How White is Too White for a Wedding

How White is Too White for a Wedding

June 7, 2022
By Katerina Katakalides

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We all know the golden rule of being a good wedding guest: never wear white to a wedding. Even though this rule might seem clear to most people, there can still be a few questions surrounding your outfit. It could be assumed that you need to avoid anything that is even remotely white or a close shade. While this is definitely a way to play it safe, it isn’t entirely true. There are quite a few ways to include white into your wedding guest look without offending the bride.

However, you always need to be sure that you don’t take this too far. There’s absolutely a thing as “too white” to wear to a wedding and you never want to fall into that category. If you’re wondering what you should wear to a wedding, then we have some styles for you to try out and inspiration about what you should leave behind!

Anything “Off-White”

Since the saying is “never wear white to a wedding” you might be tempted to wear something off-white. Even though this isn’t the same exact shade as the color that should be avoided at all costs, it’s a bit too similar to be entirely comfortable. Here’s how you should incorporate off-white into your wedding guest wardrobe.

Do:
Just…don’t.
Any sold off-white outfit, whether it’s a dress or jumpsuit, should stay in your closet on someone else’s wedding day. Unless you’re the bride, this isn’t your time to wear white. In case you’re wondering what is considered off-white, just read through the following section, since there’s a lot more “don'ts” than “dos” when it comes to this one.

Don't:
Even though the general rule is to never wear white to a wedding, this also includes off-white shades such as cream, eggshell, and ivory. These colors might not technically be white, but they’re close enough to make you blend in with the bride. In addition, more and more modern brides are wearing off-white shades, like ivory or champagne, rather than stark white. Unless you’re the one getting married, stay away from any shade that blends in with white.

These styles might be super cute, but they aren’t ideal if you’re a wedding guest. We’d recommend saving them for an elegant party or summertime gala.

Florals

Florals are a fun pattern to wear at a spring or summer wedding. Unfortunately, not all floral patterns are created equally. While some floral jumpsuits are perfect to wear as a wedding guest, other looks can incorporate a bit too much white for them to appreciate wedding guest attire.

Do:
The most important thing to do is to make sure that white isn’t the focal point of your dress. White dresses that are completely covered in eye-catching floral patterns work best, since the flowers will make up most of the overall design. Another tip to keep in mind is that the more colorful the pattern, the better! Colorful flowers will add stunning splashes to your otherwise white dress, which you want to avoid.

Don't You’ll want to avoid wearing a floral dress that doesn’t feature a prominent floral pattern. A subtle design will leave too much room for white to show and you’ll end up looking too bridal for anyone’s comfort. These floral dresses are perfect for a prom or summertime gala, but you’ll definitely want to leave these on the rack as a wedding guest.

Patterns

Patterns are the perfect look for a bold wedding guest that wants to stand out on the dance floor! Since there are so many patterns to choose from, you’ll have an easy time finding one that incorporates white without being bridal. The best part about patterns is that you can find one for every season! Whether you’re attending a spring or winter wedding, you’ll find the perfect pattern for the season.

Do:
When shopping for a patterned dress, make sure that white is the most subtle color included. This means avoiding dresses that feature white on at least 40% of the dress, like checker print or thin stripes. Just like floral dresses, you’ll want to go for more colorful looks that go beyond white and a neutral color. Bright colors, like pink, blue, and purple, are great to pair with white on a patterned wedding guest look.

Don’t:
Make sure to avoid patterned dresses that have white as the main color. This means soft, subtle patterns have got to go! Another cliche to avoid as a wedding guest is wearing a black and white dress. Although you might assume that black will give a stark contrast against the white portions of the dress, this will only emphasize this color more- which is a huge no!

While your safest bet attending a wedding is to avoid white altogether, there are certain ways you can incorporate this color into your outfit. Just be sure to follow the “dos” and “don'ts” of wearing white to a wedding when picking out your outfit. You don’t want this to be the last wedding you’re invited to. Or even worse- go viral on Tik Tok for a fashion faux pas!

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