Is it okay to wear a black dress/like a cocktail dress to an evening wedding?

Jesushelper76

Here is a link for you: There may be lots of advice out there for you.

http://fashion.about.com/cs/tipsadvi...ddingguest.htm

valinors_sorrow

Some traditions stand the test of time and some don't. I wouldn't be inclined to wear black at a wedding, evening or otherwise, unless I ran with, say, a sophisticated urban crowd where black was common. To be the first at it would be subject to disapproval so can you at all guage how frequent that little black dress in is this crowd? As for the cocktail dress part, watch that its not too sexy. Sexy is the wrong tone for a wedding in my view unless you are tacky enough to treat the occasion as a potential dating pool opportunity, which I don't think you are.

Jesushelper76

Do not wear white at all because then you will be competing with the bride, which I hope you do not want to do. (;

Krs

I would say YES.
I've worn a black dress to an evening wedding. Most people where dressed in black.
Black dresses or suits. Just DO NOT wear white.
Only the bride should wear white.

GaryArt

This depends on how closely you want to follow TRADITIONAL rules of etiquette.

Personally, I wish more people would; it makes the world a more pleasant place.

If you ARE interested in traditional etiquette, then the answer is "No". Under no circumstances may a lady wear black to a wedding, unless she is in mourning.

A cocktail dress is also problematic. The proper attire for an evening wedding is, of course, evening wear. But some "cocktail" dresses could pass for that, so it depends on the dress.

The best thing to do if you are not sure about what to wear to a function is to ask your hostess, or, in the case of a wedding, the bride or her mother or sister.

rosarebada

A recent "Sex in the City" formal wedding scene showed all four gals in black cocktail dresses. For me that's a definitive answer! The NO-Black tradition was to avoid appearing to mourn the wedding. Now days everyone knows the difference between Fancy-Black and Funeral-Black.

kp2171

my wife would absolutely wear a black cocktail dress to an evening wedding, especially if it were a more "sophisticated crowd"... you can dress it up and not look like a funeral.

Krs

Exactly KP. Black doesnt need to be a mourning colour. You can Jazz it up with nice jewelry, and a great hairstyle, and subtle make-up.

starryeyed

I agree - it depends on what type of dress and what type of wedding... But asking sounds good to me... I don't think anyone would mind that - it's quite normal to ask for dress code...