What to Wear to a Bridal Shower As A Guest
True Story…Did I tell you about when I went to a bridal shower for my friend’s daughter?
One of the guests was wearing such a low-cut dress that when she reached across the buffet table to get a cup of tea and an egg salad finger sandwich, out popped her nipple. That’s no joke and a good example of what not to wear to a bridal shower!
Here are some guidelines for what to wear to a bridal shower as a guest to look lovely and appropriate.
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How to Dress for a Bridal Shower as a Guest
Bridal showers are sweet celebrations of love, romance, and the woman of honor, the bride-to-be.
Although bridal showers have become a little more relaxed over the years, this doesn’t mean you should show up in boring, everyday clothes. No matter how formal or informal, a bridal shower is an important event calling for something special.
When deciding what to wear, think of a bridal shower as a fancy tea party, with dainty sandwiches, desserts, tea and coffee, and chit-chat because that is basically what it is. The dressing goal is to look pretty, elegant, and ladylike.
If you are the bride’s mother, you are second in importance to the bride, so honor that role by wearing something thoughtful and classy.
What is the Dress Code for a Bridal Shower?
Bridal showers can be casual or dressy. However, the bridal shower invitation often doesn’t state the dress code, which can leave you feeling stressed about what to wear.
One clue as to how fancy you should dress is to consider the location. Casual bridal showers are typically held at someone’s home, a church hall, or a community center.
Dressy bridal showers are usually held at a nice restaurant, golf clubs, hotels, or reception hall. In my experience, dressy ones are generally much larger, too. I once went to an Italian wedding shower at a reception hall with 150 ladies!
In any case, there is a tried and true way of dressing for a bridal shower that is always appropriate. You can follow these guidelines.
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1. Wear Something Feminine and Pretty
Bridal showers are about love and romance, so the perfect way to dress is to wear something pretty and feminine. Leave your work power suits or your sexy evening favorites at home. Soft and ladylike is the way to go.
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When in doubt, wear a dress. It’s the ultimate in femininity and the most popular thing to wear to a bridal shower. Classic styles like wraps, sheaths, shifts, or fit-and-flare dresses are ideal because they’re on the conservative side. A pair of flowy dress pants can be beautiful, too, but stay away from jeans or cords, which are just too casual to look right. For a casual bridal shower, you can wear anything from a pretty sundress to an elevated casual day dress—flowy fabrics like chiffon and feminine details like lace, ruffles, and tiers. work well. Wear something similar to what you would wear for a special occasion Easter or a Mother’s Day brunch. For a dressy bridal shower, you can glam it up a bit (leaning more toward cocktail attire, but not as dressy as what you would wear to a wedding). The vibe at a dressy shower is a more chic than soft and sweet. Light, soft neutrals and pastels in light, pink, blue, yellow, green, are always lovely. If these colors make you feel too washed out, bright, cheery colors also work well. Beautiful floral prints always look right at a bridal shower, whether you are wearing a floral dress or blouse. Flowers are synonymous with love and romance. Too small of a floral can be aging. Too large can overwhelm a small frame. Please look for a medium-size print in a modern color combo. If you don’t like dresses, pants can be beautiful too, so long as they are not too casual or too serious and stiff. The best pants are soft and fluid, such as a pair of wide leg or palazzo pants. They give a relaxed but chic vibe. A dressy jumped in a fabric that drapes nicely can also be a great choice.
A delicate, feminine shoe may be all you need to transform a plain dress in your closet into a Cinderella-like outfit.
Bring on the bling at a bridal shower. You can wear your fine, expensive things or some fun costume jewelry. It doesn’t matter. A little sparkle adds a lot of glam to a special celebration like this. similar jumpsuit | similar jumpsuit 2 |similar jumpsuit 3 Carry a chic clutch, don a silk scarf, or buy that fancy hat you’ve fantasized about wearing. It’s a party. Have fun. In summer, a bridal shower is often held in someone’s backyard, by the garden or pool, so you could wear a pretty sundress, a maxi dress, pants, a jumpsuit, or even capris and a cute top. In the fall or winter, a casual wedding shower is usually held in someone’s home or at a local community hall. In this case, wearing a casual day dress, dress pants, and a nice sweater or top would be fine. This gets back to my little story at the beginning of this post. Forget plunging necklines and thigh-high skirts. Save those for the cocktail bar. They’re too showy and hard for an afternoon ladies’ tea party. Of course, you don’t want to look sappy-sweet, but it’s better to err on this side and not look desperate for attention. Other things you should not wear to a bridal shower Just so you know, if you are on the fence about buying something new for a bridal shower, please keep this in mind. The same dressy outfit you wear to a bridal shower can also be worn to a baby shower, high school reunion, church, date night, christening, your child’s college graduation, a special birthday party, and more. So go ahead and treat yourself to something fresh and new. You feel good when you look good, and life is much more fun. Do you have other ideas about what to wear to a bridal shower? Let me know.3. Pastels & Neutrals are a Natural Choice
4. Florals Feel Romantic
5. Flowy Pants and a Blouse are Lovely
6. Put on Your Pretty Shoes
7. Bring on the Bling
8. Add Elegant Accessories
What Not to Wear to a Bridal Shower
Final note:
Is it appropriate to wear a black dress to a casual bridal shower? Some say it’s bad luck, but others believe it’s a stylish choice. What do you think?
Hi there. I can see how some may feel black is unlucky. I personally would not wear a black dress to a bridal shower for another reason. Black is dark and serious and doesn’t reflect the light, joyful mood of a bridal shower. I would suggest something light, bright (or soft), feminine and cheery. Hope that helps.
Where can I buy the cute pinkish peach jumpsuit shown on your website? Love it!
Hi Ann, This is an older post, so I can’t find the exact jumpsuit anymore, but I just linked 3 similar ones. So please go back to that outfit collage and check the links under the outfit!
Fantastic blog and has the best selection of words that are informative for every thanks for sharing
Hello,
I am, along with another friend hosting a bridal shower for my friend, and I am wondering if a soft purple lapel collar crop blouse and pants with a white strapless tube top are appropriate. I think it looks nice and elegant, but I know guests shouldn’t wear white it’s just the undershirt, not the outfit…help!
Thanks
Hi Bianca,
Yes, that’s fine. It’s only when you are wearing an all-white outfit that it seems like you are stealing the bride’s thunder; what you have chosen sounds lovely. Have an excellent time!
Help! I will be going to a brunch & bubbly bridal shower at a local country club in July. Would white pants be appropriate? Thanks
Hi Yvonne,
Yes, a nice pair of white dress pants and a statement blouse- would be lovely with low-block heels and a nice bag and jewelry. These types of blouses:https://rstyle.me/+ci-khskjCR8_FQYdM_DvcQ
Is it ok to wear a long dress?
Hi Sharon, Yes, a pretty floral maxi would be delicate for a bridal shower.
Hi Deborah,
Would an animal print dress, similar style to the first dress, be appropriate for me as the mother of the groom to wear? The bridal shower is being held in a party room in an apartment complex; it’s a wine and cheese get-together. Thanks in advance for your input; greatly appreciated.
Hi Grace,
I love animal print dresses, but I wouldn’t recommend one for a bridal shower.
Animal prints have an edgy, sexy vibe that syncs with a bridal shower.
I would suggest something pretty, on the romantic side, like a lovely dress or a nice blouse and a pair of dress pants.
I hope that helps.
This is awesome, and everything from tops to shoes…just awesome!
Oh, that is a funny story! Glad it was not my shower or my nipple! Thank you for creating the pretty outfits; I always appreciate your suggestions.
Hi Deborah
I have read your posts for a while, and you are doing an excellent job. The way you dress is classy and will never be out of fashion. (Miladyvault)
Cheers Deborah
Modesty doesn’t seem to be part of the lexicon anymore.
Hi!! I always preferred sweet over sexy. Thanks for the great ideas. BTW must have the “Boni’ Pointy Toe Pump” I love!
Hi Deborah, I Love this article. Being a lady is often overlooked nowadays—gorgeous dresses and accessories you choose. Cheers!