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Wedding in Austin Texas

12 replies

puddycat1 · 01/08/2017 16:16

Hi I was on awhile back asking for dress advice. I've now received the invitation and it's says dress code Cocktail. Would any of these dresses be ok

Wedding in Austin Texas
Wedding in Austin Texas
Wedding in Austin Texas
OP posts:
HerRoyalNotness · 01/08/2017 16:39

A bit casual I would think. Do you know anyone else going that you can specifically ask what exactly they're wearing?

Acornantics · 01/08/2017 21:47

Texan women are typically very keen on big hair, posh frocks, plenty of bling, perfect nails, heels and expensive handbags, especially when they're at an event like a wedding.

Austin is a fantastic city, hope you have a fabulous wedding! It'll likely be very hot, even in spring or Autumn.

blueskyinmarch · 01/08/2017 22:05

Neither of those dresses are cocktail dresses. They are very casual. The first one looks to me more like a top you would wear with leggings. I think you need something much smarter and more glamorous. I don't like the shoes either. Sorry.

MrsPear · 01/08/2017 22:57

Far too casual sorry. You need to dress up!

Cocktail to me as a Brit would be my little black dress but as I am going to a wedding I would choose my aubergine knee length dress with bling neckline - double check the wedding party colours first. Should be same as invite but you never know!

RestingButchFace · 01/08/2017 23:04

Some thing like this would be my kind of choice.
www.marisota.co.uk/shop/joanna-hope-bead-trim-swing-dress/cl295/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6020#colour:Navy,size:

Want2beme · 01/08/2017 23:12

Is it formal or casual cocktail?

Wedding in Austin Texas
Wedding in Austin Texas
Wedding in Austin Texas
PitilessYank · 01/08/2017 23:23

Dress codes are quite loose in the US. (I am American and have a sister in Texas.) I don't think you would get any criticism wearing either dress, but I don't think either one matches the shoes. The shoes are really cute, though; I would probably find a short shift dress to match.

PitilessYank · 01/08/2017 23:24

I think that first dress could work, if you went all out on hair, makeup, and accessories.

BradleyPooper · 02/08/2017 04:49

I'm in Texas and have been to weddings where women are dripping with diamonds and furs and others where cute dresses and boots are the norm. I'm guessing that cocktail means somewhere in between. I would go for a very groomed look (hair, nails, brows etc) and a short cocktail dress as other posters have shown. Austin is a fabulous city, liberal, with the motto "keep Austin weird" so a bit of British quirk would be well received. When is the wedding? Weather can be very changeable, it was 38C here today, but air con in Texas is vicious.

JWrecks · 02/08/2017 06:19

I lived in Austin for many years, as well as other parts of Texas, and still visit when I can as I have extended family and friends there.

Austin is not at all like other parts of Texas; it's an entirely different place. I don't know if I ever saw a pair of cowboy boots, big hair, or dolled up women in Austin, and I never saw much jewellery or even vanity there at all. It's a VERY laid-back, music-oriented, quite hippie sort of town where half the people have dreadlocks and massive holes in their earlobes and the other half are engineers in jeans and nerdy t-shirts.

All of the weddings I went to in Austin (loads!) were men in just khakis and shirts, women in simple, fairly casual dresses - IME either of the frocks in your OP would be fine for any of the Austin weddings I've been to. I particularly like that colourful first one and think it would fit in well.

However, the answer to your question is going to depend on what type of person YOUR FRIEND is and some things about the wedding itself, as Austin takes all sorts!

  • Is she very wealthy? Will she have wealthy friends/family there? That could mean different expectations.
  • What age group are the party in? That could make a massive difference.
  • Where is the wedding? A hotel? Ranch? Park? Home? Event centre? Do you know the specific location (and care to share)?
  • Is it in Austin proper or a suburb?
  • Is it day or evening? (I assume evening, with "cocktail" dress code?)
  • Indoor or outdoor? Or possibly both?
  • When is the wedding; what month?
  • Do you have any hint of a theme (maybe from the invitation)?
  • Have they given any other information about the reception in the invitation?

In the end - unless they are really wealthy types who have their own set of etiquette that I just don't understand - most likely nobody will give a toss what you're wearing and will only be genuinely happy that you were able to make it, especially from so far away. And your accent will be a novelty and everyone will want to speak to you, so prepare for that.

Though as pp have said, do keep in mind that it is very, very bloody hot in Austin in summer. You cannot imagine the heat. It's oppressive and can even be frightening. If you bare your shoulders, SUN CREAM THEM! And maybe dress up your frock with a large, floppy hat for extra shade! However, the AC is indeed vicious (brilliantly said), so pack a cardi and take it with you to the wedding just in case!

puddycat1 · 10/08/2017 11:20

Thanks everyone for your advice. As you've probably guessed I don't wear dresses very often. I have now bought this one and I'm going to team it with navy sandals and clutch bag

Wedding in Austin Texas
OP posts:
PitilessYank · 10/08/2017 22:19

That's a very nice dress! Have a great time in Austin. If you get a chance, visit The Cathedral of Junk while you are there. It is a marvel.

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