What does one wear to a funeral these days?

[CiderwithBuda]

going to MIL's mother's funeral on Monday. She would have been 106 on Sunday. MIL is early 70s. Quite traditional.

No idea if all black will be expected.

Help!

Have recently lost almost 2 stone and am a 20 or 22. Dint want to spend a fortune on something I will never wear again. My wardrobe consists of very casual stuff or very dressy stuff. Nothing 'smart' which I think MIL would want.

Any ideas?

I think a black jacket, of any style really, shows respect when worn with any 'sober' other clothes. I bought a dark grey shift dress and matching jacket when I saw then in the M & S sale, even without a funeral to go to, as unfortunately these events keep on coming round from time to time. This seems to be OK for the funerals I have worn it to, but a lot of people, if they are not immediate family, seem to be quite a bit more casual than that. Better too smart than too casual if you aren't sure!

Purple is a very funerial colour my mother always said and I went to a funeral yesterday in a navy/purple dress. Would something like this in the purple work? . It's in stock size 22 and IMO would look nice with a black cardi, bag, tights and shoes.

If she was 'traditional' and you havent been told otherwise, black or dark, sombre colours.

I wore white to dads with a christmas tree decoration in my hair (he had said 'no black' and we got called back from holiday, so its lucky it wasn't a bikini - the deco was a white dove and a family joke) and mums was a mainly black dress with teensy red flowers and a black wraparound top thing. I usually dig out my good old 'funeral dress' from the back of the wardrobe (doesnt everyone have one of these, or is it just me?)

Anything in sombre colours - last 4 funerals I have been to I have been stunned at how casual things are now.

Sorry for your loss x

Thanks all. Sorry I didnt get back earlier. DS very unreasonably wanted dinner and then we watched TV.

Suggestion of purple inspired as reminded me i have a dark purple M&S Autograph dress that will work. Havent worn it for ages as grew out of it but it fits again now! Have tights and shoes. And a black jacket or cardi if needed.

Frontpaw - the decoration for your Dads funeral sounds great.

valiumredhead - thank you. She was a lovely lovely lady but at almost 106 it wasnt a surprise really.

reastle - that dress is nice but I have just charity shopped one very similar!

4aminsomniac - I think i need something like that in my wardrobe! When I worked I always had something suitable.