What do you wear to a celebration of life? This style guide will help you create the chicest outfit to honor and remember your loved one.
It’s a great question: What do you wear to a celebration of life? From a fashionista’s standpoint, I believe it’s one of those events where you can truly lean into your style aesthetic, depending on the location of the event.
This style guide will help you create the perfect celebration of life outfit, whether it’s a service at a church or a casual meetup at a bar. Even though emotions might flow, you can be sure to look your best either way.
This post is all about what do you wear to a celebration of life.
What To Wear To A Celebration Of Life
Celebration Of Life vs Funeral
What’s the difference between a celebration of life and a funeral? Understanding the difference will help you with what do you wear to a celebration of life.
A celebration of life is focused on celebrating the life of the person who has passed on. There isn’t a casket or burial to gather around. Rather, it’s a time to reminisce on the happy moments spent with the deceased. A celebration of life service may include photos and memorabilia from the person’s life, a sit-down slideshow of times past, speeches, conversation, and sometimes refreshments.
It’s a time to gather, remember, and appreciate the relationship you had with the person and their impact on your life. A celebration of life can take place at a church, country club, home, or even a bar.
While both events can be emotional, a funeral is a much more somber event than a celebration of life. A funeral is a gathering of people to weep, pray, pay respects, say goodbye, and attend the burial of the deceased. A funeral is focused on ending and is a time of closure.
The appropriate dress code for a funeral is typically black, muted, or darker colors rather than flashy outfits in the United States and much of the Western world. Classic style outfits will never steer you wrong, but it’s important to make sure your personality is reflected in your look, too.
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Do You Wear Black To A Celebration Of Life?
Unless there is a specific dress code you don’t need to wear black to a celebration of life. In fact, you’re welcome to wear any color that you feel would honor the life of the deceased. Whether it’s black, blue, orange, or a print, the most important thing is that you show up as the best version of yourself.
For example, I was invited to a celebration of life event that involved a day of golf with a dinner afterward. Attendees were asked to wear tie-dye to the dinner to honor our friend who was a lifelong Deadhead and musician (in addition to being a family man with an incredibly huge heart).
So, if you feel most comfortable in black (or have a fabulous black outfit in mind) then go for it.
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Can You Wear Jeans To A Celebration Of Life Service?
Unless the event or venue has a proper dress code, jeans are perfectly acceptable to wear to a celebration of life service. The best dress code for a celebration of life service is smart casual, which includes nice jeans (jeans that are in good condition). Avoid any styles that are ripped or distressed in such a way that might be offensive to others.
If you’re looking to elevate your denim, opt for all-black, white, or ivory jeans instead of blue. Elegant styles of jeans include trouser-style, straight-leg, and flared. I love long, flared jeans with pointy-toe heels sticking out the bottom.
Related Post: What To Wear With Black Jeans | Style Look Book
What To Wear To A Celebration Of Life Service?
Smart casual is the safest and most appropriate dress code to wear to a celebration of life service that’s at a church, banquet hall, restaurant, or a similar location. Smart casual is another way of saying dressy casual, which simply means an upscale version of casual. You can dress in workwear, business casual attire, or jeans and a nice top. Avoid streetwear, loungewear, activewear, and clubbing attire.
It’s always a good idea to check with the venue if you’re uncertain about the dress code. This gives you peace of mind and helps you shift your focus to creating a cute outfit.
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Keep scrolling to see specific outfits for a celebration of life.
What To Wear To A Casual Celebration Of Life?
A casual celebration of life has no specific dress code. Whether it’s at a bar, restaurant, or someone’s house, you’re free to show up as you are. However, you should make an effort to look nice in whatever style of clothes you choose to wear. This is where details such as grooming habits and making sure your clothes are in good condition come into play.
A great styling question to ask yourself is this: What would you wear if you were meeting the deceased for their birthday lunch? This will vary depending on who the person was but gives you a framework for what is appropriate for a casual celebration of life outfit or a casual chic look.
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Celebration Of Life Outfit Ideas
1. Monochromatic Outfit
Whether you choose a top and a skirt, a top and pants or a dress and jacket, a monochromatic outfit is very stylish and cohesive, especially with the season’s trending colors (for 2024 fashion trends, it’s ethereal blue, lilac, beige, cream, orange, and red). Add a contrasting waist belt to really take things up a notch (pun intended).
2. Button-Down Shirt + Denim Trousers
This smart casual look is chic, timeless, and perfect to head anywhere after the celebration of life service, very Parisian chic.
3. Wrap-Style Dress
A wrap dress is easy to wear and style up, whether it’s with tall boots, white sneakers, or strappy sandals. Wrap dresses flatter almost any body type, so focus on fabric, color, and length that looks amazing on you. An LBD is foolproof and chic, plus goes with just about every type of shoe.
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4. WaistCoat + Trousers
Tailored menswear is classic chic and you can layer a fitted turtleneck under the waistcoat in the cooler months. I love this look with white sneakers, loafers, minimalist sandals, or slides. A linen set is incredibly stylish (and comfortable) for spring, summer, and early fall while a wool blend is perfect for fall and winter outfits.
5. Knit Top + Leather Pants
Casual, cool, and stylish with a pair of sandals for a spring outfit or a pair of ankle boots for a chic fall look. You can always add a leather jacket, bomber jacket, or a blazer on top.
6. Maxi Dress
A maxi dress is a one-and-done piece and is my favorite way to “dress up” while remaining casual. Layer with a matching trench coat or try a cropped blazer or a knit jacket from your spring wardrobe.
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This post was all about what do you wear to a celebration of life
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