Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

can I wear ivory to a wedding?

82 replies

grolier · 24/01/2012 12:17

Can I wear an ivory lace dress, chic, flattering, discreet, and perfect in every way - except possibly (probably) colour - to a spring wedding? I am part of the family inner circle, not a random guest. LOVE the bride and would never do anything to spoil things for her, so there's no question of "up-stagy-ness".

OP posts:
beachyhead · 24/01/2012 12:19

I would say not really, especially as it is lace and might be perceived a bit bridal. Sorry

EdithWeston · 24/01/2012 12:20

I'm sorry today that the you've described it sounds exactly like a wedding dress. I don't think you should wear it - ivory lace is far too bridal.

savoycabbage · 24/01/2012 12:21

No. You can't wear an ivory lace dress to a wedding.

PippiLongBottom · 24/01/2012 12:23

Have you got a link to it? Will you be wearing bright accessories, pashmina, shoes etc? That will make it instantly less bridal.

AllPastYears · 24/01/2012 12:24

No.

Ephiny · 24/01/2012 12:26

I wouldn't.

Superene · 24/01/2012 12:28

No. Definitely not.

Likesshinythings · 24/01/2012 12:28

Think it would be a bit of a faux pas and even if the bride was fine with it the other guests might raise eyebroews!

CoolRunnings · 24/01/2012 12:28

No, I wouldn't, I think you'd look rude tbh.

grolier · 24/01/2012 12:28

OK. No, it is. Thank you. I knew you were right, but was just hoping maybe...

It actually looks nothing like a wedding dress though. It is fitted, knee-length and has a matching coat-dress type thing. It is very wedding-guest, not bridal.

Could I get it professionally dyed? I already own the dress, and haven't worn it yet (bought it for something else then didn't wear it). I am quite short of money at the moment, so would like to use if possible.

OP posts:
Likesshinythings · 24/01/2012 12:28

Of course, that should be eyebrows.

EldonAve · 24/01/2012 12:30

no

grolier · 24/01/2012 12:32

Is that no to having it dyed Eldon?

OP posts:
suzikettles · 24/01/2012 12:34

As you know the bride I'd say it depends on what her dress looks like.

If she's wearing a big, white/ivory full length trad wedding dress then I don't see why not. If she's wearing a modern, short ivory lace dress then obv it would not look good.

I went to a wedding where the groom's ex gf wore a full length white dress that was very like the bride's. It was the elephant in the room all day and very, very odd of her. My rather pissed friend (who could only come to the reception) ran in to the venue, straight up to the ex and congratulated her (Ex also looked spookily like the bride - I guess he has a type..)

Karbea · 24/01/2012 12:35

I'd worry you'd ruin it by dying it. Don't wear it to the wedding, White, cream, ivory all definite no, no's. You've hundreds of other colours to choose from.

Astronaut79 · 24/01/2012 12:40

Could you add things to it to make it less obviously ivory? I wore a white, sparkly prom dress to a wedding a couple of years ago, but put a black net underskirt under it, sewed thick black ribbon round the bust and hem and wore long black gloves. Oh, black belt too. Twas an xmas wedding, so got away withthe sparkle.

Jessicaalbastwin · 24/01/2012 12:41

On My sisters wedding day, a pathetic cousin turned up wearing a lace Ivory dress, and boy did she get daggersGrin.

TheScarlettPimpernel · 24/01/2012 12:43

I honestly don't get this thing about not wearing ivory or white. I mean - the bride is going to be in two grand's worth of floor length white gown, with a veil, and entire gardens full of roses, right at the front, attending by sundry bridesmaids and pageboys.

In order to take attention from the bride you'd have to strip naked and actually streak while the vows are being said.

I daresay people might have worn white or cream to my wedding. I would not have noticed, and if I had, I would not have cared.

MildlyNarkyPuffin · 24/01/2012 12:46

The only way you could get away with it would be to split the set - wear the dress with a coloured wrap/jacket/pashmina or wear the coat-dress thing with a different dress underneath.

MyMelody · 24/01/2012 12:48

I always thought it was more of a no no to wear black.
I actually think the dress sounds fine especially if you wear it with a coloured shrug or jacket and accessories.

MildlyNarkyPuffin · 24/01/2012 12:49

TheScarlettPimpernel it really depends on the bride's dress as people have said. A knee length fitted ivory dress won't detract from a big white wedding dress with veil and bridesmaids. It would detract from a shorter fitted off white dress without a veil. You can't assume the bride will go full meringue.

TheScarlettPimpernel · 24/01/2012 12:50

Yeah I guess, Mildly - that does make sense.

Grin at 'going the full meringue'!

TheScarlettPimpernel · 24/01/2012 12:52

BTW OP if it is pure cotton/linen/silk it would probably dye nicely if you were prepared to risk it.

Or you could wear the jacket over a different, coloured dress??

MyMelody · 24/01/2012 12:52

I agree MildlyNarky, is it a big wedding op or small registry office type wedding? If its a biggish traditional style wedding I think you would be fairly safe, however if its a small understated type wedding perhaps not

BelleDameSansMerci · 24/01/2012 12:53

I agree with "not".

Also, believe that black and green are pretty much out of the running too (unless it's a black tie do).