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Photo by Fable Photography
I'm in a wedding in November. I'm a 32-year-old woman but am standing with the groomsmen. All the men are wearing tuxedos. The bridal party is wearing long, strapless black dresses with an off-white sash. I need help figuring out what to wear!-Karissa
You might think the only way to make a gender-blind wedding party work is to match the switcheroo with the other side of the party. But hold on — because that's just one of a few options. Can I just say I LOVE seeing women in fantastic, tailored suits and menswear-inspired outfits? Or hell, throw out the whole matchy-matchy concept entirely and dress with the crew in any kind of fabulousness you like. This is especially awesome if the party has some gender-queer elements happening.
Let's take a look at what we've seen among our own Best Women and Groomsgirls. Bring on the ladies crossing the gender divide!
1. Dress with the dudes
Kim and Alex's party featured similar styling by having Alex's groomsgirl wear the Halloween-inspired tie and swanky cane of the boys' outfit. Also note how the whole party has the same boot/shoelace combo. Love it.
Jewelzy Bug's party went the whole nine yards by having the Best Woman wear a sleek black suit and boutonnière, just like one of the guys. And she looks pretty damn good. And while you're looking, check out the faerie wings and dog bouquet. Delish!
Match the ladies
Celeste and Jason snuck a lady onto the groom's side by merely having her wear black instead of navy. She fits right in.
Same dress, different color again! Our groomsgirl here is wearing the same dress in black to match the ladies and the men. And who doesn't love this zebra stripe shot in general?
This wedding allowed the groomsgirl to get in on the Wai Ching fun since the bride AND all her bridesmaids were wearing Wai Ching dresses! Frankly, if I was in this wedding party, I'd probably insist on not missing out on that. But hers had black accents to match the groom's side. Check out more about the fashion here.
Bret's groomsgirl wore the same gorgeous green as the other ladies in this literary wedding. And the guys' ties match, too!
Scrap the whole matching concept!
With the bride wearing blue, there's no reason to keep the same traditions with the wedding party. Here is Jane and her mixed-gender party looking awesome in their variety. Jane has a Best Man, her husband has a Best Woman, and there was a Bridesman. And why not, I say?
Liz and Sarah had all ladies in their party of Maids of Honor, officiant, ushers, and readers, so they wore whatever matched the day. The two Maids of Honor wore matching blue dresses though. Adorable.
Dresses on one side, slick pants on the other at Bethany and Deanna's nuptials. Just enough matching to make it awesome.
Anne and her groom have a huge group of ecelectic friends and family which equals a huge group of anything-goes cocktail wear. It totally matches the outdoor casual theme.
What are some of your favorite ways you've seen gender-blind wedding parties dressed?
dresses: Wai Ching
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About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
