When you attend a funeral, it is important to wear something appropriate for the sombre occasion. While some people opt for colourful outfits, and others prefer traditional black, the key is respecting the wishes of the family of the departed.
But when no dress code is mentioned, it can be tricky to know what to wear. And if the service is being held on a scorching hot day, you have the added complication of finding a weather-appropriate outfit. One woman knows this problem only too well - as she has been left confused what to wear to an upcoming funeral, given the heat.
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But when she took to the internet to ask for advice, she got an unexpected response.
Not only did her question - could she wear sandals - divide opinion, but her planned outfit also came under fire.
Posting to Mumsnet, the considerate woman asked if wearing sandals would be "a no no".
Her short post explained: "Small funeral next week of an elderly man, 12 people attending I will be only non-relative, would flat black plain sandals be ok?"
She added: "Planning to wear black 3/4 length wide leg trousers and would a vest style blouse also be ok or should I just wear white blouse? Don't want to swelter but also don't want to do the wrong thing?"
But she received a mixed response, as people could not agree on the appropriate type of footwear.
One commenter said: "I wouldn’t wear sandals." And a second said: "I would say closed-toe only."
But another wrote: "Sandals are fine." And a different person agreed, adding: "I think sandals in a heat wave is fine."
While several others echoed this sentiment, some thought it was the woman's choice of top she should reconsider.
"Sandals fine, less sure about the vest top," read one comment.
"I think sandals OK as part of an otherwise modest outfit, but I'd have shoulders covered," said a second.
But taking a different approach, one commenter, who had recently attended funerals, suggested the woman's outfit was of no concern.
"I've worn sandals to two fairly recent funerals, both in the summer. One was my husband's uncle and the other was my mother's a month or so ago. They were black," she said. "Literally no idea what anyone else had on their feet. Could have worn wellington boots for all I know. No one will care."
Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below
