As much as we love neutral accessories, this one’s trickier.
Out of all the known fashion etiquette rules that there are, none is as well known or as highly respected as guests never wearing white to a wedding. In many places in the world, the bride is the only person wearing white to distinguish her as the honorary amongst the crowd. Not only is wearing white to a wedding considered highly distasteful but it’s one of the biggest faux pas of all. Nothing could be worse than being confused for the most important person in the ceremony—the bride.
It might seem obvious not to wear white clothing, but what about accessories—especially shoes? Neutral shoes are, after all, the most versatile, with white shoes being no exception. But should you pull out your favorite white pair to attend a wedding?
The answer isn’t that simple, so we tapped wedding expert Victoria Lartey-Williams, owner of Victorious Events NYC, and power duo Christina Wettstein and Kimberly Marcoux, owners of bridal marketplace Melange de Blanc, to weigh in on what you need to know about wearing white shoes to a wedding.
Can You Wear White Shoes to a Wedding?
While there’s probably little chance anyone will outwardly object to you wearing white shoes to a wedding, it’s not always the best option. If you’re attending a wedding where the dress code is cocktail attire, and the hem of your dress is short enough to make the shoes the focal point of your outfit, it might appear like you’re highlighting the white intentionally, which is never ideal. Lartey-Williams advises, "Although white shoes can be the perfect match for a variety of outfits — especially during spring and summer when lighter attire is more common, white is the bride’s signature color."
Wearing anything white might be misconstrued as trying to draw attention away from the bride. "By choosing shoes in other colors, you can still look fabulous while ensuring the bride remains the star of her special day,” explains Lartey-Williams. If the shoes aren’t going to attract attention and aren’t the focal point of your outfit, wearing white shoes can be acceptable, so long as the bride gets the heads up, “Nowadays, brides are embracing more unconventional styles, even having bridesmaids in white," says Wettstein.
So, if white shoes are the final touch to flawlessly complete your outfit, we say go ahead and wear them with confidence! Wearing any white to a wedding should be done with the utmost care so as not to offend the bride or signify any competition for attention away from the bride; the shoes should not attract too much attention or be the focal point for your look. When in doubt, try to go for a more subtle shade or a romantic texture that can make them less obvious than just pure white.
Other Wedding Etiquette Tips to Keep in Mind
If you’re feeling a little nervous about what you’re planning on wearing to the big day, it never hurts to ask someone in the bridal party ahead of time what the color scheme is, just in case you happen to have picked something in the color scheme that the bridal party is going to be wearing as well. Just as important as not looking like the bride is making sure not to accidentally look like you’re a bridesmaid- especially if you're not one! Not sure who to ask?
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Consider reaching out to the maid of honor when in doubt. But before you reach for a new pair of shoes, no matter what color, consider the fact that dancing is expected at most weddings, and you’ll want to choose something sensible, stylish, and, most importantly, comfortable!