When it comes to wedding dress codes, there’s one cardinal rule that’s widely known: Don’t wear white unless the invitation specifically instructs you to do so.
But there’s always been gray areas around the other fashion no-nos you might be committing while attending someone’s special day. For instance, dress length and the amount of skin you show at a wedding are often up for debate.
Recently, one color conundrum has some social media users in a tizzy: Can you wear red to a wedding?
Below, we’re sharing what TikTok users are saying and breaking down etiquette expert Elaine Swann’s tips.
Why do people think you can’t wear red to a wedding?
The idea that you shouldn’t wear white to a wedding makes plenty of sense since the bride typically wears white in many cultures. But some social media users are convinced that the color red can send the wrong message, too.
In a video posted to the @meangirlpod TikTok account, podcast hosts Jordyn Woodruff and Alex Bennett debated the meaning of the supposed rule that you shouldn’t wear red to a wedding.
“I think it’s supposed to mean that you have been like a past lover of the groom, which I could totally be making up in my head, but I think it’s supposed to be like the scarlet letter, like the red A,” Woodruff said in the clip.
“I was thinking you don’t wear red because it’s like a bold color and it could be perceived as upstaging the bride, but also so is pink and all of those colors,” Bennett replied.
Meanwhile, TikTok user @katieaustin posted a video of herself wearing a red dress at a wedding along with the following caption: “POV it’s your 33rd wedding and you’re finally ditching the ‘you can’t wear red to a wedding’ etiquette myth.”
What does an etiquette expert say?
Swann says red is perfectly acceptable to wear at weddings, and called the rule is “another internet fable.”
“Especially here in the U.S., red denotes the color of love,” she says.
In other words, don’t believe everything you hear on social media.
“Wear what looks great on you,” Swann says.
Of course, there’s always an exception. For instance, Swann notes that red is a go-to bridal color in some areas of the world, including Indian and Chinese cultures, so it’s best to avoid wearing it in those instances.
The etiquette pro also says there’s an exception to the whole “don’t wear white to a wedding” rule.
“Any shades of white, that color is still reserved for the bride. However, white is acceptable when the bride and groom ask you to wear it,” Swann says.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
