wearing a white sundress to a friend's reception

mrsnilescrane · May 2011

Hello.

I have a question regarding etiquette and dress code.

A friend of mine is having a wedding reception in a few weeks. I planned on wearing a sundress, but it’s white. Maybe I am wrong to wear it even if it has big pastel flowers on it.

I didn’t think this is big deal because

A) it’s a sundress, not a Vera Wang or anything like that

it has big pink and peach flowers on it

C) the reception is a low key family BBQ and the invitations just said "party". It's not technically a reception because the wedding already happened a month ago overseas.

But what do you think? Should I still wear it or wear something else.

Beachy730 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wearing-white-sundress-friends-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0ceb0772-d2ca-4ac7-8cf4-9440025f790bPost:27e7390a-f40b-40c6-b1a5-91af1b700218">wearing a white sundress to a friend's reception</a>:
[QUOTE]Hello. I have a question regarding etiquette and dress code. A friend of mine is having a wedding reception in a few weeks. I planned on wearing a sundress, but it’s white. Maybe I am wrong to wear it even if it has big pastel flowers on it. I didn’t think this is big deal because A) it’s a sundress, not a Vera Wang or anything like that B) it has big pink and peach flowers on it C) the reception is a low key family BBQ and the invitations just said "party". It's not technically a reception because the wedding already happened a month ago overseas. But what do you think? Should I still wear it or wear something else.
Posted by mrsnilescrane[/QUOTE]

<div>If the flowers are big and bright, you're fine. </div>

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · May 2011

If overall it is 50% white or less, I think it's okay.

mica178 · May 2011

It's probably fine.

Beachy730 · May 2011

If you have a pic of the dress, or even something similar you can find online, we can tell you for sure.

LDYGTR13 · May 2011

I agree with PPs, but I also think that there are a bazillion colors out there. You should think about wearing one of them instead. I'm sure this white flowery sundress would look great for another occasion :-)

firsttimersluck · May 2011

If the flower is THAT big, throw a colored cardigan on and you SHOULD be fine... but I have a hard time believing that you only have one sundress that you could wear... I feel like, if you have to ask, that means don't do it...

Pic of the dress?

jemmini6 · May 2011

If the flowers are big and cover a large portion of the dress, then I'd say it's okay. But I'd really need to see it to make a determination....

Brandiewine11 · May 2011

I think its fine. It's not the wedding, its not like the bride will be wearing her dress (I hope). I wouldn't wear something completely white, but with the flowers on it, I wouldn't care.

mrsnilescrane · May 2011

I'm not very techie, so I hope this link works.

This is a similar coloured dress I found online-
http://cdn1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/190/938/012/cute-bow-tie-chest-big-flowers-one-piece-strap-dress-846f8.jpg

[Deleted User] · May 2011

I think it is perfectly fine.

Ghoti · May 2011

Too white for me. Is it really worth being that "guy"? Are you telling me that you don't own/can't find a single sundress that isn't white?

missy68 · May 2011

Looks fine to me. If not, I better check with J&K if I offended her with my dress.

CassieeK · May 2011

It looks fine to me.

Milsey32 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wearing-white-sundress-friends-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0ceb0772-d2ca-4ac7-8cf4-9440025f790bPost:e4c6cfb1-bd8d-453d-9ef3-399bd424e898">Re: wearing a white sundress to a friend's reception</a>:
[QUOTE]Too white for me.<strong> Is it really worth being that "guy"?</strong> Are you telling me that you don't own/can't find a single sundress that isn't white?
Posted by Ghoti[/QUOTE]

<div>That's kinda what I was thinking... I wouldn't really care as a guest, but I would still notice if someone else wore white. If you wore a bright (pink or peach) light cardigan with it, it could work, but still.. you don't own anything else? Salvation Army/Good Will has some good stuff. And I know the Good Will near me receives a weekly shipment from Target (so I've bought never-worn Target clothes for dirt cheap)</div>

LuluP82 · May 2011

I think especially because it's a reception only, you should wear a different color. If I were having an AHR that was casual, I'd probably wear a white sundress...

andy71781 · May 2011

I think it's fine.

LDYGTR13 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wearing-white-sundress-friends-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:0ceb0772-d2ca-4ac7-8cf4-9440025f790bPost:d97bf0e0-7d72-4d46-b8f4-7d299ca00598">Re: wearing a white sundress to a friend's reception</a>:
[QUOTE]I think especially because it's a reception only, you should wear a different color. If I were having an AHR that was casual, I'd probably wear a white sundress...
Posted by LuluP82[/QUOTE]

Good point...especially in the summer. I still hold to my point that there are TONS of colors out there and that dress is cute - but id save it for another occasion. Just because, I mean, why push the issue if you don't have to? And if you have to ask it's probably better to go with another color.

sarah0725 · May 2011

I think you're fine. I wore this to brother and SIL's wedding and nobody stoned me (I'm second from left):

EasleySalton · May 2011

I think if you have to ask you know the answer.

badkittyct · May 2011

It has enough color to offset the faux pas. YOu could add a bright cardigan to give it more color and be less "look at the person in white!"

peanutty2 · May 2011

I think it's fine too

jenjenaz · May 2011

unless there is absolutely NOTHING else in your closet that is appropriate for this occasion (and you don't have the funds to go get something else), i wouldn't wear it.

teacup11 · May 2011

As a bride I wouldn't care, but why bother and then have to worry and wonder ifthe bride or guests do care? Just wear something else.

Ghoti · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wearing-white-sundress-friends-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0ceb0772-d2ca-4ac7-8cf4-9440025f790bPost:20df80b4-b2d7-4de0-9921-b9a68dd03ed1">Re: wearing a white sundress to a friend's reception</a>:
[QUOTE]I think you're fine. I wore this to brother and SIL's wedding and nobody stoned me (I'm second from left):
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]
I'll be honest, I would've probably side-eyed that dress.

breaness · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wearing-white-sundress-friends-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0ceb0772-d2ca-4ac7-8cf4-9440025f790bPost:6c1fc2a8-285a-4a4f-9596-1c931772cfa1">Re: wearing a white sundress to a friend's reception</a>:
[QUOTE]As a bride I wouldn't care, but why bother and then have to worry and wonder ifthe bride or guests do care? Just wear something else.
Posted by teacup11[/QUOTE]

<div>I agree with this completely. While I personally wouldn't be offended, why would you take the risk?</div>

LoveMuffins · May 2011

As a bride, i probably wouldn't notice.

as a guest, that's white enough that i'd be side eye-ing you. it's flowy, there's more white on top than pink and i'd be like, 'what was she thinking?'. put a cardigan on it and you'd be ok, if you covered up alll that white on top. but i agree with the PPs who say that unless you do that, i'd wear just about ANY other color dress.