What to Bring (And What Not to Bring) To Try On Wedding Gowns

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

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 14, 2022 References

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.

1

Nude-colored underwear

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]
X
Research source}
- 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.

2

Comfortable, easily removable clothes

Pick an outfit you can easily get changed in and out of. You’re going to be trying on multiple dresses, which means stripping down to your undies. Pick something comfortable and easy to take off, like athleisure-wear or jeans and a T-shirt, so you don’t have to spend extra time in the fitting room.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- When it comes to wearing makeup, stick to a minimal look. Trying on dresses with a full face of makeup can get a little messy, and you don’t want to have to worry about fixing your lipstick while shopping for your wedding dress.

3

Slip-on shoes + heels

Wear slip-on shoes, but take your wedding heels with you. The height of your heels will affect how the dress looks on you. While you don’t have to wear your heels into the store, pack them in your purse so you can put them on with your dress. This will help you decide how long you want your skirt and train to be, and it may affect the alterations you get done, too.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Don’t have your wedding heels picked out yet? Just bring in a pair of heels that are around the height that you’re going to wear.

4

Hair tie or clip

Bring something to put your hair up to mimic an up-do. If you know you’re going to wear your hair up on your wedding day, bring along a hair tie, scrunchie, or claw clip to throw your hair up in a bun. This will help you envision what you’ll look like on the big day, which can guide you toward making a decision.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Even if you want to wear your hair down during your wedding, it’s sometimes easier to get changed with your hair up (especially if you have long, luscious locks).

5

Camera

Snap some quick pics to look back on later. Bringing a camera is totally optional, but many brides-to-be swear by it! Have a member of your entourage take some pictures on your phone or a camera so you can compare your options and help you say yes to a dress.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Just make sure you don’t accidentally share the photos with your spouse-to-be. You wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise!

6

Jewelry

Take any jewelry you’re dead-set on wearing to your wedding. Normal jewelry that you don’t plan on wearing can be left at home (ever tried to put on a lace dress while wearing tons of jewelry?). But if you know you want to wear your grandma’s necklace or your favorite antique hair clip, take it along with you so you can pair it with your dress.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Your engagement ring, of course, can stay on!

7

Supportive friends or family

Take a small group of people to give you their opinions about the dresses. The number of people you want to take is totally up to you, but most brides-to-be bring along 3 to 4 of their closest friends and family members. Whoever you choose to come with you, make sure they’re supportive and kind while giving you their opinions.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Your friends and family can totally give you their input, but the final decision is yours when it comes to buying a wedding dress.

8

Inspo pics

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]
X
Research source}
- 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.