Another is this appropriate for a wedding..

[Thisisnotmyname2022]

Going to a wedding soon, I’ve just bought this dress, however we have now received official invites. It states: dress code, formal. No white dresses.

Now I would never wear white to someone else’s wedding, but formal? Can someone advise? Is my dress suitable or not?

I also think bride has specified no white because she won't be wearing white and anyone who does will very likely be mistaken for the bride.

Absolutely not a wind up, and would love some help finding something!

Context.. bride and groom are not very formal/traditional.

Bride wearing something red/green. Bride also has coloured dreadlocks, which look amazing..but also probably the reason why I am so thrown with the “formal” request.

Groom will be wearing a suit, he has told us he will be wearing the same one for our wedding, so won’t be the full works… pretty typical suit.

Wedding is taking place in May, in an old Manor House place, ceremony being held in the woods on the grounds.

Im 5ft 3, size 12, blond and pale-ish. Will be using a daily tan thing in the run up.

Clueless when it comes to dress codes.

Formal is tricky. I would say British formal is along the lines of a fitted dress for women , suit for men etc
American formal often means evening wear (I think) which would be unusual at a wedding in the uk. A call to the bride for clarification is needed.

I would definitely ask the bride what she thinks - it could be that some of their family/friends made a comment about wearing jeans so they are trying to make clear that they want a certain level of formality but don't actually want everyone to be wearing evening dress in the woods.

Depending on what bride actually means by formal (particularly because ecrything about the wedding otherwise DOESNT seem to be the most traditional) the dress could possibly be fine -it does look more informal in the photo because of the way it's styled on the model to be a mini dress, with the straw hat and long beachy waves etc.

however if as you say you're shorter so it's a knee length dress, then with smart accessories it's fairly close to what I've seen lots of women wear to spring/summer weddings - towards the less formal end but certainly within the acceptable range.

You really need to ask the bride. I suspect given the information you've given the dress will be just fine.

I’ll send her a message and see what the reply is. I will still look for something else though as I have been really put off the idea now 🙈.

"Formal" is vague to the point of being meaningless without further explanation.

Do they think it means suits no jeans for men? Or dresses no jeans for women?

Neither my husband not I would need to be told not to wear jeans - so what the hell does "formal" mean? Do they mean white tie / black tie/ morning dress/ uniform for men?

Cocktail dress/ evening dress/ long dress for women?

I’ve text and asked them to clarify how formal.

Is she quite an alternative dresser normally? and has many like minded friends? Maybe she means 'scrub up guys no jeans!' Rather than formal?
I like that dress and I think you'd be fine for the type of wedding you've described.

It does look white in the pic, but if you say it isn't, then fine. It is short, but you say not that short on you, so also fine. With smarter accessories (not the straws hat and bag), and tights it will look more formal so I see go for it. I think it's very pretty.

Later photos are very definitely blue.

To be fair, that dress could look formal if you wore it with a smart cardigan/jacket and proper shoes. Looks like a beach dress on the model, though.

Colour is fine, it’s clearly blue not white and a very pretty print. But if the invite says formal, then this is not appropriate - it’s defo not a formal dress. Given what you say the bride is like/is wearing, maybe best to check what she means by formal - as others have said, maybe she just means no jeans..

I think best to check, because 'formal' here doesn't really mean anything. The bride and groom may be quite surprised if everyone turned up in American formal evening gowns to the floor in the woods!

What is a "formal" dress?

A black dress worn by female barristers or solicitors in court?

A debutante's ball gown?

The dress is chiffon.

m.shein.com/th/Floral-Print-Belted-Chiffon-Dress-p-7077452-cat-1727.html?lang=then&ref=th&rep=dir&ret=mth

Seems wise, you don’t want to be scooping up twigs in the hem of a full -length evening gown if it’s avoidable!

Standard British shops for wedding guest attire tend to be places like Monsoon, Coast or John Lewis - definitely not saying you have to shop but they are reasonable places to get a feel for what sort of thing is usual, some websites even make wedding guest a browsable category…

Also, most younger age groups won't be fussed about hemlines, they won't expect everyone to turn out in below-the-knee dresses! That would actually be weird.

I think the PPs have hit the nail on the head by saying ‘formal’ is nebulous. I pictured a black tie style dress. Your extra info about the couple is important I think and probably explains why they need to convey “Don’t wear jeans, guys!” if their friends are similarly alternative and free spirits. Looks like you may be able to wear the dress you liked after all, OP!

Friends are similar in style yes, I’ll update once I have reply. I think I will still look for something else though, I have well and truly been talked out if it.

Joss Stone wore this to Harry and Megan's wedding. It's not a million miles from the OP's dress. The OP said her dress will be longer on her than on the model and the OP's is a chiffon dress with sleeves.

I obviously don't have a clue because I thought the dress was lovely and absolutely fine for a formal wedding 🤔

So did I.

It's too short for me but people do wear short dresses to weddings.

I'm not sure what all the posters confidently asserting it's not "formal" mean or even what they think they mean.

Seems absolutely fine and lovely to me, especially given what you’ve said about the venue and the general vibe of the bride and groom.

I would definitely feel more ridiculous wearing that to the beach than to a wedding.

And I don’t think formal means take your inspo from the Royal Family, for most people. Just means get a bit poshed up!

It’s not formal and it’s white… so no

It isn't white , it's blue.

Please define what a "formal" dress is