What Should I Wear: For A Family Wedding

Hello All,

We have a weddinging in about 5 weeks and I do like to be organised:) So having this lovely Sunday afternoon free and at home, I thought I would try out two options I have been considering.

This is my DH's side of the family and they are very relaxed and not sophisiticated people at all, so I can really wear whatever I feel like without it being a problem. I wont be suprised if I spot the odd pair of jeans there!

Both dresses have been in my closet for quite some time and I am not feeling the need to purchase anything new.

#1 - #3
This is a lovely black velvet & sheer dress. The photos don't really do the fabric justice. It's just so lush and lovely. I have tried it in a couple of variations, bare legs (but I would wear nude hose on the day), micro fishnet hose and ponte skinny leg pants. All are worn with my new Django & Juliette booties. The booties are leather and suede, which kind of reflects the velvet in the dress and a subtle trim detail that also works nicely with the dress.

For the record, I am not crazy about the pants with this but did like the idea of it.

#4 is a sheath dress, with my red pumps, skinny red belt and new black and white abstract blazer.

Can I ask you what you think? I am leaning quite heavily towards one of these but won't say which one :)

BTW the wedding is at 1.30 p.m. and followed by a late lunch reception.

Really appreciate your thoughts here.

Thank you
xxx Deborah

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33 Comments

  • shoppingisfun replied 12 years ago

    I like outfit #4. The first three are very dark for a summer afternoon wedding, although depending on the venue it might work.

  • fashionista replied 12 years ago

    I love the outfit no 4 idea. Pops of color here and there and nice blazer. I think outfit 1 would look good too with some pops of color. Its looking to plain and dark for a wedding though.

  • Deborah replied 12 years ago

    Thanks so much shoppingisfun and fashionista:) Im in Australia so it's a winter wedding :)

  • CocoLion replied 12 years ago

    #4 is more traditional for a wedding, and you can't go wrong with a classic look like that. While I do love each the unique dress and unique shoes, I'm not loving them together. The dress is unusual and beautiful but also quite covering, so I would prefer less in the footwear dept. It's a start in #1 without stockings (a lot of black with the dark stockings), but I think I would prefer this dress with the red pumps in #4 as those pumps would colorfully compliment the lace dress, not compete for attention as the booties/shoeties do.

    I do like the way the new booties look with slim pants; have you tried that concept with a shorter tunic? New booties would also look good with leggings.

  • anne replied 12 years ago

    I like all of them except with the trousers, but also have a preference for #4

  • lyn* replied 12 years ago

    I vote for #4 as my favourite; it seems a lot "lighter" than the other choices; the colours of the blazer and the red make the outfit more "wedding" appropriate :) Have fun!

  • Scarlet replied 12 years ago

    I like the fashion forwardness of 2, but 4 is also a winner.

  • Caro in Oz replied 12 years ago

    Love the 1st dress - I agree with CocoLion & would like to see the dress with different shoes.

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    I am the lone soul that prefers #1! I also like the idea of the dress with pants, but then that recalls an Indian silhouette for me, obviously.

  • Parsley replied 12 years ago

    That first dress is gorgeous! I like it best in #2 with the the micro fishnets.

    But I'm not crazy about all black for a wedding, so I would choose #4 for this occasion.

    I hope you will wear #2 soon, though, because it really looks terrific.

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    I like them all!

    Perhaps break up the black from head to toe with pearls?

  • Diana replied 12 years ago

    I think I would go for #4 for the wedding. Especially since it is an afternoon reception, and I feel like all black is more appropriate for evening.

    I just have to tell you how much I adore your booties though. They are amazing! I really want something with that kind of elegant, deep cutout front.

  • Queen Mum replied 12 years ago

    I love 1 and 2 (with a slight preference for the darker leg of 2). 4 is nice, but something about the first two seems a bit more unique.

  • KathyL replied 12 years ago

    I really like #4 as well. Even though it's a winter wedding, I feel like the first few outfits are too dark. The red pumps and some brighter jewelry would be great with the first dress.

  • JR replied 12 years ago

    I like #4 best too. It flatters your silhouette better and is totally flop-proof. The red gives it a nice element of fun, and the white in the print brightens everything up.

  • Sheila replied 12 years ago

    #4 says "wedding" to me...very lovely with the jacket.

  • merwoman replied 12 years ago

    Hands down #4 for my vote - LOVE the jacket and pops of red. Since it's an afternoon event, I htink you need a little lightness - and you look incredible to boot!

  • HelenInCanada replied 12 years ago

    Deborah, you always look stunning in black. The winner here, though, is #4!!! For some reason, I don't like to see all-black at weddings. I like how you added some cheer and colour in 4 - and it looks just perfect for the occasion. Enjoy!

  • replied 12 years ago

    I love #4, but then I'm pretty traditional. Love that new blazer!

  • Kirti replied 12 years ago

    I love #4!

  • Jenava replied 12 years ago

    I think one of the outfits with the first dress.

    #4 is a little sedate, I think, and doesn't reflect your fashion persona...maybe if the event were a little more conservative it would be fine, but in this case I don't think it's fun and interesting enough.

    I actually LIKE the dress with the pants best, to tell the truth, because I think it dresses this down a touch which might be good if the crowd leans to the casual, as you say. I've also been really wanting to wear this silhouette myself since seeing it in the Chanel runway shows for a couple of times in a row (sort of Indian inspired, I think)

    My second favorite after the pants would be the nude stockings. I do love those booties with this dress, as well.

  • Mama Susie replied 12 years ago

    While #4 is very "traditional wedding"... I actually like #1. I think it's a little different but the silhouette is nice. Maybe like Angie suggested break up the black with pearls?

  • Aziraphale replied 12 years ago

    I like #4 the most for a summer wedding. The other dress, while absolutely gorgeous, seems a bit "all black" for the season. But you could add a touch of white or colour to the dress and lighten it up a little and still go with it.

    I'm also a huge sucker for black outfit/red shoes, so I might be biased.

    I like the microfishnet hose the best, if you choose the lovely black dress.

  • MsMary replied 12 years ago

    I love them all! I'm with Jenava that the dress-with-pants is my favorite!

  • Alecia replied 12 years ago

    I'm in the minority, but I like 1 the best. I find the black right next to your face a little stark, though. So I suggest pearls like Angie did to break it up a bit.

    Four looks too much like something I'd wear to work so I'd steer clear of it for a wedding but it is lovely.

  • Echo replied 12 years ago

    My vote goes for #4. I am probably a coward, but I've never really felt a wedding is the sort of place to be "fashion forward". Traditional usually goes over best at traditional events.

  • Jjsloane replied 12 years ago

    I'm sure the textures are gorgeous in person on 1-2, but I do have a preference for #4. It reminds me of some Angie outfits.

  • missvee replied 12 years ago

    I like #1 because it's a little more fashion forward, but have you tried that dress with the red shoes? I think that could look amazing too.

  • Deborah replied 12 years ago

    Oh my goodness now Im confused lol:)

    Thanks so much. You all make such excellent points.

    So as not to sway anyone I kept my preference to myself, so.... I was leaning towards #2. As Alecia commented that she would wear #4 to work, so would I. This is very much what I wear when I have meetings or have to travel for work.

    Wearing black to a wedding here is Australia is not unusual. From my time spend n the forum I think that particularly in the US, wedding attire has more specific guidelines than here? And I would certainly add pearls and something to soften the black (I hadn't really styled these looks beyond the clothing).

    MaryK, Jenava and Manidipa, I am actually now leaning towards a pant version with the black velvet dress. I am thrilled you like this idea. I think the pants I have on here are the wrong ones and I will try again with a very slim fit ponte legging (I think the dress is long enough for a legging) - also the wedding is in a place called Ballarat (for the Aussies) which is very cold! If I am cold I am going to be very uncomfortable

    Echo, good point you make, but I also want to feel like me. And for me dressing is a major way in which I express myself so I being a bit fashion forward for an event like this is ok (and my family wont be suprised lol). I agree tho that something say very avant guarde and 'out there' wouldnt be appropriate.

    I think I will keep #4 as a back up idea and work a bit more on the the dress/ pants idea. I will restyle and perhaps come back with another picture.

    Cannot thank you enough. xxx

  • Mamapicklejuice replied 12 years ago

    Oh yay - I was favoring #2 or #3 myself. Love the booties and the dress is fantastic. :)))

    Can't wait to see the ponte leggings version.

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    Yay for the dress and pants!

    Deborah, may I suggest (for blackness relief and possible cold guard) a very lightweight shimmery scarf if you have one? Just throw it on one shoulder and let it drape down, unless it's cold enough to wrap up. Not something too dramatic or intricate to compete with the dress, but just light enough or with sheen to create relief and drama --- I suspect that would be very you.

    And then sparkly stacks or pearls at throat and/or cuff. Very Chanel, like Jenava said!

  • Deborah replied 12 years ago

    Manidipa that sounds lovely! I actually have a scarf in the sheer and velvet look like the dress but do you mean something contrasting or would that work?

  • Lyn D. replied 12 years ago

    A late comment, but I absolutely adore the velvet dress, and would wear it any opportunity that arose!
    Love the nude hose idea, but you would freeze in Ballarat for sure!
    Booties are T.D.F. Can't wait to see the final outfit pics.

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