What to Wear to a Bridal Shower

A bridal shower, one of the most heartfelt wedding-related occasions, is a chance for the bride’s loved ones to gather and toast to her future marriage. The occasion demands show-stopping outfits.

The bride-to-be is traditionally the only guest at a bridal shower, attended solely by female relatives and friends. Both sexes are welcome to attend a wedding shower, and the happy couple usually receives presents. People sometimes get confused because the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Even though the wedding gets all the spotlight, the bridal shower, which comes before it, is one of the most heartfelt events. For many future brides, the bridal shower is an opportunity to gather close friends and family members of all ages to honor the woman. In other words, it’s a gathering where everyone shares stories about their youth, gives and receives advice from their elders, and sheds many tears and laughs together.

The choice of outfit for a bridal shower depends on the location, the season, and the personal preference of a person. In seasons like summer, when it is generally warm, bright floral dresses are usually the go-to outfits. The ideal outfits for a bridal shower should not outdo the bride’s outfit, but also you shouldn’t be underdressed.

You’ve probably got an invite to a bridal shower, and you’re panicking, wondering what to wear. It goes without saying that you won’t want to wing your clothing choice if you’ve been asked to a bridal shower.

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered on the tips to consider when picking your outfit. We’ve also listed our favorite outfits to wear to a bridal shower.

Choosing Appropriate Attire for a Bridal Shower

If there is no stated dress requirement, it would be best to opt for an outfit that would be appropriate for a fancy weekend brunch. Remember that you want to dress up in something that leaves you feeling confident and eager, something that is not as exposed as you would wear to a bachelorette party, but an outfit that is not as conventional as a wedding day outfit.

The bride and her tastes can also be considered when choosing your outfit. It would be best if you investigated whether the hosts prefer a more formal or casual atmosphere at their parties.

Considering your familiarity with the bride’s preferences, it should be evident that her casual outfit idea may differ from yours. Don’t hesitate to ask for more clarification when you are unsure.

Respectfully follow the guidelines for attire specified on the invitation. We recommend a sundress, a matching set, or a top with a skirt or pants for the relaxed dress code. It is preferable to err on the side of slightly overdressing rather than completely underdressing.

It is crucial to introduce accessories if a more formal attire code is required. Even if the event is formal, you may still wear the same clothing you planned to wear at a more casual shower by switching up your hair, makeup, and footwear.

Here are other tips you should consider when choosing an outfit for a bridal shower.

1. Don’t forget it’s the Bride’s Special Day

It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: don’t wear white or anything near white unless specified otherwise. The bride-to-be is the only person permitted to wear the customary shade. The bride is the star of the show. You don’t want to steal the limelight from the bride-to-be by wearing color-clashing colors to her shower, especially if she plans on wearing white. Don’t wear anything excessively short, exposing, or flashy. Always err on the side of minimalism when unsure of what to do.

Every other color is acceptable, including vibrant hues and patterns. It’s fine to take some sartorial cues from the wedding shower’s theme (garden, country club, for example) but don’t go overboard; you don’t want to seem like you’re at a costume party.

Bonus Tip: Avoid wearing black. Black is a little bit too solemn for a bridal shower; instead, your bridal shower outfit should be joyous, lively, and joyful. Choose a lighter gray or navy if you must have a dark color.

2. Take note of the location

Where will you and the bride be having the party? Will you go for a fancy brunch or unwrap gifts at her parent’s house? Dress appropriately, taking all of this into account. If you’ll be making frequent stops and starts, layering up is smart.

When deciding what to wear to the shower, keeping the location in mind is important. The safest bet is to always adhere to the overall dress code of the venue. Ask yourself this: “Would you wear stilettos to something like a backyard full of grass? Can you expect to do a lot of sitting at the restaurant?” You need to know how far you’ll have to walk and how big the country club arena is.

Always wear flat shoes if the event is held outside, whether in a backyard or a country club. There is nothing more uncomfortable than having your heels sink into the grass. Alternatively, you might wear wedges to keep your feet from sinking into the grass while still looking classy.

3. Desire to express your style

Don’t be afraid to let your individuality shine through. The attire for a bridal shower is a great place to let your creative side shine through. In the warmer months, you can choose a sleeveless floral dress that is airy and comfortable. Dresses in soft pastel colors are also great for the summer. Dresses in jewel tones or color-blocking styles are other attractive options. Even in the winter, dark floral dresses are stylish and appropriate for any occasion.

4. Wear Seasonally Appropriate Shower Attire

What you wear to a bridal shower is influenced by the season. Long dresses, cargo pants, and beautiful jeans are all fair game during the colder months. It’s okay to wear shorter midi dresses and skirts in the summer. Outfits with a “strikingly springtime or autumnal tint” should probably be saved for their designated seasons.

What are the Common Colors for a Bridal Shower?

Gray is currently the most sought-after tone for bridesmaid dresses in 2022, with 11 states actively seeking gowns in this color. Within this broad group, some jurisdictions have more pronounced preferences. Dresses in a specific taupe tone are in high demand in Kansas, for example (i.e., dark gray). This understated style makes sense, as it puts all eyes on the bride rather than drawing attention to the bridesmaids.

Perhaps most unexpectedly, gold has been the third most common hue for bridesmaid dresses in the United States. Only 10 of the 50 states didn’t request red as their preferred color. There was a demand for sage green from those living in Arizona, Montana, and Utah. Most searches for this shade came from residents of the following states: Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Washington.

Dressing for a Formal Bridal Shower

You can usually determine if a wedding shower will be more formal than usual by looking at the invitation. The invitation’s wording is sometimes a good predictor of the level of formality to be expected at the event. If numbers and abbreviations are written out, or phrases like “request the pleasure of your company” are used, then the bridal shower is likely to be more formal. Additionally, you should check if the invitation specifies a dress code, such as “festive” or “cocktail attire.”

Outfits to impress in formal bridal showers are:

• Dresses that are typically knee-length.
• An outfit that consists of silky slacks, a top, and a jacket.
• A cashmere sweater, black tights, and a sequined pencil skirt.
• Wearing satin ankle-length pants, a velvet jacket, and heels.

Don’t forget the extras:

• Accessorize with more ostentatious jewelry.
• A little handbag.

Dressing for a Casual Bridal Shower

Keep your look clean and festive but less formal if the wedding shower is more relaxed. You may, for instance, replace your high heels with flats or wear cotton, wool, or denim instead of synthetic during the day.

Outfits suggestions for casual wear include:

• A dress with a checkered pattern.
• Wearing beautiful trousers, a floral blouse, and a faux fur vest.
• Dress in a denim shirt and jeans, with tall boots.
• A jumpsuit.

Possible Extras:

• Subtle ornamentation.
• A leather pouch or a crossbody purse.

What to Wear in the Fall or Winter

In the fall and winter, wedding showers should have rich, warm, or dark colors. Consider crimson, orange, navy, gray, brown, taupe, and emerald, among other colors. Although most showers will be held indoors, you should still dress for the season by opting for longer sleeve lengths, lower hemlines, and heavier fabrics.

Here are some outfit suggestions:

• Turtleneck dress, dark tights, and ankle boots.
• A dress with long sleeves.
• Wearing wool flare pants and an embroidered pullover.
• Full skirt and a button-down shirt.

Don’t forget the extras:

• Formal footwear.
• Multi-tier necklace.

What to Wear to a Bridal Shower in the Spring or Summer

Wearing pastels and bright colors, as well as florals and other summery motifs like gingham and seersucker, are the norm for spring and summer wedding showers. The light and airy silk, cotton, and linen texture are refreshing.

Here are some potential outfits for a springtime or summertime bridal shower:

• Jumpsuit made of linen.
• A dress with ruffles and flowers at both the high and low hems.
• White cropped jeans, a silky top in a bold color, and flowery wedges.
• Lace-up sandals and a patterned tunic dress.

Don’t forget the extras:

• A rattan handbag.
• Get a pedicure.

Our Top Picks

You probably think that there are too many options. We’ve narrowed down the list, even more, to make it easier for you. Below are our 3 top outfit picks for bridal showers:

Floral Prints

While flowers are considered an appropriate bridal shower gift, floral dresses are a standard outfit for bridal showers.

Any outfit benefits from the comfort and freshness that the floral pattern brings. The flower patterns add a gentle feminine feel with a hint of romance to the outfit. Their vibrant colors and prints are ideal in the summer and spring

To make yourself stand out, you may choose to pair the dresses alongside a denim jacket, a chic scarf, or layered dresses.

Wear a Jumpsuit

Rather than a flowy dress or skirt, a jumpsuit is a fun way to go to a bridal shower. The best part about jumpsuits is that they are so simple to wear. They may be worn with various outfits, are adaptable, and come in a rainbow of colors and designs.

Women’s jumpsuits are one of the most convenient garments because they function similarly to dresses. You may slip them on and off without thinking about matching the top with the bottom. To accessorize the jumpsuit, use a neutral handbag and heels, such as the ruby red bow shoes.

Cutouts

Dresses with cutouts, like a baby blue shirtdress, are a classy nod to the skin-baring trend. Cutout dresses are trendy right now, with many variations to choose from. They are the epitome of ease and sophistication. Dresses with cutouts often show off the wearer’s tummy or back. Feel free to pick your preferred style and get ready to rock.

It’s hard to find someone who would turn down a cutout skirt. In both the winter and summer, it is a better option. Pairing a cutout skirt with leggings in the winter or a cutout skirt with spring boots in the summer will make you look stunning at the next bridal shower.

Final Say

The best advice for deciding what to wear to a bridal shower is to use your common sense. Bridal shower outfits should not be too risqué, nothing to overwhelm the bride in any manner or too traditional.

Also, ensure you invest in a nice pair of footwear to complete your outfit. Regarding footwear, the only rule is that you should wear shoes with a heel height that is comfortable for you. You can choose from a wide variety of footwear, from basic flats to wedge sandals and heels.

Wear what makes you happy and feel like the greatest version of yourself. Please make an effort not to worry about it too much. I promise you’ll look stunning and feel great whatever you choose to wear.