FUNERAL ATTIRE - WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULDN’T WEAR
Fashion may be the last thing on your mind when someone dear to you has passed but knowing what to wear to their funeral is an important part of paying your respects to them. After all, you don’t want to disrespect the grieving family by wearing something inappropriate or by turning a sad event into a photo opportunity. While there is no official dress code for all funerals, here are some guidelines that can help you find the appropriate funeral attire.
Men’s Attire
A well-fitting suit is perhaps the standard for men’s attire during a funeral. However, if you do not own a suit, a nice dress shirt with a tie and trousers can do. You won’t want to bring too much attention to yourself during a funeral, therefore, it’s best to stick with a simple dark palette of black, grey or dark blue.
When selecting a shoe for the funeral, it’s best to go with one that matches your suit or dress clothes. For example, if you have a light grey suit or brown slacks, it would be best to pair them with brown shoes. However, if you have a black or dark blue suit, black shoes would be more appropriate.
In terms of accessories, there’s really no need to overdo it. A matching belt and watch are suitable.
Women’s Attire
For women, you can go in either a business suit or a simple dress. If you’re going to go with the latter, it’s important to choose a dress that goes below the knees and covers the shoulders. If you don’t really have a suitable dress or a suit, you may go with some dress pants and a blazer or jumper.
Like with men’s attire, it’s best to stick with more subtle colours. You should also go with something plainer and avoid clothes with elaborate designs and pops of colour. Your shoes should also be less flashy, and it would be best to avoid wearing big high heels. Having a heel is fine but take into account the terrain of the cemetery and your comfort.
Accessories should also be kept to a minimum. Typically, a pair of earrings and a necklace are fine. But try not to wear jewellery that is too eye-catching. For this case, simple necklaces and stud earrings are preferred. But if the deceased had gifted you with a piece of jewellery, now would be a good time to wear it, no matter the design.
What You Need to Avoid
Unless the dearly departed had insisted on a more vibrant funeral, it’s best to avoid bright colours and anything that can put the attention on you. However, there are instances where something more colourful may be acceptable. For example, you may decide to wear a jumper the deceased had made for you. Or perhaps they were a huge fan of a certain sports team, and you want to honour their memory by wearing their favourite jersey colour to their funeral.
While funeral dress codes are not super strict, it would be best to avoid wearing certain things. In particular, you should never wear anything uncomfortable. Funerals can last a while, so you don’t want to make the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes and clothes. While wearing trainers is probably not best, you can still find funeral-appropriate shoes that are still comfortable.
Another thing you should avoid is spending too much money on funeral clothes. If you really don’t have anything to wear to a funeral, it is okay to go and buy something. However, never spend more than you can afford. You can instead look at affordable high street chains or charity shops or, perhaps borrow clothes from someone else.
Final Thoughts
When deciding what to wear to a funeral, it’s best to stick with conservative clothing in darker hues. The important thing is to not bring too much attention to yourself and to remain respectful to the deceased. Keep your look simple, elegant and formal to a degree.
Give your loved ones a respectful send-off with the help of Holmes Funeral. We are a family-owned and family-run business that offers funeral home services in Sandhurst, Camberley, Farnborough, Aldershot, Staines, Ashford and Sunbury-on-Thames. We’ve been supporting families since 1992, providing a dedicated and personal service. Get in touch with us now!