What To Wear to an Engagement Party as a Guest

What an exciting time it is in anyone’s life when their loved one gets engaged! Love is in the air, festivities begin to abound, and there’s so much fun to plan. One of my favorite ways that friends kick off their engagement is with an engagement party.

What Goes Into an Engagement Party?

An engagement party is an excellent way for a couple to announce and celebrate their engagement. This celebration is usually the first of many, coming before the bridal shower and bachelorette party.

Typically, a couple invites their closest friends and family. Although most people prefer a more intimate setting, others like to go all out and invite many guests.

Traditionally, an engagement party was a way for families to make a surprise announcement that someone had been engaged. However, in modern times it can be a surprise, but many people opt to hold the celebration for a previously announced engagement.

Basically, the one rule that applies across the board: don’t wear white unless you are the bride-to-be! Everything else follows:

What You Wear Depends on the Venue

When you start assessing what you’re going to wear to an engagement party, the first element you want to consider is where this party will be hosted along with the season.

A long-sleeved maxi dress during the summer would be an uncomfortable ensemble for an outdoor party, while a breezy dress and some upscale sandals would make for the perfect look while keeping your comfort in check.

A Garden Party

I absolutely adore a garden party of any sort, but even more so when it’s celebrating a loved one’s new engagement. The aesthetic of a garden party is also one of my favorites to plan my outfit around. I love imagining what I could be wearing while sipping on herbal tea or a mimosa and munching on hors d'oeuvres among the roses.

I like to match the setting with a pastel or floral ensemble. A colorful patterned mini dress is a lovely base for a garden party vibe. I like to pair it with some simple sandals so as not to deter from the intricate pattern of the dress. Add a floppy hat for the perfect look to match the aesthetic!

Another style I love to debut at a garden engagement party is one that utilizes the popular trend of cottagecore. After all, a garden party is the embodiment of that trend. Dresses with a pastoral or vintage feel are the best way to master cottagecore attire.

Someone’s Home

You might think that hosting an engagement party at someone’s home means it will be a more casual affair, but that’s not always the case! I always check with the person hosting to get a feel for the dress code. Then I’ll plan what to wear based on the details I can get from them.

Usually, when I’m attending an engagement party in someone’s home, the mood is much more intimate, and I feel comfortable expressing myself around others there. I like to opt for clothing that is more eclectic in these scenarios, like a skirt made of an interesting material like leather or a top with puffy, textured sleeves.

A Formal Venue

If the celebration is on the more formal side (even if it’s in someone’s home), I really love to go all out with my ensemble. After all, who doesn’t love an excuse to get all dressed up? 

These types of occasions call for the classic tried and true silk slip dress. Simple yet bursting with elegance, you can never go wrong with a silk slip.

Along with the 90’s revival that is in right now comes the revival of 90’s style heels, which I adore paired with a silk dress. Accessorize with some delicate earrings, necklaces, and a statement bag, and you’re good to go.

The Beach

The beach is one of the most iconic locations for a party, and that’s no different when it comes to an engagement party. I get giddy when I hear that the celebration will be held at the beach because I know that will call for some fantastic beachwear.

One of my go-to outfits for an engagement party on the beach is a long and flowing maxi dress. Maxis with eye-catching elements like an off-the-shoulder variation or one with an asymmetrical hem is my top choice.

I then like to slip on some comfortable yet cute matching sandals, grab my favorite sunhat, and of course, you’ll never see me at the beach without my SPF.

A Casual Get-Together

For a more casual celebration, I still like to keep my outfit semi-formal without overdressing. Wide-leg pants are one of my favorite articles of clothing because they can go from everyday casual to party-worthy in a heartbeat. I pair those with a nice blouse, some coordinating jewelry, and colorful heels to complete this ensemble.

4 Outfit Ideas for an Engagement Party

While we’ve discussed interesting outfit ideas depending on the venue, I think it’s also important to go over some universal outfits that can be worn to any engagement party.

The Skirt and Blouse Combo

A skirt paired with a blouse is a classic combination that can be worn almost anywhere. If you’re searching for an easy go-to when attending an engagement party, look no further than the skirt and blouse combo.

For an event like a celebration, I like to pair this outfit with dazzling pumps to add a unique element that’s an instant conversation starter.

A Maxi Dress With a Belt

Another easy go-to outfit with a remarkable flair is a maxi dress paired with a belt. You can dress this look up with heels and intricate jewelry, or you can dress it down with boots that match your belt.

All Things Silk

Silk is one of the best materials to wear to celebrations and more formal events. It doesn’t matter what type of clothing you’re wearing; if it’s made of silk, it’s sure to be a showstopper.

Silk pants are an excellent way to maintain comfort and grace simultaneously. As I mentioned earlier, silk dresses are one of my favorite luxury items and are always sure to leave you looking elegant and put-together. Silk tops are a nice in-between, adding a refined air to your get-up without overpowering the attire.

A Detailed Mini Dress

Another fantastic outfit idea for an engagement party is an intricate mini dress. The details on this dress could be anything from a ruffled hem or sleeve to an interesting postmodern pattern.

When you find a dress that has that one eye-catching element, it serves as a great base to build more unique elements off of or simply to be worn on its own.

An Ensemble To Show You Care

Attending an engagement party is always so exciting, and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate a loved one’s next big step in their relationship. That’s why I take my attire to an event like this quite seriously.

It’s a great way to show them that you know how important this event is in their life. I hope I’ve given you some inspiration for the next time you’re attending one of these lovely events.

Sources:

The Comeback of the 90s: How This Retro Fashion is Back in Style in 2022 | JustLuxe

5 Important Reasons to Wear Sunscreen Daily | Mahoney Dermatology

Cottagecore Debuted 2,300 Years Ago | JSTOR Daily

The Complete Guide to Engagement Parties | The Knot