What does a woman wear?

Skittle27

Hi!

A friend of mine just texted me in a panic about what to wear to a wedding she's invited to next month. She said she has to ask the expert -- and that's me!

Unfortunately, I'm kind of stuck in the mire too. Is 4pm considered "evening" on a Sunday?

Nutshell: 4pm wedding at a country club in NJ. Invite says "Formal"

Any input?

danieliza1127

Yes I'd consider it evening, especially since it says formal.  I'd wear a nice dress and dressy shoes but I guess I'd wear that to pretty much any wedding.

JessAndTrav

If the invite says formal, I'm thinking that it's formal. Remember, not only does the time of day dictate the level of formality. The style of the invitation as well as the venue say a lot.

opalsky007

I'd pick a knee-length dress. I'd feel ridiculous wearing either a long gown or a mini at 4 PM on a Sunday. But maybe that's just me.

Beachy730

If it says formal then she should dress like she would for a night wedding.  At the country club in my area you dress that way regardless of the time or day for a party.  But I have heard other people say that their country clubs are nothing like that.  She should just wear some type of dress that can be considered formal or casual, depending on the situation (if that makes sense).  I have some dresses in my closet that with the right heels and jewelry can be very formal, but I can also pair it with flip flops and wear it to the mall. 

nhelene

It will be evening by the time the reception gets rolling.  I'd expect other guests to wear suits and cocktail dresses.

jnic0319

Country club in NJ, close to the NYC area?  I would say a simple gown or a little black dress if it says formal.  The area surrounding NYC has a whole different expectation then that further from the city.

Skittle27

See, I should have came here and posted first! Look at how fast the replies are coming!

I looked at the articles/Ask Carley here, but then ended up googling and getting all sorts of gibberish! (Long dresses in neutral tones, blah, blah), and ended up more confused than I started with all that talk about "evening" and "Saturday"

Thanks, keep that input coming!

jesslovespete

I say a cocktail dress should be just fine.

Skittle27

Don't I know it, jnic! People on other sites talking about "no jeans"... I'm like, okay, let's look somewhere else!

parker624

if its says "formal" attire, I'd think a cocktail or even floor length dress.  Men in tuxes or black suits.  I don't think you should let the Sunday evening time trip you up- if the invite says formal or black tie, err on that side of dress.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

LBD/cocktail dress?

tenofcups4me

I'd wear a cocktail dress.

iarguello

To me, a dress can go from semi formal to formal based on the accessories as well as hair and makeup. Dress in a knee length cocktail and wear accessories that are bold statement pieces. You can always take off the pieces if you feel too dressy.

catemeg

I just went to a wedding last weekend on a Sunday that started at 5pm at a 5-star hotel, that the wedding website said, "Formal Attire Required". I had similar concerns, and asked Etiquette (which I'm sure some of you remember).  In the end, I opted to wear the brighter, slightly more casual cocktail look rather than a little black dress simply because I was more comfortable in it.  It was the perfect outfit for the occasion.

I would have felt foolish in a long ball gown.  Most women were wearing cocktail dresses, knee length, in a variety of colors and patterns but mostly something that was neutral enough to be considered formal or semi-formal.

If I were her and were concerned about looking out of place, I'd pull out a little black dress and put my guy in a suit.  Better safe than sorry.

mel3119

Generally, if the time of the wedding is later in the day, the more formal it is.  Because the invitation states "formal" than that is what it is...plus, I think a country club pretty much says it all.  Time to put your fancy dancing shoes on!!!