Lauren Conrad's Wedding Attire Tips

by Lauren Conrad 4

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with LaurenConrad! The TV personality, writer, designer, and style maven started LaurenConrad.com, a social networking site that features daily posts by Lauren on all of our favorite topics — fashion, beauty, food, party planning — and Lauren will be sharing her latest fashion finds with Fab every month. This month, Lauren's got the perfect answer to your wedding attire questions.

Last weekend I went to a lovely wedding on the beach (above is a photograph of me and my besties; I’m wearing a dress by Hoss Intropia). It was a beautiful ceremony, and all of the guests in attendance looked just as nice. In light of "wedding season" (and the all-too-familiar mystery of "What do I wear to ____?"), I thought I’d put together a post on wedding attire.
While it’s exciting to be invited to a wedding, decoding the difference between "formal," "semiformal," "cocktail," and "casual" attire as requested by the invitation can leave you wanting to reply, "I don’t." You may be wondering, "What does 'casual' mean anyway? Surely flip-flops and frocks cannot be appropriate . . . " (And you would be right!) Well, ladies, wonder no more . . . Below, I’ve decoded the puzzling meanings of wedding dress codes.

If the invitation says . . .

Black Tie. Black tie (or "formal" attire) is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Most often, black tie weddings are in the evenings, so turn up the glamour and bring on the beads and sequins! I suggest wearing an evening gown (such as the Clementine Gown by Paper Crown, pictured above) or an elegant cocktail dress. Dramatic jewelry is welcome, and coiffed hair is a must.

Keep Reading . . .

Semiformal. This is the toughest code to crack since it can mean a variety of things based on the time and location of the wedding. When "semiformal" dress is requested, err on the side of formality and wear a nice cocktail dress or a fabulous blouse and skirt. If the wedding is during the day, opt for lighter colors and fabrics (sorry, ladies, it’s the bride’s time to shine, so no ivory or white) like the Floral Surplice Dress, pictured above. For nighttime, richer, bolder shades work well, too — especially when paired with a red lip. The maroon Ruffle Chiffon Dress is great for an evening wedding.

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Beach Formal. Just because "beach" is included in the name doesn’t mean you can show up wearing any old sundress with Boogie Board in hand . . . Rather, it’s a courteous venue notice: heads up, everyone, this is going to be a formal wedding on the beach, so dress accordingly! For this type of outdoor setting, you must dress to impress while considering the elements (sand, sun, and water). For an easy yet ethereal seaside look, wear a simple (solid or floral print) chiffon gown like the Ella Gown by Paper Crown, pictured above. Another option is a prim but delicate sundress. As for shoes, I recommend wearing flat sandals (and no, I don’t mean flip-flops) since sand is a factor. Also, the beach can get windy and cool, so make sure you bring along a pashmina or wrap to keep yourself warm.

Casual. Casual usually means anything goes, but in the world of weddings, it translates to "business casual." To achieve the perfect balance of informal chic, wear a sundress or a nice blouse and skirt. The Floral Dress from my LC Lauren Conrad collection for Kohl’s is perfect for a casual daytime wedding, especially when paired with a nice belt. Or, the Floral Ruffle Dress, pictured above, is great, too! As for hair and makeup, stick with your natural, everyday look.

Dress code I do's . . .

Dress code I don'ts . . .

I hope you found this post useful! Now you can share your newfound "wedding attire" knowledge in the Forum. Dish your best advice and find helpful suggestions by checking out these active discussions . . .
What should I wear for a Summer wedding?
What do you wear to a semiformal wedding?
Help: Outdoor Wedding
Help: Attending a Wedding

Did you go to a wedding this Summer? Share a photo of your outfit by uploading it to your profile page and linking the photo in the comments below!

XO Lauren

P.S. Learn how to upload and share photos by clicking here.

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