'Formal' wedding - what does that mean to you?

[Willow]

I'm having a bit of a fashion dilemma.

I am attending two weddings in the next two months. One is next weekend and the couple are good friends of ours, I know lots of people that are going and think it will be a pretty relaxed kind of wedding. I am wearing a nice frock and getting some peep toes on the weekend

The second wedding however is starting to stress me out. The couple are friends of DH through work and I have met them a few times. I know the groom quite well but I've only met the bride once or twice. They are a young italian couple and the invitation says the dress code is 'formal'. You can tell just by looking at the invitation that it's going to be a glam wedding iykwim? They would have cost a bomb.

I have no idea how 'formal' I need to be. I don't know anyone else that is going so I can't even get some sort of an idea that way.

What would you be wearing?

The dress I am wearing to the first wedding is a nice dress, it's black and white, with a kinda chiffony overlay. It's a nice dress and I've worn it to weddings before but I'm not sure if it will cut it for a formal wedding

Help!!

[~Trish~]

EEK, I hate dilemmas like this! Is your dress long? I think formal is usually full length? Have you got a nice jacket you can wear over your dress to make it look more formal? I can't imagine a black and white dress would be inappropriate . I'm so out of the loop these days LOL!

I remember one of DH's executive ball Christmas parties had a ****tail dress code. I tossed up whether to buy a dress with colour or not. I ended up choosing a black, ****tail length dress and was SO glad I did when we arrived! Everyone was wearing black except one woman. I hate standing out in a crowd so I said a quiet "phew!" to DH LOL!

I am no help at all haha! Hopefully someone much wiser can help you .

[~Trish~]

Ooh, just Googled and found this:

* Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit. Hats and gloves optional.
* Formal Evening or Black-Tie: Long or dressy short ****tail (beading, glam accessories, wrap)

Wish I could lend you my ****tail dress LOL!

[Willow]

OK, if that's the case, I could probably wear the same dress to both weddings.

I'm going to buy some new heels and clutch and I have a black wrap I could wear.

To be honest, I'd rather be a bit underdressed and blend than be over dressed and stand out.

[~Trish~]

Sounds perfect

To be honest, I'd rather be a bit underdressed and blend than be over dressed and stand out.

Me too!

[~me~]

Wear the same dress and the spend the money saved on having your hair and nails done. The black wrap will glam it up perfectly

[smiles4u]

OK, if that's the case, I could probably wear the same dress to both weddings.

I'm going to buy some new heels and clutch and I have a black wrap I could wear.

To be honest, I'd rather be a bit underdressed and blend than be over dressed and stand out.

Trust me it's better to be **over dressed** than under dressed especially at a Wedding, and especially at an Italian Wedding

wear what you mentioned - your dress sound lovely, with new heels & nice clutch, definitely a wrap or nice coat ... and some really nice jewellery

... and if you ever at any point feel over dressed you can always strip the jewellery off and pop them into your clutch bag

(another tip, try not to show any bra straps !!)

[Willow]

Thanks smiles - you're really into this fashion and beauty stuff huh? I've seen you post lots in this section! LOL. I appreciate your advice, you seem like you know what you're talking about!

You know what I realllly want to wear - panty hose/stockings with seams down the back. Is that bad? I've always wanted to wear them and the style and print of my dress is a bit vintage so I think it could work...what do you think?

Only problem is I've found a nice pair of satin peep toe heels with ruffles on the toe. I know you can get toe less stockings now but I think I'd be pushing my luck to get toe less with seams.

Maybe I should go for closed in heels??

I'm getting a headache

Audax - Wow, that is so generous of you It would probably fit but I can't see the pic. Probably cause I'm not a friend on FB.

[sneakysparkle]

I think that with a nice dress, formal can be all in the accessories

Your dress sounds great! With a nice pair of heels, and some bling - and maybe a hair-dresser do - you'll look fab

[Beatrix]

Formal to me is a nice dress/heels, not 100% ****tail wear but close too. and suit/tie for the male

[Willow]

Trish - My dress is long-ish, probably mid calf? I never do anything shorter than that cause I have reeeeally bad legs

That's what I'm worried about - I don't want to turn up in a full length bl**dy ball gown and be totally over dressed! I'll be socially challenged enough as it is going to a wedding where I don't know anyone

Beatrix - I wish I was a man...how easy is a suite and tie?!