Ask Angie: Dressing for wedding events and weddings.

Fun50's

Would it be possible to describe what kind of clothing is appropriate for wedding events that were described as:
A cocktail welcome party-- "dressy casual" ( In California)
Wedding--"formal" (but it didn't say black tie) (In California)
An outdoor wedding where the weather is unpredictable-- it said be aware of the northwest weather conditions (In Portland)
Also, since I rarely have to dress up in my everyday life where do you suggest looking for reasonably priced items or what time of year is best to shop for "occasion wear"? I would like to keep the "formal" outfit under $250 if possible. Is that even reasonable?
Thanks!!

6 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

Anonymous

Wow- Fun -that certainly raises questions for me so I will be watching responses with interest. I have a several event wedding coming up too.
I don’t know if “ old rules” apply anymore- probably not. I always thought dress casual called for nice simple classy dress but nothing flashy (not to sparkly) . Formal weddings I have been to, I amped up the glitz factor a bit but found all sorts of dresses in attendance from understated LBD to some that looked like it belonged on stage and was so over top it took looks away from bride- not good. If weather is concerned maybe Something like a simple brocade fabric skirt suit or a 2 piece dress with jacket so you can wear dress alone but have jacket if weather gets chilly ( thinking they are warning a shawl won’t pass muster). Depending on fabric chosen it would not be an expensive 1 use look. Can’t wait to hear from others. Thanks for post

6 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well of course I can't speak for California but in NZ you could easily get a formal outfit under that price in an outlet store or sale rack, good quality. I thought California was one of the most casual US states? It has seemed so when I have visited there, similar to how we dress in NZ and Australia. Dressy casual would allow a big range here including pants with a nice top. Even fast fashion stores like Zara can have quite dressy stuff from what I've seen?

6 years ago

Liesbeth

Veteran

Do you look for an outfit that is appropriate for all that? Dressy casual sounds like what you would wear to an office party imo so I would just pull out some dressier seperates or a nice everyday dress and add accessories. Formal I think sounds like a cocktail dress and glitzier accessories. But then I’m from Belgium and dress codes are reallly disappearing here, for most events I attend I’m fine with a nice highstreet cocktail dress in glammy fabric or even woven cotton (and there’s almost inevitably someone in jeans!). Except for my own wedding I’ve never worn anything more expensive than 250 usd. For the weather I’d also bring a blazer and shawl, maybe closed toe shoes.

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hello. Are the events in CA and Portland? When are they?

6 years ago

Fun50's

Active Member

The dressy casual cocktail welcome is also with the formal wedding. It is late September at a winery in California. (Central California). The wedding outside is early June just outside Portland.

6 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

If it was me, I would wear a nice sheath dress or pants and a dressy blouse to the cocktail welcome and a formal, but not full length dress to the wedding. The weather conditions sound like they could be tricky if it is outside and formal...

6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Late September in California at a winery --oooh! Wonderful. It will be beautiful and warm, like being in Tuscany. I'm not sure what counts as "dressy casual" in California but for myself I'd be looking for a dress that feels comfortable, yet still a bit special. One dress I'd imagine myself wearing it that situation is below -- it's silk, but it's cut so that it moves beautifully and because it is loose in the middle it never feels "uptight." With more casual footwear/ accessories it would work as "casual dressy" but with glitzier ones it works as formal. That's just one style that happens to work with my body type, of course. Angie has posted some lovely dresses in the Finds lately. Going through some blog posts you'll find a few.

For the formal event, I'd go "glitzier." If the wedding is at night I don't know if that would involve a long gown? Maybe you can ask a few questions.

Portland in June could be chilly especially if you are outdoors for a long time, although I assume they'd have a tent of some kind and possibly heaters. I would need something with a topper there for sure.

Club Monaco

Norra Silk Dress

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Top Pick

6 years ago

Fun50's

Active Member

Thanks for all the great advice! I am assuming it might be chilly at both weddings since they are both scheduled at 5 pm. I have considered a black jumpsuit for the Portland wedding with some kind of jacket. That way I can sneak in a layer underneath for warmth! I tend to run cold. While I love the look Suz posted I am looking for something with at least some sleeve, especially for the formal look. I’ve been looking at websites for formal wear and there are very few dresses with sleeves. It seems like so many dresses are sleeveless and then I always struggle to find something to wear over the dress that doesn’t ruin the design of the dress. Even though I have several months before the formal wedding I don’t want to be rushed at the last minute to find something. I’ll post anything I find.

6 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Fun50s --

West Coaster reporting in. Lucky you, some great spots for events!

IME Central CA is more like NorCal than SoCal in terms of dress, so understated nice outfit is fine. The jumpsuit with a bit of fanciness in accessories would work. A nice linen or polished cotton dress would be fine. An Eileen Fisher-y pants/tops look: fine.

Just google "winery wedding Central [or N] California" and look for photographer's portfolios if you want more visuals of typical guest-wear.

I can almost guarantee someone will be in their "good" fleece at the Portland wedding.

Really, aside from niche circles Oregon is as casual as the rumors. Portland is the most dressy (using the term extremely loosely) and it's a steep slope from there. They don't really care if you dress up, but they for sure don't care if you don't. Probably not very helpful but maybe it takes the pressure off?

I will say plan for warm and cool temps. You just don't know. If July/Aug I'd say high 80s-90s, but June could be pouring rain and low 60s or hot. [Also know that if it's not rainy, people will be showing lots of skin if it's 60+ degrees, ha.] As long as the jumpsuit isn't too warm you should be fine.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Vix- good fleece...... at a Portland wedding? LOL

6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I hear you on the sleeve coverage. It's frustrating. Especially in summer it can be hard to find. But necessary for those outdoor events. It can be difficult to find a topper that doesn't spoil the line of a dress.

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

As long as you have TOPPER options for both situations, you'll be fine. It can be cool in June around here.

I went to an evening Winter wedding in Portland, OR in Feb - and EVERYONE was well dressed - and dressy. 200 people. This is what I wore:

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-wedding-4

6 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Angie, we could do a flow chart and/or Venn diagram for Portland area weddings to gauge the odds of dressiness.

Just sayin': outdoor + not within the city = I would not fret. If both of the families are old money I might go fairly conservative vs artsy but other than that....

ps Ah, that magical February that was warm and dry -- glad you got to experience it!

6 years ago

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