Just Ask Georgia: 3/11/2026

GEORGIA, I have a question,

I’ve always believed wearing all black was proper dress for anyone at a funeral or any such service. In recent years, though, this seems to have changed. “Church dress,” or subdued outfits in muted colors, seems to be acceptable.

A friend told me that it is pretentious to dress in all black when the deceased is not a close friend or family member. It seeks to claim a status as a mourner that the wearer does not deserve.

Then a high-profile lady was criticized for wearing a gorgeous, very dignified coat-dress in black-and-white tweed — which seemed perfectly appropri...