September wedding - all black dress code

[HotGazpacho]

I’m attending a family friend’s wedding in Italy in September and have been informed it’s an all black dress code. Nobody other than the bride will be wearing colour.

I’m finding it so hard to identify something that I can wear that will be suitable for a wedding, but isn’t black tie. I’d imagine the weather will be quite warm.

Mid-40s, 5’ 8, size 12, if that makes any difference. I’d quite like something structured and that accentuates my waist. Budget up to £300. I’d love something McQueen or Westwood adjacent, but without the hefty price tag. Is this a dream too far?

I can confirm it’s a thing, I work in the industry and it’s more common than you would believe. I’ve even seen couples give their couples rules about what they can and can’t talk about. No family politics, no talk about babies or children - having them, their own, potential grandchildren etc. 😂 If it’s a while since you got married, weddings are on another level!

Same. And I'd be clear why I was declining. I don't know how anyone can bear the cringe factor of such a tacky demand. It will look ridiculous too.

I can confirm it’s a thing, I work in the industry and it’s more common than you would believe... If it’s a while since you got married, weddings are on another level!

Surely it's more about the people you know? I dont work 'in the industry' and my friends & family are generally quite reasonable.

I think the unashamed arseholes are the ones setting the dress codes personally!

No that would have just been a longer but equally pointless post.
OP wants to attend the wedding and is happy to follow the dress code, and is asking for style and shopping tips.

that being the context of the post, why on earth would it be relevant to know that a stranger wouldn't attend a wedding they are not invited to? 😂

FWIW I think imposing a colour code like this (everyone wearing entirely one colour, no accent colours allowed!) at a wedding is ridiculous, but it’s a family friend of long standing, so I’m sucking it up for the greater good.

It's a chat forum, the poster was just chatting.

Their comment was on topic.

Well yes I agree, but I don't think I'd have the bottle to turn up in pink!

@ Cherrypie0210

A lot of those dresses are lovely! I particularly like the first one, and the second one (Clarissa) which I think is particularly suitable for a wedding where guests are asked to wear black.

As it’s going to be so hot I’d just wear a basic black sundress. I don’t see what would be wrong with that.

I’ve got one I bought from seasalt a few years ago. Not interesting at all but fine when it’s very hot for pottering around.

What I was going to say.
Ridiculous presumption on the part of the couple!

Do you know why guests are all wearing black

Because the couple are more interested in how their pictures look than being good hosts who don’t want to put too much onto their guests. After all, it is “their day” and so no matter how unreasonable they are, we shouldn’t tell them to get their heads out of their arses.

Just seen OP’s comment that it’s because the bride wants to make sure the attention stays on her. How tedious. I’ve never been at a wedding where everyone’s attention is always on the couple, how would that even be possible? No mingling, no chatting, just staring awestruck at the bride while quietly murmuring what a vision in white she is.

It will look more like a funeral than a wedding.

Thankfully this nonsense hasn't caught on where I live.

My perfect dress code....I wore a black frock to my own wedding.

I’m thinking this might be the way to go. I don’t want to get too hot, plus I’m only going to have a small suitcase allocation so want to keep clothes to a minimum overall. I’m still wistful about a Westwood, definitely going to explore renting, especially for future events.

You might find a black jumpsuit that is less work/funeral vibes but maybe not that isn’t too hot? Might be worth a look? I can imagine a black jumpsuit with nice heels and a metallic clutch, sleek hair and expensive but understated jewellery would look very chic.

This is nice

I suit black and I'd also decline.

I hate wearing black. It makes me look like a corpse. So I would grudgingly comply and hope the bride doesn't object to me wearing the biggest cartwheel hat to cover my cadaver-like face. Or better still a full-on mantilla veil.

It's a shame (for me) as there are some stunning black dresses out there.

I would love this .

Black 50’s style sundress and kitten heeled sling backs (flats in bag). Huge floppy brimmed black straw hat and massive sunglasses. Coral mani pedi (normally I would do nude for a wedding) and matching lipstick. Bright corsage if you are feeling brave. I might wear all my pearls and carry a black lace fan.

Think Sophia Loren crossed with Monica Bellucci playing the part of the Godfathers mistress. Could be fun.

Dress codes are obnoxious in general

Is it a child free wedding too?

Norma Kamali?

I don’t wear black at all, I hate it so I’d really struggle to buy anything I would never wear again.

Think I’d just decline, being told what you must wear is quite cheeky really. I thought a wedding was supposed to be a celebration and you wore something nice, not be dictated by someone.

Dream dress code. Dream wedding. I’ll go if you don’t want to!