FASHION Q & amp;A

Q: I have this fabulous white pantsuit I would like to wear to a wedding (it's in the evening and semiformal). What is the rule about wearing white? I heard only the bride should wear it.
A: The "no white as a wedding guest" rule probably took hold because when you attend someone else's nuptials, you want to avoid being the center of attention. I would advise against many things: cutoffs, that Elizabeth Hurley Versace safety-pin dress, anything see-through -- you get the point. And if you were planning to arrive in a white, floor-length dress, I would suggest you consider a different ensemble. But a white pantsuit is another story. It sounds perfect -- and very chic. It won't interfere with the bride at all. A lot of fashion "rules" ought to be thrown out, or at least seriously reconsidered, and the "no white" dictum is one of them.
Q: I may have to attend a funeral soon and want to be dressed properly. I have never been a coat-and-tie man, and I wilt in the heat. I also don't own many dressy items, just a few good pieces. Would it be acceptable to wear linen pants with a shirt but no tie? The pants are a dark flax color, the shirt celadon green, and the shoes and belt chocolate brown. I want to be respectful, but I also don't want to collapse from heat exhaustion.
A: Aretha said it best: Respect. That's what's most important in this instance, which means that unless by "wilt" you mean "pass out and have to go to the hospital," you have to wear a coat and tie, like it or not. A dark suit is most appropriate, but if you have a dark jacket and a subdued tie, you could combine them with the pieces you mentioned. The most important factor in this equation is that whatever you wear be understated. It is a funeral, after all.
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