Your guide to picking out a wedding dress shopping outfit to make your special day a breeze

Ready to truly envision yourself as a bride? Trying on wedding dresses is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning, and it’s when many brides-to-be truly see themselves as a potential newlywed. And while you’re probably feeling super excited (and maybe a little nervous) about trying on dresses, there are a few things you should know before heading out to make your special day that much easier. We’ll give you a list of what to wear and what to bring—as well as what to leave at home—to help you say yes to the dress.

Things You Should Know

  • Wear nude-colored, seamless underwear that won’t show through a white dress. Leave your bra at home or take a strapless one with you.
  • Pick an outfit that’s comfy and easy to remove, like athleisure-wear or jeans and a tee. Put on shoes that are easy to take on and off, like flats or slides.
  • Bring a hair tie or a clip to put your hair up and mimic an up-do.
  • Take any jewelry you want to wear on the big day with you, but leave the rest at home to make changing in and out of dresses easier.
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Nude-colored underwear

  1. Nude underwear won’t distract from the beauty of each dress. Your favorite hot pink lace undies definitely have a time and a place, but that’s not when you’re wedding dress shopping! Pick out a pair of smooth, flattering underwear that are as close to your skin color as you have. That way, they won’t show through the dress.[1]
    • Thongs are ideal, but seamless panties work, too!
    • When it comes to wearing a bra, either don’t wear one at all or bring a strapless one with you. Most wedding dresses are made with corsets or bustiers inside, meaning you likely won’t need to wear a bra on the big day.
    • If you want any additional support or smoothing, try wearing some nude-colored shapewear. It’s not essential, but many women find it helps them feel more confident in their dress.
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Comfortable, easily removable clothes

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Inspo pics

  1. Look up some wedding dress inspo so you can help guide your stylist. When you first walk into a wedding dress shop, the sheer number of gowns is probably going to be overwhelming. Try to narrow down your style choices at least a little bit so you can answer your stylist when they ask, “So, what kind of dress are you looking for?”[8]
    • Even if you don’t have a specific dress in mind, getting a general idea of the shape (mermaid, A-line, princess…) and color (true white, off-white, cream…) will help you choose a wedding dress. Try using Pinterest to gather all your ideas in one spot.
    • Think about the time of year that your wedding is, too. Choosing a winter wedding dress, for instance, might be different than choosing a summer wedding dress.

About This Article

Hannah Madden
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. When she isn’t writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. This article has been viewed 3,995 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: February 26, 2023
Views: 3,995
Categories: Weddings
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