Wedding reception - do you have to wear a dress or skirt these days?

[MarshmallowFarm]

Hi,

I haven't been to a big wedding reception for over a decade and no longer sure of the etiquette in terms of clothes. I never usually wear dresses, am a short size 16/18 and dresses make me look shorter and dumpier!

Do i have to wear one or are trousers acceptable?

Thanks in advance!

Trousers have been acceptable at weddings for some decades now.

(Assuming of course that they are part of an outfit which is dressy enough for the occasion).

Thanks Auntiestella I was thinking smart black trousers and a smart flowery top? Would I need a matching jacket too?

Hi Marshmallow farm - You would definitely need a jacket. However, you might want to be careful that you don't look too "dark" with the black trousers - if you add a matching black jacket you may well look more like you are on your way to a meeting than to a wedding...

For reception only you don't need a jacket. Just dress up and feel nice!

You do not 'definitely' need a jacket at all.

In fact I'm not sure I would with trousers.

Smart trousers and a nice top will be perfectly lovely.

Thank you all! I feel much better now!

I think the colours are still the most important thing, ie. don't wear white, red or black. A hat is always a winner. I personally favour nude, beige, light khaki or even light grey, as it can get a bit much with all the flower patterned dresses. Pastels are usually good, no bright primary colours.

I agree with thecuntureshow, a smart trouser with a nice top will do. Find a nice top and you don't need to wear jacket at all. Just accessorize with some necklace and bracelet. Trousers are acceptable now in weddings unlike before. I think a cream or black trouser is good for a wedding.

miscscph am curious about why you should avoid certain colours? I look dreadful in pastels and much better in bright colours or grey/brown!

You 'should' avoid white, because the only person wearing it 'should' be the bride.

You 'should' avoid black, because it is associated with funerals and mourning, and not the happiest day of soemone's life.

Bright colours are great for a wedding.

Can I recommend a shalwar kameez? You know the south asian long tunic top over trousers with a scarf draped across shoulders/neck. They do look smarter and more festive adn more special than western trousers and top.

Monochrome has been very popular this summer so black trousers with a dressy white/cream blouse, or black trousers with a white jacket.

A few ideas.

I might urge a little caution regarding black and white: it's all too easy to look like the waiting staff which could be very embarrassing, especially with black trousers and white top.

Hopefully the op will leave the apron at home!

Thank you all, I am chuckling at the thought of being mistaken for the waitress!

So, black trousers with a pretty floral top would be acceptable?

Colour "rules" are so outdated. There are plenty of black clothes I would (and have) wear to a wedding but not a funeral. Its about the style, material, cut, and what accessories you wear that makes an outfit suitable for a wedding not the colour. I think you could even wear a white dress with the right styling and accent colours, wedding dresses have a very specific look, why would you want to look like a bride on someone else's big day??

I have an aversion to buying clothes only fit for one purpose though, so black trousers sound great to me. Wear with a lovely bright blouse to suit your shape, or I like the middle pic above but I'd wear with a big necklace, and a huge clutch, maybe in red so going by the "rules" apparantly I'd be commiting all the fashion faux pas in one outfit.

Also, (sorry, on a roll!) this is just the reception, not the ceremony itself?. If its the evening do, it wouldn't surprise me if some people turned up in jeans. By the evening everyone from the wedding will have been in their smart outfits all day and be desperate to loosen ties, kick off high heels and a relax. You'll be either sitting around a lot or dancing, so make sure you feel comfortable for either activity. Have a lovely time.

Thank you vicki that's confirmed my original hunch that I would be better to wear something I feel comfortable in than to be squeezed into a dress and spent the night feeling awkward! Thank you!

You're welcome :) I'm a fairly new poster, but have realised the few posts I have so far commented on have been about what the "correct" clothes to wear at xx occasion are...I may be wrong and is only my opinion, but I hate dress codes and so called "rules". Dress appropriately for the situation to hand yes, but I strongly believe that if you feel comfortable, and stick to what you know suits you first and foremost, then your confidence will see you through. Have a few glasses of wine, catch up with friends and enjoy yourself!

I'm the opposite to you Vikki - I quite like a dress code as it makes it so much easier to chose what I am going to wear.