Style Guide: What to Wear to an Engagement Party

Engagement parties are highly anticipated events, and these gatherings of friends and family often have varying dress codes based on a number of different factors. If you’ve recently been invited to an engagement party but aren’t sure what to wear, Sherri Hill’s style guide is here to help you out.

Below, we give you items to consider as you choose your outfit for the engagement party and some essential etiquette tips. We’ll keep you looking your best and help you avoid any accidental fashion faux pas.

What Is an Engagement Party?

An engagement party is a party that a newly engaged couple throws to celebrate their engagement with their friends and family. They can be used as a way to announce an engagement to several people and extended friends and family members. Alternatively, one partner may even throw a party with friends and family with plans to propose during the party.

Engagement parties range in formality depending on the preferences of the newly engaged couple. You may be invited to a casual outdoor BBQ to celebrate an engagement, or a formal dinner with black-tie dress required.

Because of the many different engagement party options, it’s essential to know which factors to consider as you start to decide on an outfit for an engagement party.

Deciding What to Wear to an Engagement Party as a Guest

Deciding what to wear for an engagement party can be stressful, as you want to make sure that your outfit fits the event and doesn’t draw attention away from the engaged couple. Make sure to consider the following items as you set about choosing what to wear to an engagement party.

Pay Attention to Dress Code

When you’re invited to an engagement party, the expected dress code will typically be listed on the invitation. In general, dress codes that the engagement party might require include:

• Formal/black-tie attire
• Cocktail attire/Semi-formal
• Casual attire
  

Depending on things like the venue, time of day, and preferences of the individuals throwing the party, you may be expected to dress according to one of these dress codes. It’s a good idea to double-check what the expected dress code is before trying to figure out an outfit to wear, as you will want to make sure your options align with the formality of the event.

For a very formal engagement party, you’ll want to be looking at floor-length dresses, suits, or very elevated jumpsuits. Your color palette should be on the darker side, and your jewelry should be limited to demure pieces. 

For a cocktail or semi-formal dress code, you can get a little more playful in color and jewelry choice. We get into what colors are the most appropriate for an engagement party below, but you generally can’t go wrong with a look in a pastel tone for earlier events, or a muted green cocktail dress for evening events. 

More casual parties call for more casual looks; pastel floral maxi dresses or separates paired with a chunky necklace can be perfect. Like with any dress code, be sure you’re not wearing anything too revealing, like an ultra-high slit or a distracting neckline type.

Consider the Season

Taking into account the season and weather is an important part of picking your outfit for an engagement part. For example, you wouldn’t want to show up for a winter engagement party in a light, brightly colored blouse.

Dress for the weather appropriately and include lighter fabrics for engagement parties during the spring and summer. For fall and winter engagement parties, heavier fabrics and neutral or subdued colors are perfect.

Check the Venue

Verifying the venue is another essential step in choosing what to wear to an engagement party.

If the party is taking place at a more upscale venue, such as a country club or a nice restaurant, you will need to dress in more formal attire or cocktail attire, like a detailed cocktail dress. If the couple is hosting the engagement party somewhere outdoors or in a more relaxed venue, semi-formal or casual attire is likely appropriate.

When considering the venue, also consider which shoes best work with the outfit. High heels and formal dress shoes for men are likely not the best choice for parties that are completely outdoors due to the risk of heels sinking into grass and shoes getting muddy.

Consider the Time of Day

The time of day is another important factor to think about when dressing for an engagement party. Daytime events tend to be more casual unless otherwise noted, and there is a higher chance that these events will take place outdoors. In these cases, lighter fabrics, brighter colors, and more casual clothing options might be appropriate.

For engagement party events that take place in the evening, semi-formal, cocktail, or formal attire is typically the most fitting choice.

What Is Etiquette for an Engagement Party? FAQs to Keep In Mind

While dressing for an engagement party, you should keep these frequently asked questions in mind so you don’t risk showing up with an inappropriate, attention-drawing outfit.

Can You Wear White to an Engagement Party?

As with weddings, white is not a good color choice for your outfit. Men may be able to get away with wearing a white dress shirt when more formal or cocktail attire is required, but selecting a shirt with a tasteful pattern or partnering it with a suit jacket in a matching color other than white is essential.

Women should never wear white dresses to anything wedding-related, including the engagement party. Gowns that could resemble wedding dresses in more formal spaces should also be avoided.

Can You Wear Black to an Engagement Party?

This highly depends on the formality level and venue of the party. If the engagement party is a black-tie affair, or a formal evening event, a black dress or navy blue cocktail dress will be perfectly fine. However, if the engagement party is happening in the afternoon or is a more casual event, you’ll want to steer clear of black or other very dark colors to avoid standing out. 

What Colors Can You Wear to an Engagement Party?

The goal of dressing appropriately for an engagement party is to show your support for the couple and somewhat fade into the background with your outfit. Pastel colors and light color choices are typically the safest way to do this.

While some bright colors can be good for many spring and summertime engagement parties, especially events that are more casual, you should stay away from very bold colors like neons. Muted shades of yellow, pink, blue, or even orange can bring color to your outfit while still being respectful. When in doubt, go with a pastel or floral. 

As we said, black and dark neutrals or jewel tones are great for formal parties; check with the event organizers if you’re not sure about a darker color, though. 

What to Wear to a Backyard Engagement Party (or Something Else Very Casual?) 

In general, it’s better to be a little bit overdressed than underdressed at an engagement party. However, if you show up wearing a formal gown to a backyard BBQ, then you are far too overdressed and likely to cause problems. For these instances, you’ll want to hit the semi casual attire dress code to balance looking polished with a laidback flair. 

Is It Okay to Wear Jeans to an Engagement Party?

Even if an engagement party is a more casual affair, like a backyard party, avoiding jeans and other denim items is seen as good etiquette.

If you are absolutely positive that a party is casual and the couple hosting the party has no problem with individuals wearing jeans to their party, choose a pair in a darker color. Stay away from ripped or distressed styles – these are too casual for even a casual engagement party and might leave you looking out of place.

Celebrating Engagement the Right Way

Engagement parties are a wonderful way for the newly engaged couple to mingle with their friends and family, celebrate their engagement, and announce an engagement to their loved ones. It might also be a way for one partner to pop the question to the other, surrounded by their friends and family.

Whatever the specifics of the engagement party you’ve been invited to, it’s essential to dress appropriately when attending this event. Use our style guide to determine which outfit is the best choice for you as you attend an engagement party and celebrate the happy couple.

Tags:  Party