over the past few days I have noticed unkind negative comments that ruffled my feathers. if ever I feel negatively about someone's dress I either keep scrolling bc its not worth the effort. or i choose my words carefully if i think i can be helpful.

let's speak facts, mostly women posting themselves in a dress for all of Reddit to see are actually being pretty vulnerable when they are asking for opinions. i get it, they're opening themselves to snark or plain meanness. still, i would like to encourage everyone to keep in mind tactfulness and good ol kindness goes a long way. of course you're allowed to not like a dress for whatever reason but think of the person receiving your opinion. "its not what you say, its how you say it" is a tried and true way of thinking.

rant over. carry on✨️

DC is cocktail/semi formal. Ceremony is outdoors - will be wearing winter coat and boots. Reception is indoors.

First dress is large in the bodice and I don’t have enough time to get it tailored- will need fashion tape to keep the shoulders up.

Trying to help my mom find a dress. Our wedding will be at a tropical destination at a beach resort, but the ceremony itself is on a lawn garden with palm trees next to the beach. Reception will be indoors in a ballroom.

Thoughts on this dress for my mom?

Sorry for the poor photo quality. Dress code states: “We kindly ask guests to join us in formal attire. Think elegant dresses, chic jumpsuits, or classic suits and ties—polished, timeless, and thoughtfully elevated for celebrating our special day. We encourage a darker color palette, such as black, navy, deep greens, or rich jewel tones, to complement the evening’s elegant atmosphere.” Wedding is at an 18th century Pennsylvania estate and starts at 4:30pm. Not sure if this counts as deep green and jewel toned… or if it looks like the Statue of Liberty went to Vegas

Link to dress

Hello! My friend told me, wear something comfortable. Not helpful! The wedding will take place in a fancy hotel. Which dress do you think is the best? Will be wearing gold sandals and a gold handbag. Any advice in general is appreciated as I normally wear black!

im getting married at an upscale cidery next october and my mom has chosen this jacquard dress to wear (she still needs to get it tailored!). she is worried about being cold outside and wants to have a shawl or coat in case. anyone have ideas on what would look good with this fabric?

I need to order a dress today and I’m stuck between two colors. I tend to look better in teal, I don’t own anything purple but think this dress is nicer in the plum. Thank you!

Upcoming wedding’s dress code is formal attire in pastel colours or black, it will be indoors at a hotel in the evening.

I previously wore this pink dress to my sister’s wedding a few years ago (I was not a bridesmaid) and I was wondering if it’s appropriate to rewear? Sorry for the terrible pictures 😭

Edit: thanks for the responses everyone! I’ll be wearing it again :) Not sure if I look better in gold or silver so no jewelry yet

I'm going to my nephew's wedding next weekend. The invitation said the dress code was "dressy casual," but I know there will be a lot of jeans and at least one cowboy hat. The ceremony will probably be outside, on a mountain, by a lake. So, I want some kind of sweater or something over this dress. Would a more sleek, rather than bulky, cardigan be appropriate here?

Also, which shoes do you think: the brown boots or the nude flats? Would tights be necessary?

Thanks for your help!

I have two dresses similar to the ones in the pictures. The dress code is black semi formal. Which one is more appropriate? The long one i have is a thicker material so you cant tell easily it has a short hem, and has some black see through paneling on the side and back. The shorter one is a little longer than on the model.

Would this be completely acceptable? Offensive in any way to anyone? Its sparkly because of the sequins and I think Im mostly worried about that & how form fitting it is. Thoughts?

Has anyone found any nice long sleeve dresses that don’t look like nightgowns? I am debating if I want to cover my arm tattoos with a long sleeve but can’t get inspired by any of the long sleeve dresses I’ve found. Budget under $200

I have these two dresses in my closet. Do either of these work for cocktail or should I hit the stores?

The wedding is in a week and a half in Maryland - ceremony starts at 5pm. I’m worried the pink would not usually be worn for an afternoon/night wedding or in the fall (I’m not from the US but I’ve been told seasons affect dress code sometimes). The second one doesn’t seem as youthful to me but it fits me a little better than the pink one.

I have this dress already and was invited to a black tie charity dinner.

Guyssssss, I’m going to a wedding on Halloween, I am wearing the black dress in the picture and I saved up for months for it , I literally haven’t got a new dress in soooo long, I love it was so excited to wear it but , I’m getting my make up done with the bride and her bridesmaids on the day (I’m not wedding party) my boyfriend is part of the wedding party (brides side) he’s stepping in for a bridesmaid who can’t go (bare in mind he was only asked maybe a month ago ) , so the bride was so kind and offered the ex bridesmaids makeup spot to me , I’ve had the dress at least 6 months , since we’ve been more involved with the wedding we have now found out, bridal party is wearing black dresses, the bride doesn’t care at all that I’ll be wearing black too, but I’m terrified it’ll look stupid, or attention grabby, like I’m trying to include myself , I wouldn’t care so much if I was just a guest in the crowd but I’ll be with everyone getting ready in the morning

What the hell do I do? Do I just wear it, I really can’t afford a new dress and it’s too far gone to return it :(

What jewellery etc would you wear with this dress? I think I’ll wear black strappy sandals like the model.
I also haven’t decided whether hair up or down and it’s in a week 🙈

Hiii again. We have a wedding coming up Black Friday weekend and I just wanted to make sure this fits in with the dress code and if it matches my boyfriend’s suit color? He’s going to be in the wedding party so I’m not sure if I’m allowed to match with him so I’m just taking a different color route just in case. I also wanted to know if yall have any shawl recommendations because it’s going to be located in Philly and I don’t want to be shivering when switching places or standing outside. Dress code is cocktail and it’s going to be in a church then venue afterwards.

Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice since I’m figuring out what to wear for what will be the first wedding I’m attending in my adult life (27F). Dress code is “Formal, Black Tie optional. We invite you to dress to the nines. Tuxedos and formal gowns are encouraged, with formal suits and dresses also welcome.”

I lean towards the androgynous/ masculine side so do not want to wear a dress, but do want something that compliments my body type (5’11” lean/muscular, mirror pic is me).

I already own this black jumpsuit from a formal corporate holiday party last year. Wondering if this could be considered black tie though? I think it’s at least “formal”.

I’m also considering this tuxedo style suit from Reiss. Would this be considered black tie, or at least closer to black tie than the jumpsuit? If so, I’d be willing to make the investment and wear this to future “formal / black tie optional” weddings. Also if I were to wear this, what type of top would look good under the jacket? Would a nice tank top or blouse be ok? Or should I consider a waist coat - the 3rd pic is a matching one from the same brand as the suit.

I’m open to any advice, thank you for reading this far!

43 f 5’4” size US 6/8 M, athletic but with a lower tummy
Nov 21
Church, then downtown cocktail/hors d’oeuvres reception in historic building.

You might remember me from the wrinkled slip dress yesterday. I ironed it and I looked worse in it (see photo); I believe the shininess of the fabric emphasized my belly in a way I am still trying to mentally recover from. Many will be relieved to know it’s boxed up being returned.

Anyway, my timeline is tight (3.5 weeks) and beggars can’t be choosers, so I’m looking at what is available.

I love the look of the strapless dress and the reviews are glowing. It looks great on many different bodies in reviewer photos.

My question for the council: is that silhouette appropriate for a 43 year old, divorced person?

Please don’t say, “who cares what people think” — me, I care, and so do most people or subs like this wouldn’t exist.

Thanks for your honest opinions. I think it saved me from looking ridiculous in the other dress I don’t have the body to wear

I do have some other leads that are more understated, simple, and less attention-grabbing, capital letters BRIDAL. I just need to get something at this point. Or give up and wear something in a color that exists in a department store in my time zone.

Black tie optional wedding on NYE...are these dresses too summery?

I'm 5'0", so almost all will get hemmed once I pick a dress. My boyfriend is one of the groomsmen and is wearing a navy suit with a purple/plum tie. The bridesmaid is wearing a purple/plum, one shoulder dress. The wedding will be on a cruise ship in January and the dress code is cocktail/semi-formal.

Are these acceptable? I posted a picture of the dress I bought before but it looks like that one isn't going to work out for the wedding.

Thank you so much for this subreddit. I would hate to reach out to the bride about these questions and bother her.

EDIT: or should I scrap these and look for something else?

What would you wear to a wedding with a dress code of upscale chic/ dress to impress. Wedding starts at 8pm and is at a rooftop in NYC.
bonus- links with examples :)

Attending a black tie wedding this fall. I have looked at thousands (not lying) of dresses and I just genuinely don't know what to buy.

Yes, it will be truly black tie and also above my class level. I do not want to look stupid and poor. I can afford a gown, it's not a big deal, but this isn't my usual cup of tea.

Overall vibe needs to be classy, sophisticated, timeless. I don't really love colour. Black is my first choice. I am a size 6/8. Stomach area is not my favourite so structure there would be nice. Nothing low cut because I have a bigger chest and would just feel trashy. Help :(

I’m going to a wedding in Cabo at the beginning of May and the rehearsal dinner / party is on a yacht.

The dress code is white upscale cocktail attire and I’m struggling a little bit with what to wear. Assuming I will also have some sort of wrap in case it’s windy, what is the best choice here?? Im also not thrilled about wearing heels on a boat so if anyone alternate suggestions to that as well!

Option 1: sequin trousers and a bodysuit (ignore the million arms lol I spliced these images together)

Option 2: midi length sequin dress

Option 3: flouncy a-line dress

Option 4: pleated bodysuit

Is it too young for me? (I am 30).

I'm trying to wear it to a December wedding with fleece-lined tights. I have a white cashmere shawl but I'm worried that would be too much white. Thoughts? I'd prefer not to freeze.