Lauren Conrad’s Take on How to Dress for a Wedding Is Enough to Annoy People
Here is an oft-discussed rule for weddings: Don’t overshadow the bride. Here is an unwritten rule of the Internet: Cross Lauren Conrad, and you will feel the wrath of her fans. According to one Cosmopolitan writer, these rules were made to be broken. When weddings now include Halloween costume themes, skydiving vow exchanges, and dogs, might there also be room for guests in white minidresses?
Conrad brought up the former rule last week in an interview with Who What Wear about her new Dress Up Shop for Kohl’s. She said she often gets stressed out over finding looks that are “appropriate” for parties to which she’s been invited.
“I think when it comes to weddings, there’s a few things to consider,” she said. “Again, appropriateness is really important. So, if a ceremony is being held in a church. I think it’s good to find out the type of establishment where maybe shoulders need to be covered, so you need to plan for a layering piece. Also, wearing anything loud — that could be anything from color to hemline — is usually not appropriate. I think anything that distracts from the bride is good to avoid.”
Cosmo‘s Rachel Torgerson called that advice “heavy on the B.S.” and “antiquated.”
“A color or a hemline can be too ‘loud?'” she challenged. “WTF does that mean? Guests can’t wear hot pink now? Or a shorter dress? Or are we talking a midi- or maxi-length dress?”
Instead, Torgerson offered a more relaxed guideline for wedding guests: “Wear whatever thing you feel comfortable and confident in that still fits the formality of the wedding you’re attending,” she wrote, adding a caveat about covering shoulders in strict religious institutions. “And one more thing: Let’s forget about this idea that somehow guests or bridesmaids are distracting everyone from the bride and stealing her attention away. That doesn’t happen. The bride is still most likely wearing a freaking wedding dress, so, believe me, she’ll be standing out.”
Despite Torgerson’s strong “B.S.” critique, it doesn’t exactly sound like she disagrees with Conrad. She’s stretching the definition of appropriate attire to suit the more individualized, less etiquette-driven attitude many brides and grooms have been taking toward their weddings. The only real hard-and-fast rule now is to respect the couple’s wishes and show up to celebrate their love.
Still, LC supporters took to Cosmo‘s Facebook page to slam Torgerson’s piece.
“I agree with what Lauren said, though … I don’t think she’s saying that no one can dress up and feel beautiful, just to be respectful and keep the bride in mind,” wrote Emily Tempo.
“Or read this like a logical human: don’t have your vag or your knickers hanging out and maybe remember a wedding isn’t carnival,” said Christina Vene.
“I think it’s great advice,” photographer Celeste McMahon wrote. “I was working a wedding recently and as beautiful as the bride was, my eyes kept straying to the guest wearing an almost obscenely short dress. It was not just short, but skin-tight and VERY low cut. I had to toss many of the candid reception shots where people (yes, men and women) were quite obviously staring at her breasts. A wedding is not your time to put all your goodies on display. Sure, wear something that makes you feel good, but be respectful. You’re most likely going to be around someone’s grandparents, you may be in a church, and you certainly don’t need all eyes on you. It’s a wedding, not a night out at the club. Save the tiny tight dresses for when it’s not someone else’s day.”
Some spoke up in favor of Torgerson’s take too.
“She’s not the only one that believes that it just really depends on the bride,” wrote Lindsay Brandon. “I personally would not care. Just don’t come in your own wedding dress and we are probably good lol.”
Read More: She Nailed a Half-Court Shot and Almost Missed Her Boyfriend’s Proposal
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