Dressing for wedding season involves a lot of outfit decisions–and not just for the big day or night. Figuring out what to wear for a bridal shower can be tricky, too. From what colors are appropriate to how fancy you should go, a lot can be left to interpretation.
Of course, as a guest of anything wedding-related, it’s always a smart idea to steer clear of white–but are there any other guidelines you should follow?Below, we’ve put together tips and rounded up bridal shower guest outfit inspiration for every season.
Spring Bridal Shower Outfits
For a spring bridal shower, dresses in soft, pretty colors are always a good bet. Florals are perfect for the season! Look for spring dresses with sweet, romantic details like balloon sleeves and bows–and lace is a perfect fabric or embellishment. Spring bridal showers celebrate not just the bride, but the return of warmer weather–so you may find that some of these showers are held outside, especially later in the season. Dress for the weather–you may want to bring a wrap on cooler days or opt for a mini dress if the weather is approaching summer temps. Also, if the party is outside, the ground may be wet– so avoid stilettos and opt for wider heels or platforms to avoid getting stuck in the grass.
Summer Bridal Shower Outfits
Summer bridal showers are the perfect occasion for a colorful dress– just avoid anything too neon, as the attention should stay on the bride! A bright, poppy print is a great guest option. A tiered dress looks lovely for an elegant affair, and a breezy, printed midi dress feels perfect for brunch, especially with flat shoes or your favorite sandals. Summer dresses should keep you cool and comfortable, so look for flowy fabrics and details like cutouts to keep you cool. Two-piece sets are also great for summer!
Fall Bridal Shower Outfits
The rich tones of fall colors are the perfect inspiration for a fall bridal shower dress. Gold, wine red, teal, and even orange are perfect for a fall wedding shower dress. If you opt for a long sleeve dress, keep it special occasion-worthy by choosing a dress in an interesting fabric like satin, jacquard, or lace. Romantic touches like long puff sleeves or ruffles, or details like velvet burnout can add an interesting touch to a fall dress. Jumpsuits are another great option for bridal shower guests this season and are an instant one-piece outfit.
Winter Bridal Shower Outfits
Jewel tones and other rich colors are great for cold-weather bridal shower outfits. In winter, you can opt for longer dresses and long sleeves. If you don’t want to opt for a dress, a chic pants-length jumpsuit is a perfect choice. Winter is also a great time for heavier fabrics, like jacquard and sweater fabrics; sweater dresses can keep you cute and cozy. Velvet is another great option for a winter bridal shower. And while you can wear any hemline length you want, you’ll likely be a little more comfortable in a slightly longer midi dress or maxi dress that keeps the chilly air off of your skin.
What Not To Wear To A Bridal Shower
Now that you’ve got bridal shower outfit inspiration, you should have the information you need to choose the perfect look! Still worried about choosing the right style? Just remember to make sure whatever you choose follows these unspoken rules. While you probably won’t have a dress code for the event, there are a few things you should not wear to a bridal shower if you are a guest.
- Anything white! White is reserved for the bride during this time, and while it’s not as bad as wearing white to a wedding (serious cringe) it’s still not polite to wear white to a bridal shower. You should also avoid light shades of other colors since these can appear white in photos. That means eggshell, ivory, pale yellow, and blush are probably not your best bets.
- Super short skirts. It’s totally fine to dress to your comfort, and if you feel comfortable in a short skirt, that’s also totally fine. For a bridal shower, it’s just best to make sure you aren’t wearing something that could risk riding up. Basically, if it’s club appropriate, it’s probably not bridal shower appropriate.
- All black. If it’s a formal bridal shower (not super common) you might be able to get away with wearing all black, but in general, you should avoid it. Colorful or patterned looks are best, even if you simply choose a deep jewel tone like midnight blue or magenta.
- Jeans. Even though it’s a less formal affair than a wedding, it’s not good form to come to a bridal shower in jeans. Some brides might specifically choose a denim theme, but unless that’s the case, leave the denim at home! In general, don’t go too casual.
- A ballgown. Or anything too dressy or flashy! Remember, this isn’t the wedding itself, and you shouldn’t be dressing to the nines or distracting from the main event.
We want to see your bridal shower guest outfit! Show us on Instagram or TikTok @Lulus using #lovelulus–and check out moreoptions in our Wedding Guest shop!
(This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated with new content.)
