Wedding Dilemma

So I was out shopping recently and was in the dressing room when I overheard a mother and daughter in the next stall talking. The daughter asked her mother how she looked when she came out of the room, and from what I could tell, the mother wasn't too pleased with whatever look her daughter came out of the room with. All I could hear was the daughter "sigh" and say in a frustrated tone, "I am not getting dressed up.” The mother then said, "You don't have to, but at least dress appropriately for the occasion.”

I was intrigued to see what the daughter was wearing and even more curious to know what the occasion was, so I slowly opened my door and peeked out to see the daughter dressed in a tight red shirt with puffy sleeves and blue denim jeans. I thought that was a cute look, but then I questioned why the mother responded that way. Shortly after, I heard the daughter say, "They're just getting married at the courthouse; there's no need to dress up." So that was my answer. The daughter was attending a friend's wedding, who had chosen a less traditional wedding for whatever reason.

Although the daughter's outfit looked cute and could have been proper for a courthouse wedding, I had to agree with her mother at the time. Because the ambiance of a courtroom does not scream "dress up," why not present yourself as if you were standing in the Taj Mahal celebrating your friend's wedding and contribute beauty to the atmosphere. Yes, the courthouse may not be a formal setting, but consider the support you would be showing. Finances could be one of the reasons her friend chose the court house, and she may have desired an elaborate, wedding that she or he simply could not afford. But lets not make that a reason to not “show up” stylish.

So, what do you wear to a less traditional wedding yet still want to present yourself in a sophisticated way?

When dressing as a guest at an unconventional wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, consider the season, time of day, and venue . If you are close to the couple, you could always ask, and also make sure to read the invitation, which normally includes information on the dress code. But if all else fails, know that there is a basic guideline to follow for what "NOT" to wear, regardless of the wedding being unconventional. The following are just a few tips for what not to wear: white gown, shorts, jeans or sneakers, unless specifically stated otherwise on the invitation.

Instead of jeans or shorts, try something flowy and loose-fitting. The daughter's shirt was ideal, but instead of jeans, she could have opted for wide or narrow-legged pants that can be belted at the waist. Paired with a nice kitten heel or platform for comfort. Maxi dresses in a comfy knit fabric are ideal for any season and come in a variety of colors, patterns and styles. These dresses are ideal since they can be dressed up with accessories or kept casual with flat shoes. Plus they are great for any body type. Sneakers are questionable, however there are some cute stylish ones out there; just make sure they are appropriate. For comfort, Mary Janes or loafer-type shoes are always a good choice, and a trendy mule-style slip-in never goes out of style.

Finally, there's the white dress. Again, unless it is part of the guest dress code, avoid it. I'll never forget going to a wedding years ago and seeing one of the guests dressed in a white gown as elaborate as the bride's "white dress," which seemed odd at the time. I understand some people wait until events like weddings to dig out the fancy outfits, but make sure you're not trying to outshine the bride, and you certainly don't want to be the most underdressed guest either. Find a happy medium that works. And remember accessories are the perfect go-to when dressing for special occasions, since they can transform even the most casual look into something amazing.

I never interrupted the mother and daughter's conversation that day. I kept trying on the outfits I had brought into the dressing room and graciously prepared to leave, but not before quietly handing the mother one of my business cards, which she thanked me for. I had to laugh to myself because I can only image how many times mothers go shopping with their daughters to buy something for an event and find it more difficult than they expected simply because the style of dress has changed so much, especially for this generation. It is far easier to hire an Image Stylist, such as myself, to assist with those challenges and make the shopping experience less stressful and more enjoyable by having someone else do the shopping for you while you simply sit back and choose the outfit you like. I’m just saying!