Tags
No tags :(
Share it
A wedding is a perfect excuse (not that you need one) to dress deliberately. All the more so when a theme is involved. That’s the case for my friend Kris, whose nephew is getting married in Wyoming this summer. Kris flattered me by asking my opinion of what to wear to a Western-themed wedding.
I found that such a delicious question that I decided to start a series on wedding wear, starting with Kris’s question. We’re coming into the season for weddings, so why not? I’ve got weddings in March, May and June—all in different circumstances and times of day. Each one will require a little deliberation.
For the Wyoming wedding, Kris says the groom and groomsmen will be in jeans and most of the female guests plan to wear dresses and boots.
What should Kris wear?
In her case—almost anything. She has a figure that’s somewhere between a Barbie doll, a ballerina and a long distance runner. Tall and long-legged, she looks good in everything. I could throw a dart and hit a winner for her.
Option 1: Super feminine dress and boots
I could just say buy a great pair of Western boots, pair it with any feminine dress in her closet and we could all go home. This collage has dresses from J. Peterman, North Style, and Sundance. My personal favorite for Kris: the Sundance dress on the far left.
I couldn’t leave it at that—because this is the perfect time to make an investment in a pair of boots that could become her forever friend. Of course, you can get an affordable pair just for this occasion at places like Cavenders. They also offer the full gamut of quality on traditional Western boots, so you can spend as much or as little as you can afford.
Option 2: A crisp white blouse, denim skirt and boots
My personal preference for boots is a pair I found on Sundance, which have a weathered/vintage/Western vibe––and much more wardrobe potential than a traditional Western boot with pointed toes. Oh, yes, they’re pricey. I found two pair I liked in the Wild Western Wedding collage below. Both sell for around $300. To rationalize this purchase, think in terms of amortization. It’s not a lot to pay for a pair of boots that will be a lifetime partner.
It will be hot in July and I like the idea of combining a denim skirt with a crisp white western shirt, or possibly a peasant-style blouse. You could choose something in white eyelet or lace to dress things up a bit. In the collage below, most everything is from Sundance. I especially loved the flowing chambray-blue skirt in the center, which has a more feminine flair than the plain denim skirt below it. But both would be great.
Option 3: An iteration on option 2
If Kris already has a denim skirt, she could buy a great white shirt, the aforementioned investment boot and call it good. That’s the budget option.
Another source for feminine Western or peasant shirts: Back in the Saddle. I liked all the shirts in the collage below because they are feminine, cool and affordable at less than $50 each. They also had some suede vests with fringe, but I thought they were over-the-top and too hot for July.
Option 4: The unspoken law
Finally, in the name of honesty, I want to disclose a law that isn’t mentioned openly among women. There is no real budget option for wedding attire. A wedding requires a new dress. Okay, maybe it isn’t a law, but it is at least a genetic trait. My mother is 76-years-old and the minute she knows about a family wedding, her first thought is, “What will I wear?”–even though she has a closet of options.
Kris didn’t want to spend a lot, so I went on a search for a denim or chambray option that was affordable, yet far from dowdy. Oh. My. Goodness. I scored by finding a new site, eshakti.com, an American designer that customizes each dress to your dimensions and allows you to mix and match details—all for $60.
Here are three denim dresses that would be so good on Kris.
I hate to spoil the party, but I have to add something here. My heart soared when I saw the price on these. And then it plummeted. How does eshakti do this for $60? You know the answer: these dresses are made in India. My conscience prevents me from skipping over the fact that the seamstresses who make these are probably paid almost nothing for their work. Ultimately, the decision belongs with Kris. Let’s face it—we all have to make strategic choices about where to spend our money. We can’t change the world with one purchase—or could we?
What’s a reasonable, socially-conscious alternative? Save these photos and take them to a custom seamstress like Catherine Fritsch at Mercurious Design in Noblesville, Indiana. Catherine can design a custom denim dress for Kris just in time for the wedding. Kris would spend more, but she would be supporting the U.S. fashion industry––even better, right here in Indiana.
What would you wear to a Western-themed wedding? Any ideas for Kris? Please let me know if you have wedding coming up and aren’t sure what to wear. I’ll make it part of this series!
19 comments
March 18, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Thanks Crystal. You know me all too well. Have just bought a pair of brown boots that look exactly like those you recommended.
Thanks for helping me think through this (or perhaps overthink) it. As always – you are insightful, fun and thorough.
Kris
March 18, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Great minds think alike! Thx for the comment, Kris!
March 18, 2013 at 10:47 pm
What fun! You are a delightful blogger Crystal!
March 19, 2013 at 10:10 am
aww! Thank you, Ma’am!
March 20, 2013 at 2:28 pm
well, first, let me say I typed a whole comment that went *poof* into the ether! grrrr….
anyway, love your suggestions! FWIW, Sierra Trading Post has great western boots at deep discounts, so checking there is worthwhile.
I am going to a wedding of two of my theatre friends this summer. They met through our theatre and are even getting married there! (Luckily the seats are removable–a century ago, they used to hold balls after the plays, so they’ll have a dance floor!) So clearly I need a fabulous dress, since I’m a resident costumer of the club (and helped the bride find her gown.) I’ve been scouring Modcloth for something and found one I loved but it runs small and won’t work…so I continue my search. 😉 Lots of time, of course! I’m definitely planning to accessorize with some fabulous head wear from our local hat shop!
as always, love your blog!
March 20, 2013 at 9:44 pm
I have had the “poof’ effect happen with comments and it aggravates me no end. I can imagine that you would feel called to a higher standard as the costumer, Maureen. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I hope you read my follow up post–I have reversed my own inclinations–I mean cleared my head!
March 20, 2013 at 10:04 pm
You’re a total gem. And we definitely need more conscious shoppers in the world. I do so very much hope that your friend brings her business to a local shop or a local sewer like Catherine.
March 21, 2013 at 11:49 am
Great minds think alike, dear. I know that you’re part of the sisterhood that keeps me company on that topic!
June 12, 2013 at 11:34 pm
I am a mother of the bride. The wedding is in a barn in Dec, groomsmen are wearing jeans, bridesmaids in cute dresses with cowboy boots. My daughter doesn’t want me blingy and I won’t wear a dress that showes too much leg. Help
June 13, 2013 at 11:27 am
Definitely boots, Bev. Have you ever shopped Soft Surroundings. They have long skirts that I adore and they look great with boots. Since you have until December, you can go to their outlet site and get a bargain! Yay. I saw several long and longish skirts that would work well. They usually have some denim, too. Perfect! Thanks for asking!
July 25, 2013 at 5:50 pm
I am a ‘fluffy’ grandmother, and my grandson is having a western wedding in late October. I don’t think I can do boots (size 10 is big enough without adding to it!). What do you suggest? I’ve worn nothing but pants for years at my work place.
August 2, 2013 at 4:13 pm
Jean, have you heard about a jean maker called Zag? I just love their trouser styled jeans and they are very comfortable. I think I’d do something like that with a white ruffled peasant-style blouse. Or if you’re not big on white, choose something colorful and floral–with lots of femininity to it and any shoe you want.
September 15, 2013 at 10:48 am
but what about an ole foggie like myself, who is 57??? I need pictures! Please, thank you very much!!
October 6, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Help…I`m invited to a wedding with a western theme and
I`m lost.
Thanks
October 18, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Thank you for the great ideas and the pictures were so helpful. We are going to a western themed wedding this afternoon and have not planned ahead. (Still need to buy a wedding gift) We are not much for “playing dress up” but it only took me a few minutes to put together outfits for my husband and myself. Thankfully, I own a pair of great cowboy boots. You have saved the day and we won’t feel incorrectly dressed at the wedding of the daughter of some great friends.
March 20, 2015 at 8:05 pm
I am an elderly mother of the Groom, he is having a western cowboy/girl wedding. I need a cowgirl-attire, that is for my plus size that is not bulky- Its a May wedding I want something that may need a jacket or able to take off.
March 28, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Had a similar situation with my step-daughter’s wedding in the Rocky Mountains at a ski lodge in the summer.
Hot weather and blazing heat calls for Geox shoes, a nifty European invention that has perforated soles that allow your feet to er, perspire in 100 degree heat, but the pores do not allow water to enter due to their small size.
They are very popular in the Caribbean also for semi formal events, but they run the gamut from casual to very dressy. Maybe they have boots or something that could pass for boots? Hope you enjoyed the wedding!
September 26, 2016 at 8:13 am
Hi, I am 77 and the grandmother of the bride. The wedding will be western themed. I would be interested in a classic long dress to top with a western jacket – her colors are navy blue and while. My hips are heavy and I would likely need a 2x to 3x. Do not like flashy clothing. Thanks, Pat
January 6, 2018 at 4:17 pm
I’m getting married, but we aren’t having a formal one. We are wearing jeans. I am looking for some kind of top/blouse to wear with jeans that has lace or a lace overlay. I would really like it to be champagne colored. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!