Okay, so I got this invitation a few weeks back for my cousin’s bridal shower. Super exciting! But then came the classic question: what on earth do I wear?
First thing I did was grab the invite again. I checked the time and place. It was set for a Saturday brunch at a kinda nice restaurant downtown. Not super fancy, but definitely not a flip-flops kind of place, you know?
The invitation didn’t explicitly say ‘dress code,’ which honestly, most shower invites don’t. So, I had to figure out the vibe myself. Brunch, nice restaurant… my mind immediately went to ‘dressy casual’ or maybe ‘smart casual’. Something you’d wear to a nice lunch with friends, or maybe even Easter service.
My Thought Process Kinda Went Like This:
I started digging through my closet. My first instinct is usually a dress because it’s just one piece and done. Easy.
- Dresses: I pulled out a couple of floral midi dresses. Florals always feel safe for spring/summer events like showers. Pastels too. I have this one light blue wrap dress that’s comfy. Considered that one hard. Also thought about a solid color sheath dress, but it felt maybe a bit too ‘work meeting’?
- Jumpsuits: I do have a nice wide-leg jumpsuit in a navy color. It’s comfortable and looks put-together. That was definitely a contender. Rompers? Nah, felt a bit too young or beachy for this particular setting.
- Separates: Then I thought about maybe a skirt and top combo. I have a pleated midi skirt that could work with a nice blouse. Or maybe even some really smart, well-fitting trousers (not jeans, definitely not jeans for this one) and a pretty top. This felt like more effort to coordinate, though.
I remembered one time I went to a shower and felt way overdressed in sequins (long story, bad choice!), and another time I felt a bit frumpy because I just threw on something basic. Finding that middle ground is key.
Weather was also a factor. It’s spring, so it could be warm, could be cool. Layers maybe? A light cardigan or a smart blazer could be useful.
What I Actually Did
So, I laid out the light blue wrap dress and the navy jumpsuit on my bed. I tried them both on. The dress felt very ‘bridal shower guest’ – light, airy, appropriate. The jumpsuit was chic, maybe a little more modern.
In the end, I went with the light blue floral wrap dress. It just felt right for a celebratory brunch for the bride-to-be. It was comfortable, fit the ‘nice restaurant’ vibe without being stuffy, and honestly, it just made me feel good.
I paired it with some simple block heels (comfort is important, you might be standing around chatting!) and a light cream-colored cardigan just in case the restaurant’s air conditioning was blasting. Kept the jewelry simple too. And that was it! Felt totally appropriate and could just focus on celebrating with my cousin.
