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Can I wear a sari to a non-Indian wedding, or is it too "look at me"?

59 replies

Lentilweaver · 07/07/2024 10:10

Adding to all the wedding threads. I am Indian, haven't been invited to a non-Indian wedding for ages, not since the pandemic anyway. Styles appear to have changed. I don't generaly like wedding guest dresses. They are all too floral and frilly and polyester, and a waste of money for something I might only wear once or twice.

i want to wear a quiet, non-blingy silk sari in a blue or green. The bride is in her twenties, the daughter of one of my friends. Friend says "wear whatever you want as long as not white", but I am worried she is just saying that. On the other hand, I am in my fifties, and hardly likely to take attention away from the lovely bride.. I expect I will be the only one in a sari though. The wedding is in August.

I wear a sari to lots of events, but not usually to weddings.

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/07/2024 10:58

Totally fine!
It's your cultural dress for such an occasion!!

When I have been to an Indian wedding in the past I wore a formal dress from jigsaw (I'm white British). I have been invited to an Indian wedding in India, and the bride has asked us to wear Indian dress. (Sadly I can't go).

mitogoshi · 07/07/2024 11:01

Go for it, why not! I would not go too blingy which you already have said as shiny isn't really a thing in western wedding culture, but a plainer silk you can't go wrong with, I'd wear one myself (except I can't dress myself in one so I've only worn borrowed ones to Indian weddings with help!)

BobbyBiscuits · 07/07/2024 11:19

For some bizarre reason I thought you might have been a white person asking if you could wear one? I was hoping the answer would be yes as I love wearing a sari but there isn't really many places for me to do it!
I think it sounds great. It may be a minor talking point, but nothing to distract from the bride, and I'm sure it's much more comfortable in hot weather than some of those very rigid dresses.

Shybutrude · 07/07/2024 11:33

@Lentilweaver You both will look fantastic

Psspsspssssss · 07/07/2024 11:36

You're Indian it's fine
I have

Thingamebobwotsit · 07/07/2024 11:38

Mixed race here. Completely appropriate and will look beautiful in amongst all the guests. Go enjoy the day.

afaloren · 07/07/2024 11:41

I’d be delighted if I were the bride! Will look fab in the photos too. Go for it.

RuthW · 07/07/2024 11:47

Definitely wear it.

Uricon2 · 07/07/2024 11:48

Saris are beautiful. It sounds ideal.

poshsnobtwit · 07/07/2024 11:55

Before I opened the thread I was going to say if you are Indian or have a connection with India this is absolutely fine. You are Indian, so it's fine, and I'm sure you will be considered the show stopper guest :-)

RaspberryIce · 07/07/2024 11:59

Sounds nice.

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 07/07/2024 12:14

Go for it. No reason not to.

blackice · 07/07/2024 12:17

Sounds perfect!

(would be weird if you were not Indian imo)

LeroyJenkinssss · 07/07/2024 12:20

the only way it wouldn’t be ok was if you were white as it would be weird (unless it was an Indian wedding and you’d been asked to). In your shoes though, go for it. You and your husband will look wonderful.

as an aside, I’ve always wanted to wear a sari as I think they are beautiful. I’m now of an age where there will no opportunity to which is somewhat sad.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/07/2024 12:22

If you are Indian of course a sari is fine!

WiseBiscuit · 07/07/2024 12:22

Oh gosh yes, absolutely wear a sari. There’s no reason not to. You’ll look amazing.

Indian clothes always look beautiful especially on special occasions. I work in Leicester and one of my favourite things is admiring all the fabrics. I love seeing them worn.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/07/2024 12:22

Of course you can

Wherethefuckissummer · 07/07/2024 12:23

I am dying for an occassion to be able to wear a sari again!! Yes, do wear it. Saris are one of the most elegant outfits on the planet.

Ozanj · 07/07/2024 12:24

I’d wear it if it wasn’t very blingy. But if it’s Indian family wedding attire you may outshine the bride so be careful.

Spotto · 07/07/2024 12:25

A friend wore her national dress to my wedding, it was a lovely surprise to see it - I felt quite honoured!

Saris are gorgeous. Go for it!

Knittedfairies2 · 07/07/2024 12:25

I'd be thrilled that you wanted to dress up for the wedding!

MartyFunkhouser · 07/07/2024 12:26

Sounds lovely!

If I were Indian, I’d definitely wear a sari. I’m quite envious.

poshsnobtwit · 07/07/2024 12:34

Spotto · 07/07/2024 12:25

A friend wore her national dress to my wedding, it was a lovely surprise to see it - I felt quite honoured!

Saris are gorgeous. Go for it!

This is exactly how I would feel!

Ribenaberry12 · 07/07/2024 12:35

Do! When I got married my husband invited an Indian colleague and his family and I utterly loved that his wife came in a sari. She looked beautiful and I saw it as a wonderful gesture that she had dressed as she would for an occasion as if we were her friends/family. Meant a lot to me.

GetThatBloodyFaceOff · 07/07/2024 12:36

Wear a sari, you'll look gorgeous.