Best Special Occasion Pant Suits for Weddings and Events
If you’re anything like me, the minute I RSVP yes to a wedding, my mind begins thinking about what I’ll wear. Of course, there are a myriad of dresses and skirts available, but if you aren’t a fan of showing your legs, you may be wondering if it’s acceptable to wear pants or a pant suit to a wedding. I’m here to tell you that you absolutely can! With the right pant suit, you can feel confident that you look just as chic and stylish as you would wearing a dress. To help make selecting an outfit easier, I’ve scoured the internet and put together a list of the best special occasion pant suits for weddings and events.
Can You Wear a Pant Suit to a Wedding or Event?
The answer to this is absolutely, in my book. Pantsuits are great for attending a wedding, no matter the season. They’re easy to wear, allow you to skip the pantyhose, and often have pockets! The other beauty of wearing pants to a wedding, is they help camouflage your shoes. This is especially helpful if you need to wear shoes with additional support or flatter, less dressy footwear.
I share more about my feelings about pants at a wedding, along with some great outfit inspiration in this post: How To Wear Pants To A Wedding With Confidence
How to Decide What to Wear to a Wedding or Event?
I always recommend looking at the formality and location of the special event when making a decision on your attire. You obviously won’t want to choose a pastel, linen option for an evening black tie wedding, and likewise, you won’t want to wear a sequined, fussy option for a midday casual wedding. I’ve included lots in the shopping widget below for all occasions.
Before you get started… if you have any special events to attend this year, you might also like these posts:
- Fall Wedding Guest Dresses for Over 50
- Petite Dresses for Wedding Guests from Nordstrom
- Winter Wedding Outfits for Women Over 50 and 60
- Best Black Dress Shoes for Women Over 50 Your Feet Will Love
- What to Wear Under Dresses, Skirts, and Shorts
Dressy Pant Suits for Women Over 50, 60, and Beyond
This pant set has just the right touch of sparkle with its subtle rhinestone trim. Perfect for evening weddings when you want a little shimmer without going overboard. The cut of the crewneck top and pants are super simple, so the bell sleeves add a fun, elegant detail that makes it feel special. Add a low heel, or a metallic silver flat if you’re aiming for comfort! Sizes 4-16 available.
This pant set from R & M Richards is such a timeless look, and the scallop and lace detailing really take it to the next level. This beautiful champagne/blush pink combo will look great no matter the season. Sizes 6-18.
Chiffon instantly elevates any outfit. This set is a blank canvas to let your accessories shine, so dress it up with statement earrings, a necklace, and a fabulous shoe. It comes in lots of colors, but this teal color is one of my favorites. Sizes 8-18.
If you’re heading to a black-tie wedding, this is the pantsuit for the job! It checks all of the boxes…flattering, sophisticated, and just enough sparkle. Take note that the reviews do say that the top and jacket are attached so you cannot separate them. Sizes 6-18.
If you’re shopping for a wedding outfit on a budget, a set is often the best way to go. This 3-piece set is under $130. If you had to buy each piece separately, imagine how quickly the cost would add up. This set has just the right amount of sparkle for a formal or semi-formal event. Just add a sparkly shoe, a chic clutch, and some dressy earrings to complete the look. Sizes 6-18, with plus and petite options available.
Plus Size Dressy Pant Suits
Thanks to the pretty neckline detail on this pantsuit, you can skip purchasing a necklace! With 17 colors to choose from, you’re sure to find a shade that flatters your skin tone or perfectly matches any wedding color palette if you’re dressing to coordinate.
This deep, rich burgundy feels so cozy and elegant for this time of year, and it looks amazing in winter wedding photos. If burgundy isn’t your color, you can find this pant suit in a rainbow of other colors including a beautiful ink blue, purple, and dark green. Sizes S-26Plus.
Dressy Separates for Weddings and Events
You can also simply add a new top or jacket with a pair of trousers or dress pants that you already own and love.
If you’re traveling for an upcoming wedding, let me turn you onto Chico’s Travelers line. These are wrinkle-resistant pieces that are going to look just as fabulous coming out of your suitcase as they did going in. They’ve recently released their holiday line, so they currently have lots of great shiny and sparkly options, including this embellished cardigan. Wondering how to style it? Wear it over a black tank like this velvet one with a pair of black pants for a simple, but sophisticated wedding-ready look. Sizes XS-XXL.
If you’re looking for a dressier jacket option, check out this sparkly twinset from Alex Evenings. It includes a tank, so you don’t have to buy an extra piece. Available in sizes S-XL, and also available in petite and plus sizing.
Velvet is one of my favorite fabrics for the holiday season, and this piece would be perfect for a winter wedding. I love that it’s in green, making it festive yet elegant without going overboard. Pair it with the matching velvet pants, or mix it up with some black dress pants. Also available in black in sizes XS-XXL.
Speaking of festive, I couldn’t not share this beautiful embroidered jacket. It’s one of those pieces you can wear for a wedding, a holiday dinner party, a night at the ballet—pretty much any special occasion coming up. It adds just the right touch of style and feels perfect for this time of year. Sizes XS-XXL.
If you’re looking for something to wear with a touch of personality, check out this floral print jacket. The pattern has the same chic feel as leopard print (which is everywhere right now!) but in a fresh, unique way, and I love the low contrast of the chocolate brown/black. Sizes XS-XL.
I love the lines and silhouette of this tie-waist top. The portrait collar is so flattering, and the bracelet sleeves help you look taller while allowing you to showcase your bracelets. It has a back zip, so you won’t have to worry about the front gaping open because it is tacked closed. I would pair it with a trouser or a beautiful skirt. Sizes S-XL.
Shop More of the Best Special Occasion Pant Suits:
Do you have any weddings or special events to attend this year?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I have two wedding to attend (grandchildren) this summer…June (S.F.) and July (Geyserville, CA.
S.F.’s weather is always so changeable from cold to very warm…the other site is likely to be very warm. However, that said, my understanding is that guests are not to wear white (or black) to a wedding. (Recalling Oprah having to have a new dress created the night before William & Kate’s wedding due to her original white outfit).
Anyhow, huge dilemma to locate the right outfit, comfortable shoes, etc. for the two weddings above, Jennifer, so I hope you’ll revisit this issue and allow for a whole realm of other ideas for seniors, especially grandmothers.
What specifically are you looking for? I can have a look around for you.
What pants would you suggest for a wedding when wearing separates?
You could go with flowy and wide or tailored in a beautiful woven fabric.
Although, I totally agree about the comfort of a pantsuit and that they can rise to a dressy occasion, I too feel these choices are a bit dowdy. They seem to be mostly polyester. In the fashion pages, I see a revived interest in pantsuits but they are sharply tailored in vivid colors. Although the bright colors might not work for everyone, I would feel more chic in such an ensemble in a quality material, maybe with a sequined tee underneath.
I always prefer a natural fiber, but they’re not always easy to find.
These are all so gorgeous and chic! I think we’re so much more used to seeing pants on women, that for dressy occasions it looks normal now, and we’re seeing more and more of it because it’s so much more comfortable; IMO!
I’ll be attending an outdoor (ceremony & cocktails) /indoor(reception & dancing) wedding in July, and I’m starting to look for my outfit and shoes now, so I very much appreciate this timely post.
It looks normal now, but the first time I wore a pantsuit to a wedding it was new and I walked in nervous & unsure of myself, but by the time of the next wedding I couldn’t imagine wearing anything but! Hope you had fun at your July wedding?
I love the taffeta top; makes me wish I had a summer wedding coming up.
But I want to comment on last Sunday’s posting when you confessed that you bought a pair of pants with a thick elastic waistband a few days after writing that you didn’t like them. This made me laugh and gives me even more respect for you! We are allowed to change our minds and now you can let us know how they work out for you.
LOL, I will
The eyelet jacket would be perfect for a graduation ceremony this summer.
Agreed, or a dressy dinner out.
Wonderful ideas. I wish I had a place to wear one of the beautiful suits.
I love the eyelet jacket and have saved it to my Pinterest page since my son & his fiancee are thinking of a summer wedding in Costa Rica next year and their favorite color is green. I like the pink knit jacket too, seems like it would be so easy to wear again. The tie waist top is very pretty but too low cut for me (mastectomy). The others are not my style but thank you for a variety of looks!
Only the botanical eyelet and Ming Wang jackets call. But to me, it’s more the colors of the other outfits, not pretty, not spring/summery, too grayed out for me.
I, too, find these pantsuit styles aging. A dressy, longer jacket with slim black pants and statement jewelry is (for me) much more chic and eye-catching.
Love looking at all the different pantsuits. Being short I can’t really wear a long jacket but I like the dressy separates look.
Those pantsuits all say grandma to me. While I am a “Mimi” and proud of it, I’d probably wear a dress, or Palazzo pants with a sparkly top or sweater.
I like pantsuit #1, but in the peacock color shown online. The botanical eyelet jacket is gorgeous and I’d definitely wear it to a beach wedding (or anywhere) but I wouldn’t wear a white dress underneath. I’d choose a shade of green for a dress underneath.
Fresh green would be great underneath that lace jacket.
I actually like all the styles with the longer jacket or duster style. The longer duster style elongates the body as they say. To me, the lace screams frumpy. I’ve seen some beautiful jumpsuits with sleeves in dressy and colorful fabrics, with loose legs so it mimics a dress (on the TV shopping channels). I don’t have any weddings coming up but I thought I’d wear something like that if I did. I know jumpsuits are a pain in the restroom. These looked like dresses with separated legs and sleeves. Win, win!
The thing about these pants “suits” is that no matter your body type, you can look elegant. Furthermore, the jackets frequently can be worn with dresses. Sleeveless dresses are a challenge for an over 60 given arm wrinkling (and it’s a thing ladies) and being able to find a simple yet elegant lightweight jacket, and have a total outfit, it works for me!
I’m right there with you and arms! I just feel more confident with some coverage.
Same. I’m always looking for an elbow length dress or t-shirt for that matter which isn’t easy but if found always buy and t-shirts in multiples and colors. Although I’ve had great success for dresses at Nordstrom. You can choose your sleeve length & style and come up with some great options, including a MOG dress way after the fact when we gave a cocktail wedding reception (military parent – it is what it is).
Love the taffeta blouse. I would wear it with wide leg silky pants or nice skirt.
Thanks for doing research. It’s a challenge finding something that is pretty. I would not choose a pantsuit, but wear a dress as it is fun to “dress up” with a dress on the rare occasions.
Pantsuits for a wedding says ‘granny’ to me. Although I do have a very chic friend who has worn palazzo pants to a wedding. And she always looks stylish. Just not for me. But I do think the taffeta top is pretty elegant and I do love the eyelet jacket. I would totally wear that to a beach wedding.
Suits and sets are pretty popular because they’re easy. I love the palazzo pant idea with a structured jacket.
So many great options! Love the satin trim Le Bos 3 piece and of course the taffeta top in lavender. Such good values too!
Taffeta really ups the game for weddings.
Shout out to Ming Wang! When I was working and a frequent traveler, this brand was a lifesaver!
I have a high-low trip to Dubai coming up this spring. This Ming Wang jacket might come with me!
Her fabrics are great for travel.
#1 would probably be the only pantsuit I would wear – the others give off a frumpy vibe for me . I love the tie waist top – would definitely wear that with a wide leg crepe pant. The eyelet jacket is just my style – it would look great over a green or turquoise shift or even a tank dress !
My favorite would be the tie waist jacket too. These pant suits seem to sell a lot.