Yeah Weddings

Can Women Wear Pants to a Wedding?

Getting dressed for an event is difficult, no matter what it is. But weddings are challenging.

woman wearing pants at wedding

The chances are good that you’ll be meeting new people as well as catching up with others who you haven’t seen in a while. That means that you need to look your best. But if you don’t want to wear a dress, can you wear pants to a wedding as a woman?

Sometimes, part of looking your best is being comfortable with what you’re wearing. Just because you’re a woman does not mean that you enjoy wearing dresses or skirts. Perhaps you rarely or seldom wear them.

Do you need to wear a dress or skirt for the wedding, or is it okay for women to wear pants?

Yes! Women can wear pants to a wedding, even a formal wedding, with some stipulations.

These days, the old gender norms of men wearing pants and women wearing skirts are out the window (thank goodness). There is absolutely no reason why you can’t rock pants to a wedding, as long as you do it right.

Find out the dress code for the wedding; this information should be somewhere on the invitation or the couples’ wedding website.

Once you find that out, be sure that your pants outfit adheres strictly to the dress code. For a wedding, dress pants are almost always best.

You can further dress up dress pants with the right top and accessories. A matching suit jacket always ups the fancy factor.

In addition, try a pair of stiletto heels to add sophistication. Statement jewelry can also be effective; just be careful not to overdo it.

On the other hand, some couples opt for a very casual wedding, in which case even denim might be appropriate. Again, the couple should be clear about what they expect from their guests on their invitations or wedding website.

Even if the dress code does allow for jeans or casual pants, you still want to look your best.

Don’t choose pants with holes, and wear a nice top, like a flowy chiffon blouse. Finish off the look with cute shoes and earrings or a necklace.

When To Avoid Wearing Pants to a Wedding

One thing to avoid is a flowy white pantsuit. It’s just too similar to a wedding dress.

What is more, some brides or grooms opt for all-white pantsuits, particularly for same-sex weddings, and you don’t want to be seen as trying to upstage one of the people getting married.

Other Factors To Consider

There are some other factors to take into consideration.

One of them is the culture of the bride and groom. In some cultures, it wouldn’t be acceptable for a woman to wear pants to a wedding, no matter the circumstances. We know this may seem backward, and it’s a bummer. 

Another factor to consider, or at least prepare for, is that some older guests may frown on your chosen outfit, particularly parents, grandparents, and older relatives of the bridal party.

Who knows; if you’re rocking your look, maybe you’ll change their minds.

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