The fashion world constantly evolves, including both men’s and women’s fashion. Men’s fashion is just as prone to fashion mistakes as women’s fashion. In this article, we will be highlighting some of the most egregious fashion blunders made by men. We have curated a list of style and fashion fails that will likely elicit laughter, cringing, and perhaps even sympathy for these unfortunate individuals.
Avoid Holes in Socks
It appears that many men have holes in their socks but are reluctant to dispose of them. The unsightly appearance of sock holes is a concern. However, one must discard any sock that displays signs of wear and tear promptly, and invest in new socks.
If your socks tend to wear out at the toes before the rest of the sock, it may be helpful to choose socks with extra cushioning in the toe area to prevent holes. Additionally, throwing away old socks can eliminate the problem of having holey socks.
Prevent Product Build-Up
Despite not openly admitting it, men actually have a fondness for their hair care items. There are various options available for them to keep their hair healthy and styled, such as leave-in conditioners, hairsprays, and gels. However, it can turn out to be troublesome when they apply excessive amounts of these products. Overuse of hair gel, in particular, can lead to an oily, stiff appearance.
Applying an excessive amount of hair gel and mousse is not required. Just a small quantity should be massaged on your hands and distributed equally throughout your hair for an adequate styling effect.
Get Rid of Denim Shorts
Denim shorts are a favorite clothing item for many men of various age groups, typically sitting just above their knee. Regrettably, we have an unfavorable update for you; it’s time to dispose of them without delay.
Chances are, if you try to pull off short denim shorts, it might be a difficult feat. Additionally, these shorts might not be the most flattering and might give a too-casual look. As a solution, it is advised to skip this style altogether and go for something more comfortable that still offers various styles, such as chino shorts.
The Classic Fanny Pack
If you look at someone who is sporting a waist bag or fanny pack, formerly known by that name, it is likely that your eyes will be discomforted. To maintain your peace of mind, it is recommended that you steer clear of these irritatingly trendy accessories.
To be truthful, we can admit that this trend didn’t make sense the first time it appeared. However, it has resurfaced and is making many of us uneasy. Guys, it’s best to avoid this trend as it doesn’t have any positive attributes.
Control the Sunglasses Look
We suggest avoiding the sporty sunglasses style as it is no longer fashionable. If you wish to make a fashion statement with your shades, it’s advisable to invest in high-quality sunglasses instead of purchasing inexpensive ones.
To give the impression of being stylish, consider selecting brands like Ray-Ban and Tom Ford. If you’re on a tight budget, allocate your funds towards other accessories to complement your outfit, as sunglasses may not be as crucial.
Don’t Look Like a Costumed Character
It appears that males believe wearing multiple colors and patterns simultaneously is fashionable. However, it must be clarified that this is not a good idea in any situation. It is only acceptable if done with dark or neutral shades.
If you want to wear bright-colored patterns and shades, try to mix only one or two of them. Wearing more than that might make you resemble a character from a children’s cartoon, and people may even ask you where the costume party is.
Sports Jerseys Are Not Daily Attire
To put it plainly, sports jerseys are an excellent way to get excited about watching a game on TV or displaying your support while attending a live game. Regrettably, men appear to overlook that the jerseys are not meant to be worn after the game is over.
Sports jerseys are not appropriate for casual everyday wear at home. It is recommended to wear regular shirts or tank tops instead and save the jerseys for the next game or special occasions.
Avoid the Clunky Look
Ladies have the ability to wear various jewelry pieces, such as bracelets, rings, and earrings with ease. However, men are not as fortunate in this regard. Wearing several rings can often lead to an untidy look. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid wearing bulky jewelry and instead opt for a few small pieces of jewelry.
It’s best to stay away from large belt buckles, jewelry with big stones, and chunky bracelets or rings. Instead, opt for silver jewelry rather than gold since gold may appear flashy.
Say ‘No’ to Fur
This style is outdated and has been unpopular for a while. It may be suitable to wear for a winter camping trip, but it’s not recommended to wear it in public as it might not be well-received.
Wearing a fur coat or hat in public may give the impression that you are outdated, and therefore, it is not advisable. It is likely to attract bewildered glances from people.
The Socks With Sandals Fad
Men seem to believe that wearing socks with sandals is both acceptable and fashionable, but it can only be described as visually unappealing. The proper way to wear footwear is to pair sneakers with socks and sandals with bare feet.
If you are feeling a bit embarrassed about your feet, the most suitable option is to wear socks and sneakers. You can wear socks with sandals while you’re inside the house, but once you step outside, opt for slip-on sneakers instead.
Brands Don’t Define You
Do you belong to the group of individuals who exhibit loyalty towards brand names? Does donning clothes with a well-known brand name make you feel content? Just take a moment to contemplate and acknowledge that brands do not determine your identity or fashion sense.
Experiment with different outfits and assess their fit and comfort. You might discover that some lesser-known clothing brands are more pleasurable to wear than their pricey counterparts.
Forget Beaten-Up Shoes
If there is one thing that can spoil a great outfit, it is wearing shoes that are dirty or worn out. Even the simplest and most casual outfits can look unflattering with such shoes. Therefore, if you tend to ruin your shoes frequently, it is advisable to keep a clean and presentable pair specifically for going out and preserve a more worn-out pair for wearing only indoors or around the house.
Your appearance will be marred by wearing worn-out shoes, despite how meticulously you have designed your clothing selection and how much it has cost you.
Monochromatic Suits
We only see monochromatic suits in movies like The Matrix. Quite often, these suits are only worn by movie villains. Wearing everything in the same color as a suit is a no-go.
The problem with doing this is it makes it hard to be noticed. You end up blending in, and people need to take a second look to notice you. Add some color! It doesn’t need to be bold, just enough to break the monochromatic look.
Tie Clips and a Vest
Never wear this! You already have a waistcoat that works well to hold the tie in place, so why would you need a tie clip? It just seems like overkill.
In this case, you need to choose one or the other – there’s no in-between or compromise, sorry folks. Going into a hurricane, well, maybe the two might prevent the tie from swirling around, but we think the waistcoat will do just fine.
Suspenders With a Belt
Why, oh, why would someone wear suspenders with a belt? Isn’t the whole point of wearing a belt to hold your pants up? Do you wear suspenders to hold your pants up? Why would someone wear both?
Unfortunately, you need to choose which one you’re going to wear. Suspenders seem to be old and outdated now. Perhaps stick to a belt to appear normal, rather than overkill with the whole holding your pants up thing.
Get Yourself Some Collar Stays
Nothing looks worse than having a limp collar floating around in the wind. The good thing is you can buy a collar stay that’ll flatten the collar and keep it in place. There’s nothing formal about a limp collar. Collar stays are affordable and easy to use. You can’t even tell they’re there!
So what’s your excuse for not wearing one? You can purchase a collar stay from any formal clothing shop that sells men’s shirts. Consider buying one when you buy your next shirt.
Correct Your Tie Length
One thing that we see too often is men wearing ties that are either too short or too long. Both look out of place and are easily noticed. A tie’s length needs to be around belt level. Sometimes, you can get away with it being longer, but never go shorter!
Short ties are something to laugh about. It’s also important to consider the width. If you’re thin, then a thick one won’t suit you; a thin one won’t suit a larger person.
How Many Buttons?
There’s controversy over how many buttons are best to button on your suit jacket. The general rule is to open the last button on waistcoats and jackets. Some men might not worry about this, but it tends to interfere with the aesthetics and proportions.
Remember to undo a couple of buttons on your jacket when you sit down. Doing so will take pressure off the threads. But in the same way, don’t walk around with all the buttons undone – it looks sloppy and ruins the impact of a suit.
Sneakers With Suit Pants
Well, we can’t say we agree with this look. We can’t bring ourselves to agree with it, but there is a way to make the whole outfit look better. We all own sneakers, but it doesn’t mean they’ll look good with a suit!
Plain low-line white sneakers are the best to use if you really have to wear sneakers with a suit. Anything like high tops or bulky shoes is going to look ridiculous. This rule also goes for black sneakers, but it depends on what color suit you’re wearing.
Match the Socks
You might think it’s not a big deal, but socks can break or make an outfit. There are a few general rules when it comes to wearing socks. Don’t think it doesn’t matter because people can’t see them because, at times, they can.
When you sit down, the pants slide up, and there are your socks. Avoid white socks at all costs, and cartoon characters or patterns go in the same category. Do everyone a favor and match the socks with the outfit.
Consider the Length of the Pants
Seriously, men don’t have fashion sense if they think the length of their pants doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what type of pants you have on, the length is important. Pants that are too long or too short look bad.
If you buy pants that are too long, a simple hem alteration will do the job. You have two options for pants: Over the shoes or just sitting on top of the shoes.
The Right Arm Length
This is another common issue that men seem to overlook often. It doesn’t look good to have your sleeves over your hands, whether it’s a suit coat, shirt, or casual long-sleeve. The sleeve should be positioned just over the wrist.
Again, a simple hemming job will do the trick. It’s easy to learn how to do it yourself or take the shirt to an alteration shop to have it fitted and hemmed correctly. Don’t leave yourself looking sloppy when there’s a simple fix.
Incorrect Suit Fit
Sometimes, men like to splurge and buy expensive suits for a wedding or a special occasion. Unfortunately, there’s no point in buying an expensive suit if it doesn’t fit you correctly. There’s no in-between, it either fits or doesn’t.
A suit that seems to flow around you will give the impression that you wear clothes that are too big and you don’t care about your appearance. Men can change their whole image, for the better, with a suit that fits properly.
Big, Bold Slogan Icons
These T-shirts basically allow you to show people what you think. Unfortunately, these shirts don’t offer much in the way of fashion. There’s also the fact that many are meant to be funny, but the public doesn’t see it that way.
Small logos are ok, especially if they’re for a brand. Many t-shirts that say stupid things like “I paused my game to be here” are seen in a negative light. Keep these at home and go for something a little more stylish for outings.
Say ‘No’ to Extreme V-Necks
Some v-necks are okay if they’re small. You should stay away from the types that are just plain dramatic. You’ll get more frowns than anything else when wearing one of these. You might get a few ladies looking at your chest hair, but overall, these are bad.
V-necks were once in, and some people still wear them. However, they’re more of a gym-wear option than something you’d wear when going out. Stick to something a little less overboard.
No Words to Describe It
What exactly is this? Is it a tank top, fishnet, or something else? Does it even have a name? The question is, why is a man wearing one of these?
That’s certainly not gym wear, nor does it even fit in the casual department. What purpose does this “shirt” serve? Please don’t buy one of these.
Hats, Hats, and No Hats
Well, the whole hat thing that was once in has settled down now and barely exists. Seeing someone wear a bowler hat is a good conversation starter… when you’re in the mood to complain.
Sure, sun hats in summer are great! But hats for fashion? No way! If you’re wearing a sporty outfit, you may pull off the whole cap look, but that’s as far as that one’s going to go.
Not All Sunglasses Are Good
Some people wear sunglasses thinking they look good. Unfortunately, most of them don’t look good at all. Many people wouldn’t want to be seen without sunglasses.
Not because they shield their eyes from the sun but because they believe it makes them look good. If you aren’t using them for eye protection, avoid them at all costs.
Use Less Hair Products
What good advice! The problem men have when it comes to styling their hair is using too much product. This isn’t good, as too much gel and hairspray can make the hair look greasy and hard. We don’t think this is a good look.
You can achieve the same look when you reduce the amount you use. The thing to remember is to use the right product for the job. Some products are meant for spiking hair, which gel works great for but hairspray doesn’t.
Failing to Groom
When men don’t groom properly, it’s very noticeable. Many males reading this will state that they don’t use a moisturizer or pluck the hairs from their noses. Many are overdue for haircuts and can’t remember when they last used shampoo and conditioner.
A simple haircut, a good wash, and a proper shave can go a long way regarding your appearance. Did you know that men can take 10 years off their appearance when tidying themselves up?
Take Action and Brush Your Teeth
While it’s not only yucky to look at, it also feels gross when your teeth are dirty. It can be costly to go to the dentist, that’s for sure, but a good clean might be all you need.
If you don’t clean your teeth, they turn yellow, and you end up with gum disease. Avoid kissing anyone, as your breath will be disgusting. Everyone’s happy when you have a fresh, clean mouth.
Don’t Overdo the Accessories
Too many men love to go crazy with accessories. Unfortunately, they can give off the look of someone trying to appear rich, which doesn’t look good. You can achieve a stylish look just by using a nice watch and even some cufflinks.
The more you wear, the more you look silly. Sometimes less is more. For men, a simple look with two accessories looks more appealing. There’s no need to overdo it.
Uh-Oh
Oh no, this hurts our eyes to look at! What on earth is going on in this picture? The black and white for a whole suit is wrong, not to mention the fact there’s so much going on with the pattern!
It looks like he chose this outfit to draw attention to himself, but he may have attracted the wrong kind of attention. A stylish outfit like this belongs behind a closed door. Patterns don’t suit men. If you must wear patterns, consider it for a handkerchief in your pocket.
Say ‘No’ to Shark Tooth Necklaces
These were once the ‘in’ thing, as they were considered fashionable. Unfortunately, that was many years ago. No one wears these anymore, apart for one or two surfers.
If you like wearing jewelry, opt for something a little more stylish and definitely in the current era. These are nothing more than novelty items when people wish to dress up as Crocodile Dundee.
Avoid Crocs
Unfortunately, Crocs never made it far in the fashion world. These weren’t popular among children and certainly not among men. Crocs look silly, and that’s all you need to know.
Avoid wearing them. You’d probably look better wearing a pair of slippers. In fact, you’d probably gain more respect in slippers, or even bare feet, than you would while wearing Crocs.
Canvas Slip-On, No Way!
Canvas slip-ons are easy to put on and comfortable to wear. However, the truth is coming out and it’s going to hurt! Get rid of your canvas shoes. Don’t, under any circumstances, wear these in public.
These shoes are in the same category as Crocs. They get dirty, are hard to clean, and simply look bad. You can do so much better! Even a pair of flip-flops would be better than the old canvas slip-ons. Time to up your game!
High-Waisted Pants, NEXT!
Oh dear, please avoid wearing old high-waisted pants. The style comes and goes for women, and most can pull it off without any hassle. Men, on the other hand, must steer clear of these. If you must wear these, don’t wear tucked-in shirts with them.
Men don’t need to highlight their hips. An oversized shirt might hide most of these pants. They may have worked back in the day but not anymore.
Toe Shoes
We have the Crocs and the canvas shoes, but unfortunately, we also have toe shoes. As if toe socks weren’t horrible enough, they were at least hidden by your shoes. Can anyone tell us what these shoes would pair well with?
These shoes shouldn’t have been invented in the first place, and we struggle to understand why and how they’d offer any benefits. Do you wear toe socks or no socks? Don’t answer that. Instead, throw them away!
Men Don’t Wear Earrings
Earrings were a thing that was popular in the 80s, and that’s where they need to stay. There’s no room for male earrings in this day and age.
A necklace or ring is a much better alternative. Lose the earrings and stop traveling back to the 80s – which is in the past for a good reason.
Ugg Boots and Men? Nope!
Sorry, but we have to say ‘no’ to men wearing Ugg boots. Ugg boots for men aren’t a thing, and they never should be. Sure, everyone likes to relax, so wearing them at home is fine.
Ugg boots are not leaving-the-house shoes that neither males nor females should wear. Let’s hope they don’t become a fashion statement again anytime soon.
Backpacks and Suits, Hmm
Yes, it’s a thing, men wear suits with a backpack on. Such a look is not a good one, and they often get frowned upon by many. A crossover body bag, or even one on the shoulder, isn’t as bad as a backpack.
Perhaps it’s time to downsize your possessions if you need to carry a backpack. The other option is to carry it in your hands and try to look as casual as possible.
Dirty Shoes
You’ve just washed your white sneakers, and they’re sparkling. But then you look down and see the stains all over your laces. Not cool! It can be hard to remove stains from laces, and they often need stain treatment.
The best thing to do here is to replace the white laces each time you wash your shoes so they look fresh and new each time the sneakers are clean. It’s a good thing that laces are only a few bucks!
A Male Midriff? Please, No
There’s nothing good about this! Men shouldn’t be showing off their bellies unless they don’t have a shirt on at all. A half-shirt? No way!
It looks like he either put his daughter’s clothes on in the dark or his shirt had a fight with the dryer, and the dryer won. Surely this just shrunk, right? This can’t really be a thing, can it?
Tucked-In Shirts
Are you proud that you tucked your shirt in? Sorry, but there’s nothing good about tucking your shirt in. It looks old-fashioned and like you’re stuck in the past.
Younger males can add 20 years to their lives when wearing one of these. Don’t expect to get anyone to accept you on a date when you’re still tucking your shirt in. Most likely, they’ll ask you if you still live with your mom.
Say ‘No’ to Square-Toed Shoes
You should avoid square-toed shoes at all costs. While they might seem good to wear if you like them, they aren’t acceptable under any circumstances. These shoes are outdated and make men look awkward.
These are the opposite of really pointed shoes. These shoes are just like real pointed shoes, except they offer a dramatic look which is something to avoid. Just stick to normal shoes for the best outcome.
Even as the world transforms rapidly around us all, these traditional wedding dresses around the world have barely changed over the course of centuries.
Tibet
In Tibet, weddings are often suggested by elders in the family. In order to propose a match, an elder from the man’s family would visit the other family bringing gifts and tea.
If the woman’s family accepts the gifts, then they accept the proposal. The groom’s family then prepares the wedding dress, a headdress adorned with silver coins, and a small metal Buddha amulet for the bride, which the groom brings to her on the day before the wedding.
Ghana
When a Ghanaian man proposes to a woman, they don’t exactly have privacy. The traditional way to propose is to visit her house – with his entire family in tow. He better hope she says yes…otherwise it could get embarrassing. Ghanaian couples usually match their ceremonial attire to each other.
The outfits will be made of kente, a type of cloth handwoven in Ghana, and it’s custom for them to feature bright, colorful patterns and intricate geometric designs. These unique outfits should emphasize the couple’s unique love.
Hungary: Matyo People
The Matyo people are a subgroup of Hungarians who have inhabited Hungary’s northern regions for many centuries, retaining their culture amid many surrounding political and cultural shifts. In Eastern Europe, a proverb is often heard that goes, “You’re no Matyó embroidery!”
This developed in admiration of their intricate and flawless embroidery of the Matyo. The dress features many florals, as flowers are representative of fertility. Wheat is woven into the headdress to symbolize this too, as well as prosperity and fortune for the new family.
India
In India, bridal gowns are no joke. Layered and layered with symbolism, the dress will have sixteen embellishments in total – all considered crucial to ensure a happy marriage. The wedding dress, or sari, is usually red to represent the rising sun.
In addition to everything the bride is already wearing when she arrives, one more feature will be added later in the ceremony: the jaimala, in which the couple place flower garlands on each other in a promise of love.
Scandinavia: Sami People
Although Scandinavia is divided into different countries today, its different regions share plenty of history and customs. But one of the longest surviving cultures there is called Sami.
The Sami people are indigenous to the far north of Scandinavia, stretching across parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula. Reindeer are native to this region, which the Sami are famous for herding. Their traditional clothing communicates many things about the person wearing them, such as their marital status.
Morocco
In Morocco, the wedding ceremony can last for up to a week and includes many parties. First, the bride and groom have separate parties to celebrate with their own families. Then, they come together for the legal procedure and a joint celebration, which symbolizes their marriage and the marriage of their two families together.
The bride wears a dress called a takchita, and the groom and his family carries the bride on a 4-legged amariyah to demonstrate his ability to support her.
South Korea
In South Korea, the traditional wedding outfits of both the husband and wife are called a hanbok. The bride’s hanbok includes a short jacket with long sleeves, called a chima-jeogori, and a wrapped skirt.
The groom’s hanbok is composed of a short jacket, called a durumagi, and lose-fitting pants, called baji. Ancient tradition insists that the groom carry his wife around a sacred table on his back – an act that demonstrates a sense of reliability to the bride.
Eritrea
Eritrean weddings last for an entire week! First, the families exchange gifts to each other. The next day will be full of song and dance, celebrating the match. Then the two families share a large feast, to symbolize long health.
Following the feast, two traditional songs are mandatory to sing: the Awelo, naming and honoring each member of the family, and the Masse, honoring the women who prepared traditional food for the feast. The bride and groom have their outfits matching colors as a symbol of their bond.
Japan
A traditional Japanese ceremony has many stages. It begins with a dinner for the two families to exchange gifts; each family has prepared part of the wedding dress for the other family.
The husband’s family will give the bride a wedding sash to wear over a white kimono, called an obi. The bride’s family will give the groom a type of pleated trouser, called a hakama, and a jacket, called a haori, which he will wear on top of his usually black kimono.
Gora
Wait…you haven’t heard of Gora? Don’t panic. It’s a region, not a country. But its bridal dresses will surprise you. Gora sits between Kosovo and Albania, and has long been inhabited by the nomadic Gorani people: ethnically Slavic, religiously Muslim, but retaining some traditions and customs from ancient pagan beliefs in the area.
Their weddings are a three-day affair, carrying the bride on a white horse covered with a custom scarf and decorated umbrella to the husband’s neighbor’s house, who hosts the wedding.
Mongolia
In Mongolia, two people who want to get married have to make a trip together to the groom’s house to ask for permission. If they agree, they will also then be in charge of preparing the wedding.
Brides and grooms in traditional Mongolian weddings wear patterned clothes called a “deel.” Though deels refer to Mongolian clothing in general and include a lot of everyday wear, custom deel garbs have been made for centuries that are typically reserved for weddings and holidays.
Portugal
Traditional Portuguese weddings are layered with old pagan styles and somewhat more recent Catholic values. The brides traditionally wear a full-length tunic, covering them from head to toe and adorned with lots and lots of jewelry.
This jewelry has influence from a few different cultures – beads from the time of the Moors, crosses to honor the Catholic church, and gold in homage to the prosperity of the long line of Portuguese royals. In the past, these precious decorations would also serve as a dowry to the groom’s family.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a big country with around 250 ethnic groups of many religions and ethnic backgrounds, meaning that wedding ceremonies can be quite different from region to region.
But one thing that is true of almost all these areas is that Nigerian brides will wear brightly colored wedding clothes, along with a unique head tie called a Gele in most parts of the country. As is the case in many African cultures, brides and grooms in Nigeria usually match the colors of their wedding outfits.
Sri Lanka
On the island of Sri Lanka, east meets west in a way that is especially easy to see at a traditional wedding. Their heavily embroidered silk saris are shared culturally with nearby India and beyond, while their long lace veils show an influence from Europe.
Along with the sari and veil, the bride will wear a headpiece called a nalapata Grooms will wear a 4-cornered hat, a velvet jacket, and a long white waistcloth called a mul anduma.
Scotland
“An nglacfaidh tú liom mar chéile?” That’s Scottish Gaelic for, Will you marry me? If you’ve seen or heard of Scottish men in skirts, it’s not quite what it sounds like.
Wait-wrapped clothes in Scotland, called kilts, bore the colors and emblems of the clan they were born into. On their wedding day, men in Scotland traditionally wear the kilt of their clan. After the ceremony, the groom’s family gives the bride a shawl in the colors of their clan to signify her transition into his family.
Indonesia
Much like the architecture in the region, most Indonesian weddings across many regional subcultures feature a lot of gold, featured especially on headdresses and jewelry from head to toe which results in the bride and groom sparkling literally all over their bodies.
It’s easy to see from its architecture that Indonesian empires had their fair share of glory and richness in the region, with many gold-adorned monuments. By wearing gold, the bride and groom as honor Indonesia’s past as well as its kings and queens.
Peru
Color is the name of the game at a Peruvian wedding. Women wear bright handwoven skirts, called polleras, and men wear headdresses. The bride and groom will both also wear a cloak, or poncho.
These decorations and styles are reminiscent of the powerful Incan empire that once inhabited the region and beyond, with their capital Macchu Picchu in the mountains of Peru. Peruvians even decorate their cakes in the same colors as their dress – as well as hiding a ring inside on a ribbon.
China
At traditional Chinese weddings, brides and grooms often opt for red outfits, as the color is culturally recognized as lucky. It keeps away evil spirits, as well as representing love and prosperity.
Like in many other cultures, they are dressed by their respective families. The groom will then go to the bride’s family house, but he will first be blocked by her chosen bridesmaids. Once she gives him permission to pass, the families join each other for a tea ceremony.
Sardinia
In Sardinia, the dresses can be very elaborate, with ornate details that display influence from all around the Mediterranean from Northern Africa to Greece and northern Europe, including jeweled stitching, a velvet jacket, and a long veil.
Unique to this island, there is even a special wedding pasta that you’ve probably heard of. Ziti has long been a local wedding tradition, with hollowed centers that can hold all kinds of pasta toppings. This was designed to fill up the bellies of famously large Italian families, who will all be celebrating, of course.
Iraq
In Iraq, a wedding proposal is accepted with rose water, cordial, and sweet Arabic coffee. Iraqi weddings are quite a long and epic affair: the engagement is known to take up to years even, and once the actual ceremony takes place, it takes 7 days.
Just before the wedding week, the bride will receive gifts from both families including many dresses of many colors. Then, on each of the seven days, she will wear a different color for each of the seven colors of the rainbow.
Poland
Traditional Polish weddings are not hard to find today. Bridal outfits include a special veil/cap (welon) that has its own ceremony (oczepiny) during the wedding. The groom puts on a flower matching the bride’s bouquet.
During the ceremony, brides will move their dresses to cover their husband’s shoe – believing that this will give her a position of dominance in the relationship. Polish also believe that a bride can die of unhappiness, and the flower crown is created for her in the days before her wedding to manifest a happy, fertile marriage.
Caucus Mountains, Georgia
In the Caucus mountains of Georgia, wedding customs have stayed the same for many centuries. Many of their traditions reflect the warring nature of these mountains, where various groups of people have had to fight constantly for their survival.
The bride is carried under a four-post canopy to symbolize her protection, while the groom wears a sheath in his belt. Towards the end of the ceremony, the bride will be kidnapped by her family, in order to make the groom prove he’s capable of rescuing her.
Tonga
Like many other Polynesian islands and cultures, Tongan weddings are strongly symbolic of the environment around them. As can be seen from the hand-made attire from Tiare ‘O Patitifa, women wear a colorful wrap that covers their bodies only from the torso to the knees, while the men’s wraps will cover everything from the waist down.
The priest who marries them wears a feathered headdress to symbolize the divine right given to him by higher powers, and the couple go to sea in a canoe to symbolize the isolation of their love from the world around them.
Greece
At Greek weddings, ancient pagan traditions are combined with those of the Greek Orthodox church. Older tradition demands that the bride’s family places a lump of sugar in her glove to ensure a sweet life, and a gold coin to the inside of her shoe to bring good fortune.
The groom puts a piece of iron in his pocket to ward off evil spirits throughout the day. A priest places crowns joined by a ribbon (called stefana) on the couple’s heads, representing their new unity.
Ukraine: Hutsul People
Near the border of Ukraine and Romania live the Hutsul people, who are most likely descended from the old Rus tribe and still practice many of their customs. At their weddings, they ride to church on horseback, and celebrate for two or three days in a large wedding tent.
Their dresses are made by the delicate handwork of women in both families. Like certain other cultures, they strictly invite an odd number of people, believing odd numbers to be luckier because they can’t be divided!
Khazakstan
Traditional Kazakh weddings involve the bride wearing a headdress called a “Saukele.” This tall, conical hat is trimmed with fur and is the most expensive article of any wedding ceremony.
For wealthier women, the upper part of the hat is often decorated with semi-precious stone, blue velvet fabric, or gold thread. However, less prosperous women tend to make their “Saukele” from cheaper materials such as satin and will often use less precious beads made from glass to decorate the headgear.
Romania
Weddings in Oas are an important event in the Northwest part of Transylvania. The wedding is organized by the parents as well as the bride and groom-to-be and various different rituals are involved including the preparation of the dowry, the costumes, and choosing the godparents.
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