Rhiannon Hendricks
Although wearing black to a wedding was once considered a fashion faux pas, it is now widely accepted as long as you abide by certain style rules. If you're wondering how to make a black dress suitable for a wedding, the key is to accessorize correctly. The choice of accessories is essential to enhancing the overall look and making it more wedding-appropriate. Whether it's a bold necklace, a statement clutch, or colourful shoes, the right accessories can transform a plain black dress into a fashionable and wedding-worthy outfit.
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What You'll Learn
Choose bright accessories to balance the solemnity of black
Wearing black to a wedding has long been considered inappropriate, dating back to the Victorian era when the colour was reserved for mourning. However, with the right accessories, a black dress can be transformed into a stylish and appropriate outfit for a wedding.
The key to making a black dress suitable for a wedding is to balance its solemnity with bright and fresh accessories. Opt for light and airy materials such as woven straw or rattan, which will add a natural touch to your look. For a beach wedding, a straw hat and clutch can be both practical and stylish. If the wedding is in a garden, an elegant wide-brimmed hat or flower hair accessories can add a romantic touch.
When it comes to colours, choose light and bright shades such as light pink, sky blue, or mint green to make your overall look more vivid and summery. You can also add a pop of colour with your shoes. A pair of bright heels or fun, colourful flats can liven up a black dress. For example, pair a tea-length black dress with yellow sandals and a matching clutch. If you're attending a beach wedding, metallic gladiator sandals are a great choice, adding a touch of shine to your outfit.
Details such as metallic bracelets, a delicate pearl necklace, or a hand-woven bracelet can also add a delicate, romantic touch to your black dress. A statement necklace or scarf can draw attention to the top half of your body and break up the monochromatic look of an all-black outfit. A bold scarf or necklace with a lot of colour or a fun pattern can instantly elevate your style.
Lastly, don't forget about your makeup! A bold lipstick or a smokey eye can add a touch of glamour to your look. A bright red lipstick is a classic choice, while a dark red lip is perfect for the fall and winter months.
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Opt for light and airy materials
While wearing black to a wedding was once a fashion faux pas, dating back to the Victorian era when the colour was reserved for mourning, it is now perfectly acceptable. However, it's important to style a black dress correctly for a wedding, especially in the summer months.
One way to make a black dress suitable for a wedding is to opt for light and airy materials. This is particularly important if you're attending a summer wedding, where a black dress may seem a little heavy. You can add a natural touch to your look with accessories made from woven straw or rattan, such as a hat or clutch bag. These materials will complement a black dress without adding any extra weight to your outfit.
The style of your accessories is also important. For a summer wedding, choose accessories with summery patterns and details, such as flowers or marine elements. A delicate pearl necklace or hand-woven bracelet will add a touch of elegance to your outfit. You could also opt for a wide-brimmed hat or flower hair accessories to add a romantic touch.
If you're wearing a black dress to a beach wedding, flat sandals or barefoot shoes are a good choice. For a garden wedding, thin high heels are a perfect option. Don't forget to consider the theme and colours of the wedding when choosing your accessories, to ensure your outfit is harmonious and fits in with the overall vibe of the event.
By choosing light and airy materials for your accessories, you can make a black dress suitable for a wedding, especially in the summer. This will help to create a look that is both elegant and comfortable, ensuring you feel confident and stylish as a wedding guest.
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Select shoes that are colourful, sparkly, or printed
Wearing colourful, sparkly, or printed shoes is a great way to make a black dress more suitable for a wedding. This is especially important if the wedding is taking place during the summer, as black can seem a bit heavy for the season. By adding a fun pair of heels or flats, you can liven up your black dress and make it more festive. For example, a tea-length black dress can be paired with yellow strappy sandals and a yellow clutch, adding a pop of colour to your outfit.
If the wedding is at the beach, flat sandals or barefoot shoes are a good choice. For a garden wedding, thin high heels are a perfect option. You can also add some drama with a statement scarf or necklace, drawing attention to the top half of your body and breaking up the monochromatic look.
When choosing accessories, it is important to consider the overall harmony of your outfit. Your accessories should complement your black dress and the vibe and colours of the wedding. For example, if the wedding has a natural theme, a woven straw hat or a rattan clutch can add a practical and stylish touch to your look.
To elevate your look, you can also opt for gold or silver accessories. Adding some shimmer and shine with metallic jewellery, a handbag, or shoes can make your black dress stand out. Belts are another great way to dress up a black dress, accentuating your waistline and curves. A jewel or sequin-embellished belt can give your outfit a fancy feel.
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Wear a bold lipstick or a smokey eye
Wearing a bold lipstick or a smokey eye with a black dress to a wedding is a great way to make a statement. Here are some tips to achieve this look:
Firstly, consider the overall theme and colour palette of the wedding and try to incorporate these into your makeup look. For example, if it's a summer wedding, opt for brighter, lighter shades, such as soft purple or mauve eyeshadow, or a bold pink or red lipstick. If the wedding has a beach or garden theme, you could reflect this with your makeup choices, such as a soft, natural look inspired by the outdoors.
If you want to go bold, a red lipstick is a classic choice that will make a statement. You could also try a bright orange-red, which is a chic alternative and is suitable all year round. To make your lipstick last all day, use a lip liner in a similar shade first, then apply your chosen lipstick shade. If you're feeling creative, add some sparkle or shimmer to your lips with a gloss or a lipstick with a glossy finish.
For a smokey eye, you can experiment with different colours to create a bold look. Try blending one pop of colour, such as blue or aqua, around the entire eye for a fun alternative to traditional smokey eye shadow. You can also add some sparkle to your smokey eye with glitter eyeshadow. Start by applying the glitter to the centre of your eyelid, then build up the colour until you're happy with the intensity.
Remember, the key to making a statement with your makeup is to emphasise either the eyes or the lips, not both. So, if you're going for a bold lip, keep your eye makeup more understated, and vice versa.
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Pick a dress with a hemline above the knee for a summer wedding
Wearing a black dress to a wedding is perfectly acceptable if you pick the right dress and accessorize correctly. If you're attending a summer wedding, consider wearing a black dress with a hemline above the knee. This will help keep you cool during the warmer months.
To make the look wedding-appropriate, you can accessorize with bright heels or fun jewelry. For instance, a flowy black dress that hits just above the knee can be paired with metallic gladiator sandals, bangle bracelets, and a metallic handbag. You can also add a delicate pearl necklace or a hand-woven bracelet for a few delicate touches.
If you're attending a beach wedding, flat sandals or barefoot shoes are a good choice. For a garden wedding, thin high heels are a perfect option. Don't forget to consider the theme and colors of the wedding and try to incorporate them into your accessories to make your look unified and layered.
Additionally, you can choose a printed dress with black and other colors if you don't want to wear all black. Just be sure to avoid prints that are too loud and keep your look understated.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is acceptable to wear a black dress to a wedding. The idea of not wearing black to a wedding is outdated, dating back to the Victorian era when the colour was reserved for mourning. Nowadays, wearing black to a wedding is acceptable, as long as you abide by certain style rules.
The right black dress for a wedding depends on the venue, time of year, and type of wedding. If the wedding is formal, look for dresses with embellishments like sequins, bows, or flowers. If the wedding is conservative, opt for a dress with a hemline below the knee. For a casual wedding, a slip dress can be a good choice. For a summer wedding, choose a dress with a hemline above the knee to keep you cool.
Accessories are key when styling a black dress for a wedding. Choose bright or fresh accessory colours, such as light pink, sky blue, or mint green, to make the overall look more vivid and suitable for the warm and romantic atmosphere of a wedding. You can also add some shimmer and shine with gold, silver, or rose gold accessories. When it comes to shoes, a fun pair of heels or flats can liven up a black dress. Choose colourful, sparkly, or printed shoes, or metallic sandals or heels. Don't forget about hair accessories, like an elegant wide-brimmed hat or flower hair accessories, which can add a romantic touch.
When it comes to makeup to pair with a black dress, less is more. Choose either a bold lipstick or a smokey eye, but not both. A bright red lipstick is a classic option, while dark red is sultry and fitting for fall and winter weddings.
