For people who live outside the male-female binary, wedding-day attire can present a challenge. Clothing retailers and rental stores often have strict fashions that reinforce the idea of gender norms. Whether you’re an invited guest, a member of the wedding party, the officiant, or one of the people getting married, you deserve to be yourself and feel comfortable in your skin, especially at a gathering of the “dearly beloved.” However, dress codes add an extra layer of complexity. Here are some wedding styles for non-binary persons to consider when planning your look.

Understanding Dress Codes

Regardless of your personal sense of style, it’s important to know the level of dress expected for the occasion, especially if you’re not getting married. Here are some of the dress codes you should be aware of:

• White Tie: This is the most formal. The attire is usually a floor-length gown or a black tuxedo with a white dress shirt with French cuffs and a white bow tie. While this dress code may seem strict, consider combining the look of a full gown with a tuxedo jacket. Do you need some inspiration? Consider this tuxedo gown by Christian Siriano that actor Billy Porter wore to the Met Gala.
• Black Tie: Less formal than white tie, a black-tie event calls for tuxedos and dresses that cover the ankles, but you can also experiment with pantsuits as well as the color of your shirt. A white jacket with black pants is a welcome variation, especially for a summer affair. Other details worth noting are a black vest or cummerbund and patent leather shoes. 
• Black Tie Optional: Participants can opt for a regular suit instead of a tuxedo. It’s generally acceptable to wear formal dresses, but cocktail dresses with dressy accessories, such as shoes and jewelry, can also work. 
• Formal: Often interchangeable with “black tie optional,” formal generally means that suits and midi or maxi dresses are expected. You can also pair midi and maxi skirts with elegant coats for a gender-fluid style. 
• Cocktail: This style is a lot more flexible than formal, but still feels dressy for many. Think about what you might wear for a night on the town that includes dinner at a nice restaurant. Play with colors, textures, accessories, and separates for a look that’s all your own.
• Festive: This relatively new dress code takes cocktail attire and sprinkles some quirkiness. Bolder colors and patterns are especially welcome for a festive style. If there’s a holiday or season serving as a basis for the wedding theme, such as Halloween or Christmas, feel free to incorporate that into your outfit.
• Casual: For a wedding, casual is often synonymous with comfortable, but that doesn’t mean you show up in house clothes or activewear. Nice shoes, dressy jeans, fashion sneakers, sports coats, and knee-length dresses or skirts are all fine for a casual affair. Pay attention to the venue and time of year. High heels or boots may not be the most comfortable for an outdoor event. 

Prioritizing Fit

Pulling your look together may involve working with a tailor or seamstress. Suit and sports coat patterns are usually designed for broader shoulders and flatter chests. Similarly, you may need to modify a dress or gown to fit. No matter your personal style or gender presentation, everyone looks their best in clothes that fit.

Being Yourself

Remember that it’s important to be yourself. Weddings are joyous events, and it’s hard to shine when you’re feeling uncomfortable or out of place. Your outfit should reflect who you are. Even with a dress code in place, find ways to add personal touches that are uniquely you.

When it comes to your attire for that special day, anyone can be stylish because there are numerous wedding styles for non-binary persons and gender-nonconforming individuals. There’s an outfit for you, whether the mood is cool and casual or formal and fashionable. You deserve to look and feel comfortable, no matter the dress code.