formal attire for a wedding.

[Deleted]

We received an invite today for a wedding that is formal attire.

Is this formal attire?

www.dillards.com/product/Jessica-Simpson-OneShoulder-Dress_301_-1_301_503248657

[birkbop]

No. Not at all. Think floor length.

If you don't want to make the investment, consider Rent the Runway, they have designer pieces you can rent and then return.

[polarbearfans]

Usually I think of floor length dresses for formal, not dresses that barely cover the butt like the dress you picked.

[Deleted]

Floor length? OK.
Would you please give me a quick example of what you would wear?
I would prefer the formal cocktail - length dress option to a floor length.

This is what the Knot says:
The wording here suggests something slightly less formal than black tie. This means that a tuxedo isn't required but the event is still formal enough for one to be appropriate.
He should wear: A tuxedo or a formal dark suit and tie.
She should wear: A long dress, a dressy suit, or a formal cocktail-length dress in a dark, neutral tone like brown, gray, or black.

[mrssavy42112]

Well first of all, don't ever trust TK for etiquette advice. They're notorious for giving bad advice. Anyway, I agree with the others that the dress is not appropriate for a formal wedding. This is what I would wear:

www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/screensirengown

www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/partyallnightgown

This could be a shorter option (can you tell I like sparkles?):
www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/midnightglamourdress

[futurepivko]

Jun 1, 2012 8:29:26 GMT -5 mrssavy42112 said:

Well first of all, don't ever trust TK for etiquette advice. They're notorious for giving bad advice. Anyway, I agree with the others that the dress is not appropriate for a formal wedding. This is what I would wear:

www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/screensirengown

www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/partyallnightgown

This could be a shorter option (can you tell I like sparkles?):
www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgleymischka_dresses/midnightglamourdress

Haha I totally agree!

[birkbop]

Jun 1, 2012 8:29:26 GMT -5 mrssavy42112 said:

Well first of all, don't ever trust TK for etiquette advice. They're notorious for giving bad advice. Anyway, I agree with the others that the dress is not appropriate for a formal wedding. This is what I would wear:

I love you Savy. So hard.

Whatever TK says, do the opposite :drink:

[emjacobs]

What about this? Looks very similar in style to the one you chose, but it is much more appropriate
www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/nicolemiller_dresses/aquaombredress

[Deleted]

Noted. Do opposite of what the knot says
Does that mean my husband needs to rent a tux?

This is a Friday evening event in a small small town in PA. They hand wrote the time on the invite and are only serving appetizers at a 6PM wedding. I am terrified that I will be super over dressed if I go sparkly.

I am also fashion sideways.

What about this with some pretty heels (I'm already 5'9 so I would wear low heels).

shopruche.com/finding-grace-dress-by-mm-couture.html

Thanks for the advice, ladies. That rent the runway site is interesting. I'm going to go read about it. I'm usually not comfortable ordering dresses off line because my body shape (I am super tall, with skinny legs and arms, big boobs, and a thick middle). Dresses are hard to fit on me. The usually fit the top but then are too big on bottom or fit the bottom and way too tight on top. 95% of the time I have to alter dresses.

[NachoProblem]

MH would probably wear a tux, but that's because he's a weirdo and loves getting dressed up. If your husband doesn't want to wear a tux, then he should wear a black suit. Not blue, not grey, not tan.... black.

I don't love that second dress you posted either. Since you said you have to try them on, can you go to like cache or something? They have some nice formal dresses.

[emyinpink]

If it's a smal l town, I would be cautious. It could be that the bride wants her guests to not wear jeans, and also has poor etiquette. I would wear a simple cocktail dress with great accessories, and have your DH wear a black suit. But DH and I have been burned before and felt really put of place at "formal" and "black tie" weddings.

[sailorgray]

My H would wear a dark suit.

I would NOT rent a dress. I would go to your local dept store and get a plain black dress that you get to keep and accessorize. Most events I have been to that say formal on the invite mean they want you to wear a dress and your H to wear a suit. I also think renting a dress is silly, but I also think renting a tux, limo, etc is silly, even for your own wedding, so take my advice with a grain of salt. You know the couple. What kind of people are they? I have friends where if it said formal attire, I would go all out. Then I have friends where if it said formal, I would know they mean a knee-length dress. What town is it, if you don't mind sharing? We have towns that while very small, are pretty froofy. That may help a little.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

Formal attire in small town PA is code for "no denim allowed, shoes required".

[Deleted]

I don't know the couple. It is a good friend of my husband's from high school. They seem whimsical and fun. Their wedding invite is a bit different than a traditional invite. My husband is not one to ask about fashion advice either. The town is Johnston, PA.

I appreciate your advice, ladies.

[mrssavy42112]

Jun 1, 2012 8:35:19 GMT -5 birkbop said:

Jun 1, 2012 8:29:26 GMT -5 mrssavy42112 said:

Well first of all, don't ever trust TK for etiquette advice. They're notorious for giving bad advice. Anyway, I agree with the others that the dress is not appropriate for a formal wedding. This is what I would wear:

I love you Savy. So hard.

Whatever TK says, do the opposite

Haha, thanks! I've been on there long enough to know that their 'etiquette' advice is 100% driven by whichever sponsor pays more for their ads...

I agree with others that the detail of it being in a small rural town with a handwritten invitation does change it. I know I went to a rural PA wedding a few years ago and was warned that they don't dress as formal as we do around nyc, so I went with what I thought was a casual dress. It looked like I was going to the Oscars compared to some of the get-ups in there. No, seriously.

I'm not loving that 2nd dress either. Try to look for something with a richer fabric, something shiny. Doesn't have to be sparkles, but perhaps a satin? You can even get relatively cheap 'satin' dresses at Forever21, just watch for the length. Then glam it up with accessories. Honestly, I don't mind being overdressed. I would feel worse to be under dressed.

[sailorgray]

I would prob go this route:

www.newport-news.com/strapless-stretch-charmeuse-dress.html

(too much white?)

www.newport-news.com/charmeuse-sheath-dress-with-corsage.html

www.newport-news.com/lace-one-shoulder-dress.html


I tend to be a budget shopper, so these would fit the bill for me. I am not sure how much you want to spend, though.

[miss67c]

Think prom minus the yellow/orange colors.

[secretlyevil]

Most people these days (region-specific) think formal = cocktail.

[niknik]

There are a lot of pretty lace dresses in darker colors. I would probably go that way. A nice cocktail dress in a pretty lace would be considered formal in many places.