Australian influencer Tahlia Skaines, with over 800,000 followers, sparked controversy after sharing photos of herself in a daring cream gown at someone else’s wedding. The dress, which featured a large cut-out and plunging neckline, was posted on her Instagram with the caption, “A beautiful day celebrating love.” While many of her fans praised the look, calling it “beautiful” and “stunning,” it didn’t take long for debate to erupt online about whether the outfit was appropriate for a wedding.
The conversation gained traction when the photos were shared in a Facebook group, where users expressed mixed opinions. Some believed the outfit was tasteful and argued that non-traditional wedding guest attire has become more common. Supporters reasoned that if the bride had no objections and Skaines looked good, there shouldn’t be a problem. However, others felt strongly that her dress was inappropriate for a wedding, with one commenter suggesting that she should have been asked to change or leave. Several critics pointed out that her outfit violated the unspoken rule of not upstaging the bride. They also accused Skaines of seeking attention by wearing such a bold look.
The debate around wedding guest attire is not new, and Skaines is just the latest influencer to be caught in the controversy. The conversation parallels another recent incident involving influencer Isabella Mathers, who was criticized for wearing a bridal-looking dress to her father’s wedding. Mathers, who has over a million followers, clarified that her dress was actually baby pink and not white, and it was worn to a non-traditional event where the bride wore a floral dress.
Mathers documented the low-key backyard wedding on Instagram and anticipated some backlash, explaining that there was no formal dress code. She added that many of the guests, including her partner, wore light-colored outfits, and emphasized that her dress was chosen with the event’s relaxed atmosphere in mind.
Both Skaines and Mathers have found themselves at the center of debates about what’s considered appropriate wedding attire. The discussions highlight how influencers, with their large online audiences, can stir public opinion and ignite debates over fashion choices at formal events, especially weddings. Whether these bold outfit choices are seen as attention-seeking or harmless fashion statements seems to depend on who you ask.
