What to Wear to a Bridal Shower as a Guest - Zola Expert Wedding Advice (2024)

Choosing an outfit for a bridal shower is really no different than choosing what to wear to any other party. You’ll want to match the formality and season, be comfortable, look great, and photograph well in whatever you choose to wear.

Basic Rules for Bridal Shower Fashion

While bridal showers can vary in terms or formality & theme, there are some bridal shower looks that will always fit the vibe:

• Dress to impress, even if the theme is casual
• Wear pastels, neutrals and bright colors to match the celebratory tone of the occasion
• Floral prints are a great go-to
• Wear something comfortable in case there are bridal shower games
• Accentuate a neutral dress or top with bold shoes or accessories

What NOT to Wear to a Bridal Shower

1. Don’t wear white. This wedding guest rule of etiquette applies to bridal showers as well. Since the bride-to-be often wears white to her shower, you don’t want to seem like you’re competing for her spotlight.

2. Don’t wear black. Your bridal shower look should be celebratory, festive, and happy—black is a bit too somber and/or “date night out” to wear to a bridal shower. If you’re set on dark colors, opt for a softer gray or navy.

3. Don’t wear anything too tight, sexy, or revealing. A bridal shower is not the time to flaunt your, um, assets. Since the guest list is usually all women, and since this event is technically part of the wedding festivities, keep things buttoned up.

But since bridal showers can come in all shapes and sizes—no two are the same—deciphering the dress code can be tricky. To help you choose a perfectly appropriate and flattering ensemble, we’ve outlined suggestions below for what to wear to a variety of different types of bridal showers based on their location, season, and formality.

What to Wear to a Fancy Bridal Shower

Look for clues on your invitation to tell if a bridal shower will be on the fancier side. Invitation wording is generally a good indicator of formality: if numbers and abbreviations are spelled out, or if phrases like “request the pleasure of your company” are used, this is probably going to be a more formal bridal shower. Also look to see if the invitation provides words about the dress code, such as “festive” or “co*cktail attire.”
For fancier bridal showers at upscale venues like country clubs, hotels, or restaurants, opt for co*cktail attire, such as:

• A co*cktail (i.e. knee-length) dress
• A pair of flowy, silk pants, a blouse, and a jacket
• A sparkly pencil skirt, dark tights, and a cashmere sweater
• A pair of satin ankle-length pants, a velvet blazer, and heels
• Include accessories such as:
  • More formal, glitzy jewelry (real or costume)
  • A clutch or small purse

What to Wear to a Casual Bridal Shower

If the bridal shower is more casual, keep your outfit polished and festive but tone down on the level of formality. For example, swap out heels for ballet flats, if you’ll be more comfortable, or go for daytime fabrics like cotton, wool, and denim. Here are some ideas:

• A gingham wrap dress
• A pair of nice jeans, a floral top, and a faux fur vest
• A denim shirt dress with knee-high boots
• A summery jumpsuit
• Include accessories such as:
  • Delicate jewelry
  • A crossbody purse or leather satchel

What to Wear to a Backyard Bridal Shower

Backyard bridal showers are by nature less formal, although it’s never safe to assume that a bridal shower at a private home is casual. It’s a good idea to check in with the host(s)—if you’re attending an elegant garden party for high tea, showing up in jeans and Pumas would be embarrassing. Here are a few ideas for put-together looks suitable for a variety of seasons:

• A flowing sundress
• A pair of colored chinos and a structured top
• A pair of dark jeans, a boho blouse, and ankle booties
• A pleated midi skirt, a nice tank, and a linen jacket
• Include accessories such as:
  • A wide-brimmed sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sandals or wedges

What to Wear to a Restaurant Shower

What you should wear to a bridal shower that’s held in a restaurant is really determined by the type and formality of the restaurant. If it’s a casual barbecue joint with outdoor picnic tables, opt for similar ideas to the casual or backyard showers above. If it’s a white tablecloth kind of restaurant, match the ambiance with an outfit that’s classy and chic, such as:

• A lace sheath dress
• An off-the-shoulder maxi dress
• Matching separates, like a satin jacket and pajama-style pants
• High-waisted trousers with a tie-neck blouse
• Include accessories such as:
  • Block heels
  • Bright lipstick

What to Wear to a Fall or Winter Bridal Shower

Stick to rich, warm, or dark colors for bridal showers in the fall and winter months. Think burgundy, rust, navy, gray, brown, taupe, and forest green. Most showers during these months will be indoors, so don’t worry too much about outerwear, but reflect the season with long sleeves and hemlines and heavier fabrics. Check out these ideas:

• A turtleneck sweater dress, opaque tights, and over-the-knee boots
• A long-sleeve wrap dress
• Wide-leg wool pants and an embroidered sweater
• A crisp button-down tucked into a full skirt
• Include accessories such as:
  • Dressy boots
  • Long, layered necklaces

What to Wear to a Spring or Summer Bridal Shower

Bright, light colors—pastels and hot hues all the way—rule when it comes to what to wear to spring or summer bridal showers, as do florals and other summery prints like gingham, madras plaid, and seersucker. Lightweight cotton, silk, and linen feel cool and crisp. To get you inspired, here are some warm-weather shower outfit possibilities:

• A linen jumpsuit
• A floral, ruffled high-low dress
• A pair of cropped white pants, a bright silk top, and floral wedges
• A patterned tunic dress and lace-up sandals
• Include accessories such as:
  • A rattan purse or straw tote
  • A fresh pedicure