What to Wear to a Bridal Shower as a Guest—Your Etiquette Questions Answered

Plus, shoppable options for every kind of event.

A bride enjoys her bridal shower with her wedding party.

Photo: Bo Shim

Updated Dec 17, 2024

Since you're here, there's a good chance you're wondering what to wear to a bridal shower as a guest. Spoiler alert: We have the answer. A bridal shower (also known as a wedding shower or couple's shower) is a moment to celebrate a couple's upcoming nuptials with close friends and family. Guests bring gifts, play a fun game or two, and mingle with the couple and their friends and family. There are plenty of photo-ops throughout the day (so you'll want to come prepared in an IG-worthy 'fit). To help you in your search for stylish bridal shower attire, we've rounded up some helpful tips, plus shoppable attire options for every season and venue. So, keep scrolling for everything you need to know about dressing for a bridal shower.

In this article:

What to Wear to a Bridal Shower as a Guest
How to Choose Bridal Shower Guest Attire
Bridal Shower Guest Outfit Ideas

What to Wear to a Bridal Shower as a Guest

You've asked—and we've answered. We're diving into the top questions about how to dress for a bridal shower and what is considered appropriate for the celebration. Read our expert tips to get started.

What is bridal shower guest attire?

Think of bridal shower attire for guests as what you might wear to a fancy brunch or luncheon. Bridal shower guest attire can include dresses of any length, jumpsuits, rompers and even dressy separates (like tops, blouses, trousers, jeans and skirts). Basically, your wedding shower look should be less risqué than what you might wear to a bachelorette party, but not as formal as your outfit for the rehearsal dinner or the actual wedding day. Attire for a bridal shower should be elevated and make you feel like the best version of yourself (so skip the athleisure or anything that feels too casual).

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

In most cases, you should avoid wearing white to a bridal shower as a guest (unless specifically stated in the invite). Why? It's traditional for the bride, or the couple, to wear white to their bridal shower and other prewedding events. That being said, you might also want to avoid wearing light shades that can show up looking white in photos. All other colors and prints are totally fair game.

How to Choose Bridal Shower Guest Attire

We're sharing our helpful tips on what to wear to a wedding shower. That way, you can show up to your upcoming event appropriately dressed and ready to participate in the exciting wedding shower festivities.

Check the Dress Code

If there is a dress code stated on the invitation or wedding website, let that be your guide. If the bridal shower attire isn't mentioned or otherwise feels vague, don't hesitate to ask for additional details from the couple. And, if you're torn between something more casual (like a sundress) or something more formal (like a cocktail dress), always choose the fancier option. In our opinion, it's better to be slightly overdressed than undressed for wedding-related events. In some cases, the bridal shower will have a theme (think: whimsical garden, Bridgerton tea party, Harry Potter, etc.), and you can riff off that theme for your outfit inspiration.

Check the Venue

Next, you'll want to keep in mind the location of the wedding shower. For example, what you wear to a bridal shower at a wine tasting will differ from what you wear to a bridal shower at a painting class. Use the venue to guide your outfit choice, as you might want to dress more formally or casually depending on the activity you'll be doing or location the event is at.

Check the Weather

The weather, season and climate should also play into your outfit selection. Is the venue outdoors or indoors? Is the event in the summer or winter? Think about the materials you'll feel the most comfortable in for the weather and season; opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics for summer showers, and thicker materials for cold-weather events. Additionally, think about what accessories may be appropriate for the time of year. A winter event might call for some warm accessories (a hat, gloves, scarf), while on the flipside, you might want to pack a jacket and an umbrella for an outdoor spring event to account for the occasional rain shower.

Bridal Shower Guest Outfit Ideas

Now that we've broken down exactly what to wear to a bridal shower, it's time for a little inspiration. Keep scrolling to browse through shoppable outfit ideas for various types of dress codes, seasons and venues.

Casual Bridal Shower Outfit

Casual bridal shower attire is a slightly elevated version of what you wear everyday. For this dress code, you can't go wrong with a sundress and sandals (especially if you want to lean more on the dressy side). You could even opt for a pair of jeans and a nice blouse. Sneakers aren't totally off the table, as long as they're clean and don't throw off the vibe of your look. Just steer clear of athleisure, loungewear and anything else that could appear too casual.

$150 | Hill House Home

$100 | Quince

$55 | Steve Madden

Spring Bridal Shower Outfit

Name a better duo than showers and flowers. We'll wait. For a bridal shower in the spring, a festive floral outfit is the way to go. Whether you choose a botanical-printed maxi, a colorful button-down blouse, or anything in between, you'll be perfectly on-theme for both the season and the event. Of course, florals aren't your only option for bridal showers this time of year. Pastels are a great option as well (plus, they're totally trendy right now).

$278 | Yumi Kim

$16 | Showpo

Use the code "THEKNOT20" for 20% off first-time purchases from Lulus.

$49 | Lulus

Summer Bridal Shower Outfit

Summer bridal shower attire should be equal parts stylish and comfortable. Since there's a good chance that the event will be held outdoors, you'll want to choose an outfit that can withstand the heat and humidity. Our advice: Opt for a sundress made from light and airy fabric (like linen or chiffon). Dresses with open backs, side cutouts and leg slits are great options too, since they offer breathability. For footwear, go with a pair of sandals or flats. That way, you won't have any trouble taking on outdoor terrains (like grass, sand and dirt).

White and yellow floral tiered ruffle dress

$86 | Selfie Leslie

$139 | Modern Picnic

$170 | Reiss

Fall Bridal Shower Outfit

Fall bridal shower attire offers a chance to have fun with different types of fabrics. Velvet and knit dresses, for instance, are both seasonally-appropriate and stylish options for this time of year. If you're planning on wearing a sweater dress or a cozy knit top, we recommend elevating your look with a pair of heeled boots. For events taking place outdoors, be sure to layer up. Pro tip: A knit pashmina will keep you warm while also taking your look to the next level.

$65 | Lulus

$17 | Francesca's

$200 | Cole Haan

Winter Bridal Shower Outfit

Given the proximity of the holidays, you might be eager to break out your most festive fits for a winter bridal shower. We say go for it. An event taking place at an upscale venue–like a hotel or country club–is a great chance to rock one of those sequined or velvet pieces you've been saving for a special occasion. Be sure to accessorize your outfit to the max (the season calls for plenty of sparkles, pearls and bows). In terms of colors, you can't go wrong with classic options like navy blue and black. Rich, jewel tones work great too, especially if you want to stand out.

$100 | JessaKae

$45 | Shopbop

$25 | Old Navy

Tea Party Bridal Shower Outfit

The bridal shower tea party tradition dates back decades and is still alive and well today. If you're invited to this type of event, you should follow tea party etiquette when choosing your attire. This means, steering clear of denim, athleisure, loungewear and other casual types of clothing. A midi or maxi dress is a great way to go–just be sure it's not overly revealing. You can keep things simple, or accessorize with vintage-inspired accessories, like evening gloves, a pearl necklace or even a fascinator hat.

$88 | Lulus

$24 | Birdy Grey

$138 | Everlane

Bridal Brunch Outfit

For a bridal shower taking place over brunch, stick to daytime attire. This includes casual dresses, skirts, blouses and suiting separates. In terms of colors, we recommend softer colors and playful patterns. Black, navy and other dark colors are allowed, but they aren't necessarily the best options for this type of event. Instead of heels, opt for a pair of dressy sandals or flats (they'll be concealed under the table throughout much of the event anyways).

$268 | Tuckernuck

$79 | Kate Spade Outlet

$120 | Dolce Vita

Men's Wedding Shower Outfit

When it comes to men's bridal shower attire, we recommend sticking to semi-formal and business casual pieces (unless otherwise stated on the dress code). For a more casual-leaning look, you could wear a patterned button-down with a pair of chinos or jeans. To further elevate your look, you can tuck your shirt in with a belt and throw a colorful sport coat over the top. For shoes, you can't go wrong with a pair of loafers or hybrids.