Visiting a wake is always serious and one must exercise a certain decorum on the way they dress, among other things. Although a wake is less structured compared to a funeral service, it is crucial to wear appropriate clothing in order not to distress the family of the deceased.
This article aims to clarify the do’s and don’ts of dressing for a wake, suggested outfits for both men and women, children and older people, and how to take season into consideration.
What Is a Wake?
what to wear to a wake is a meeting where people can pay their condolences before or after the burial of their dear ones. This may be held at a funeral home, a church, a home of the deceased or any other venue that is agreed upon, maybe even a center in a certain community. Some wake may have a religious service, while others may be just simple get-togethers to recall the dead.
There are variations in the level of formality in the culture and the family in which the person was raised. Nevertheless, it is always wise to dress politely and not reveal much skin area on the body.
General Guidelines for Wake Attire
Choose Dark and Neutral Colors
Black is considered as the color of mourning; however, one could what to wear to a wake any other dark or any color which can be defined as a ‘neutre’ color such as grey, navy blue and dark brown. It is judicious to keep the website simple and neat without congesting it with pop or gaudy colors or flashy designs.
Opt for Conservative and Modest Clothing
As for the fact that a what to wear to a wake is a kind of celebration of the departed’s life, it is obvious that people should dress appropriately and not resort to provocative outfits. Do not bare the legs with short skirts, wear clothes with deep necklines or tight fitting dresses.
Keep Accessories and Makeup Minimal
Cosmetics, accessories and jewelry should be approximate and not very conspicuous. It may look unbecoming to be dressed up in pieces of jewelry or apply heavy makeup during times of mourning.
Wear Comfortable but Formal Footwear
For the purpose of safety either for men or women, it is safe to recommend closed toed shoes. This should not be worn with sneakers or casual shoes such as flip-flops or sandals.
Consider Cultural and Religious Traditions
There are certain traditional or prescribed manners of wearing upon the occasion of mourning in some cultures. For instance, white is regarded as the color of mourning in some Asian cultures and not black. Well, it is always helpful for anyone to be knowledgeable about these customs in the event that they are to attend a wake.
What to Wear to a Wake for Men
Formal and Semi-Formal Options
- A dark-colored suit with a white or neutral shirt
- A blazer with dress pants and a button-down shirt
- The outfit includes a shirt with long sleeves together with dark trousers.
- A dark-colored tie (optional but recommended)
Footwear and Accessories
- Polished dress shoes or loafers
- Minimal accessories (a simple watch or belt)
- You should avoid wearing baseball caps together with flashy jewelry or casual sneakers.
Outerwear Considerations
- People should select dark-colored coats along with trench coats or heavy overcoats when temperatures start to drop
- Sports windbreakers along with hoodies count as unacceptable casual alternatives for jackets
What to Wear to a Wake for Women
Dresses and Skirts
- A knee-length or longer dress in dark or neutral colors
- A comfortable and rather simple blouse with a long skirt
Pants and Blouses
- Dark dress pants with a simple, conservative blouse
- That shirt and sweater are looking class and professional if worn one over the other.
Footwear and Accessories
- Closed-toe shoes such as flats, low heels, or formal boots
- The dress code of the women was conservative as was evident from the fact that they wore little, no or small jewelry for which they did not wear large and ostentatious accessories or trinkets.
- Simple makeup with neutral tones
Outerwear Considerations
- A black or dark-colored coat, shawl, or blazer in cold weather
- The recommendation was to not wear bright scarves or any accessory that can draw attention to the face.
What to Wear to a Wake for Children
Appropriate Attire for Boys
- He appeared neat; he was wearing a collared shirt with a pair of dark coloured trousers.
- A business dress code can consist of: Shirt/waistcoat, tie, dark sweater or blazer, neat trousers/long skirt.
- Shoes must not be of the slipper/sneaker slippers type; preferred are shoes which cover the toes of the feet.
Appropriate Attire for Girls
- A simple dress in black, navy blue, or dark gray
- A plain top and a dark skirt
- Shoes in nude or neutral colors
Additional Considerations for Children
- Customers should wear proper clothing which is neat and free from bold or attention-grabbing patterns
- The comfort of the dress becomes vital for kids who experience their first visit to a funeral service
What NOT to Wear to a Wake
Bright or Flashy Colors
- This being the case, it is advised not to opt for neon, salmon, red or any luminous color that can easily grab people’s attention.
- It’s mostly common to stick to simple colors that are in a way less joyful compared to any normal day.
Casual and Inappropriate Attire
- It is advised not to wear jeans, leggings, shorts and other informal t-shirts & pants.
- As for the guidelines on dress code, employees are advised not to wear anything that is embossed with a company logo, a slogan or big picture in large letters.
Revealing or Distracting Outfits
- The loose garments that expose the belly or any part of the body that is sensitive should not be worn
- It is advisable not to wear any too much jewelry, makeup or perfume
Inappropriate Footwear
- Sandals, sports shoes or shoes to wear while going to the beach are not appropriate.
- This is why it is advisable to wear polished dress shoes or formal flats if available.
Seasonal Considerations for Wake Attire
Dressing for a Wake in Summer
- Lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen
- Shirts that have short sleeves or blouses are acceptable but it is ideal to avoid shirtless like underwear or any T-shirt with sleeveless, jeans kind of dresses too.
- Closed-toe shoes instead of sandals
Dressing for a Wake in Winter
- Dark-colored coats, scarves, and gloves
- Purdah still allows for the provision of layering to be worn to keep warm while still adhering to the formal uniform of school.
- When choosing shoes, it is recommended to wear dark tights or stockings with dresses and skirts.
Cultural and Religious Variations in Wake Attire
Various cultures and religions have various practices concerning the appropriate dressing code to wear towards a wake.
Catholic wakes are generally black or dark attire primarily with a more formal dress worn by people attending funeral wakes.
- Buddhist funerals: Contrary to other traditions, the colour associated with bereavement is white rather than black.
- Shiva (“wake” for the deceased): Men must be hatless, and it is proper to dress dark; it is not mandatory, however, to wear black.
- Hispanic wakes: The members usually wear black attire although there are some native practices embedded at the wake mourning.
When going for a wake from a different cultural background, it will be wise to inquire from the family on what to wear.
Wake Attire for Different Locations
Indoor Wakes
what to wear to a wake occur in funeral parlors, churches or someone’s who has offered his or her home for the occasion. To sum up, we should dress discreetly by wearing black or dark-coloured clothes that are appropriate for a formal evening event.
Outdoor Wakes
Many wakes could be conducted under the open sky especially in areas where the weather is warm throughout the year. However, the nice and enjoyable environment requires more formal dressing. In case the wake is to be held in grassy areas, refrain from wearing high heels.
Additional Wake Etiquette Tips
Arriving on Time
Punctuality is important. This is because when one arrives late to a funeral service, he or she is deemed to be rude to the family of the deceased.
Offering Condolences
Keep condolences brief but heartfelt. The most appropriate response would be a reassuring “I am sorry for your loss”.
Following the Family’s Wishes
In as much as visitors are requested by the family to dress a particular way, (for instance wear white or informal wear) then one has to abide by this while making sure that they do not wear revealing clothes.
Conclusion
When attending a wake, there is always expected appropriate dressing code, prefer conservative dressing is encouraged. No items of bright and vivid colours, revealing garments, or open shoes and sandals, respectively, are allowed. I was to what to wear to a wake something not too flashy, informal or provocative.
This is especially important during a wake because when attending such events, it is important not to attract attention but rather to pay your respects to the departed family member and support the grieving family.
By
By
