Historically, these parties were about providing financial support to the parents of the bride for the upcoming wedding. Nowadays, guests offer gifts for the future marriage, such as household items and funny presents.
The general attire for a bridal shower is unique and comes with no rules.
Some brides might not have any dress code for their shower, especially if they only want to host the shower in a bar or their home! Other brides, however, might adopt a stricter dress code that resembles something like a hen-do or a watered-down version of wedding attire.
Whether guests can wear jeans to a bridal shower or not is fairly complicated. On the one hand, wear whatever you like! On the other hand, the bride might prefer guests to wear dresses and skirts.
If you’re about to attend a bridal shower and you’re wondering what to wear, here is our ultimate guide on whether you can wear jeans to a bridal shower!
Can you wear jeans to a bridal shower?
The vibe of a bridal shower is a bit odd to navigate. It’s kind of like going for brunch with the girls, but the bride’s family members (including Grandma) will be coming. It’s a bit awkward.
The general consensus around bridal shower attire is that guests can wear jeans, but there are some details to avoid. For example, skinny jeans may be allowed if there are no holes or tears in the jeans. Baggy jeans (like mom jeans), though comfortable, might appear too casual. It’s a nice, pre-wedding event, after all.
In most cases, the jeans won’t be the focal point of the outfit. You might be able to blend the jeans into the outfit if you wear an appropriate top and a pair of shoes. Jeans and a nice top is always a safe outfit to go with for an event like a bridal shower, because after all, you don’t want to upstage the bride.
Jeans might actually be a good idea for a bridal shower in terms of practicality. Most bridal showers consist of several fun games (whether they are induced by alcohol or not), which means that you might want to protect your dignity by wearing a pair of jeans that won’t show your underwear.
Long skirts might be a good idea likewise, as short skirts have the potential for accidentally flashing the bride’s Grandma.
Do you have to dress up for a bridal shower?
It all depends on the specifics of the bridal shower, including the location, the activities, and the general vibe. Some bridal showers might have elderly family guests attending, while others might purely be for the bride’s friends.
Some bridal showers might be held in a restaurant, while some might be held in a backyard. Some brides might tell their guests about a specific dress code, while others might not care what the guests wear.
If in doubt, talk to the fellow guests, or even the bride herself. Sure, the bride has other things on her mind, but this might give you an idea of the type of attire everyone will be wearing. The bride might be wearing jeans, for all you know.
The general rule of thumb is to not be underdressed for a bridal shower. This means that it’s not a wise idea to dress too provocatively or too casually, as this will indicate that you do not care about the party.
This might also lead to some anxiety on the bride’s behalf, because what you wear to the bridal shower could give an indication of what you will wear to the wedding.
What to wear to a bridal shower
The key to bridal shower attire is to go for nice, smart-casual clothes. Not quite something you would wear to a job interview, and not quite something you would wear to the actual wedding. Dress up in the same way as you would for daytime cocktails with the girls!
Jeans or smart trousers are a good option for a bridal shower that will involve some silly party games. You’ll want to keep your dignity, after all. Jeans or smart trousers (like cigarette trousers) can be paired wonderfully with a nice blouse and heels for a simple yet elegant look.
If in doubt, go for a preppy dress. If there are elderly family members of the bride attending, you might want to consider wearing something that doesn’t rise too far above the knee. Preppy, knee-length dresses can be worn on multiple occasions, won’t make any family member raise an eyebrow, and they can suit a variety of venues for a bridal shower.
The color of your outfit means everything. While black can be slimming and sexy, black is usually associated with funerals, which a bridal shower definitely is not. A bridal shower also isn’t the place for flirting with other people.
Instead, stick to bright colors! This doesn’t necessarily mean covering yourself in neon pink – bright colors means whites, pastels, floral patterns, and colorful vibes.
You’ve also got to consider the weather as well as the location. If it looks to be a sunny day, consider wearing a stylish sun hat that isn’t too big. If it’s raining, consider a stylish raincoat or umbrella that doesn’t have cats and dogs plastered over it.
If the bridal shower is in winter, jeans might be the only option for keeping your legs warm. Instead of open-toed heels, opt for some heeled knee length boots. Pair this with a nice long cardigan and a blouse tucked into your jeans.
Winter bridal showers are likely to be indoor events, so don’t worry too much about your coat, gloves, or scarves, as these will be taken off upon entry.
So…can you wear jeans to a bridal shower?
In conclusion, you can wear jeans to a bridal shower as long as there are no holes or rips in the jeans. Pairing jeans with a nice blouse and heels can make for an elegant, simple, and ideal outfit for a bridal shower!
