The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana

There is nothing that makes a woman feel more powerful, sexy, confident and/or bold than the red dress.

You might have all noticed on the red carpet at the recent SAG Awards that the female celebrities, a majority of them were all wearing red. Wearing red seriously requires major confidence – it is a very ballsy colour to wear and a-lot of people can pull it off and then there are some that unfortunately just can’t.

I’ve been in love with the colour red for a long time and I guess you could say I’m very lucky that I can actually pull off this colour. I bought this dress at H&M a few months ago ($29.95!! How can you NOT love H&M??!!!). and instantly fell in love with this formal dress the moment I saw it at the Melbourne store where I bought it from. It has such a classic cut and style to it, very feminine.

I decided to wear the dress to a friends wedding that my husband and I were invited to and, since buying it I hadn’t worn yet it and thought it was perfect for the outdoor garden wedding. I never thought to look up the trust worthy (cough cough) Google about wedding guest clothing appropriate attire as I always knew one should never ever wear white to a wedding just because… well, the bride is wear white or ivory, but other colours I honestly never really gave it a second thought.

Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. But style is more about being yourself.

It’s already difficult enough to know what wedding gift to buy the beautiful couple let alone now to even consider what colour you can and can’t wear to a wedding.

So I had a look at what is wedding guest appropriate clothing attire and unless the bride and groom (more specifically, the bride) mentions that guests should not wear red or that they would prefer that their guests to stick to a colour scheme, it would seem that red is safe colour to wear to a wedding. That is, unless you’re attending a traditional Chinese wedding, then it is a big fat NO.

According to Chinese culture, red symbolises happiness and good fortune, so it makes sense that only brides hosting a traditional Chinese wedding should wear red. Therefore, if you’re going to be attending a traditional Chinese wedding in the near future, you might want to steer well clear of wearing red. So, phew on me wearing red! 🙂

The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana
The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana

So here’s a funny story about the wedding I went to… well, for the groom it was hilarious but not so much for the bride. Now, anyone who knows me, knows I am a super punctual person. I’m always in mega early to work and also arrive to any social event that I’m invited half an hour early. So when Troy (my husband) and I were invited to my friends wedding, I was 100% convinced that the invitation said ‘3PM’.

Now, I’ve had that wedding invite stuck to my refrigerator door since December 2016 and we both looked at the invite a couple of days before the actual wedding to see where the actual address was, by typing it into Google Maps but never fully checked the actual time again.

As we both arrived at the wedding, we slowly walked up to the property and you could hear from outside on the street so much noise, so much commotion and Troy turns to me and says: ‘Is there another wedding on before David and Mariska’s?’. I looked at him as if he was daft to even have said such a thing, I replied: ‘Hell no. Who would have a wedding on before another wedding?’.

As we both stood outside of the gates of the property and looked up over at the photographer who was standing on top of a ladder, who just happened to be my friend, Michelle and also my photographer of my BooHoo and PrettyLittleThing collaboration – she looked over and waved us in and said, ‘hurry, get in the shot!’.

Troy and I looked at each other, in horror and both whispered, ‘oh fuck!’

The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana
The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana
The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana
The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana
The Red Dress | Style & Life by Susana

SHOP SIMILAR TO WHAT I'M WEARING

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2403439″]

What I’m wearing: Red dress bought from H&M , tan lace-up heels bought at Forever New and sparkle clutch bought at Bijou Brigitte (in Portugal)

Here was the bride and the groom, the bridal party and all of the guests standing in front of this gorgeous tree, the afternoon sun was beaming down upon everyone and the group shot that happens to be happening is the one at the end of the ceremony!!!

As we both embarrassingly like two little school kids hung their heads down, walked the walk of shame along the path to stand within the group photo shot, everyone (except for the bride) was laughing out loud and yelling: ‘oh Susy!’ ‘Busted!’. It was at that precise moment I wanted to sink into the dirt along with the back of heels.

Apparently also another friend of mine turned up right at the end of the wedding ceremony but she was lucky it was just as the Celebrant announced David and Mariska as, ‘husband and wife’ and never got seen sneaking in.

The joke towards the end was that Troy and I should have waited once the celebrations had started and should have snuck in then. Haha! We have apologised profusely to our friends and offered to take them out for dinner. David still laughs about it but I’m not so sure about Mariska – we are still trying to make amends with Mariska.

We are truly so so so so very sorry, please forgive us xoxo ?

Have you ever been late to an important event of a friend or family member? If so, did they forgive you? And did you make it up to them. Tell me about it in the comments below.

photography by TAS / location: Friends back-yard in East Geelong, Victoria – Australia

Susana xoxo
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50 Comments
  • You go girl!! X

  • Kate Schiffman
    June 8, 2017

    Love the dress! Red is my favorite color when I want to feel like a bad ass!

  • Style and Life by Susana
    March 14, 2017

    I love these type of bargains when the outfit is on point! Thank you for dropping by and commenting xx Susana

  • RandomlyYaya
    March 14, 2017

    Every woman needs a show stopping red dress and you got it at a great deal. Love it

  • Style and Life by Susana
    March 10, 2017

    Thank you so much! I completely agree, if you have a little back dress – you need a red dress to! xx Susana

  • Jewels Rhode
    March 10, 2017

    You are rocking that red dress!! Having a staple red dress is just as important as having a little black dress

  • Style and Life by Susana
    March 10, 2017

    Thank you so much xx Susana

  • Style and Life by Susana
    March 10, 2017

    Thank you xx Susana

  • Kristen Lawler
    March 10, 2017

    Gorgeous! This dress is so pretty!

  • Style and Life by Susana
    March 10, 2017

    I completely agree! xx Susana

  • Robin
    March 10, 2017

    I love red – I seriously think I’m the best version of myself when I’m wearing it because I feel so confident!

  • Style and Life by Susana
    March 10, 2017

    Thank you x Susana

  • Style and Life by Susana
    March 10, 2017

    Thank you xx Susana

  • Candy Kage
    March 10, 2017

    Beautiful looking dress and red is my favorite color. I’ll remember not to wear red to Chinese wedding if I ever go to one.

  • Kiara Houston
    March 9, 2017

    You look gorgeous in this red dress dear. So beautiful.

  • Thank you so much lovely for dropping by and commenting xx Susana

  • Violetta Inna
    March 3, 2017

    You would look more gorgeous with a matching red shoes I guess. I love your dress.

  • Thank you so much! xx Susana

    (P.S. do you mean blog follow each other? Happy too!)

  • Thank you lovely x Susana

  • radiatefashion
    March 2, 2017

    How stunning! Red looks so good on you 🙂

  • Thank you so much babe xx Susana

  • HOWIMETMYSTYLE
    March 2, 2017

    What a stunning dress! I love how the red dress goes perfect with your skin tone. You look flawless!!

  • Thank you so much lovely xx SUsana

  • Thank you so much lovely xx Susana

  • Thank you babe! I personally think red would look AMAZING on you!!! xx Susana

  • Anna Nuttall
    March 1, 2017

    i love the dress, you look lovely wearing it. xx

  • Chrissy
    March 1, 2017

    Red looks incredible on you! I don’t have many pieces with that color, but I’m willing to give it a shot. x

  • Thank you so much babe! I think red would look amazing on you to be honest. Maybe try it in small doses, like t-shirts or blouses? xx Susana

  • Shasha
    March 1, 2017

    That red looks fantastic on you! I agree that red is definitely a “ballsy” color to wear. I feel like red never looks good on me. Its pretty sad that I don’t have anything red in my closet, not even a t-shirt lol. You have really inspired me to add more red to my wardrobe. You look so confident and chic! I also love how flowy the dress is.

  • Hmmmm perhaps it would have been better to have missed the photo op so then it wouldn’t have been so obvious haha! xx Susana

  • Agree the dress is conservative but yet has a slight sexy feel to it xx Susana

  • Travel Pockets
    March 1, 2017

    I will admit that I have googled “proper wedding guest attire” toot! The red dress you wore to the wedding is gorgeous and good thing you didn’t miss the group photo op. I’m sure that dress looked amazing in those shots 🙂 I am always tempted to buy a red dress and end up with black. I really need to add a hot red dress to my wardrobe!

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    I completely agree! Thank you for commenting xx Susana

  • Style inspiratrice
    February 28, 2017

    This red dress is amazing! Totally love the cut – so sexy and effortless! <3

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    I love H&M for these type of great finds and at such a great price too! 🙂 x Susana

  • Tamarah Harvey
    February 28, 2017

    That dress is beautiful! I love H&M…don’t remember ever seeing that dress so now I have an excuse to go there and try to hunt it down lol

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    Awwww thank you so much gorgeous lady xx Susana

  • Patricia Lora
    February 28, 2017

    That red dress is so gorgeous! You look amazing as per usual babe! xo

    xo, Patty
    http://www.pattyskloset.com

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    *LOL* I don’t think so bu thank you xx Susana

  • Missy Burson
    February 28, 2017

    That reminds me of my friend Amy who I saw scampering into the ceremony area as I was about to walk down the aisle. I heard my pastor call her out so I know she was already embarrassed. I wasn’t mad, I mean things happen. Maybe the bride was annoyed you looked so hot, lol.

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    I’m still shudder in disbelief that we missed it! I’ve never missed anything before and still feel so bad. But agree wedding ceremony’s can be boring – it’s like, yep lets skip over the zzzZZZZzz parts and get to the ‘do you take this woman/man to be your wife/husband?’ OK now kiss the bride. Haha!! x Susana

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    Thank you xx Susana

  • Tereza Cityscape Bliss
    February 28, 2017

    Hahaha I can’t believe you MISSED THE WEDDING!! That’s hilarious!! Altho the ceremony parts are either terribly boring (sorry to all married people) or I send them balling because it’s so damn emotional (also sorry to all married people) so I’m sure it was a good thing in the end;) The dress is amazing by the way, I remember seeing it in H&M and I wanted it to so much but I had absolutely nowhere to wear it to. It looks stunning on you!! x

  • Ela
    February 28, 2017

    That’s such a lovely dress!
    Ela | stealingyoursunbeams.wordpress.com

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    Are you serious?????????!!! That’s just completely unacceptable for people who do that!! No, I’ve never had that happen to me. I’m so sorry babe 🙁 you should never allow someone to make you be scared to wear what you like regardless of their words, it shows their weakness and they feel inferior to you. Don’t let their power over take yours xx Susana

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 28, 2017

    I love wearing black too – like today I’m wearing all black haha! xx Susana

  • Find Your Happy Plate
    February 28, 2017

    I love red, it’s my favorite color and what I wear most besides black. I’m blond with very pale skin so it suits me perfectly!

  • Cassidy Slockett
    February 27, 2017

    Red dresses are my favorite! Unfortunately I have found that I get cat called SO SO SO much more when I wear a red dress. Does this happen to you too?

  • Style and Life by Susana
    February 27, 2017

    Thank you xx Susana

  • Camilla
    February 27, 2017

    I agree with you, red color is so powerful!
    I love this dress!

    XOXO

    Cami

    http://www.paillettesandchampagne.com