Weddings are all about the bride and groom. Well, mostly.
Weddings are also, let’s be honest, a little bit about you—what you’re going to wear, how you’re going to stun the whole guest list without overshadowing the bride, how you’re going to show a new side of yourself while honoring the two tying the knot.
Dresses are the eternal frontrunners for wedding attire, sure. But they’re also so expected, and have a lot of ladies feeling fashion fatigue by the end of wedding season. That’s why more women than ever are asking the obvious question: can you wear a jumpsuit to a wedding?
One word: yes. Jumpsuits present a perfectly acceptable alternative to dresses when it comes to wedding attire. What follows is the official Francesca’s guide for jumpstarting your jumpsuit game and bringing fresh energy to your wedding guest game.
How to Make a Jumpsuit Look Formal
The good news is that jumpsuits come in so many different styles and shapes, it’s easy to find one that satisfies your formal requirements. There’s no big secret when it comes to how to make a jumpsuit look formal—most jumpsuits fall into obvious categories of casual and formal.
The main thing to keep in mind is silhouette. If you’re taller, consider a wide leg or more flowy jumpsuit that will flatter your statuesque frame. For slimmer and petite body shapes, more tailored jumpsuits will often do the trick. Those are just starting points, though. Experiment! No matter your shape, there IS a jumpsuit for you.
Seasons can also affect which jumpsuits make sense. In summer, floral patterns on lighter fabrics are appropriate, as well as jumpsuits that might show some shoulder. In Fall and Winter, though, you might want to reach for a jumpsuit in a jewel tone on thicker fabrics like velvet and silk. In all seasons, don’t shy away from chic neutral shades like camel, ivory, and grey.
How to Style a Jumpsuit
Once you’ve found the perfect jumpsuit, there are a few tips and tricks to accessorizing that will really make the most of your choice.
- Belts: A lot of solid color jumpsuits make great opportunities to choose a belt that pops or complements the jumpsuit itself. Use a bold gold buckle to add flash, or choose a fun patterned belt as a contrasting visual influence.
- Outerwear: For weddings that may be happening in the chillier months, choosing what to wear over a jumpsuit can add a lot of style. It’s a great idea to rock a chic long sweater or other longline jacket that accentuates the jumpsuit without overpowering it.
- Jewelry: Play off the style of the jumpsuit to choose necklaces, rings, and earrings that complement the piece. The possibilities are endless, and allow you to add a little more you to the outfit.
- Handbags: The right handbag or clutch can also be the perfect element to take your jumpsuit game to the next level. You can even look at crossbody bags as accentuating pieces.
Shoes to Wear with a Jumpsuit
Choosing which shoes to wear with a jumpsuit can be as fun as choosing the jumpsuit itself. You’ve got a lot of options, considering jumpsuits accommodate many different styles of shoes and heels, but here are some thoughts to get you started.
- The only potential drawback to jumpsuits is that they can draw the eye down, making your legs appear short. But fear not! Slim heels will do the trick, keeping your jumpsuit strategy chic.
- For summery jumpsuits, neutral toned heels usually work best. But quilted sandals or embroidered ballet shoes are also options!
- If you’re working with a neutral toned jumpsuit, you can go either way, depending on your mood. An understated shoe will work fine, but a contrasting heel could also bring out a fresh edge to your formal jumpsuit!
- While we would recommend heels for a true jumpsuit chic look, don’t rule flats out, depending on the wedding. The right jumpsuit could accommodate flats in dazzling fashion.
More Reasons to Wear a Jumpsuit to a Wedding
Aside from their naturally fashion-forward energy, there are other reasons to wear a jumpsuit to a wedding.
- First, jumpsuits are dance floor ready in ways a dress can never be! Adding an extra element of mobility and comfortability while eliminating the ways a dress could potentially betray you as you party is another great reason to consider the jumpsuit. If you’re lucky enough to hit a more casual wedding in a jumpsuit with flats, you’ll be ready to own the dance floor like never before.
- Second, since you decided to zig where everyone else zagged, the chances of showing up wearing the same thing as someone else are much, much slimmer. Eliminate the potential of having an unwelcome twin at the wedding by going for a jumpsuit instead of a dress.
- Lastly, and maybe MOST importantly, there’s a far better chance you’ll be able to wear a jumpsuit more than once! We all know the reality of buying a dress just to wear it to a wedding—then never touching it again. Jumpsuits are far more versatile, and can add to your wardrobe for wear far beyond a single wedding.
