Do people still wear all black to a funeral?

[CarlottaValdez]

I know it’s a bit “it depends” but thought I’d see if there’s a consensus here.

I’m going to a funeral (close friend’s grandmother) in 10 days and have no clue what to wear. I have a couple of things that are basically black but patterned. Both long sleeved and knee length. One has quite large while polka dots and one a floral pattern in blue.

Do I need to buy a properly black dress do you think?

If you want to buy something then that looks fine, but if you already have pair of dark, boring trousers and a dark, boring top then they will be fine too.

I wore a navy blue dress with white polka dots to my mother's funeral. She died unexpectedly and it was the last thing I had bought a few weeks earlier when we were on a shopping trip together. She really liked the dress.

I think as long as your outfit isn't ostentatious or very brightly coloured (unless specifically asked for) you should be fine with your floral. Hope the day goes as well as it can for you all ❤️

I was at a funeral just yesterday and everyone wore black. Could only have 15 present but all 15 were in all black.

OP that Hobbs dress is perfect I'd say!

Unless told otherwise, black, grey, navy, dark green are all perfect. A subtle pattern is fine. Something somber and respectful.
Someone turned up to my grandmothers funeral in a bright red coat and she stuck out like a sore thumb and I think felt awkward. Very odd, I don’t know why she did this as my grandma was v traditional and so was the funeral.

I’ve ordered the navy Hobbs dress! I’d rather not worry about it. Navy tights and navy brogues.

I grew up in Ireland and have been to a few funerals. IIRC, I wore black dresses to two of them and a very dark grey / blue dress to another. I don't think it has to be black, but I usually go with dark. Black if I have it, but something else if not, as I wouldn't buy a black dress especially for one funeral.

X post op. Yes, that Hobbs one is fine.

I saw a lady once that was wearing a zebra print!! It was not suitable at all. Even though it was black and white.

So if you don't really wear black, something plain on the somber side is ok. Dark colours (blue/green) are also fine. Avoid reds.

Idea is that you're sad and couldn't bear to wear let's say a bright summer dress, get it? Doesn't mean I totally agree with it, that's how it is.

Well I did on Thursday. A Boo Hoo plus black and small white dot dress, black tights and black ankle boots. For my other Uncle's funeral it was Cos navy dress. Black and white for mum cannot remember for Dad's. Also black and white for my Aunt.

For the ones I've been to it's been very much black all round, except for perhaps dark grey suits for the men. A couple wore colour to my grandparents and I was offended

I think that Hobbs dress will be fine.

At a recent funeral, everyone wore black.

I’m slightly surprised you’re going to a close friends grandmother’s funeral due to restriction on number. We were limited to 30, which was taken up with family.

It’s limited to 16 in fact. Just not a big family and my friend wants the support.

My uncle, the most recent funeral I've been to, specified blue. I'm expecting to have to attend MiLs funeral before long .Unless specified otherwise I have a black dress to wear. It's footwear I'm worried about.

That dress looks really nice and eminently suitable.

Navy is good I think. Plain and sober rather than eye-catching usually does the job, but I think people are more relaxed about these matters at funerals now.

To the PP who was sadly forced to judge outfits at a funeral....I’m afraid I tend to judge people who return from a funeral reporting that they were assessing the clothing of their fellow mourners. Most people at a funeral are focusing on their grief and supporting others, in my experience.

@CarlottaValdez

It’s limited to 16 in fact. Just not a big family and my friend wants the support.

That’s lovely of you to support your friend.

Sorry for her loss.