What to Wear to an Engagement Party

When a friend or family member is getting married, there’s typically more than just the ceremony to think about. If you’re close with that person or you’re in the bridal party, you’ll likely be invited to an engagement party.

While typically not as formal as the wedding itself, it can be tricky to navigate the engagement party dress code unless it’s spelled out in the invitation.

Thankfully, there are a few tried and true engagement party outfits that never go out of style. Let’s take a closer look at what your engagement party guest outfit should look like, and how you can make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the occasion.

How to Choose an Engagement Party Outfit

If you’re stumped when it comes to your engagement party outfit, one of the best ways to determine what you should wear is to look at the invitation. There are probably more clues there than you initially realized.

Dress Code

If there’s a dress code listed on the invitation, your life just got a whole lot easier. Some people might want their party to be more formal, while others will opt for a dressy-casual vibe. Thankfully, when they print their desires right on the invitation, it makes it easier to narrow down your outfit choices and choose something appropriate without too much stress.

The dress code might be in small print, so make sure you don’t overlook it when you’re deciding what to wear!

Venue

If a dress code isn’t directly mentioned on the invitation, context clues are the way to go, starting with the venue.

Engagement parties can be hosted just about anywhere because they’re generally smaller than the wedding itself. Some popular location ideas include a backyard, the beach, a country club, a restaurant, or a boat/yacht.

Looking at the venue will help you get an idea of what might be appropriate to wear. For example, a party in someone’s backyard is likely to be more casual than one hosted at a country club. If you’re on a yacht, you can probably be more low-key with your engagement party outfits than if you’re at a restaurant.

Time

The time of day can also give you a better idea of what to wear. A late morning brunch party is likely to be more casual, while an evening get-together could call for a more formal dress code—meaning you really can’t go wrong with a little black dress or other type of cocktail attire.

If the party is being held in the middle of the afternoon or you’re not sure whether time will be a factor in the dress code, the safe bet is to go with something dressy-casual. You won’t look too overdressed or underdressed for the occasion.

Season

In addition to the time of day, the time of year is important to consider. While you’ll always want your engagement party guest outfit to fit the dress code and environment, it’s important to be comfortable and practical, too.

Wedding season is year-round, so if you’re invited to a party in the fall or winter, you’ll have to take away thoughts of sun dresses and short skirts and opt for something warmer and more functional.

What to Wear to an Engagement Party

Okay, so you have the engagement party dress code nailed down. But, if you’re still stumped about what to wear, don’t panic. First, let go of any outdated expectations you might have. Things like dresses and skirts never go out of style, and they’re certainly more than appropriate for just about any location, season, or time.

But, there are other options to choose from, too, that can be just as stylish and chic as anything else. Let’s cover a few of your best options for engagement party attire.

Dresses

If the engagement party invitation doesn’t specify a dress code but you know you want to wear a dress to the event, your best bet is to go with cocktail attire. When it comes to dresses, that means finding a cut that comes just above the knee. You can pair it with heels for a more formal look, or go with flats or sandals if the event is dressy-casual. If your dress is simple and you want to jazz it up, don’t forget about accessorizing!

Skirts

Like dresses, there are many different options for skirts depending on the venue, season, and dress code. A good rule of thumb is not to go too short. That doesn’t mean you have to wear a maxi dress, but even if the party isn’t formal, going with something just above the knee or longer will always be more tasteful—and try to avoid white, as it’s likely something the bride-to-be will wear.

Pants

Here’s where it’s okay to step out of the box. Yes, pants are appropriate for an engagement party dress code—even if the event is formal. It’s all about choosing the right pants for the environment so you can look and feel your best without offending the engaged couple.

Jumpsuits

Jumpsuits are having a moment. They can be super casual, dressy-casual, and even formal depending on the cut and how they’re accessorized. If you want to wear something a bit more unique to an engagement party while also prioritizing comfort, a jumpsuit could be the solution.

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to your engagement party outfit, especially if you’re considering a jumpsuit. There are more options than you might think!

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These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you can wear to an engagement party. Do a little detective work and learn what you can about the dress code from the invitation. If you’re still confused or unsure, don’t be afraid to ask the person throwing the party to give you some insight!