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.
Great post, Jennifer! Twenty years ago, I got a wedding invitation and had to shop for an outfit as I had nothing in my closet that fit the formal event. I learned that I hate to shop for special occasion clothing on a deadline. Since then, I have built a small capsule wardrobe of special occasion items – all bought on sale. All are comfortable to wear, feel like me, and are easy to care for. I have a beaded cocktail dress and shimmery tank dress, both in navy blue. I added a black velvet A-line dress. I have palazzo pants, velvet pants, tuxedo pants, and sequin pants, all in black. I found a gorgeous gold tulle skirt. I can pair pants/skirt with silk blouses or a beaded tank. I have a black velvet tuxedo jacket and a black sparkly jacket. And I have some cashmere wraps. In the last decade, I have had the resources to purchase a few luxury handbags and shoes, some vintage, so I have options. When I have an event or a trip that calls for special occasion items, I have options to pick from.
I’ve been thinking about the selections for adult women for dressy events, I think what bothers me, is many of these styles have been on offer for many years, I would love to see other options.
I agree, I’ve seen these same types of styles for many years.
When my oldest daughter got married 30 years ago, it was on a grassy bluff area with a gazebo over looking a beach. Dressy but still casual. We were both avid sewers and she designed and sewed her own gorgeous white wedding dress. I sewed a teal colored pant suit with a beautiful silk print blouse for myself. Dressy wedge sandals worked great in the grass.
When my oldest son got married about 25 years ago, it was a semi formal afternoon wedding in a vintage chapel. I searched and searched for a MOG dress in wine or burgundy. I did not have time or energy to sew myself something, so I settled for a nice mid length burgundy dress with embroidery near the neckline. It was not my style, made me feel dowdy and I never worn it again.
Now my youngest son is getting married this October and it will be a dressy, but casual daytime wedding in a beautiful setting near a mountain lake. I will be looking for a nice 3 piece pant outfit like you’ve shown. Having lost 30 lbs in the past 6 months with 10 more to go to my goal, I want to look good while being comfortable and I feel like I have more choices available. Thank you for this post and as soon as I hit my goal in a couple more months, I will be doing some serious shopping!
Congratulations, Norma!!
I like shopping Dillard’s and Soft Surroundings for special occasions or just a feminine outfit.
I am looking for a MOG outfit and have seen or tried on some of these in person. The Alex Evenings shawl collar blouse looked lovely in person; the dresses with the jackets and attached necklace, not so much. The big problem is that if you are petite, you cannot find anything in stores. My nearest Nordstrom (rep) actually bragged that they don’t have a Petite in the store as if short people cannot be fashionable — really distasteful. (They have a few online.) I didn’t like the dark polyester outfits – they do not say wedding to me. I’ve seen lots of black at weddings, just not on the wedding party (women). My future DIL chose 2 shades of green and 2 of rose-cabernet for her colors, so I’m looking for those or for navy.
I’m saddened that petites are so hard to find. I see lots of black worn to weddings and do it myself, most times.
Love these dressy pant suits. Wish they were popular when our son got married.
Guess I can get one when one of the Grandkids get married. 🫢
I find all of these dowdy and depressing. I struggled to find a nice dress that was flattering for my three children’s weddings. I don’t know why American designers don’t make nice dresses with sleeves? Princess Kate seems to have no trouble finding lovely dresses with sleeves.
If I heard one more time that I could “just add a bolero or jacket “ I was going to scream.
For my last child’s wedding I had some success finding several acceptable dresses at Macys in Walnut Creek, Ca. Lovely store with good selection. Not so the Macys in the North bay though. Dirty, and poor selection.
Jennifer, I appreciate all your work on this. My comments are surely not a reflection of your efforts, rather the reality of clothes shopping for older women and what is offered to us. Such a shame. Thank you for your efforts.
We can’t ignore people’s budgets in this instance. If you have less than $150 to spend on a complete dressy outfit for a formal wedding, your choices will be very limited. Princess Kate has no problem “finding” lovely dresses with sleeves because most of her wardrobe is sewn specifically for her. I hear your frustration and wish brands offered us more options.
Love these dressing pants suits. Wish they were around when my son got married.
Guess I will have to wait get one when one of the Grandkids get married. 🤭
I too love the eyelet jacket but would probably wear with the Seaspray skirt and top. By the way Marlene Oprah was not a guest at William and Catherine’s wedding you are thinking of Harry and Meghan
Okay, I don’t want to insult anyone, but (in my opinion only) these are ghastly. Every one of them looks like a “one-time-wear” that was purchased for an occasion and then went to die in the back of the closet. What’s wrong with wearing nice black pants and a pretty blouse to a wedding? You know, what you might wear to church on a regular basis. As for the shoes, why would you want to hide a nice pair of flats? That sounds like one those “mom voice rules” I try to ignore: only heels with dresses. Now, my own personal style tends to boho, so I wouldn’t be tempted to wear the classic wedding guest uniform in the first place. However, that said, I realize my opinion is not everyone’s and if the pantsuit makes you feel confident, go for it.
No mom rules here, only a solution that may help boost a woman’s confidence. If your feet are painful enough to require highly supportive, orthotic-friendly, bulky, flat shoes, they may be something you’d prefer to hide with a pant leg.
Love the shawl collar wrap top!
Me too
It was fun looking at all of your selections Jennifer! I don’t have any wedding events to go to but I would wear the tiered pantsuit. Am a great grandmother of 13 and grandmother of 17 and proud of all of them. I wouldn’t feel frumpy at all in that pantsuit. I never have liked lace. Simple is better for my petite size. At 78, I feel I can wear anything I want that I feel is comfortable. As a retired nurse that lived in scrubs and tennis shoes for 30 years, these look glamorous to me. It is important to pick comfortable clothes that feel and look good to each person and don’t worry about the naysayers. Have a good time at all of your upcoming events.
You’re blessed to have so many grandchildren!! I love your attitude about fashion. Thanks for sharing.
I like the color options.
Unfortunately, polyester isn’t my favorite fabric, I would probably buy a fitted suit in a different fabric. I run cold.