What to Wear to a Bridal Shower: A Guest's Guide

I have a confession: I once committed a bridal shower faux pas. Determining what to wear to a bridal shower is finicky for sure, but I still think 15-year-old me should've known better than to wear a WHITE eyelet dress to my cousin's event. It was the nicest summer dress I owned at the time, so I figured it was the right option. And while I've since atoned for my bridal shower fashion sin and she was a pretty great sport about the whole thing, her words, "I almost bought and wore the same dress!" haunt me profusely to this day. All that to say: Don't end up like teenage me. I assembled a tip-to-tail guide on what to wear to a bridal shower as a guest so you can nail your look with ease (and then refocus your energy on parsing through bridal shower gift ideas).

Bridal shower attire for guests: What to Wear | How to Choose It | Where to Buy It

What to Wear to a Bridal Shower as a Guest

What do you wear to a bridal shower? Let's break it down. We're diving into the top questions about how to dress for a bridal shower below, including what to avoid.

What's appropriate bridal shower guest attire?

Appropriate bridal shower guest attire includes dresses of any length, jumpsuits, rompers and even dressy separates (like tops, blouses, trousers and skirts). While bridal shower dresses are probably the most popular option, anything you'd wear to an elevated daytime date (like a fancy brunch or matinee performance) would work as an outfit for a bridal shower. Keep your overall look polished, modest and daytime appropriate.

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Can you wear white to a bridal shower as a guest?

It's best to avoid wearing white to a bridal shower as a guest. Even if the bride isn't planning on donning the shade, it's considered reserved for the guest of honor to take or leave, according to modern etiquette. And just as you would at the wedding, skip attire in any light shades that can appear white in photos (sorry to butter yellow).

What should you avoid wearing to a bridal shower?

Along with the color white, you should avoid wearing casual clothing like jeans, sneakers or athleisure, along with night-out attire that would be better suited for the bach weekend and anything formal enough that it would be more in line with what to wear to the wedding. Basically, anything too casual, too flashy or too formal falls under the category of what not to wear to a bridal shower.

What do bridesmaids wear to a bridal shower?

Unless the guest of honor has requested that all 'maids wear a certain color, pattern or style, bridesmaids wear the same sort of attire as general guests at a bridal shower. Some bridesmaids or the maid of honor might be tasked to help out with a few jobs on the bridal shower checklist, like setup, gift tracking or games, so it's also wise to take that into consideration when planning out the day's look and thinking through what to wear to a bridal shower as a bridesmaid. For example, bridesmaids on their feet for part of the event may want to wear a pair of comfy block heels or flats. And a maid-of-honor leading a game or standing up beside the bride during the gift-opening portion of the party might want to ensure their look is extra polished, given the additional eyes.

What do guys wear to a bridal shower?

Men attending a bridal shower should dress similar to how they would for a fancy office job: a collared shirt, blazer, chinos or dress pants, belt and nice loafers or dress shoes. While the formality level can definitely be tweaked depending on the event's venue and vibe, it's best to not get any more casual than khakis, loafers or boat shoes, and a crisp polo. And while you can wear a casual suit if it fits, a blazer or suit jacket and dress pants should suffice at the most-formal level.

How to Choose Bridal Shower Guest Attire

You've got the dos and don'ts down. Next up in answering your most-burning question, "What do I wear to a bridal shower?" is figuring out how to choose a look within the scope of appropriate wedding shower attire. Read on to see what to take into account to narrow down your pool of eligible outfits.

Consider the Venue

Location, location, location: The bridal shower's venue is the top indicator of the level of formality and vibe you'll need to achieve in your outfit. For example, what to wear for a bridal shower that's being held in someone's backyard will differ vastly from one held in the back room at a swanky restaurant in the city. And you should be mindful of if the venue is indoors or outdoors. Likewise, if the bridal shower is taking shape in a non-traditional way (like an activity-based shower) ensure you're dressed appropriately for whatever the day brings.

Consider the Season and Weather

If we say "picture a bridal shower," you're likely thinking of a springtime celebration replete with flowers, pastel colors and sunshine. But that's not always the case. Always consider the weather and season as you pick your attire. If you're looking to wear a dress with dramatic puff sleeves but the forecast is chilly enough that you'll probably need a sweater, you'll have to opt for something with a little less volume up top so you can layer up. In the same vein, you might need to wear tights underneath your skirt for a fall or winter shower, or closed-toed shoes for a rainy April shower (no pun intended).

Consider the Theme

While the celebration's theme doesn't always necessitate a specific bridal shower dress code, it never hurts to lean into the energy of the event (i.e. floral fashion to a garden-party shower). Though, always double check your invitation to see if there's a required or suggested dress code (like if the bride requests folks wear fasteners to a high-tea bridal shower).

Where to Buy an Outfit for a Bridal Shower

"What should I wear to a bridal shower?" Clearly, a 'fit from one of the stellar brands on the list below. You can definitely score a suitable outfit for any theme or season from all of the retailers we've mentioned below but, to save you some scrolling, we parsed out our faves by theme, season and vibe to guide you.

Winter Bridal Shower

When it comes to what to wear to a winter bridal shower, you'll want to swap florals with velvet and embrace silhouettes with sleeves. A little bit of shimmer might also be welcome. The spots below will have some great options.

Photo: Anthropologie

• Anthropologie: Velvet, shimmer, statement sleeves, pretty plaids and bows abound in Anthropologie's winter collection. This is a go-to spot for festive holiday party attire that skews sweet and polished over sexy, so it's a great option to find what to wear to a bridal shower in the winter, from chilly January parties to cheeky February soirees (though, it's truly a suitable choice for any season, since they have a full bridal shower attire edit).
• Nordstrom: Another holiday-party heavyhitter, Nordstrom excels in winter eventwear that walks the line between elevated, yet casual—perfect for winter bridal showers. Not to mention: the slew of brands the retailer carries to cover nearly all sizes and age ranges.
• Adrianna Papell: Another brand that can work for bridal showers in all seasons (but that we especially like for winter), Adrianna Papell excels in cold-weather bridal shower attire. Within their well-curated wedding shower guest attire edit, you can filter by sleeve length, dress length and color (in addition to other details), so you can find something that can keep you cozy in cold weather, or slip easily under your favorite faux-fur coat.

Tea Party Bridal Shower

Photo: Petal & Pup

Along with the classic pastels, you might want to embrace some elegant accessories (like fascinators or gloves) or slightly more eye-catching silhouettes, like a swingy, voluminous circle skirt, for a tea party-themed shower. A tea party bridal shower is one of the most popular styles, so you've likely already been prepping for this kind of party as you consider bridal shower attire in your head. The brands below will help you nail your mission of what to wear to a tea party bridal shower.

• Petal & Pup: Petal & Pup is a mecca of florals, ruffles, bows and silhouettes that skew flirty and feminine. Basically, the perfect attire for a festive bridal shower tea party. Our jaws drop every time we see how affordable and gorgeous the clothing is from P&P. Bonus: They also carry maternity options.
• Sachin & Babi: When we think Sachin & Babi, we think structure and elegance, with a dash of brightness and whimsy. Tea parties beckon guests to take their attire up a notch, whether it's through accessories or silhouettes that give a little more oomph, and you'll find that in spades here. The brand's elevated options are also ideal if you're wondering what to wear to a bridal shower over 60. Answer: a Sachin & Babi dress—this one maybe?
• Tuckernuck: Tuckernuck is exactly where you want to be if you're shopping for bridal shower fashion that leans a little preppy, a little girly, a little polished and a little old money. The brand's in-house label is perfect for a tea party bridal shower, but they also source great options from labels like STAUD and Veronica Beard so you can broaden your horizons, but take advantage of the site's level of curation.

Bridal Shower Brunch

The key detail to note for what to wear to a bridal shower brunch: It's an early-in-the-day affair. That means you might want to skip the stilettos in favor of sandals, flats or kitten heels, and embrace lighter fabrics like cotton. Though, there is a bit of a party energy to brunch that can't be ignored, so feel free to get a little city chic with your look. Shop our approved retailers for a bridal shower brunch outfit below.

Photo: ASTR the Label

• Reformation: Reformation's collection is always versatile, always stylish and always what the cool girls are wearing. That said: It's perfect for a brunch bridal shower. Brunch is the perfect opportunity to opt for an outfit that's equal parts sweet and chic, like a side-skimming floral slip dress with a shape as sleek as a champagne flute.
• ASTR the Label: ASTR the Label dresses never feel too over the top, rather, every detail and embellishment is intentional. Their bridal shower collection is flirty and versatile, and it balances cool and cute seamlessly.
• Show Me Your Mumu: The vibe of Show Me Your Mumu as a brand feels as effervescent and cheeky as a boozy brunch with your friends, so it's a natural fit for finding bridal shower brunch 'fits. From frocks bedecked with fruit motifs to pieces with playful polka dots, you'll find something that'll bring the fun here.

Fall Bridal Shower

Wondering what to wear to a fall bridal shower? Something that pairs well with sparkling cider, obvi. Earth tones and jewel tones are fitting hues for your look, and you should also factor in a cool jacket or sweater to layer overtop. See where to shop below.

Photo: Ralph Lauren

• Revolve: It's always a good time to shop Revolve, but it definitely excels as a spot to head to as you try to decide what to wear to a bridal shower in fall, thanks to its wide variety of attire that's all on trend. Even if you're shopping off season, you can still easily find options in thick fabrics and rich colors, with details like long sleeves and high necklines that feel chic.
• Ralph Lauren: It's hard to find a brand that does classic better than Ralph Lauren. And we think opting for something like an effortless, yet elegant sweater dress and a pair of horsebit loafers could be your formal fall uniform. Aka: the perfect outfit for a fall bridal shower.
• Faithfull: While the retailer also shines in summerwear, the vintage-leaning, warm, sepia-washed color palettes of Faithfull's clothing feel perfect for a September bridal shower on the heels of autumn.

Casual Bridal Shower

When it comes to what to wear to a casual bridal shower, you want to focus on clothing that's comfortable, yet still put together (meaning, skip jeans with holes or dirty sneakers). Simple skirts and nice blouses are an easy win. Check out our brand picks.

Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

• Lulus: Lulus is a mecca of affordable, trendy outfits (and also a true winner when it comes to scooping something up that fits any of the possible wedding dress codes you could think of without breaking the bank). The brand has a full "Casual" section filled with tons of tops, skirts, jackets and dresses you can mix and match to create the perfect bridal shower outfit.
• Abercrombie & Fitch: We bet your go-to denim is from Abercrombie, so it's no surprise the retailer kills it in the casual, yet cool attire department. You can score floaty sundresses or put-together sets here that'll keep you comfy at a casual bridal shower.
• & Other Stories: This Swedish fashion brand always seems to be on the pulse of trends, but adds a distinct Euro flair to their pieces. Scoop up a casual bridal shower look composed of a handkerchief skirt, cool cowl-neck top and a funky pair of sandals here, among other suitable outfit combos.

Spring Bridal Shower

Ah, there's nothing more classic than a spring bridal shower. It's always wise to wear some flowers, but also smart to prepare for any impromptu April showers. (Aka: Maybe keep the shoes closed toed in case of rain.)

Photo: Christy Dawn

• Christy Dawn: The dresses from sustainable brand Christy Dawn make us want to frolic through a field, which is exactly the energy you want to bring when it comes to what to wear to a spring bridal shower. Plus, most of their looks are crafted from organic cotton.
• DÔEN: For romantic bridal shower dresses you'll want to twirl around in well after the event ends, DÔEN is your brand. Florals, lace and ruffles are the name of the game here.
• Boden: Classic and preppy with a bevy of chic silhouettes on hand, Boden feels bright, elegant and feminine—perfect for a spring bridal shower. Bonus: Many of their fabrics are thick and luxe, so they can work well for a chilly March bridal shower.

Summer Bridal Shower

Flowy sundresses in cooling fabrics and breezy linen sets are the name of the game when it comes to what to wear to a summer bridal shower. Take a peek at our favorite brands below.

Photo: Hill House Home

• Hill House Home: Known for their ultra-comfy nap dresses, Hill House's flowy-and-light collection is ideal to keep you cool during a summer bridal shower. You'll find the prettiest prints, ruffle straps and puff sleeves, and silhouettes that suit all bridal shower formality levels.
• Farm Rio: Farm Rio is summer personified. Think: tropical prints, bright colors and vacation vibes. This should be your go-to for mid-summer bridal showers.
• Free People: A staple for boho pieces, Free People has tons of flowy and fun styles ideal for a summer event. What's more: They always have the best color selections.