Can you wear black to a wedding? 12 LBD's that are wedding guest-approved

Everyone knows wearing white to a wedding they're attending as a guest is a big no-no, but can you wear black to a wedding?

If, like me, black clothing makes up at least 90% of your wardrobe, the thought of finding a wedding guest dress for basically any season that isn't winter may fill you with dread. Though, even in winter and depending on who you ask, the thought of wearing a black dress to a friend's nuptials may raise a few eyebrows. Yes, it's the age-old debate: Can you wear black to a wedding?

We're here to officially tell you, once and for all, yes, you *can* wear black to a wedding – as long as you abide by certain style rules. Sorry ppl, there's always a catch. So before you go wearing any old black dress, it's important to think about the big fat ‘but’ that follows our ‘yes.’ Things like the wedding venue, the time of year and the type of wedding should all influence your sartorial decisions anyway, but this is even more important when you're opting for a black dress.

The idea of not wearing black to a wedding dates all the way back to the Victorian era when the colour was reserved for those in mourning. It was a societal expectation at the time that if a loved one died, the family members would dress in black for a period of time (the person's exact relationship to the deceased determined just how long). Queen Victoria wore black for the rest of her life after her husband, Prince Albert, died, so it's fair to say this unwritten rule was taken pretty seriously. Along with dressing in black, mourners were also discouraged from attending parties, meaning no one was wearing black to weddings because they were at home grieving instead.

Luckily, times have moved on since then. In the 1920s and around the time of the First World War, the hue began to become a central colour in everyday wardrobes thanks to the likes of Coco Chanel popularising the Little Black Dress. Sure, black is still closely associated with the colour you wear to a funeral, but that's not its only association and wearing black to a wedding is now a big yes.

To avoid any fashion faux pas moments, we've got you covered with top tips on how to nail wearing a black wedding guest dress – and what not to wear to a wedding, too.

Yep, black dresses are totally acceptable for summer weddings. It should (hopefully) be warm weather, so it's good to keep in mind that black attracts the sun. If you're expecting to be outside for a large portion of the day or you're attending an abroad wedding, you may feel the heat in your black dress. Make sure you're dressing for the season with short-sleeve, sleeveless or strapless styles – depending on the dress code and venue, of course. Religious ceremonies may require you to cover up a little more.

As well as the neckline, think about the fabric of your black wedding guest dress. While black linen dresses are everywhere come summertime, they're not necessarily suitable wedding attire. You'll want something a little more formal for a traditional wedding, like a black satin slip dress, and a black-tie dress code will warrant something even fancier.

Black dresses are well-suited to winter weddings as most guests will likely dress in more muted tones associated with the colder seasons. Think navy, green and jewel tones, along with black. To ensure your black dress matches the occasion, it again comes down to your fabric choice. Save the knit jumper dress for the office. You can't go wrong with a black velvet dress or feather trim detailing.

As with all wedding guest dresses, you don't want to upstage the bride with your look. LBDs are often associated with date night attire and can easily fall into ‘sexy’ territory, so it's definitely worth thinking about your hemline and the silhouette. The general rule of thumb? If you'd wear your LBD on a night out to the club, it's probably not wedding-appropriate.

That's not to say mini dresses are totally off limits. We'd just recommend avoiding silhouettes that are too figure-hugging. Look for A-line skirts or interesting necklines, all design details that add an element of formality to a dress.

A black and white dress – or a black and any other colour dress – is also totally acceptable for a wedding guest outfit. Patterns and prints are a great way to stay in your neutral comfort zone while feeling dressed up for a special occasion. We love a black and white polka dot moment or black-backed floral print for a black wedding guest dress.

Should you be on the hunt for a chic AF black wedding guest dress or just want to expand your monochrome wardrobe with a fancy black dress – or jumpsuit – ready for when the next occasion calls...

Shop black wedding guest dresses

Omnes Aurelia Dress

£89 at omnes.com

Sister Jane Dream Oyster Jacquard Mini Dress

Now 34% Off

£95 at sisterjane.com

Reformation Astoria Dress

£298 at The Reformation

H&M Bow-Front Pencil Dress

£44.99 at H&M

Nobody's Child Black Puff Sleeve Zora Midi Dress

£130 at Nobody's Child

Reiss Ayla Structured Strapless Wide-Leg Jumpsuit

£258 at REISS

ASOS DESIGN Premium Scuba Maxi Dress with Sharp Neckline

£70 at ASOS

Abercrombie & Fitch Godet Clasp-Back Midi Dress

£90 at Abercrombie

Reformation Babette Dress

£228 at The Reformation

Kitri Vivien Black Feather Midi Dress

Now 65% Off

£58 at KITRI Studio

Sézane Shanice Jumpsuit

£190 at Sezane

Azazie Jessenia Black Maxi Dress

£109 at Azazie

For modern Western weddings, absolutely not! Suggestions that wearing black to a wedding is bad luck are likely linked to the Victorians, who were very superstitious, especially when it came to death. Thankfully, a black wedding guest dress is considered nothing but a stylish choice in today's era.

Style with colourful accessories

To avoid looking like you're actually attending a funeral, not a wedding, don't wear black head-to-toe. Instead, use your accessories to add pops of colour to your look. Even metallics will lend your look a party feel. At the very least, opt for a red lip! You could also add texture to your look for more interest by carrying a bag in a different fabric to your dress.

Wear a black jumpsuit or suit instead

Who said you *have to* wear a dress? A black jumpsuit or black suit are both great options to wear to a wedding too, though it's even more important to style with colourful accessories when wearing such a big block of one colour. A white or cream camisole layered under your blazer is another good way to break up the colour, and statement earrings will stop it looking too ‘business.’

Always look to the dress code

The best place to find clues as to whether it's okay to wear black to a wedding is in the dress code. Most couples will include information on their invite or wedding website on what to wear. If it's a casual affair, then a simple black dress will likely be well suited, while a black-tie wedding is the perfect time to wear formal cocktail attire.

If in doubt, ask the bride!

If you're still unsure, just ask the bride. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.

If the bridesmaids are wearing black, pick another colour

You don't want to look like an addition to the wedding party by showing up in a black dress that blends in with the bridesmaids' dresses. The invitation will usually give a hint at the wedding theme and colours, but you can always ask the bride if there are any colours to avoid when selecting your wedding guest dress.

If it disrespects the couple's culture

While it's fine to wear black to a modern Western wedding, it could be disrespectful to wear the colour to some cultural or religious weddings. For example, at traditional Indian and Chinese weddings, black is still closely associated with mourning.

Alexandria Dale

Digital Fashion Writer

Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!