and nobody’s turned a hair. Some people have been dressed even less ‘formally’.

I don’t think anyone wore black to my DM’s funeral a few years ago, and TBH she would never have expected it.

Can you black coat be worn not fastened? Wear a black scarf to stay warm? Have you a friend who can lend you a coat? If I knew you I would offer

Personally I wouldn’t wear a contrasting coloured coat in a sea of black.

I wouldn't. Not for a large, formal funeral. I'd borrow a black or dark navy, grey coat.

Eh if you are saying it's a very formal funeral, then colour is not to be expected. Colour is only expected when it's said on the notice for the funeral really.

If in doubt, wear black. I wouldn't be wearing the camel one to be honest.

Wear your coat. This worry about a colour is madness. The Victorians and their nonsense have gone, don’t be held in away by them. The most important thing is to be there, your coat is just fabric to keep you warm.

Camel is fine as a neutral, smart coat.
I can't see anyone caring so much as to offer spending £££ on a temporary coat that is more "suitable"

In that position I'd have been wearing my purple maternity coat. Post-natal proportions meant that while my bust and tummy were significantly larger than ususal, standard cut 14s looked awful hanging off my still sized 8 back, so I would not have wasted time, money and resources to buy something ill-fitting from Primark.

It's absolutely fine, dh is very formal wrt funeral wear and his 'funeral coat' is camel.

For a large, formal funeral I’d wear the black coat open with a scarf. I wouldn’t wear the camel if you have a black coat.

Wear the camel coat, nobody cares. The important fact is that you are there. Some of these posts are ridiculously old fashioned. Unless you are the queen there is no need for a black coat. Literally life is too short for this crap.

Your partner is in the dark ages.

The days of wall to wall black st funerals is long gone.

I wore a camel coat to a funeral in December, it didn’t even occur to me not to.

I went to a funeral recently and went out and bought a black long wool coat and smart black dress to wear.

When I got there loads of people where wearing different colour coats. I needn't have bothered.

Some people had jeans on.

@horsesanddrywhitewine I once wore a dark green coat to a formal funeral and felt hideously embarrassed and out of place. I’d either wear the black coat unbuttoned with a dark scarf or suck up being cold for the duration; stick your camel coat in the car if you’re driving

I have been to three funerals recently, and it wasn't wall to wall black at any of them.