It’s Cuffing Season: Here’s What to Wear to an Engagement Party

It can be challenging to determine what to wear to an engagement party—it's typically the very first celebration for a couple, and they may not have had time to figure out or dictate an aesthetic for their wedding journey (and guests) just yet. But, there are some clear dos and don'ts for engagement party attire, according to the experts. We tapped two: Julie Sabatino is the founder of New York City-based The Stylish Bride, and Selina Howard is the stylist and creative director behind Vainglorious Brides in Atlanta. For engagement party dressing, they both say that the most important thing is that you put in the effort to look nice.

"My philosophy is that it's an honor to be invited to a party like this to celebrate someone, and the most respectful and courteous thing you can do for your hosts is to dress up and dress appropriately," Sabatino says. Howard agrees. "Regardless of the dress code, always ensure that your overall appearance is neat and well-put-together. This shows respect for the occasion and the couple. Remember, an engagement party is a celebration of the couple's love and commitment. By dressing appropriately, you show your support while ensuring the focus remains on the soon-to-be-wed duo."

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So, looking nice is a do. The first big don't? Don't ask the couple what to wear; they have enough on their plates. "You can chat in conversation with the couple if it comes up, but don't start texting them about your outfit," Sabatino says. Instead, chat with other friends who might be attending, consult a stylist or, better yet, pull ideas from our guide below.

In this article:

• What to Wear to an Engagement Party as a Guest
• Engagement Party Attire Etiquette You Should Know
• Engagement Party Outfits for Guests

What to Wear to an Engagement Party as a Guest

In selecting what to wear, start with the dress code, Sabatino says. Next, consider the venue and seasonality. Engagement party attire can run the gamut—many couples today are even hosting themed engagement parties—but "cocktail attire is what we mostly see," Sabatino says. "If it calls for cocktail attire, guys should wear a jacket and tie, and women should wear a dress or a fancy pantsuit." Time of day can also dictate engagement-party fashion. "If it's outdoors or during the daytime, you can opt for lighter fabrics and more casual outfits," Howard says. "If the event is held in a formal setting [at night], choose a more sophisticated outfit."

As always with fashion, "Don't be afraid to add a personal touch to your outfit," Howard says. "Accessorize wisely with statement jewelry, a fashionable belt or a stylish tie. For women, footwear can make all the difference, so choose something that complements your attire and ensures comfort for a long evening. Men can experiment with pocket squares or cufflinks to add a touch of personality to their outfits."

Engagement Party Attire Etiquette You Should Know

You want to be yourself, of course, but etiquette plays a huge role when dressing for events intended to celebrate someone else. Here are some factors to consider.

Following the Engagement Party Dress Code

You should be able to find the engagement party dress code clearly outlined on the invitation. (Here, Sabatino adds a note for couples: "Don't make it difficult. You want to be fun and clever and different as the host, but you either need to be explicit [about the attire] or stick to a dress code that guests can Google.") The most common engagement party attire is cocktail. This calls for a knee-length or longer dress for ladies and a jacket and tie for guys. Avoid anything super short, Sabatino notes. "My advice is that, for women, you don't want to be overly sexy."

"Casual" is another common party dress code, but be careful here—you still want to look nice. "If the party is listed as casual, you could probably wear jeans," Sabatino says (with a bit of a wince.) "Even if it says casual, you want to come in something a little nice. There's a lot of dressy denim these days, but no ripped jeans."

Wearing White to an Engagement Party

White is way off-limits for the wedding, but can you wear white to an engagement party? Still no, say the experts (unless it is explicitly stated that guests should wear white). "As a guest, don't wear white; this [applies] to all wedding events," Sabatino says. "The bride may or may not choose to wear it, but it doesn't matter. If she does, you don't want to be wearing it."

Sabatino often gets asked about the rule for dresses that have a white base with a pattern on top—and the answer depends on the percentage of white, she says. "If it's got a cream background but is mostly floral, it's probably fine. But, doubt means don't; if you're wondering if it's appropriate, then it's a no."

Choosing a Dress to Wear to an Engagement Party

No matter the dress code, the goal is for the focus to be on the couple. So, when selecting an engagement party guest outfit, "you need to choose something that doesn't make you the center of attention," Sabatino says. "With women, I think of super sexy, short, low-cut, revealing things—not appropriate for this moment."

Consult the invite again to see what you might be doing at the party before you make any decisions about a dress for an engagement party guest. Will you be sitting and eating, playing games, dancing? In this case and just in general, "always prioritize comfort when choosing your outfit," Howard advises. "You want to feel confident and at ease throughout the event. For women, opt for a dress or jumpsuit that is not too restrictive and complements your body type. For men, a well-tailored suit or blazer with a dress shirt and trousers will exude both style and comfort."

If this is all starting to sound a bit expensive, don't worry, you've got options. Sabatino suggests trying a rental service like Rent the Runway. "Or perhaps use something you already have that's neutral, and dress it up or down with accessories," she says. "Girls have 8 or 10 weddings a year sometimes, and it's expensive to buy outfits for all of this stuff—so if you buy a great-fitting, versatile dress that you can wear and accessorize in different ways, it's a good investment."

Engagement Party Outfits for Guests

We applied Sabatino and Howard's advice in rounding up a selection of appropriate engagement party attire options for both women and men and—fear not—there's room in our list to save or splurge. Look to labels like Reformation and Anthropologie for party-ready pieces you can wear again and again; or Abercrombie, Banana Republic (and Banana Republic Factory!) and Old Navy for reasonably priced pieces that can do double duty for the office, nights out or casual brunch.

A Matching Patterned Set

Photo: Tuckernuck

Matching sets are all the rage right now, from comfy loungewear two-pieces to party-ready looks. This one is the latter, and has a sophisticated evening feel with a dark background that makes florals—and birds! and branches!—pop. And the best part: It's three outfits in one, as you can rewear the pieces separately for future events.

Size Range: 0–14 Top // XXS–XXXXL Pants

A Celebratory Sheath

Photo: Anthropologie

Nothing says celebration quite like a silver sheath dress. This one is fun and funky; lean into the theme with disco-ready accessories or dress it up with boots, understated earrings and a long jacket. The piece is made with Anthropologie's exclusive "Magic Fabric," a mix of viscose, cotton, linen and elastane that's designed to sculpt and flatter.

Size Range: XXS–XL

A Vibrant Suit

Photo: Nadine Merabi

Women's suiting has taken a magical turn in recent years, diverging from the classic grays into fun and vibrant hues with standout detailing and chic tailoring. Look for unique details like the crystal embellishments in this hot pink Nadine Merabi suit, which can be worn with a matching bralette or paired with a camisole or button-down for a more modest look. Psst, a chic suit is a fun pick for mothers of the bride or groom!

Size Range: XS–XXL

A Corseted Midi

Photo: Lulus

Lean into bridal trends with your engagement party fashion as a nod to what you're celebrating. Corsets and basque waists are huge in bridal this season; here, the techniques are applied in a plum-purple midi that has a rich hue great for fall or winter-weather engagement parties. Throw on a faux-fur shrug to finish the look.

Size Range: XS–XL

A Bold Button-Down

Photo: Brook Taverner

As for what to wear to an engagement party for guys, lean into your everyday style. If you're typically a bold dresser, it can be hard to choose an engagement party guest outfit that won't upstage the honorees—but this floral button-down perfectly toes the line. Pair it with classic khakis to neutralize the bold print, or wear it for an outdoor affair where you'll mesh, rather than compete, with the decor.

Size Range: S–XXXL

A Bowed Black-Tie Dress

Photo: Love Shack Fancy

When the engagement party dress code says black tie, look for floor-length dresses. This one is a big investment, but worth every penny with its on-trend crystal-studded bows, asymmetrical ruffles and chic black chiffon fabrication. It can be reworn for galas, New Year's Eve parties or weddings themselves.

Size Range: 00–14

An LBD With a Twist

Photo: Eloquii

Black is always a safe hue for engagement parties (it's the exact opposite of the only real no-no: white), but black doesn't have to be boring. This pretty plus-size dress to wear to an engagement party uses cutouts and a feminine silhouette to up the ante on basic black.

Size Range: 14–28

A Creamy Suit Jacket

Photo: J.Crew

This cream-colored sport coat can be worn a dozen ways. Pair it with a tie and matching slacks for fancier affairs, wear it open with dark denim for a more casual look or layer it with a cream cashmere sweater for a winter-whites ensemble. The list goes on, which means it's a no-brainer engagement party outfit for guests—simply look to the party's dress code, venue and time of year for how to style.

Size Range: Short: 34–42 | Regular: 36–50 | Long: 40–48

A Rentable Piece

Photo: Rent the Runway

Budget plays a huge role in selecting engagement party outfits, especially considering this is the first of many wedding events you'll be shopping for. With this in mind, Sabatino loves a rental option. This fun print dress from Rent the Runway is bold and demure at the same time—and at $35 for a four-day rental, it will only look like it's breaking the bank.

Size Range: XS–XL

A Classic Blue Suit

Photo: Suitsupply

When it comes to engagement party attire for guests, it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. So, when in doubt, wear a suit. Suitsupply has a great selection of classic and contemporary options, like this Italian summer wool-silk-linen blend suit that you'll get endless use out of.

Size Range: Short: 36S–50S | Regular: 32–50 | Long: 36L–50L

A Something-Blue Dress

Photo: Revelry

Use your engagement party clothes to be your bestie's "something blue." Revelry's newest collection works just as well for wedding and engagement party guest attire as it does for bridesmaids. The one-shoulder Jade satin dress comes in a handful of blue florals, but we especially love this Indie Blue Bouquet.

Size Range: 0–32

A Wear-Everywhere Dress

Photo: Reformation

The perfect dress doesn't exi—wait, this might just be it. Summer or winter, dressed up or down, to the office or, yes, to an engagement party, this chic neutral can play every role in your closet. In fact, Sabatino recommends investing in a few neutral pieces that can be accessorized up or down and worn again and again. For fancier affairs, add bold earrings and a statement shoe; or go monochromatic with beige boots for winter events.

Size Range: XS–XL

A Floral Set

Photo: Petal + Pup

For summertime engagement parties we love a floral dress, and this one has an extra warm-weather twist with a little bared skin. But it isn't overly feminine; if light and airy isn't exactly your vibe, this moodier floral with a dark background is the perfect in-between.

Size Range: XS–XL

A Cableknit Polo

Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

For guys who want to get creative, try unique takes on the classic polo-and-pants look. This cable-knit variety works for an outdoor summertime engagement party (pair it with linen pants) or a fall affair with dark denim and Chelsea boots.

Size Range: XS–XXL

An Essential Black Midi

Photo: Petal & Pup

A simple black dress can become just about anything with the right accessories. This knit one is our pick for fall and winter engagement parties; pair it with a colorful silk scarf around your neck or in your hair, chic booties or dazzling jewelry.

Size Range: XS–XL

A Tailored Shirt, Untucked

Photo: Nordstrom

It toes the line, but we're okaying an untucked shirt when the dress code says casual. Pair a perfectly fitted one in a cool color like this light grey folkstone with navy chinos and an artfully buffed cognac brown dress shoe.

Size Range: S–XXL

Something Fierce

Photo: ASOS

Put an exotic spin on the trendy slip dress style with animal print (this one is subtle enough that it isn't attention-stealing, though!). Dress this up with bangles and a metallic heel. Post-party, you can wear it a dozen other ways, too: Try it with sneakers and a sweater for the office or errands.

Size Range: XS–L

Not-So-Basic Black

Photo: Bloomingdale's

An LBD can work for just about any dress code and party theme, but why not have a little fun with it? This cool studded style is anything but basic—and the unique detail makes styling easy: You can keep accessories to a minimum, just add a chic clutch.

Size Range: XS–XXL

A Velvet Jumpsuit

Photo: Old Navy

'Tis the season for engagement parties, and winter events call for evergreen velvet. A jumpsuit is a great pick for engagement party attire, especially when dancing or games are on the agenda. Belt this jumpsuit or accessorize it with metallics.

Size Range: XS–4X

Pleated Trousers

Photo: Bonobos

For a look that's classic, sophisticated and a little bit old-school, look for trousers with pleats at the top. These ones in wool look great paired with a simple crewneck sweater or cashmere polo; dress them up even more with a sport coat.

Size Range: 28–44