Is this dress appropriate

[mrselle]

DH and I are attending a wedding Memorial Day weekend. It is an outdoor evening wedding (6:30pm). I purchased this dress..

http://anntaylor.scene7.com/is/image/anntaylor/218494_1110?$lrg254x296$

My concern is that there is so much white in the dress. It's predominately white with a navy print. I don't want to draw attention to myself as "the woman who is wearing the white dress when she really should have chosen another color". Is is too much white? Should I pick a different dress?

[tenofcups]

That doesn't read as a "white" dress to me. I see it as navy and white. (Actually, I see it as black and white right now, but I trust you that it's navy!) I wouldn't think twice about it.

[villanelle75]

I think it is fine. That isn't a white dress. It is a printed dress with a white background.

[tandt]

I agree with the other posters-- it looks absolutely appropriate. And cute!

[Cocotte]

I think it would be fine, and its a really cute dress too!

[BTB]

I'm old-fashioned, I think you should choose a different dress.

If nothing else, wondering whether you're "that" woman could hinder your enjoyment of the party.

[texasbride]

I think that it's perfect! Since it's outdoors in the evening, you could get a navy wrap to wear on your shoulders. I think that the whole "can't wear white to a wedding" rule is pretty much out the door, and besides, it's not all white. It's hard to find a Springy/Summery dress that doesn't have white in it, so who knows if you'd be able to find something else. If you're really worried about it, though, try to find something else - you want to have fun and not have to worry about if the bride is offended (which I doubt she would be).

[pontmarie]

I would have had no problem if you'd worn that to my wedding ;D

[BTB]

It's hard to find a Springy/Summery dress that doesn't have white in it,

BS - there's thousands of outfit choices that don't have white as the most heavily-used color, as that dress does. Wear it or don't, but don't think there's no other choices. I assure you, there are.

[Sage]

I think it's too white...sorry!! It's a super cute dress, though. It wouldn't have bothered me if you'd worn it to my wedding, but I wouldn't wear it to someone else's wedding, if that makes any sense. I just wouldn't take a chance on it! If it was mostly navy with white print, I would think differently, but I just think it's too white.

[FoxyBlue]

Too much, unless you know for sure the bride wouldn't mind.

And as a guest I would still think it a bit 'white' for a guest. If it were reversed (navy/white) it'd be perfect.

[moderngal]

I think it's too white...sorry!! It's a super cute dress, though.
me too. I wouldn't wear it to a wedding.

[karlatta]

I think it's too white...sorry!! It's a super cute dress, though. It wouldn't have bothered me if you'd worn it to my wedding, but I wouldn't wear it to someone else's wedding, if that makes any sense. I just wouldn't take a chance on it! If it was mostly navy with white print, I would think differently, but I just think it's too white.

ITA.

[ManteoChik]

I think it's too white...sorry!! It's a super cute dress, though. It wouldn't have bothered me if you'd worn it to my wedding, but I wouldn't wear it to someone else's wedding, if that makes any sense. I just wouldn't take a chance on it! If it was mostly navy with white print, I would think differently, but I just think it's too white.

This is exactly what I was thinking too.

I'm super sensitive about the whole white outfit thing when it comes to weddings. I try not to wear white to any wedding function. Obviously, a summer bridal shower is one thing....but at my best friends wedding her SIL-to-be wore a head to toe white outfit (white linen pants, with matching white linen tank...there were no other colors) and silver heels. No one said a word but later we got a little giggle that we thought it was tacky. The bride didn't care, but it surely is not something I'd do.

I really do like the dress though, I just wouldn't wear it to a wedding. I go to lots of spring/summer weddings and haven't had a problem finding non-white dresses.

[KiKi'sMommy]

I think it is adorable and I would totally wear it to a wedding. I know at my wedding, I barely had time to greet everyone at my wedding, let alone notice what they were wearing.

[ManteoChik]

ETA:

All From Nordstroms and under $200:

http://content.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/product/MediumLarge/17/_5619537.jpg

http://content.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/product/MediumLarge/14/_5586574.jpg

http://content.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/product/MediumLarge/16/_5614756.jpg

I also would not hesitate to do a Little Black Dress and use some colorful jewelry (like a chunky blue necklace or something to accessorize and bring in color.
http://content.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/product/Medium/8/_5619568.jpg

[Ericka_Jarett]

It's a cute dress and I would wear it. Do a navy wrap and navy heels and that will down play the white some.

[jen]

It's a cute dress and I would wear it. Do a navy wrap and navy heels and that will down play the white some.


My thoughts exactly.... and I was a bride who flipped when I heard DH's niece was going to wear a white dress to my wedding :rolleyes:. My cousin ended up wearing a white dress but had bright colored accessories so I didn't even really notice, or care.

[mrselle]

Thank you all for the feedback. I really do appreciate it.:)

I tried it on again last night when I got home and I think as long as I wear a navy wrap or shrug with it I'll be fine and I don't think I'll feel uncomfortable. I was thinking back to my own wedding day and rememebered that I didn't have the time to see what other people were wearing. I doubt anyone will notice me. Like always, I will have a back up outfit in case I change my mind at the last minute. But I got the dress for a steal and couldn't pass it up.:)

[mrselle]

ETA:

All From Nordstroms and under $200:

http://content.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/product/MediumLarge/16/_5614756.jpg


I love this dress and I have some cute shoes that would be perfect with it.:)

[jennylou]

I think it's too white.

[Ericka_Jarett]

I think since it's a print it will be perfectly fine and as I said if you can get a navy shawl/wrap/shrug it will cover it up some. It's not like you are wearing an all white dress. If everyone went by the old ways (no white to a wedding) of the bride wear white only if you are a virgin, in this day and age, a lot of ladies wouldn't be able to do that. Lots of brides wear off white dresses and even color in their dresses

I went to a beach wedding in July and wore a white skirt and yellow halter with a white shawl that had sequins and white sandals and everyone said I looked great. The bride saw me and it's not like I grabbed the attention away from her, it was totally her day and everyone made sure to make it feel special.

You'll look great in the dress and have a blast at the wedding.

[phoenics]

Thank you all for the feedback. I really do appreciate it.:)

I tried it on again last night when I got home and I think as long as I wear a navy wrap or shrug with it I'll be fine and I don't think I'll feel uncomfortable. I was thinking back to my own wedding day and rememebered that I didn't have the time to see what other people were wearing. I doubt anyone will notice me. Like always, I will have a back up outfit in case I change my mind at the last minute. But I got the dress for a steal and couldn't pass it up.:)

I don't necessarily think it's too white - the print breaks it up a bit, but what if the bride decided to wear a white dress with dark sash or something like that? You just never know.

Hopefully no one at the wedding will notice. I just remember my very southern aunt who once got slightly loud at a wedding of my cousin's about some dress choices. She's very old fashioned. Where the bride may not have an issue - her aunt or MIL or mother or someone might and it's those people who may not censor themselves. I hope no one acts out because that'd be a shame.

Great on getting the dress for a steal - but that doesn't mean you have to wear it for this wedding. The time of day also gave me pause. The wedding is at 6:30pm and that sounds very formal. The style of dress to me says 'daytime garden wedding' not 'nighttime outdoor wedding' - I'd expect a slightly dressier dress - something with sparkle or at least something in a more dressy fabric. That dress looks cotton to me. Is it?

[mrselle]

I don't necessarily think it's too white - the print breaks it up a bit, but what if the bride decided to wear a white dress with dark sash or something like that? You just never know.

Hopefully no one at the wedding will notice. I just remember my very southern aunt who once got slightly loud at a wedding of my cousin's about some dress choices. She's very old fashioned. Where the bride may not have an issue - her aunt or MIL or mother or someone might and it's those people who may not censor themselves. I hope no one acts out because that'd be a shame.

Great on getting the dress for a steal - but that doesn't mean you have to wear it for this wedding. The time of day also gave me pause. The wedding is at 6:30pm and that sounds very formal. The style of dress to me says 'daytime garden wedding' not 'nighttime outdoor wedding' - I'd expect a slightly dressier dress - something with sparkle or at least something in a more dressy fabric. That dress looks cotton to me. Is it?

I know I don't have to wear it for this wedding. It was really just a side comment. My train of thought was that even if I don't wear it to this wedding it won't be a big deal because it wasn't terribly expensive and there are plenty of other events I can wear it.:)

I can see how you would think the dress is cotton. It does look cotton from the picture online, but its silk. It looks a bit dressier in person. Even online the dress doesn't look all that dressy and had I not seen it in person I probably wouldn't have bought it because the picture doesn't do it justice.

Thank you for your input.:)

[malala]

As a non american, I have to say that I really don't understand the "don't wear white to a wedding" rule.
What kind of outfit other than a white long dress could look similar to a wedding gown? and how would a white non wedding dress looking outfit steal attention from the bride?

That being said, since I live here, I wouldn't want to be "that woman" at a wedding, and I think the dress you chose is both cute and totally appropriate.