Guests wearing white?

hanleymaid · June 2010

Hi everyone!

I'm invited as a date with my boyfriend to a July wedding, and I'd like to wear a particular dress but I'm not sure on the White Rules (besides the obvious purpose of them).

My dress is from Ann Taylor, a very sophisticated sheath dress with this beautiful purple/pink/green big flower/ivy print that crawls up the front. There's a purple waist belt as well. The base color is a very light cream-white.

Without the luxury of seeing the actual dress (can't find an image!), would I be at all out of line to wear it? Friends I've asked said it's hardly a white dress, as the pattern takes over the look.

Help please! Thanks in advance for any input

Amanda

shannonalise · June 2010

If you're even somewhat unsure, just be safe and don't. It's hard to give you advice if we aren't able to see it and make a judgment call.

jnic0319 · June 2010

I wouldn't see a problem with it. It's not a solid white or cream dress.

georgia_bride09 · June 2010

It sounds more like a print, and less like white. I'd wear it.

FutureMrsTR · June 2010

If it's really mostly print with just a cream background, I don't see the big deal.

eastunder1 · June 2010

If you have to ask, it would probably be better to just wear something else. If the print just crawls up the front, does that mean the sides and back are solid white?

Generally speaking, I think a good rule of thumb is "how would you describe the dress?" If the first word you would use is white, it's innapropriate. There are so many other colors out there, why would you want to wear something that isn't ok?

danieliza1127 · June 2010

Based on your description, it sounds fine to me.

I've worn a black and white dress to wedding before. It's not like NO white is allowed, it's mostly just all white dresses you want to stay away from.

baystateapple · June 2010

I have a beautiful cream-colored dress with big flowered print that I wanted to wear to my FBIL's wedding this summer. But I just can't do it. The idea makes me too uneasy. I'd rather just enjoy the wedding without being nervous that people are judging me.

If you're even slightly questioning it, you're probably better off picking a different dress.

hanleymaid · June 2010

Thanks for the quick replies! I found a picture of me in the dress, hope this helps

really appreciate it!

brilibby4 · June 2010

Since it has a print I think it sounds fine!

MattsPenguin · June 2010

Oh that's much less white than I had pictured. I say go for it! It's more of a floral print.

andy71781 · June 2010

Oh yeah that's totally fine. Rock it.

laurenclaire1386 · June 2010

It's a really pretty dress! I always err on the side of wearing NO white though. I'm weird about it. It's the one wedding etiquette rule I actually knew prior to hanging out on this message board. I wouldn't do it, but like I said, I'm strange about it. So take that with a grain of salt.

tenofcups4me · June 2010

That's not a white dress; it's a print dress (and it's pretty). Wear it.

*BeachBride0410* · June 2010

Based on your pictures, I say wear it! I girlfriend at my wedding wore a dress that was base white, with purple flowers and leaves on it. I loved it on her.

I love the dress you have too

eastunder1 · June 2010

I personally wouldn't wear that dress. I think there's too much white. I can see how others would say it was fine though.

My thing with white dresses is, yes you can probably get away with it and no one would notice, but why would you? A woman has to ownsomething that doesn't have a sh*tton of white in it. A blue dress, a green one, something? Why wear the white one? Why not just wear a pretty blue dress and save the gorgeous white one for a time that doesn't involve a wedding? It's such a simple rule, I don't get why women can't just follow it without trying to push it as much as they can.

laurenclaire1386 · June 2010

East, eye to eye buddy.

hanleymaid · June 2010

You are all amazing. Can't thank everyone enough for the fast and thoughtful input! I'm leaning toward wearing it, but it's never difficult to push a woman toward buying a new dress...

Thanks!

Amanda

tenofcups4me · June 2010

I'm floored that some posters would care if there's a white background on a dress. I'd have to say that as a guest, I honestly wouldn't care if I upset a bride that was so crazed on the subject that a white background on a print dress isn't acceptable.

baystateapple · June 2010

See, if I was the bride, I definitely wouldn't even think twice about that dress.

But as a guest, I would still be nervous, because I tend to overthink.

Like you said, I would use the excuse to buy another cute dress!

laurenclaire1386 · June 2010

I don't think it means crazy bride or that anyone truly cares if the background is white. I think East's point is that there's ONE color in the vast spectrum of options for an outfit that you're not supposed to wear, so why even bother including it at all?

JennaV26 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_guests-wearing-white?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:52333834-9f04-4299-9c0e-f1aa0f78c095Post:56bddd10-327a-4d20-928f-04159216c362">Re: Guests wearing white?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you have to ask, it would probably be better to just wear something else. If the print just crawls up the front, does that mean the sides and back are solid white? Generally speaking, I think a good rule of thumb is "how would you describe the dress?" If the first word you would use is white, it's innapropriate. There are so many other colors out there, why would you want to wear something that isn't ok?
Posted by eastunder1[/QUOTE]

I agree with this 100%! Also consider if you'll feel comfortable wearing it. If you go the entire wedding wondering whether or not you should have worn the dress it won't be worth it anyway.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_guests-wearing-white?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:52333834-9f04-4299-9c0e-f1aa0f78c095Post:37a7127d-9fc4-4e1f-9a9c-eef7b7ee8003">Re: Guests wearing white?</a>:
[QUOTE]Based on your description, it sounds fine to me. I've worn a black and white dress to wedding before. It's not like NO white is allowed, it's mostly just all white dresses you want to stay away from.
Posted by danieliza1127[/QUOTE]

exactly.

arthomas82 · June 2010

I just learned last night (thanks David Tutera!) that white isnt even acceptable for guests to wear. Hmm, who knew!

*BeachBride0410* · June 2010

I think the dress is fine...what does the back look like? is the print all over?

I can see what some people are saying about there is a lot of white still in the dress. If you think that is a lot, check out what my MIL wore to my wedding!!!

I didn't say antying to her, but I was shocked.

lharri12 · June 2010

IMO, as long as the dress is not more than 50% white, you're okay to wear it. If it's mostly white, I wouldn't wear it.

laurenclaire1386 · June 2010

lharri, I super big pink puffy heart your lil black weiner dog. I grew up with daschaunds (sp?) and I love them.

ohwhynot · June 2010

Dang. I've worn this dress to 2 weddings now:

It honestly never occurred to me that there couldn't be any white - just anything that could remotely be considered bride-like. Whoops.

pooh8402 · June 2010

honestly, I know someone wore white to my wedding, but I just didn't give a shite. who cares? wear what you like. as long as your dress doesn't upstage the bride's, you'll be fine imo.