What to wear to a wedding?

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Hi,

I've been invited to a wedding for the first time in my life. Now I have no idea what to wear?

I'm a woman but I feel really uncomfortable in dresses. Skirts are ok I guess. I usually love really wide comfortable clothes but obviously I can't exactly show up in a pyjama. I asked for the dresscode and it was like 'nothing super fancy but like a bit more dressed up than usually'.

Now, I only have jeans and some of them are not in the best shape anymore and then just generic simple tshirts. I don't have anything fancy at all so I'll have to buy something anyway, I don't know what though. It can't be too tight or restricting bc that will make me very uncomfortable.

Any tips?

I wouldn't say trousers are ruled out, but shabby jeans definitely are. Since you feel ok with skirts, buy a simple skirt that you will use for other occasions, and then buy a showy, fancy top. Wear some bling too, if you can stand that. And make sure your shoes are presentable. If you don't have any dress shoes, you can pick up a cheap pair, knowing you only have to wear them on rare occasions for a few hours.

Have fun at the wedding!

I do not think they understand the purpose of a dress code. Since it does not really tell people what to wear. Super fancy could mean that will not be white tie. So that one is out. Alto I also doubt they mean black tie, which is more on the informal side. I would ask them if they could be be more specific. Or go to good tailor and ask them for advise.

Maybe google for pictures of weddings and get a feel for the style of dress generally considered acceptable.

I don't know, I think 'Nothing super fancy but like a bit more dressed up than usually' is fairly clear. To my mind, this means no floor-length formal gowns (except possibly for the wedding party) or tuxes for the gents. The planner probably doesn't want anyone to go out and spend a lot of money, just wear something nice. 'A bit more dressed up than usually' does imply tidy shoes, some jewelry, and possibly things like ruffles, sequins, shimmery fabric, silk scarf, an evening bag (clutch style) rather than backpack, etc. Party clothes, in other words.

Looking at photos of other people's weddings could be misleading, since they may be in a more or less formal setting.

Clues to the dress code are found in time of day (a morning or afternoon wedding is more casual than an evening one), and location (church is more formal than outdoors or somebody's home, say).

Unless your skirt is fairly long, I recommend shaving your legs for this occasion, even if you don't normally. That's my cultural bias and you don't have to agree. My reasoning is, no one will fault you for shaved legs, but some people might fault you for hairy ones. Oh, and on the subject of grooming - do something nice with your hair. If you don't like fussing with it, put on a pretty headband, barrette or pony-tail holder, or at least make sure it's clean and combed. Flowers in the hair, even silk ones, are entirely chic and appropriate, no matter the dress code. If you don't have some of these things, they can be borrowed.

And have fun!

I just want to reassure you that whatever you wear, you'll likely see others at the wedding who are dressed similarly to you, as well as some who are more formally dressed, and some who are less dressed up. If in doubt, going with a black knee-length or longer skirt and a nice solid-colored (any color but black) blouse should be fine, along with some dressy sandals (or heels, if you prefer. I can't walk in those things). That's what I normally wear to weddings, and while I've felt unsure about my outfit beforehand, I've never felt out of place once I got there and saw what everyone else was wearing. If it's someone you know well, you can always ask them for clarification, or even ask them to list a few example outfits to help you out more.

The only time I've heard anyone say anything bad about how wedding guests were dressed was at my cousin's wedding, when some of her friends showed up late and in T-shirts and jeans. A few people made rude comments among themselves, but the couple themselves didn't actually mind. As long as you're more dressed up than that, you should be just fine!

Oh, one more thing -- if you're sensitive to noise at all, you might want to keep a pair of earplugs in your bag just in case you need them. Weddings can be EXTREMELY loud, and it's something you might not expect since it's your first time attending one.

Wear black...

It is - after all - a day of profound mourning, grief and despair...

I can second this, it will help you get an idea of what to expect.

I also have to second the fact that weddings can be louder than you might expect. Earplugs might be useful.
Perhaps, if you know you're going to spend a fair share of time outdoors (some prefer to celebrate outdoors afterwards) and you have light sensitivity, take some sunglasses with you, just in case.

I wore jeans to my brother's wedding. I didn't even know or think about what was proper to wear to a wedding. But I wore a nice shirt and a necklace.
I don't think anyone cared.