Tags
brown beaded necklace, brown belt, brown knot pumps, Chris De Burgh, red and white patterned dress
Welcome back to Wedding Week! I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only one who’s been soured on weddings at one time or another. But at least we can have fun with the things we wear to them, right?
Another thing that makes weddings so stressful is all of the etiquette involved. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m a regular Emily Post nazi. And weddings are rife with potential breeches and outright offenses. Amidst all the Ps and Qs that hang in the balance, there are so many fashion disasters waiting to happen at weddings. Which is why one must always choose carefully. Nowadays, people would like to tell you that anything goes but I err on the side of caution. Nothing all-black or super dark and drab. And never, never, never nevernevernever anything with white as the primary color. I thought everyone knew this, but I had one blatant offender at my wedding.
This particular bitch had already invited herself to the wedding a couple of days prior and as if that weren’t bad enough, she then had the nerve to show up in an almost all white dress. The real kicker of it was that she got married shortly after and didn’t even invite us, so that I could return the sentiment. Not that I would have. Some of us have class. But I still resent being denied the opportunity. It’s these kinds of atrocities that make really make me bristle at weddings.
This, for me, is as rule-bendy as it gets:
This is a dress I bought, not with a wedding in mind. I then got invited to tag along at a wedding where I was of distant relation but didn’t really know the bride and groom very well. This dress was the best thing I had to wear. The dress is borderline for me, because it does have some white but I deem it okay because it’s part of a pattern. It doesn’t look white from a distance, nor would anyone mistake me for bridal in it. The other reason it was okay was because it wasn’t a typical wedding. The bride’s occupation was that of exotic dancer. Which is not to say that strippers don’t have scruples. It was just my estimation that capital-T Tradition wasn’t at the fulcrum of the festivities and that the dress wouldn’t really raise any eyebrows. In any event, it was a lovely wedding with a lovely eclectic crowd and my dress fit in just fine. All was well.
There wasn’t much to be done with this one either. My biggest beef with this dress is the length. This is as maxi as Jenny is willing to go. (Even my own wedding dress was tea-length.) And I suppose I could have maybe hemmed this one too, but I wouldn’t want to go mucking with that brilliant pattern.
Originally, I accessorized monochromatically, which I’m always compelled to do with red. But while trying to find a more flattering waist-adornment, I swapped in the brown belt and liked what I saw. Brown and red is an underdog color combo but I totally love it. I decided to run with the neutrals and that was that. Why mess too much with something you already like, yes?
Dress – Ross
Belt – Work
Shoes – Thrifted (Candie’s)
Necklace – The Icing
Title courtesy of Chris De Burgh – “Lady In Red”
Lulu said:
I can relate to everything you’re saying. By the time I got married I had been to so many weddings, I just wanted to elope. My husband and mother talked me out of it. We compromised and had a very small wedding. I told my mom, I’m just going to a nice department store and buying a cream or white dress or suit. “No, you’re wearing a wedding dress” she said. So I compromised there too and wore a tea length dress as you did.
I tend to think of the couple getting married and use that as my guide to the appropriate wedding fashion. I’ve been to some weddings that people were so casual looking I felt way over dressed. If that’s the personality of the bride and groom it will reason that’s what their friends are like. The more “classy” the couple, probably the more classy the guest list and mode of dress.
I saved a possible wedding disaster for my sister in law at her wedding. My MIL, who does whatever she wants, was going to wear this flowy white dress to the wedding. When she showed it to me I said “you can’t wear that!” when asked why not I said it looks like something a bride might wear at a her own less formal affair. Thankfully she listened and wore something different. My SIL was very grateful.
Love your blog and your humor. I look forward to seeing what you put together each day.
Emily said:
Awesome dress. I love the addition of the brown belt. I wouldn’t have tried brown but you’re right – it looks great! 🙂
Did you know that I went to nine weddings last summer? There was even a weekend with two in a row. It was crazy. I’m so glad there aren’t any this summer. Phew.
Kenzie said:
Oh my word, the white at the wedding. I thought that was common courtesy also! I was at a garage sale a couple months ago and these amazing, 80’s white dress was for sale. The seller explained she wore it once… TO A WEDDING. My friend was appauled she could not believe it! It’s pretty tacky if you can’t follow that one rule.
I’m sorry you had an offender of this montrocity however I don’t think that this dress would have been bad at even a regular wedding. It’s super cute/tribal though and I love it with the black belt.
Erin @Swan Lake Eats Her Cake said:
Just came across your blog yesterday….Love It!
Truth be told I was motivated to put a little more effort in my morning routine, and now I really want to go out and buy some sweet accessories.
I also love the song lyrics as post titles. If you don’t find I may jump on that band wagon. I’ve always loved music and narcissistically think everyone should be exposed to what I love and love it too. 🙂
Julie said:
Wow, the belt just adds so much to this. I think it brings the colors of the dress out so much more.
I, myself, have not been to many weddings in the past few years. You bring back so many good points though. I will have to remember all the things that I am learning about weddings this week – thanks!
Melissa said:
I really like it with the contrasting darker accessories. Lovely!
(PS – If I were in your shoes, I think I might have actually worn all black to reciprocate had I been invited to her wedding.)
the real jessie said:
I totally remember who you are talking about at your wedding, and I am not at all observant normally! It must have stood out THAT much. Love you. Love your blog.
Alya said:
Wow, what a bitch to show up to your wedding in white. I would have totally made her leave.
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