Fashion Blog

Being that I just celebrated “My Best Friend’s Wedding” as the maid of honor (August 18, 2007) – I feel exceptionally compelled to report on the acceptable fashion Do’s and Don’ts of wedding wear. I must admit, I saw EVERYTHING at these nuptials, from jeans and smoking jackets (DON’T) to black cocktail dresses (DO) to formal gowns (DON’T). Today’s wedding fashion etiquette has certainly changed from traditional thought to contemporary trends. However some rules still apply when planning your ensemble for the special day.

White Wedding Woes
Although Emily Post’s Institute of Etiquette proclaims that it is ok to wear white to a wedding as long as the dress does not resemble a wedding gown, many brides take offense to this color. This is their special day and some feel their special color. The rule applies that the bride should not be overshadowed. If you have a simple linen dress or off-white suit that you feel appropriate, check with the bride to make sure she won’t freak out while walking down the aisle.

Black is Back
You can now wear black to a wedding, but remember this is a celebration, not a funeral. Don’t dress in depressing fashion, select a sophisticated black cocktail dress and you’ll look fabulous.

Too-Formal Wear
If you are not in the wedding party, DON’T wear an overly formal gown. This look is reserved for the bride & groom and their immediate circle. I saw an attendee in what looked like an old bridesmaid dress and she looked RIDICULOUS!

Religious Service Situations
Some couples perform certain religious rituals at weddings. Make sure that you understand what their service beliefs entail before you show up at the wedding with bare shoulders or too much leg/cleavage showing. You don’t want the minister staring at you during his sermon.

Suit up Fellas
Guys should dress in a suit and tie for a wedding. The exception being a beach ceremony or other destination location where dress can be less formal. It is an absolute DON’T to wear jeans to a wedding even if you’re also wearing a shirt and tie. I don’t know why guys think this is cool. Ladies, please help your dates dress for a wedding…you DON’T want to be judged by your man’s clothing choices either!

Are your school notebooks literally filled with creative illustrations of fashion design concepts that no-one has ever seen? If so, you may have already found that getting in the door of a reputable fashion design firm, is almost impossible without the right experience or credentials to make your resume stand out. Whether you’re interested in a career working in fashion design, fashion editing, fashion merchandising; you can’t get taken seriously if you can’t get noticed.

Finding yourself and your style are virtually equivalent in your 20’s. You can pretty much get away with anything whether it is fashionable or not. College threads turn into club clothes and then into daywear for your evolving career. This is your decade to rock the hot pink tights, miniskirts, and garments with lycra and spandex.

Every year major magazines like VOGUE and HARPER’s BAZAAR dedicate an issue to age, celebrating women of all decades adorned in high style. Euphemisms are born, like “30 is the new 20” and “40 is the new 30” created by beauty editors to extend our everlasting youth. As my big 3-0 draws near, I have wondered exactly how my sense of style will change as I move into the next age bracket. It’s not like I can’t still rock my stilettos in the club (although I’ve noticed the length of time I can bear them is getting shorter!) but it’s important to dress appropriate for the age that you are. Here are a few pointers to keep you, your mom, and grandma timeless in fashion.