Is It Wrong?? (Wedding Attire)

Question

I have a wedding to go to on Saturday and I have the option of 2 things to wear a s**y little Marylin Monroe type dress which is really cute, but it's black - and everyone knows you don't wear black to a wedding. My other option is a black pair of dress pants with a pink halter top which is again really cute, but it shows quite a bit of cleavage. I don't know what to do. Hubby says wear the black dress, but it's an Italian wedding and everyone knows how tough they are on tradition, and I don't want to insult anyone by wearing a black dress. What do you think I should do? Better yet - what would you do?

Answer 1

Wear the black dress but if you are a stickler go out and buy a new outfit.  

Answer 2

it's the brides day, dont try to look better than her, thats just wrong.

wear the pants.

you need a bigger wardrobe.

sad.

Answer 3

Do you have a white skirt or capri pants? Wear that with the pink halter, and wear a white cami tank top underneath to hide some cleavage.

Don't wear the black dress...it sounds a little over-dressy.

Answer 4

If it were me I would get either a new dress or a different top to wear with the pants.  You do not want to offend anyone.  

Answer 5

The only place I've heard you can't wear black is on these forums.  I've been to many weddings, and there are several people who wear black, or black with a splash of color.  I would only avoid black if it's an outfit I would wear to a funeral.  Your Marilyn Monroe dress would not be appropriate for THAT, so I wouldn't worry about it for a wedding.  

If you can, add a splash of color somehow.  (Large turqouise necklace and heels?)  I don't know, that's what I would do.  And, oh, I don't have a wide variety either, so I tend to borrow if I need to.

Answer 6

Wear the black dress, wear a color shawl around your shoulders (red,pink,etc) and coordinate your jewelry and shoes with the shawl color.

All the best.

Answer 7

Just go with no dress. Talk about Italian tradition!

Answer 8

I'm of Italian decent and I have never heard that you cannot wear black to a wedding !? I would wear the dress.  Pants at an Italian wedding are really frowned upon unless its a sharp Pant Suit.  As far as cleavage is concerned and exposed shoulders, wear a shrug,  jacket, pashmina  or shawl in the church to show respect.  Also you can wear it to the reception as well if you feel over exposed  

Answer 9

Italians are sticklers for tradition. I would go a buy another dress. If money is the problem check out your local good will they usually have nice dresses that are cheap that people probably have done the same thing to.

Answer 10

Either the black dress with metallic accessories (the dress should be the only black thing you wear) or buy something new.

A halter top for a wedding, no that just wont do.

Answer 11

Surely you have a more suitable top to wear with the black pants, but a black dress would be the better choice of the two if that's you entire wardrobe. Imagine how  the wedding party would feel if you show up in clothes too s**y and casual for church.

Answer 12

well : it is very important with " Weddings also that would be decided

by Answers Family & Relationships only !"

Answer 13

Black is a baaad choice... It makes people think you're mourning the wedding. Ever seen those movies where that happens? Yeah... The cleavage thing isn't the best idea either but its better than black. Why don't you go to the store and get a new, brighter colored dress? You can always just get a cheap one or borrow one from a friend even. Just stay away from black and white.

Answer 14

Get something new :)

but clevage is good :p

just dont wear the black dress its insulting  

Answer 15

Could you maybe wear a camisole under the halter dress to cover up some of the cleavage? if not i would suggest getting another top and wearing the black pants

Answer 16

Black is actually getting more and more accepted for weddings.

I would suggest the dress over the pink and black outfit.

One thing you could do is get a cute colored scarf or belt. That way you'll have something colored and fun. Your black dress will then be cheery and not "black".

Good Luck!

Answer 17

Wear the black dress and use a colored accessory like red shoes or silver or something...  I wear black to weddings all the time, as long as there is another color involved it's not to funeralish.

Answer 18

Dress the way you want.  

I never heard of Italians being tough or traditional.  Maybe years ago everyone was but not now.

I am Italian and didn't mind what anyone wore to my wedding  (40 years ago)   When my children got married they didn't mind either.  

If it were me I would wear the black dress. Sounds perfect.  

Answer 19

Black is much better than halter top or cleavage. And it's a wedding, dress up (that means you're better off in a dress than trousers). You might want a shawl or something for the dress anyhow if it's sleeveless, so that can be coloured.  

Answer 20

I think the black dress is fine.  a lot of people say not to wear black to a wedding but I think that "rule" might be a little outdated.  

you can add some color with jewelry or a bright cardigan, a pair of colored shoes, or maybe a belt?  

I personally would use this as an excuse to buy a new outfit but if you don't dress up a lot then I wouldn't bother although if you get a nice dress then that can be your "go to" dress for weddings, parties, etc.  

Answer 21

Considering that it's an italian wedding, you are right, it will be very insulting to hardcore italian families to show up on a black dress (catholic-italian families associate black with mourning, and if wore on a wedding, it will be a sign of oppsing the marriage).

Pants are cleaverage, wouldn't do either, as it would be considered rude by some (especially if they will be older, religious people present).

I would by a new dress or borrow one.

Good luck

PS/ I do not know where are you located, but if the party is in the north east, most people wear black to weddings nowadays.

Answer 22

Wear the black dress, but jazz it up a bit with, maybe, a red belt or sash and matching red earrings, bracelet, beads, etc. Or wear a zebra-patterned sash/belt and white beads and earrings.  Carry a bag of the same color as your other accessories - and some "fun" shoes.  That should more than offset any funereal suggestion.  Black is always classy, and you can dress it up to look like a fun dress instead of like you're in mourning.

Only absolute rule is NOT to wear white dress.  You CAN wear white accessories, however.

Answer 23

I would wear the black dress and include a lovely colored wrap or other accessories to brighten it up a bit, but wearing black to weddings isn't as frowned upon as it once was.  These days the "little black dress" is a very common sight and encouraged in most areas.  All women should have a "little black dress" in their closets for any dress-up event!

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 24

I'd go shopping.

Black isn't bad to wear to a wedding, but if they're traditional and old-fashioned, I'd pick something else.  

Answer 25

Both of those outfits are inappropriate for a wedding.

Answer 26

you need a new dress, halter tops should never be worn at weddings, by something appropriate, your going to a wedding not a club

Answer 27

Buy a new dress.  The black Marilyn one doesn't seem quite right, and the pink halter top with cleavage is a definite no no.  Get something that is cute, not too s**y, and is something that you could wear to other places.

You will sooner or later find that you need to go to another dress up place.  A nice dress that you get now will come in handy then, too. If price is an issue, shop someplace like Goodwill, or something.  You can find some nice things, sometimes.

Answer 28

Plese don't wear the pants or the cleavage.

Wear the black dress with a short sleeved cropped sweater or a lovely shawl in a bright color or print.  There are lots more black dresses at weddings these days than there are black pants and cleavage!!!

Answer 29

I think you can still wear a black dress to a wedding.  I bet once you get to the wedding there will be at least 5 people rocking a black dress.  

Answer 30

Plenty of women wear black dresses to weddings. I wore a black cocktail dress to a big Italian wedding this year, and nobody batted an eye (and tons of other women were in black).

As long as the dress is appropriate and not TOO s**y, just wear it. If you feel it's too dark, brighten it up with a colorful wrap, jewelry or shoes.  

Answer 31

Buy a new dress, don't run the risk or stealing the show OR insulting a tradition.