A Wedding Guest's Guide to Festive Attire

Have you been invited to a wedding with a "festive attire" dress code? If so, we're sure you're a bit confused about what that actually means. When you think of festive, the first thought that likely comes to mind is ensembles in Christmas-themed red, green, and gold hues. And while that's a reasonable assumption, festive attire actually transcends the holiday season.

To start, this style of dress code is much more versatile than you might think. A relatively new term, it allows guests to really have fun with their looks and show off their personal style. It also works for any season, any time of day, and in most venues, ultimately making it easier for guests to dress for any type of celebration.

So, to make things as clear as possible when it comes to this particular style, we consulted with two stylists to fill us in on everything you need to know about festive attire. Plus, details on how to perfectly nail the dress code for every upcoming wedding you have to attend.

What Is Festive Attire?

"Festive attire is a fun and colorful spin on semi-formal wear," says bridal stylist Erika Plackowski. "It's an excuse to wear bright colors and prints to a wedding." It's also a mix of cocktail and semi-formal, so while you should expect to wear something on the fancy side, you can also let your personal style shine through.

"Festive attire is cocktail attire but with a fun colorful flair," adds wedding planner Lara Mahler. "Guests are encouraged to have fun and play with their look with bold colors and accessories."

Festive Attire for Women

As with most cocktail and semi-formal events, wearing a dress or formal pantsuit will be your best bet. While you don't need the same formality of a black-tie, full-length gown, you should opt for something that looks put-together and stylish. "For women, we are looking at cocktail or party dresses paired with playful heels and accessories," Mahler notes.

You can also think outside the box and opt for a jumpsuit or something unique. Plackowski recommends a party dress or a cocktail dress in a fun color or a bold print. "You can definitely have fun with some Carrie Bradshaw-type accessories," she adds. "What's great about this is [that] you can wear heels or flats."

Most importantly, though, don't forget about the season and location when choosing your overall outfit. Mahler notes that the weight of the fabric will change depending on the climate, especially as it pertains to summer festive attire. "If you're in a warmer climate, you may opt for a chiffon dress, linen, or cotton outfits," she says. "Something lightweight and breathable. For cooler climates, you can go for something heavier, like velvet, satin, or something heavily beaded."

Festive Attire for Men

Men should also feel free to play around with their looks when attending a wedding with a festive dress code. Instead of wearing a simple black suit, get creative with different textures and colors, like green, brown, or cream-colored hues, and patterned suits (or a suit jacket), like houndstooth. Additionally, "Opt for a suit in a fun color with a nice printed tie," Plackowski advises. "If you're bold, wear a nice dress shirt in a fun print to complement your plus one."

For those who feel more comfortable in a classic black suit, however, both Mahler and Plackowski recommend jazzing up your attire with a colorful tie or pocket square. Accessories like fun jewelry can also change up a look without feeling too overwhelming. If you aren't afraid of taking risks, though, a floral suit can be fun for spring or summer festive attire, or a really bright shade like pink or yellow. Don't want to go that offbeat? Mahler says to play around with materials. For warmer climates, she recommends seersucker, linen, and other breathable fabrics.

As for fall, winter, and cooler climates, Mahler says to opt for "pea coats, turtle necks, corduroy, and velvet suit jackets." In general, find a look that is dressed up and put together, but more fun than just a classic black ensemble.

Festive Attire Etiquette

Since festive attire tends to be more fun, there aren't many etiquette rules to follow. According to Plackowski, the only rule is that you should not upstage the couple. That means steering clear of anything that's white and outfits that have the potential to become the center of attention.

Mahler also recommends dressing for the season. "If we are around New Year's Eve, it might be fun to wear a festive mini dress. If the wedding is around Christmas, it might be nice to opt for a festive maxi dress option," she says. "I think in the end, what we are working towards with festive attire is to really channel the time of year: the colors surrounded by the season and the weather."

Lastly, don't mistake festive attire for casual. "Men are still expected to wear a suit and women should wear fun dresses," Plackowski says. After all, weddings are formal affairs, even though festive dress codes allow them to be a bit more non-traditional and unique.