What to wear to an engagement party to be the best-dressed guest

We love any excuse to get dressed up, and what's a better reason than celebrating love? Deciphering what to wear to an engagement party is a tough one. While some events have fairly rigid dress codes, engagement parties can take on many different forms, and subsequently, the sartorial side is open for debate. One thing you don't want to do, though, is upstage the couple, but you do want to still look like you've made an effort.

Wearing white is still considered a no-go, and we'd also stay clear of wearing anything too revealing (think plunging neckline plus micro hem) or too fancy (sequins, feathers, floor-length) as these are also likely to raise an eyebrow among family members of the happy couple.

Remember, engagement parties can vary vastly, and can be anything from a relaxed BBQ in the garden to a black tie event complete with a sit-down meal. If you're erring on the side of caution, you can often recycle a more laid-back wedding guest dress or bridal shower outfit for the occasion - think pretty midi dress, or tailored trousers and top as a benchmark.

“Assessing the setting is a great place to start,” says Farrah-May Archer Boadi, Styling Team Lead at Stitch Fix. “If you are at a garden party, opt for a floral midi dress and wedges so you don’t sink into the grass with stiletto heels! Evening cocktail parties tend to be a bit more formal, so try a slip dress or a chic trouser suit, styled with a cami underneath, strappy heels, and some chunky gold jewelry.” Checking in with the host about what’s expected from the dress code (or, if you’re not close, utilising friends or family to do the digging for you) will help you to decipher the best look for the occasion.

What to wear to an engagement party: The best engagement party guest looks for a stylish and appropriate outfit

1. Midi dresses

When dressing for an engagement party, the best midi dresses are a safe pair of hands for any type of occasion. Simple to style, as you don’t need to worry about coordinating your top and bottom half, they always look polished and elegant.

Naturally, an engagement party is a great time to hone in on romance, so the more whimsical your midi dress, the better. Think features like swishy skirts, structured bodices, and fuller sleeves, alongside full-bloom or ditsy floral prints and pastel hues.

If the fear of thigh rub puts you off wearing the best dresses, make sure to slip on a pair of the best anti-chafing shorts. Acting similarly to shapewear, they'll smooth your silhouette and protect your thighs.

Use your accessories and footwear to either sharpen or add a laid-back edge to your look. For a more glam approach, add in metallic nods, while for a more casual feel, ballet pumps or the best white trainers will make your pretty dress feel relaxed.

2. Jumpsuits

If a midi dress isn't you're thing and you're more comfortable in trousers, then consider a flattering jumpsuit - a great option when deciding what to wear to an engagement party. Once again, there is little needed in the way of styling, as a jumpsuit offers a complete look, and you'll only need to consider adding simple accessories, such as shoes, bag and jewellery. A well-cut or tailored jumpsuit offers instant polish, and you can opt for a block colour or printed iteration, depending on how fancy the engagement party is.

If you're looking for a little more drama, try a wide-leg jumpsuit. Similarly to working out what to wear with wide leg trousers, you'll want the top half of the jumpsuit to be more fitted, to balance out full trouser legs, but add in some heels and you've got a really chic party outfit.

A styling tip… Petites can find that voluminous jumpsuits swamp their frame, so choose a style with straps, a low neckline, or a nipped-in waist to compensate.

3. Co-ords

A co-ord (short for co-ordinate if you’re not familiar with the term) is the ultimate solution for anyone who finds the idea of matching up separates difficult. Co-ords are great because they, like dresses and jumpsuits, require little in the way of styling - as the items were made to go together, but are beneficial if you are different sizes on the top and bottom, such as pear-shaped bodies, who might find one-pieces hard to buy. In addition, matchy-matchy prints or block colour co-ordinates make for a one-and-done outfit, but with the extra flexibility of maxing out your cost-per-wear as you can also style each piece separately.

4. Blazer

A blazer makes any outfit instantly look and feel more polished and knowing how to style a blazer is easier than you might think. Adding a touch of androgyny and tailoring to any look, they can be paired over everything from dresses to pretty blouses or a fitted sweater in cooler months, making them utterly versatile for work or play.

When deciding on the type of blazer to wear to an engagement party, think about the length you need to best suit your outfit. Cropped, fitted blazers will show off a waist, while slightly looser and longer designs can act as a contrast to feminine frocks and lightly skim your form.

For the most directional way to wear a blazer this season, go classic and pair it with matching trousers. To add a softer feel, opt for a bolder colour, such as a pastel hue to usher in the spring and summer months. This also takes your outfit from work formal to party-ready remit, as anything too suited and booted might feel like you're headed to the office.

Remember, as with co-ords, a tailored two piece can be worn together, but also offers the opportunity to for separate styling. Pair your wide leg trousers with a fitted top half, even a bright white t-shirt will do, and a bold statement necklace for a fresh feel, and use your blazer instead of a jacket for a light summer layer.

5. Skirts

Where a fringed, beaded or very colourful dress might feel too full-on for what to wear to an engagement party (particularly if you're not the bride-to-be), a skirt with those details offers a great alternative when you want to dress-up but within reason. To temper the personality of the bottom half of your outfit, keep the top half simple with a crisp shirt, laidback white t-shirt, or camisole top in neutral white, black, or grey. Finish with a court shoe in a coordinating hue, a statement bag, and gold jewellery for an on-trend feel.

6. Blouses

Jeans and a nice top are a party combination that has never let us down. The beauty of jeans is that whichever colour you choose (white, indigo, or black) any shade of top will coordinate seamlessly. So, why not have a little fun and choose a blouse that’s heavy on detail? Think swooping necklines to high necks, structured shoulders to embellished cuffs, bold and bright shades to liquid metallics.

But remember, keep your jeans on the smarter size, leave faded washes and distressed details in your wardrobe and opt for sharper silhouettes such as straight, mom, or flared leg jeans over baggier iterations.

What do people usually wear to an engagement party

An engagement party is an opportunity to celebrate love, and if that’s not an excuse to get dressed up, then we don’t know what is. For the most part, and unless there’s a strict theme (like black tie), it’s safe to assume your outfit can resemble the kind of ensemble you’d wear to any other party. If it’s in the evening, dark colours or metallics and luxe, tactile fabrics like silk and velvet will bring some glamour to your look.

Accessories make all the difference, and layered gold jewellery or a statement bag can easily make laidback pieces feel more evening-appropriate. For the day, the lighter, and brighter, the better, but steer clear of jersey and light wash denim, both of which can be considered too casual for an engagement party.

Whether you opt for a dress, an all-in-one, or separates is completely up to you. “Dresses are not your only option for engagement parties, advises Farrah. “Trouser suits are a big fashion trend at the moment and if you want to embrace some colour, (there are) some fabulous options. Team a straight leg trouser suit with trainers and a plain tee for a smart yet casual feel, or embrace a wide leg trouser suit and pair it with a lace trim cami and heels for a more sophisticated aesthetic.”

“Jumpsuits are also a great option for engagement parties, as they pack a punch with minimal effort. When styling my Stitch Fix clients, I often look towards brands such as Phase Eight and YAS as they offer a slightly more formal style of jumpsuit that can be dressed up for occasions such as these, or dressed down with trainers for a more casual daytime look.”

What should you not wear to an engagement party

“There are no strict rules as to what you can wear at an engagement party as a guest - as always the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in your clothes,” advises Farrah. “The only thing to bear in mind is that this is the happy couple's time to shine, so you may want to go easy on the jaw-dropping showstoppers.”

The simplest way to gauge if your outfit fits the brief is to run it past the happy couple. Or, ask to see what they’re wearing to the party. If they’re keeping things quite casual, you can put your sequins on ice. The venue of the engagement party will impact your decision too - spindly stiletto heels at a garden party are never a smart move.

While you can certainly wear jeans to an engagement party, err on the side of caution and opt for darker washes and more slim-line fits as these are smarter.

What colour should you not wear to an engagement party

The etiquette around what colours to wear to an engagement party isn’t quite so cut-and-dry as colours one wears or avoids at weddings. Black and red are back on the table, but white should ideally still be avoided. “Wearing white at an engagement party is not as taboo as wearing white to a wedding, but I would suggest you avoid a full white ensemble as a guest - you don’t want to be mistaken for the bride by some distant relative,” says Farrah. “This is not to say that you should avoid prints that incorporate white into the pattern, or shy away from wearing a white blouse with a colourful midi skirt, for example, but if this still feels like too much, then ditch the white entirely and embrace some celebratory colour.” As long as less than half of your outfit is white, we’d say you’re good to go.

The etiquette around what colours to wear to an engagement party isn’t quite so cut-and-dry as colours one wears or avoids at weddings. Black and red are back on the table, but white should ideally still be avoided. “Wearing white at an engagement party is not as taboo as wearing white to a wedding, but I would suggest you avoid a full white ensemble as a guest - you don’t want to be mistaken for the bride by some distant relative,” says Farrah. “This is not to say that you should avoid prints that incorporate white into the pattern, or shy away from wearing a white blouse with a colourful midi skirt, for example, but if this still feels like too much, then ditch the white entirely and embrace some celebratory colour.” As long as less than half of your outfit is white, we’d say you’re good to go.