True or False: You Can Wear All of These Colours to a Wedding

Wedding season is upon us, and judging by the lunchtime conversations in our office, most of us have officially started the hunt for the perfect guest dress. Wedding guest dressing can be a minefield, and one of the areas that always causes much confusion is colour. The first rule that we think is never worth breaking (unless you've been specifically instructed otherwise) is wearing white or ivory. It's quite simply a no-no. And why wear it when this season's key dresses are in so many vibrant colours? Keep scrolling to see our guide for how to wear colour at your weddings this summer.
1. Yellow Is Always Cheery and a Safe Option
Yellow can seem like a difficult colour. However, it's a no-brainer for wedding season as it is joyful and not a shade typically worn by any of the bridal party, so you can be fairly certain that you won't look like a wannabe bridesmaid.
2. Pastel Blue and Lilac Aren't Just for Bridesmaids
Baby blues and pinks might seem off-limits as you'll find that bridesmaid dresses are usually in these sugary shades. However, don't rule them out altogether. If you keep it above the ankle and opt for a modern silhouette, such as the Nanushka wrap dress worn on Who What Wear's Hannah Almassi, you won't look too bridal.
3. Red Is Quickly Becoming a New Wedding Favourite
Red might by some be considered a bold colour for weddings, but this is one of the leading colour trends set to sweep ceremonies this summer. If you want something subtler, you can make it more muted by opting for a red floral print. However, we are just as enamored with bold block-colour dresses.
4. Navy Is Much Safer (and Less Severe) Than Black
Many brides have no issue with guests wearing black to a wedding nowadays, but some brides (and more likely their families) do still find it inappropriate. I think it's either best to check with the bride if you're not sure she'll be happy or err on the side of caution and wear a deep navy instead. This is how Victoria Beckham got around the "no black" rule at the royal wedding.
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Opening Image: We the People Style
Emma is a freelance fashion editor with over 15 years experience in industry, having worked at The Telegraph, Grazia and, most recently, British Vogue. Emma was part of the founding team of Who What Wear UK, where she worked for six years as Deputy Editor and then Editor—helping shape the team into what it is today is one of the biggest privileges of her career and she will always see herself as a Who What Wear girl, contributing to both the US and UK sites. Whether she's writing about runway trends or spotlighting emerging brands, she aims to write about fashion in a way that is democratic and doesn't promote over consumption.
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