Modest Wedding Attire for Men & Women

For a modest wedding, both men's and women's attire can reflect elegance while upholding a sense of decorum and elusiveness. From the young generation to the old, there are many styles and traditional-wear to choose from dependant on the type of wedding, whether it is in a wedding hall or at a mosque. Here’s a guide for choosing the right modest wedding attire:

For women dresses or gowns with long sleeves, you can opt for long sleeves or three-quarter-length sleeves, which add class and simplicity. Choosing high necklines dresses with high necklines like bateau, jewel, or crew neck offer more coverage, length Floor-length gowns or ankle-length dresses are ideal, its best to avoid short skirts.

Minimal skin exposure can also ensure that the dress does not have intrusive cut-outs or a plunging back, some might prefer dresses that cover the shoulders and back entirely. Material and layers can be used for thicker fabrics like silk, satin, or lace and you should also consider encrusted designs that add volume and elegance while upholding modesty.

Veils and head-coverings depending on cultural or religious preferences can be worn at weddings, having the right colour palette like white, ivory, or soft pastels are customary for weddings, though depending on cultural traditions, jewel tones or darker shades could also be applicable.

For men suits or tuxedos that are well-fitted with a classic jacket and trousers is the standard go to attire at weddings, you should stick to neutral tones like black, navy, charcoal, or grey. When choosing the right shirt, this should be worn with a long-sleeved dress shirt with a high collar, white or light-coloured shirts are conventional, but light blues or greys work too. It’s best not to have flashy accessories, ties, pocket squares, and cufflinks should be kept minimal in design, a simple silk tie or bowtie works well.

Adding a vest under the jacket is a stylish way to layer while keeping the look traditional, when choosing the right footwear, you should opt for classic formal shoes like oxfords or loafers in black or brown leather.  If you’re worried about modesty, consider layering with shawls, boleros, or jackets, cultural attire such as a sari for Indian weddings or a thobe for middle eastern weddings may be more suitable, these can be adapted to be modest by design.

Modest wedding abayas and thobes are beautiful and conservative outfits that are often worn for Islamic weddings, providing elegance while maintaining modesty, these garments come in various designs, combining traditional aesthetics with contemporary fashion trends which we will delve into further down below.

Abayas for Weddings

Luxurious fabrics for wedding abayas often feature high-end materials like silk, satin, chiffon, and crepe to give them a regal appearance. Intricate additions on wedding abayas are decorated with subtle embroidery, lace appliqués, beads, pearls, and sequins for a chic look, elegant silhouette abayas designed for weddings tend to have flowing, loose outlines, often with long, wide sleeves or cape-like drapes, some designs may include waist-cinching belts to add subtle structure while still being modest.

The many variety of colour choices you can choose from range from black being the common colour for everyday abayas, wedding versions often come in ivory, white, cream, blush, and pastel tones, reflecting the bride’s special status. Some brides also choose gold or silver embellishments for added opulence. Many wedding abayas combine multiple layers of fabric for added volume, paired with undergarments or slip dresses that supplement the modest look. Hijab coordinating the abaya is usually paired with an equivalent or distinct headscarf, often featuring similar embellishments or fabric to create a unified, neat look.

Thobes for Grooms

Traditional cut wedding thobes hold a modest straight, ankle-length design but are often custom made to look sleek and refined, high-quality fabrics for weddings are used for bridal abayas, groom thobes such as cotton blends, silk, and brocade to guarantee a luxurious feel. Wedding thobes that have embellishments are often marginally enhanced, but may feature subtle stitching, especially on the collar, cuffs, or front, some grooms choose gold or silver threading for a touch of luxury.

Classic colours like white or off-white thobes are commonly worn for weddings, though some grooms prefer shades like beige, cream, or grey, rarely darker hues like navy or black are used for evening rituals. Layering with Bisht For added formality, grooms often wear this attire which is a habitual cloak over their thobe, typically in black, brown, or white, with gold or silver trim.

These wedding garments beautifully combine modesty with sophistication, allowing the couple to honour beliefs while still looking fashionable.