What Should You Wear to a Semiformal Summer Wedding?
Semiformal summer wedding attire includes a number of options for men and women. They should consider the time of the wedding, the place and the type of reception before deciding what to wear for the celebration.
However, without sufficient information, there are general guidelines to abide by. Regardless of the type of wedding celebration, guests should dress with a certain decorum and avoid overly casual styles and types of clothing.
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Semiformal Wear for Women
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Semiformal wear gives women more freedom in their clothing options. A semiformal affair does not require gowns or elaborate outfits.
Semiformal wear differs throughout the day and the seasons. For example, a female guest may wear a pastel-colored dress for a day wedding. For a nighttime reception, a woman may opt to wear darker colors and heavier makeup.
Although women may wear dress pants to a semiformal setting, it may be uncomfortable to wear tailored slacks for a summer wedding. Generally, women should wear knee- or calf-length dresses, skirts or skirt suits. Younger women may wear outfits with slightly shorter hemlines. However, avoid wearing skirts or dresses with hemlines ending more than a couple of inches above the knee.
As a general rule of etiquette, a woman's outfit must not upstage the bride. She should stick to more conservative styles and muted colors. Avoid wearing white clothing to any wedding or reception.
Footwear for Women
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Dress sandals are acceptable for a summer wedding. Despite the wedding or the reception's location, women should not wear flip-flops or any other type of casual sandals.
During the daytime, avoid wearing heavy closed-toe pumps. Wear shoes that allow the feet to breathe, as feet may sweat excessively in the summer heat. A woman may wear heavier shoes to a nighttime wedding if she believes that it is necessary for her outfit.
If the wedding and reception are located outdoors, avoid wearing high-heeled shoes with stiletto heels. The heels tend to sink into the ground and you may turn you ankle while walking outside. Opt to wear flat sandals or wedges, which are appropriate for the summer season.
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Semiformal Wear for Men
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Men may wear light suits for a semiformal summer wedding. These suits generally include a coat or tie, although these may not be required in some semiformal wedding settings. If a man chooses not to wear a coat or tie, he should wear dress pants with a crisp dress shirt.
Wear suits of lighter fabrics, such as linen or twill. For a semiformal wedding, the dress pants and sports jacket do not necessarily have to match. Light colors such as gray or beige will be more comfortable on a hot day.
Regardless of the location of the wedding and reception, do not wear sandals or any other open-toed shoes. Instead, choose basic dress shoes in black, gray, cream or beige.
Considerations
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Although the wedding invitation may call for semiformal attire, each occasion is different.
Some weddings are held in churches, while other weddings take place on a beach. Male and female guests may need to wear conservative clothes and cover their arms for a church wedding, while it may be acceptable for guests to wear plastic sandals to a beach wedding.
If the reception is at an indoor banquet facility, guests should carry a shawl or light jacket in case they find the hall's temperature too cold. If the bride and groom celebrate their wedding at an outdoor barbecue, guests should avoid wearing white or stiletto-heeled sandals.
Different cultural or religious ceremonies may dictate certain outfits.
If in doubt, the guest may consult the bride, groom or their respective families and ask specific questions about acceptable wedding attire.
What to Avoid
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Avoid wearing heavy fabrics, such as velvet or silk. Many summer weddings take place outdoors, and excessive sweat will cause personal discomfort and stain the fabric.
Regardless of the type of wedding or reception, avoid wearing running shoes or casual sandals.
Although the setting may be casual, avoid wearing blue jeans. If men wish to wear casual pants, they should choose khaki or linen pants.
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References
- Photo Credit lace up shoe foot feet formal wear high heel white image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
