I wrote this on Deborah's thread and then decided that it would be a highjack

I wanted to a NZ/Australian perspective about wedding dress - having been to many weddings here and four across the Tasman in the beautiful land of Australia.

I find there is a huge range of guest attire at weddings, at times I have seen people in denim (mostly men); men often do not wear a tie. Some men might wear a kilt for fun (my brother in law for one).

For women it can range from suits, to LBD, to summer frocks to cocktail attire, to more edgy architectural looks. It depends on the setting, the location and the family involved. I have been to a wedding where we all stayed in dormitories or tents and bathed in the stream, and the marriage celebrant wore a caftan, through to a couple of beach weddings where many guests were barefoot or wore flip flops, through to marqee weddings, church weddings, garden weddings, winery weddings, school based weddings etc.. I do agree with Deborah that some people can be rather lackadaisical about their dress, and be too casual. Personally I think it is about making an effort to look smart, whatever that means to you; I do feel grown men should have non-denim options....there are plenty at thrift shops.

I haven't been to a lot of weddings lately sadly but I tend to wear dresses, mostly knee to midi length, accessorised as appropriate. I have worn a jumpsuit to a wedding in the past, and even culottes back in about 1992

I think here in Australia and New Zealand we are more relaxed on dress protocols. Often too relaxed. I have never heard people say not to wear white or linen in winter (more do wear it in summer of course but for practical reasons), or not to wear white to a wedding, or that clothes are spring clothes or fall clothes (they are just mid-weight clothes). Churches are also mixed - my Mum in her 70s wears jeans to church. However women do wear hats to the races mostly!!

I would be interested in other perspectives, from NZers/Australians or the clothing norms in any part of the world.