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Every day, we encounter people dressed in various combinations of black clothing. Depending on the situation and the individual, these dark hues can communicate seriousness or poignancy, or be a simple expression of mourning. These are all normal reactions to a situation that is difficult for everyone involved. It’s also easy to understand why so many people feel anxious when they’re around people in black. But while it may be natural, there are ways to avoid giving people the wrong impression. So, what should you wear to a memorial service? After all, a formal dress code is part of the rituals and traditions of the ceremony. The right clothing not only makes you feel more confident and comfortable, but it can also help you to blend in and communicate your respect for the occasion. Read on to learn more about what to wear to a memorial service, and how to appropriately show your support.
What to wear to a memorial service
Those attending a memorial service will naturally want to dress in black clothing. You’ll probably feel pressure to conform and conform you will. But if you do wear black, consider these guidelines. – Black is a colour of mourning. So, unless it’s a service celebrating a black person’s life, you should avoid it. A service celebrating someone else’s life is likely to be filled with sadness, so there’s no need to make it any more difficult for yourself. – Black is also a formal colour. This can make you look too somber and serious for the occasion. If you want to honor the people who were lost, consider wearing a different colour. If you’re not sure, ask someone who attends regularly to help you determine the best colour for the occasion. – Wearing black on top of a grey suit sends the wrong message about suit colours. Grey is a soft colour, and it’s not uncommon for a person wearing it to appear distant and unfeeling. So, unless you want to communicate that you’re unfeeling, too, avoid grey. – Black is also a difficult colour to match. This is probably obvious, but it’s easy to overlook when you’re in a rush. Consider wearing a tie or a jacket of the same colour as your trousers to help stay on track. – Finally, while it’s fine to wear black to a memorial service, it’s not fine to wear it to every funeral you attend. After a while, you’ll look like a funeral attendee. And that can be a little disconcerting.
Show your respect with a suit
If you wear a suit to a memorial service, it’s important to keep these guidelines in mind. A suit is a formal colour, so it’s not a good choice if you want to appear somber and serious. Showing respect means you’re not going to come off as too formal or overly somber. – Black is a colour of mourning. This isn’t the time to wear a colour that sends the opposite message. So, keep the suit black. – A suit is a formal colour. If you choose to wear a suit to a service, you don’t want to appear too casual. Black is a colour associated with casualness, but grey is a soft colour associated with a more formal appearance. Grey is also a more formal colour than black, so choose a different colour for your suit. – A suit is also a structured colour. Even if you’re not wearing a tie, a suit is a structured colour. This can be off-putting if you want to show respect without coming off as too formal or too somber. – A suit is also a conservative colour. Some people associate conservatism with being uptight and unemotional. A conservative colour like black or grey can reinforce this perception.
Wear a button-up shirt
If you wear a button-up shirt to a memorial service, it’s important to keep these guidelines in mind. A button-up shirt is a conservative colour, but it’s not a structured colour. A button-up shirt is also a neutral colour, and it’s an informal colour. But, if you want to appear respectful while still appearing casual enough to fit in, this is an appropriate choice. – Black is a colour of mourning. This neither requires nor receives any special treatment. – A button-up shirt is a conservative colour. As long as your collar and cuffs are white, this is a conservative colour. The conservative colours are white, silver, gold, and navy blue. – A button-up shirt is a neutral colour. This is a colour that does not stand out among the neutral clothes worn by the other mourners. This means that a button-up shirt is not a conspicuous colour, and it is not an attention-getting colour. – A button-up shirt is an informal colour. This is a colour that is not black, grey, navy blue, or navy blue. This means that a button-up shirt is a colour that is not grey, black, navy blue, or navy blue.
Wear shoes with a leather sole
If you wear leather shoes to a memorial service, it’s important to keep these guidelines in mind. A leather shoe is a structured colour. This means that it stands out among the other formal shoes worn to the service, which is not something you want to do. – Black is a colour of mourning. This is a colour that stands out among the other mournful colours, and a shoe is a material that stands out among the other materials used in footwear. – A leather shoe is a structured colour. This is the opposite of what you want to be, so a leather shoe is not a colour that represents respect and seriousness. – A leather shoe is also a conservative colour. Leather is also a conservative colour, so it’s a colour that is not a neutral colour, and it’s a colour that is not an informal colour. – A leather shoe is also a structured colour. This is not the time to be casual. This is a time to be serious and respectful.
Look for neutral tones
If you walk into a house that is painted dull and boring, you may be tempted to say, “This house is so blah blah blah.” But, that would be a huge mistake. Avoid using the colour black as a way to bring attention to the colour’s lack of luster. When it comes to choosing a colour for your home, a light or medium grey is a neutral. This is a safe colour and it will not stand out among the other neutral tones. If you want a colour that stands out a little less than others, choose a medium grey. A dark grey stands out less than black, but it still makes an imposing presence. A home painted in a light or medium grey can be a neutral or a neutral that stands out less than a dark grey. A light grey is the safest choice, but a medium grey can also be a safe choice. A dark grey stands out less than black, but it is still a colour that will make an imposing presence.
Don’t wear bright colours
In addition to the guidelines above, don’t wear bright colours when attending a memorial service. This is not only a disrespectful choice, it’s also a bad choice. It will make you stand out, and it will draw a lot of unwanted attention. When you’re attending a memorial service, wear a neutral colour like grey or navy blue. Dark colours like black, navy blue, and brown are respectful, but they are also less than attention-getting.
Avoid wearing leather or fur
When attending a memorial service, avoid wearing leather or fur. Both leather and fur are very formal and structured materials. This is the opposite of what you want to be during this sad occasion. And remember, while it’s fine to wear leather or fur to a service, it’s not fine to wear it to every single service you attend.
Conclusion
In the midst of life’s transitions, it can be easy to forget about the simple things, like how to appropriately show respect for the people who have passed on. In this article, we’ll walk through what to wear to a memorial service, and how to blend in without looking too formal.
