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My stepson is getting married this Spring, Memorial Day weekend 2016 and I’m trying to figure out the wedding dress code. There is an early afternoon ceremony and a reception following into the evening. My question is regarding the appropriate dress length I should wear etc.. The bride’s mother is wearing a light gray knee-length dress. I don’t know the details. My husband’s ex-wife is wearing a knee-length dress with a lace overlay bodice over a satin camisole, 3/4 length sleeve in steel blue. How casual or dressy would be appropriate for me to wear?

–Anonymous

About wedding dress code. Traditionally, an early afternoon wedding is not terribly dressy. Knee length dresses are more common. The later in the day the wedding, the dressier the attire. Since the mother-of-the-bride sets the dress code for the women her age, you would wear an outfit similar in style and length.

Wear a well-made designer dress or a sheath with a coordinating jacket.

Look at the wedding invitation for the dress code either Formal or Black Tie, which signify a more dressy outfit. The fact that the bride’s mother is wearing a knee-length dress means that the dresses I’m showing you here would be appropriate for both the early afternoon ceremony and the early evening reception. It is cocktail attire.

As I don’t know your taste, budget or build, to cover all bases I should suggest an alternative to the chic little cocktail dress. Wearing a special occasion jacket, such as the one shown in the upper left hand corner of this q-and-a would work equally well for you.

~Didi