Q&A for How to Dress For a Funeral

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  • Question
    Can I wear a color other than black to a funeral?
    Nejla Renee
    Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
    Nejla Renee is a fashion stylist, image consultant, and personal shopper based in New York, New York. With over seven years of experience, Nejla specializes in helping people enhance their positive attributes and express their identities through style. Nejla holds a BS in Marketing and Finance from Northeastern University and worked in finance prior to starting her own business. Nejla combines her business experience with her personal creativity, passion, keen eye for detail, innate sense of style, and strong understanding of fit and proportion to help her clients create peace and acceptance around their style.
    Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    If you don't have anything black or just want to wear another color, go with a solid, dark color. You might wear navy blue or dark grey.
  • Question
    What should I wear to a funeral?
    Nejla Renee
    Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
    Nejla Renee is a fashion stylist, image consultant, and personal shopper based in New York, New York. With over seven years of experience, Nejla specializes in helping people enhance their positive attributes and express their identities through style. Nejla holds a BS in Marketing and Finance from Northeastern University and worked in finance prior to starting her own business. Nejla combines her business experience with her personal creativity, passion, keen eye for detail, innate sense of style, and strong understanding of fit and proportion to help her clients create peace and acceptance around their style.
    Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Black is the preferred color for any funeral outfit. If you don't have anything black, wear a solid, dark color. In general, it's important to be respectful by dressing up, so don't wear shorts or flip-flops, and don't show too much skin.
  • Question
    Is a bow tie acceptable rather than a long tie as long as the color isn't flashy?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if the bow tie is of acceptable colors (usually in black, dark red, navy blue, etc), then it is appropriate to wear to a funeral. However, you should check with the deceased's family as they may have requested otherwise.
  • Question
    Is it acceptable for a lady to wear pants to a funeral?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that is entirely up to you unless there is some religious aspect that prohibits it.
  • Question
    I am wearing a black pant suit to a funeral and was going to wear an off-white blouse and pearls. Is the off-white blouse appropriate?
    Buddy4
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is.
  • Question
    I'm not the kind of person who wears dresses. Would a nice dress shirt and dress pants be okay for the occasion?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you have something black, that would be ideal, but any dark colors would probably be fine.
  • Question
    I am 33 years young and I'm going to the funeral of an older women. I'm not sure what to wear. I want to look elegant and sophisticated but also cute. I'm just finding my feminine side . I have a leopard print dress and am not sure what shoes I would wear. Can you help?
    Community Answer
    You should go with something more formal. A leopard print dress is not funeral appropriate.
  • Question
    I am going to a funeral service. Should I wear champagne gold?
    Community Answer
    No. You should be less outlandish, for the family's sake. They will be grateful for you to come, but in a more respectful color.
  • Question
    I am wearing a black lace dress with see-through lace arms around 3/4 length. Is this appropriate, and what shoes could I wear?
    HumanBeing
    Top Answerer
    Your dress sounds appropriate. If it is something that, apart from the color, you'd feel comfortable wearing to church, it should be fine for a funeral. It's okay to look nice, you are paying tribute to the person that passed away by presenting yourself nicely. Black shoes, flat or with a low heel would be appropriate. You shoes should be smart, not flashy or too casual, but if you haven't got a lot of options, any clean, tidy shoes will do.
  • Question
    I am 13 and I have no dresses. Only one black skirt that is almost to the knees and I have jeans. What do I wear?
    Community Answer
    Wear the black skirt with a dark-colored top. Dark tights or hose, if you have them. Dark colored shoes. And take a dark sweater or jacket, in case it gets chilly during the funeral.
  • Question
    What happens if you wear a joking or rude t-shirt to a funeral?
    Community Answer
    If the joke is offensive, you may be asked to leave the building and will not be allowed back in until you put something more suitable on. More importantly, you may upset the loved ones of the deceased while they are going through a very difficult time. However, the dress standard will depend on the type of funeral.
  • Question
    Would a black dress with small white polka dots be appropriate at a funeral?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you don't wear bright or flashy colors, it should appropriate to wear to a funeral. That said, check with the deceased's family in case they specified what they wanted to be worn at the funeral.
  • Question
    Can I wear plum purple to a funeral?
    Community Answer
    Dark purple is a dark color, so it will probably be acceptable to wear at the service. If the deceased requested that something should/shouldn't be worn, then be sure to respect their wishes.
  • Question
    My girlfriend wants to know what colour bras we should wear, we aren't wearing strapless dresses.
    Community Answer
    Stick to the basics with skin coloured, white or black for a funeral. Avoid bright colours if they show through.
  • Question
    Is it appropriate to wear a black dress with dark blue flowers on it to the funeral of my mother-in-law?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Black and navy blue are both dark colors, so they are appropriate to wear at a funeral. You should check the deceased's will, however, as they might have requested differently.
  • Question
    I am 13, female and going to my grandfather's funeral. What shoes should I wear if I am going to wear a navy blue shirt and a skirt?
    Community Answer
    Navy blue or black flats would complete the outfit. Try putting some black tights on if it gets cold at the send off.
  • Question
    Can I wear a tie with penguins on it to a funeral? My brother-in-law gave it to me before his passing.
    Community Answer
    If the deceased gifted you with an piece of clothing prior to their death, then wearing that to their funeral would be a great way to honor the deceased person.
  • Question
    I'm going to my aunt's funeral in London next week, and I don't have to wear black. What should I wear?
    Community Answer
    You may wear anything navy, dark brown, gray or perhaps nude. If dresses aren't your thing,try wearing dress pants or a skirt. Also,depending on the kind of weather, make sure to carry a sweater or wrap to cover your shoulders.
  • Question
    Should I wear a shade of pink to my great uncle's funeral? I am a male.
    Community Answer
    Pink is a cheerful and upbeat color; therefore, it should be avoided. However, if the deceased requested that this color be worn at the send off, you should follow their wishes.
  • Question
    Can I wear a black lace veil to my mother's funeral?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, if you want to. It's very appropriate for the sad occasion.
  • Question
    Should a woman wear a hat to a funeral at a church in London?
    Community Answer
    It is considered largely unacceptable to wear a sports hat to a funeral, but posh hats are acceptable for women. For men it is usually frowned upon to wear any type of hat in a church. The one exception would be if the deceased requested that hats be worn at their funeral.
  • Question
    My husband died, I am a woman so what should I wear to the funeral?
    Community Answer
    Try a traditional black shift dress and coordinating sweater or blazer, a dark skirt and blouse or skirt and a sweater or dark or muted tone basic short-sleeved dress. Black, charcoal, navy or dark brown are ideal color choices.
  • Question
    What should I wear to a funeral?
    Community Answer
    You should wear whatever black outfit you have that looks presentable.
  • Question
    Is a cream coloured suit appropriate for a funeral?
    Community Answer
    It's an uncommon colour at a funeral but that doesn't make it inappropriate. If the deceased requested cream, be respectful and follow their wishes.
  • Question
    Can a lady wear trousers?
    HumanBeing
    Top Answerer
    If you will feel comfortable wearing trousers, then go ahead and wear trousers. If you think you might wish you'd worn a dress or a skirt, then don't. Trousers are often seen worn by women in formal settings today; there are some people who think trousers for women are informal, and those people can wear skirts and dresses all they like, but nowadays, the majority of people are fine with women wearing trousers at funerals and all other formal occasions, provided, trousers are okay for women to wear at the venue. Some religions forbid some clothing and require other items, e.g. head coverings.
  • Question
    Is it common for women to wear their hair up at a funeral?
    Community Answer
    Usually hair does not matter at a funeral service (as long as it is not dyed bright colors). But you should check with the family of the deceased person, just in case they requested a particular hair style.
  • Question
    Do I need to wear pantyhose if I'm wearing a black dress to a funeral?
    Community Answer
    It would be more appropriate if you did.
  • Question
    I have a black dress that is appropriate in length, but it's a cold shoulder dress. Is it appropriate to wear to a funeral?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but I would wear a black cardigan with your dress. It's a nice combination for colder weather.
  • Question
    Can a man wear a brown suit to a funeral?
    HumanBeing
    Top Answerer
    No one expects anyone in financial difficulties to buy or rent a black suit for a funeral. If a smart, dark brown, well-fitted suit is your only option, or, if the attendees of the funeral have been asked not to wear black, then a man can wear a brown suit to a funeral. If you have other options, a white shirt, tie and black dress pants/trousers or a black suit, for example, these are more traditional, and in the eyes of many, more respectful than a brown suit. Dark navy blue is another option if you don't want to, or can't wear black.
  • Question
    How should I decide what color of tie to wear?
    Community Answer
    Grey, black, a dark red, or navy blue are the usual tie colours for a funeral services but check with the deceased's family as they may have requested differently, be sure to respect their wishes.
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