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Original poster

Jeans to a wedding reception how much a no-no??

59 replies

beyondthestar · 23/07/2016 10:51

I need an outfit for a wedding reception asap. I don't own any trousers, I find it hard to find a nice fit and don't wear dresses, won't go into the reasons for that but a dress or skirt is not an option. By jeans I mean jet black , nicely fitted (new) skinny ones, with a nice top, light coloured blazer, accessories etc. I this a complete no? Surely black trousers will look the same in a darkened room? or is black just a general no-no?

TIA

OP posts:
KoalaDownUnder · 23/07/2016 13:54

No. Just not dressy enough.

There must be other cuts of trousers that you wear?

squoosh · 23/07/2016 14:06

People who are invited to the evening part of the wedding day (the B List guests if you will) often dress smart/casual as opposed to the A List guests' smart.

polyhymnia · 23/07/2016 14:10

Think it's a no, unless you know it's a very casual venue, which is probably unlikely for a wedding.

If you can get jeans that fit, surely you can find some trousers that do. Where do you buy your jeans from?

If you give an idea of size, height, budget, etc I'm sure people on here would have lots of good suggestions for smart trousers.

TheDevilMadeMeDoIt · 23/07/2016 15:40

Palazzo pants?

Swishy, not a fitted style so they fit anyone and cover a multitude of sins?

(I'm not suggesting you wear the top to a wedding, but I love the trousers.)

ShelaghTurner · 23/07/2016 15:43

Absolutely not.

I'm size 24 and 5' 2 with footballers legs so anything that shows my legs/arms/tummy/any part of me is out. But for an occasion I still make an effort and find something. Anyone can rock up in their everyday clothes.

RenardeRenarde · 23/07/2016 15:47

Brand new, black, great fitting jeans are totally fine IMO, they look like trousers anyway, just less shit! I never, ever wear "trousers" (I think they're hideous) - what you're planning sounds gorgeous.

I even wear new, smart jeans for job interviews with a blazer (have never interviewed for a position I wasn't offered) - the last time I wore this outfit for work I was mistaken for my manager, the client even commented on how smart I looked. I think people have a very outdated idea of what a great pair of jeans looks like :)

KoalaDownUnder · 23/07/2016 15:55

I actually don't like trousers/pants, either - but I wear skirts and dresses!

I just don't know how anyone gets through life wearing nothing dressier than jeans - ever.

As for wearing them to job interviews: it obviously depends very much on the profession.

People kid themselves that really well-cut/dark/expensive jeans 'don't count' as jeans. They do. They still 'read' as denim. They might look completely awesome, but what they don't look is formal/professional (in most contexts).

Original poster
beyondthestar · 23/07/2016 16:21

Thanks for all the replies, pretty mixed answers so I'm no further forward really! The jeans I have are not obviously denim the are a soft fitted material and I'm not sure how they would look different to slim fit black trousers tbh but I'm definitely reconsidering.
Yes I only ever wear jeans day to day, but casual day time ones and a Tshirt or vest, surely lots of women do that? I wouldn't be wearing my every day outfit to the reception.

Reception is in a casual place not sure where the day event is happening, don't know the couple that well I'm the plus 1

OP posts:
XiCi · 23/07/2016 17:21

I don't think lots of women do only wear jeans, certainly none I've ever met, do you work? Though I am pondering how much money I would save if I only ever wore jeans and a t-shirt
I really don't think jeans are appropriate for a wedding sorry. Would you wear a dressy jumpsuit if you can't wear a dress?

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 23/07/2016 17:24

I live in jeans when at home etc but wouldn't even consider it for a wedding. Sorry.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 23/07/2016 17:25

I'd rather cool, well-fitting jeans than some sort of generic Next 'workplace trouser'. But agree you'll have to push the boat out a bit on top/accessories and would suggest heels are essential.

Cathaka15 · 23/07/2016 17:34

Glam top glam shoes and mega dressy accessories. I think as a plus1 it will be fine.

Jghl1234 · 23/07/2016 17:35

Try cigarette pants you could wear them they have nice block colours or patterns. I have a lovely white pair with blue flowers they go well with white court heels and a white sheer blouse and blue knecklace think that would look okay for a wedding

FiveFullFathoms · 23/07/2016 17:41

No, I don't think jeans are appropriate, sorry. Yes, you may be lucky and no one would notice/care but there is also the possibility that others attending would think you couldn't be bothered or didn't think the ocassion was important enough to dress up for. Why take the chance? Cigarette pants would be fine though.

Savagebeauty · 23/07/2016 17:41

I never wear a skirt or dress. Live in smart jeans and trousers.
That's one reason I avoid weddings. Hate the dressy up aspect

schmalex · 23/07/2016 17:56

I don't think black trousers are really wedding wear, let alone jeans. Unless you know the couple well and think they would be ok with it.

burnishedsilver · 23/07/2016 18:41

I think you kind of know the answer yourself. If you were entirely comfortable with it you wouldn't have thought to ask.

Runningupthathill82 · 23/07/2016 18:46

Here's the thing. The black jeans you describe may well be ok for the wedding. You would almost definitely get away with it if the rest of the outfit were smart enough.

But. Why would you want to "get away" with it? In the back of your mind you'd be wondering if the bride, or her mum, or Great Uncle Fred, were giving you disapproving looks. Would you not be more comfortable in definitely-smart-enough cigarette trousers or palazzo pants?

Also, if you bought some new trousers they would definitely come in for job interviews/ fancy meals/other weddings/court appearances/theatre trips /whatever in the future. IMO it'd be very sensible to get a smarter clothing option in the wardrobe.

AnecdotalEvidence · 23/07/2016 19:18

I have never met anyone who only ever wears jeans.
What about in this weather? Surely it's too hot?

Liiinoo · 23/07/2016 21:36

I went to the evening reception of a colleague. It was a Hawiaan themed wedding in a marquee at a golf club. LIke the OP I wear jeans 95% of the time. For the reception I wore white skinny jeans, high strappy sandals and a silk floaty top with flowers in my hair. It looked great and perfectly appropriate for that fairly informal wedding. I wouldn't wear them to a more formal do. If your gut feeling is that your smart black jeans are suitable you are probably right. If you are having doubts, perhaps you should rethink.

UntilTheCowsComeHome · 24/07/2016 00:17

I only ever wear jeans. I don't own anything else. I have a uniform of smart black trousers and polo shirt for work but don't own anything else. (Actually I bought a maxi dress a couple of years ago but realised it made me look like a pregnant mr blobby and I'm only a size 12/14)

I always wear smart black jeans to wedding night dos, christenings, parties and even to my mum's funeral.

They look and fit a million times better on me than any other trousers and I'm a terrible shape for dresses or skirts, so I totally get you op.

I think smart black skinny jeans with heels, posh top, blazer and nice jewellery is absolutely fine for a wedding night do. It's what I'll be wearing to my cousin's night do in a couple of weeks.

OjosCansados · 24/07/2016 05:47

Agree with a previous poster that trousers can be eeuurgh. I too wear smart jeans to work (a subtly waxed cotton pair and a dark dark blue pair of tight fitting trekking types) but always with a shirt, blazer and smart pumps/heels. I think they look so much more on trend and flattering than some of the awful workwear, corporate trousers out there.
Op really only you can judge. A lot of posters are probably basing it on a visual idea of you rocking up in casual jeans, whereas only you know the effect of the whole outfit. FWIW I think you'll be fine if you're in black jeans (if they're more cotton than denim then they are a more jeans-shape trouser surely?) at an evening do as a plus one. Just over-glam the rest of you and I expect you'll look stunning! and everyone will be too pissed to care anyway

cheeseandmarmite15 · 24/07/2016 05:50

I don't think the means are appropriate wear even if brand new and very black, they still look like jeans!

Woodhill · 24/07/2016 09:17

Light coloured pastel cotton jeans would be better imo or linen trousers with a nice floaty top.

What about a long skirt. Sometimes it's good to try something new and get out a style rut.

Runningupthathill82 · 24/07/2016 09:43

Linen trousers and a floaty top?!
S&B is bonkers sometimes.

As for the posters who say some trousers are awful - of course they are. Hideous shiny polyester monstrosities, of the type you'd find in a supermarket's "workwear" section, are dire. But nobody has suggested the OP wears those.

That argument is like saying "dresses are awful" because there are horrendous see-through acrylic floaty things in Primark, or "jumpers are awful" because wolf fleeces exist. It doesn't make sense.

OP, as I said up thread, your jeans will almost definitely look fine. But if you were doubting the look enough to post on here, then you'd probably be self conscious in them on the night. A decent pair of cigarette trousers could be reworn on countless occasions. Mine are from Gap and are my work wardrobe staple.