What To Wear To A Wedding Reception Over 40

What To Wear To A Wedding Reception Over 40

What To Wear To A Wedding Reception Over 40

The wedding invitation has arrived.

Now the big question is, “What will I wear?”

Naturally, it’s all about the bride on her wedding day, but that doesn’t mean that you, as a guest, shouldn’t look fabulous, too.  There aren’t very many occasions to dress up these days, so if you’re going to a wedding, seize the chance to wear something unique and shine. Here are some things to think about when trying to find the right dress.
Pink dress with long sleeves for reception

1. Recognize the Need to Dress Up

A wedding or semi-formal party is special.  It means you need to dress up. Don’t think you can throw on a day dress that you’d wear to the office and be done with it. You need something more luxe and glamorous.  Follow the dress code on the wedding invitation, or don’t be afraid to ask if there isn’t one written. At a wedding, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed!

2. Consider the Venue and Time of Day

What to wear to a wedding reception depends on many things, including where the wedding is being held and when.  A beach wedding taking place at 1 pm will be far more casual than a church wedding at 4 pm, followed by a country club reception at 6 pm. Regardless of the time or place, all wedding receptions require a certain degree of decorum.
Women have more flexibility when it comes to dressing for a wedding reception than men.  At some weddings, even a skirt + a blouse, or dressy evening pants + a fancy top are acceptable options. A dressy jumpsuit can be appropriate too. However, for the majority of weddings, the perfect choice for wedding guest attire is a dress.

3. Avoid Wearing White

While there are no formal rules, it’s common sense to forgo wearing a white dress. White should be reserved for the bride. Even if the bride is not wearing white, white makes one think of a bride, so stay clear out of respect. If you prefer a lighter color, opt for a pretty pastel like this one in blush pink.

4. Don’t Show Too Much Skin

The length of your dress matters.  A ladylike length would be no shorter than about an inch or two above the knee.  Also, avoid low-cut dresses or dresses that are too loud, bright, or busy. You want to stand out, but not in a negative way. You’re not going to a nightclub. A great way for an over-40 gal to show a little skin but not look trashy is to opt for an off-the-shoulder dress. It’s subtly sexy but still looks classy.
Read Related Article- Maxi Dresses for Wedding Guests

5. Wear Dressy Shoes

Chunky, serious business shoes won’t do. They need to be more delicate, dressier, and a little sexy.  For example, metallic heels add a touch of glam. You’ll want to hit the dance floor, so be sure you can move comfortably in whatever shoes you choose.

Read Related Article- New Age Weddings and Quirky Wedding Dress codes Explained

Floral Maxi dress with sleeves bohemian coastal style

6. Accessorize with Elegant Jewelry

Let your shoes set the tone for your jewelry. A gold bangle and a pair of gold, pearls, dangly earrings are the perfect accompaniment to the dress and shoes. Keep the earrings to a reasonable length; no more than 2″ below your earlobe would make sense.

Related Article- Shop one of a kind Jewelry and accessories for women

Yellow midi dress with puff sleeves for women

Floral dress with long sleeves for women online fashion shop

7. Add a Chic Clutch

Leave your heavy, everyday bag at home and opt for something more evening like. A clutch or small chain handbag is a perfect choice for the occasion.

One shoulder Dress in bespoke print for women

Amalfi dress jacket wrap for women with sleeves fashion boutique

8. Don’t Forget a Wrap

You will likely need something to cover your arms because many cocktail dresses are sleeveless. A wrap will come in handy at the church, in an air-conditioned reception hall, or on a patio if the reception is outside. Make sure your wrap is delicate and ladylike. No heavy wraps to weigh you down

Did you look fabulous recently at a wedding or semi-formal party? Send me a photo. I would love to post it.

Wrap Dress in silk for women in fall colors online boutique usa 

 

 
Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway fashion dsandhya garg project runway lifetime tv making the cut amazon primeesigner. She studied and specialized in women's fashion at London College of Fashion, UK and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London, Alice Temperley to name a few. She has her own successful resort wear, vacation dresses, special occasion dresses, wedding guest looks, swim coverups label. While on Project Runway Season 13, she won 2 challenges and was fortunate to show her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. The brand has been featured in Marie Claire US, Workshop at Macy's, Ftv.com, Elle Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vogue online to name a few. 

She designs limited edition high end printed spring dresses, casual resort attire and swim coverups. Beautiful prints are inspired from around the world to be worn during travel, resort stay or cruise holidays.
 
 

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About the
author

Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway fashion designer. She studied and specialized in women's fashion at London College of Fashion, UK and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London, Alice Temperley to name a few.

She has her own successful resort wear, vacation dresses, special occasion dresses, wedding guest looks, swim coverups label. While on Project Runway Season 13, she won 2 challenges and was fortunate to show her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. The brand has been featured in Marie Claire US,Workshop at Macy's, Ftv.com, Elle Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vogue online to name a few. 

She designs limited edition high end printed spring dresses, casual resort attire and swim coverups. Beautiful prints are inspired from around the world to be worn during travel, resort stay or cruise holidays.

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