Can You Wear White Shoes to a Wedding? - Yeah Weddings (2024)

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Can You Wear White Shoes to a Wedding? - Yeah Weddings? ›

While attitudes to footwear are becoming more laidback at weddings, the cardinal rule persists—never wear white attire to a wedding. So if you're opting for white shoes, make sure they're combined with a dress or suit that's anything but that color. Leave white to the bride and don't steal her thunder.

“White shoes can be acceptable if they're not overly prominent and are part of a well-coordinated outfit," shares Klingman. Nonetheless, it's best to stick with a nude, pale gray, blush, or pastel shoe, instead of pure white or ivory, when getting dressed for someone's big day.

For formal or black-tie affairs, it's best to stick to more traditional footwear options. For casual or semi-formal dress codes like a beach wedding or garden party, white shoes may be seen as a stylish and creative choice. Dress codes you probably should avoid white shoes: White-Tie Attire.

The last thing you want is for someone to mistake you for the bride or be in photographs where guests think you're trying to steal the spotlight. All in all, it's respectful and customary not to wear white as a guest to the wedding unless the bride specifically asks you to wear white or she says it's okay to wear it.

“At any wedding-related event, no guests should upstage the bride, and that certainly applies to the rehearsal dinner,” Brownstein tells InStyle, adding it's best to “consider colors that correlate to the wedding theme, but never wear white.”

As a wedding guest, it is always best to err on the side of caution when deciding what to wear. Generally, white shoes should not be worn to a wedding, as they are too close in color to the bride's dress. If it is a more casual wedding, brightly colored shoes may be acceptable or even encouraged.

Here are some general guidelines to consider: Consider the dress code: If the wedding has a formal dress code, it's best to stick to neutral-colored shoes, such as black, beige, or navy. However, if the dress code is more relaxed or casual, you may be able to get away with wearing colored shoes.

Except in select cases (which we'll cover below), the experts agree that wedding guests should still stay away from white dresses—and especially any that are long, that are lacy, or that read even slightly bridal. "The bride may or may not wear white (maybe ivory, maybe champagne), but it's her color for that day.

Add a playful pop to a standard business-casual look by pairing white tennis shoes with dark jeans and a plaid blazer. Contrast white sneakers with an all-black outfit. The eye-catching pairing is a fun interpretation of a classic black-and-white look.

With a black dress, you can wear shoes of any colour, from neutrals like black, white shoes, and beige shoes to more bold-coloured options like hot pink shoes, red shoes, and even burgundy shoes.

What is too white for a wedding? ›

Unless all-white outfits are explicitly required for the wedding day, wearing an outfit that's white or one that even features a white pattern is a bad idea, as doing so can appear rude or disrespectful to the couple.

Turns out, wearing red to a wedding means to some that “you've slept with the groom.” “Old Wives' Tale, but yeah,” Mitchell explained. However, both wedding planners agreed on a more modern reason for not wearing red: It could be seen as a way to grab the attention away from the bride.

Whether or not you can wear red to a wedding depends on the wedding itself and the fashion specifications dictated by the couple. Nonetheless, it is largely no longer considered a faux pas to wear red to most Western and secular nuptials.

Wondering whether you can wear white and cream together? The answer is a resounding "yes." This neutral color palette can be combined in endless ways to achieve a look that is at once understated and statement-making.

Dressy casual is usually the only dress code for which sneakers are appropriate but that's also going to be a dress code that doesn't have you wearing a suit. In other cases, leave the sneakers to the groom (and groomsmen if they're going for a coordinated look) and stick with dress shoes or loafers.

Another way to wear white to a wedding is to opt for white separates instead of a white dress. A white blouse or skirt paired with a colourful blazer or shoes can be a great way to incorporate white into your outfit without looking like you're trying to steal the bride's thunder.

The rule about not wearing white after Labor Day is a thing of the past—and white sneakers are a great way to pull it off. "For colder months, I prefer platform-style white sneakers," Lauren says. "I pair them with anklet socks and a dress." Looking for a simple go-to cool-weather outfit?