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Wearing same dress two different family weddings, same family members.

Page1987

Member

Help!!! I have a wedding on Saturday. I bought a dress but it's white. My mother talked me I to thinking it's not a big deal these days. I am having doubts now. I really want to wear a dressy pant suit I wore to the brother of the grooms wedding a year ago. It is super comfortable and I really like it. Should I wear it again? Will anyone notice?

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from karen13

JAileen

Veteran

Does your family think you only wear an outfit once? My mother wore the same dress to my wedding and also to my brother's wedding a few months later. I don't see the problem. I also think a white dress is okay as long as it doesn't look like a wedding gown!

Anonymous

I'd wear the pantsuit you want to wear. Maybe you have different accessories or shell under the jacket, but not a biggie. I'm personally not a fan of a white dress at a wedding unless you are the bride.

rachylou

Veteran

My fam is famous for being difficult: neither would go without a dig. But the pants suit over the white dress would be preferable in my realm. And no one really cares in my fam that you wear the same thing twice, actually; they'd be really excited for the opportunity to sling you one. The white dress however would be more serious disapproval.

But I don't think real, normal people give two bits either way. Clean, neat, and happy for the couple is what counts.

I'm jus' sayin' - my fam is a piece of work... but sorry, we were talking about yours! Lol

JuniperGreen

Veteran

I can't think of what my family was wearing at the last wedding I attended! I doubt anyone will remember, and if they fault you for repeating an outfit from a year ago, that's their problem, not yours!

I say go with the pantsuit - particularly if you're comfortable in it. Maybe you can change it up a little with a scarf or jewelry?

Sara L.

Veteran

I would avoid wearing white and go with the pantsuit.

Diana

Veteran

I'd wear the pants suit. I don't think wearing the same thing twice is a faux pas at all, especially since it's been a year so I bet most people won't even remember. I'm more hesitant about the white dress as I feel like that's the only wedding outfit taboo left these days.

Anonymous

Another vote for the pantsuit.

always trying

Veteran

One thing about family weddings, there are almost always grandparents, old aunts, etc. who would frown on the white dress. by the same token, I seriously doubt very many people would remember or care that you wore the pant suit before. we on this board are fashion aware, but many people aren't. We like to think others notice what we wear. I am sure that unless you are wearing something that stands out, or is different than the norm, most will not notice. at a wedding, someone other than the bride, wearing white would probably be noticed by other women, especially the older traditional ones.

Anonymous

Wear the pant suit again! A white dress seems contentious, and wearing the same thing twice is really only a big deal to you.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think that even if someone notices, and even if they say something, I agree that is their problem not yours. Wear the pantsuit that you want to wear and be proud! It's smart, comfortable, and you've done yourself and the planet a favour by not spending more money on another new outfit #30 wears.

MsMary

Veteran

I think it would be much better to wear a repeat pantsuit than a white dress. I'd be surprised if anybody remembered it and even if they did, it won't matter a bit. I'm sure you will look fab!

Anonymous

The pantsuit will be fine, but I think it's stupid not to be able to wear the same outfit more than once if you want to. I know someone like that, and I think it's snooty.

Becky

Veteran

Another vote for the pantsuit over the white dress. I know norms change, but I'm not convinced that one has changed enough to make it a safe bet.

The Cat

Veteran

If wearing the white dress: Wear a coloured shawl or jacket or statement necklace. And non-white shoes.

If wearing the pant suit again: Wear a different blouse and/or different accessories and/or a different hair style.

Scarlet

Veteran

Based on what you said I would wear the pants suit. My personal bias is against wearing a white dress to a wedding, and my other personal bias is that wearing the same thing again is not a faux pas. It's responsible to repeat-wear great things that you love.

Anonymous

I wouldn't wear a white dress, either, but that comes from my upbringing and I don't like to impose that kind of thing on others. I like Cat's suggestions on how to accessorize a white dress should you choose to wear it.

Runcarla

Veteran

Wear the pantsuit! I believe one of the guests at the recent Pippa Middleton wedding got raked over the coals by the press for wearing a very pale yellow outfit that read as white in photos!

Joy

Veteran

Wear the pantsuit. It is how you treat people that will be remembered. Not what you wore. I suspect that your mother is confusing wearing black to a wedding with wearing white. Both used to be taboo but now wearing black seems more acceptable.

Sisi

Veteran

I vote for the pantsuit because 1) You like it and I have the impression that it makes you happy; 2) I find totally acceptable to repeat an outfit and I think it is even funny to make it "new" playing with a different blouse/ accessories etc. And I like Jenni NZ's comment very much: do yourself and the planet a favor! (By the way, I belong to the category "no White at Weddings" but I understand this is a cultural norm not valid for everybody).

Summer

Veteran

I see no problem at all in wearing the same outfit again. Change it up, if you wish, with different accessories.

Staysfit

Veteran

I wore a white dress to my SIL's wedding almost 20 years ago. No one has ever said anything negative about it to my face, and if they were unhappy about it, I have no clue. Everyone continued to talk with me and have always been friendly and warm. Are you going to be in family pictures? Were you in the previous family pictures? Are these pictures going to be displayed in the same location by anyone? I think you can go either way. I have also re-used a dress for multiple formal family events. I'm not a princess, actress or the First Lady.

tulle

Veteran

Another vote here for the pantsuit. You'll feel much more comfortable, and most people won't remember. You might try adding a visual jolt via a distractingly beautiful scarf or statement piece of jewelry (think of that amazing Zara necklace Angie featured a few posts back.) A great wardrobe workhorse can always benefit from a couple of new tricks.

Echo

Veteran

No one will remember what you wore before, and I would repeat the pants suit over wearing white. Regardless of how people talk about standards changing, a lot of people will give you MAJOR side eye for wearing white to a wedding. It just isn't done. There's a whole rainbow of colors to choose from, and white is reserved for the bride at that event on that day.

summermarine00

Reusing the same dress is not a bad habit but actually, a good investment choice the only deal here is how you accessorise. Amp up your style or give it another taste by matching it well with the right jewels and matchy makeup style. A dress worn more than once is not illegal use your investments wisely and be practical.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am all for repeating outfits. My only caveat is the pictures, especially if they are going to be displayed forever at your MIL's - not speaking from experience or anything !

Deborah

Veteran

I would wear the outfit you want to wear, ie the dressy pant suit

Other people care very little about what others wear and I think if anything you will simply be remembered for being fabulously dressed at both occasions.

jussie

Veteran

I think wearing the pantsuit again is a good idea, mainly because it’s what you want to wear! Also I think it’ll make your family think you’re resourceful and thrifty, not-vain if you show that you wear your clothes more than once. I see it as a positive. Not that it matters what others think.

karen13

Veteran

Dressy pantsuit! If you like it, repeating isn’t a problem. If you are worried, follow the Cat’s advice and change up accessories, but it isn’t even necessary.