STYLE ADVICE
WHAT TO WEAR TO A WEDDING AS A GUEST
STYLE ADVICE
WHAT TO WEAR TO A WEDDING AS A GUEST
Get the lowdown on wedding guest dress codes, including which colours to choose, and learn what is and isn’t acceptable to wear with our fail-safe guide
What to wear to a spring or summer wedding
Looking to add something a little different to your occasionwear repertoire? Try a chic fashion-forward tailored trouser suit. Add a matching waistcoat so that you can remove the jacket later when working up steam on the dancefloor.
A floral-print dress is an elegant choice for a spring or summer wedding, perfectly complementing country house or marquee settings. When selecting a patterned dress, consider styles that will work beyond the wedding season for maximum cost-per-wear value. Choose a fit-and-flare wedding guest dress with puff sleeves to tap into the season’s whimsical mood and add a pair of this season’s on-trend sandals to ground the look.
Alternatively, keep things classic with a vintage-inspired shift dress. Take your pick from bold blooms or ditsy floral prints and pair with a smart blazer and heeled pumps for a failsafe wedding guest outfit that will stand the test of time. Where frills and ruffles are concerned, keep accessories understated: minimal jewellery and a sleek clutch bag add the final flourish.
What not to wear: Avoid stiletto heels if the wedding involves a lawn reception and opt for block heels or wedges instead.
What colours to wear as a wedding guest
Pastels for spring/summer weddings? Groundbreaking. Well, yes, it can be. Whether you for opt for a traditional wedding look in classic pastel lace or go for pastel prints and an off-the-shoulder neckline, you can elevate with accessories or statement shoes. Metallic silver sandals and oversized earrings bring sugary hues into 2024.
Pick a vibrant jewel shade to express your personality: royal blue, acid green or dark red are head-turning colours for wedding guest outfits and bound to start a conversation in the queue for the bar (a blessing when you don’t know many faces in the crowd).
What not to wear: White is generally considered a no-no for wedding guests and is best avoided unless you’re part of the bridal party or have pre-agreed your outfit with the stars of the show. And with so many glorious colours to choose from this season, why not make a statement with rainbow shades instead.
Chic city wedding outfit ideas
City weddings are the perfect opportunity to showcase your style credentials and bold midi dresses and sleek co-ords have the bonus of passing as civvy clothes when dashing to reach your destination. Throw a cardigan or trench coat over the top to keep warm when chatting outside the register office and keep a pair of flat shoes in your shoulder bag in case walking is required.
Stand out from the crowd in a sweet mini dress that bucks the trend for sweeping hemlines. Ideal for petite women who feel overwhelmed in a maxi dress, figure-flattering short wedding guest dresses look just as smart as long dresses when styled with ballet pumps or kitten heels. Alternatively, opt for a figure-flattering blouse and slip skirt combination. Check out Ghost, LK Bennett and Nobody’s Child for the latest covetable designs.
What not to wear: Whimsical silhouettes with trailing hemlines, uncomfortable heels or anything that might get caught in the doors of public transport.
What to wear to a wedding abroad
With the number of weddings taking place abroad growing, it’s time to radically rethink more traditional dress codes. Beach ceremonies, glamping and vineyard venues call for relaxed, fashion-forward style and bold patterns. For men, linen suiting is a must for warm climates thanks to the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric. Check out our tailored linen-rich Miracle suit which travels well thanks to clever crease-resistant fabric.
A Bardot-style dress is a great way to heatwave-proof women’s continental wedding outfits;team with a fabulous wide-brimmed hat and oversized sunglasses to up the glamour factor. You’ll be glad there are no pesky tan lines to worry about after an afternoon sipping champagne in the midday sun. If you’re taking the easy-breezy sun dress approach, check out our edit of the best wedding guest dresses to see you through warm weather in style.
What not to wear: Unless explicitly stated by the hosts as acceptable attire for an ultra-casual wedding, leave the beach shorts and flip flops at the hotel and opt for something smarter. Similarly, be mindful that overly tight-fitting or revealing clothing tends to be less forgiving when photographed in a balmy climate.
What to wear to an evening-only wedding reception
If your invite is for the evening do only and not the official ceremony, the dress code could go either way, so check with the host to see if they’ll be expecting you to rock up in black tie or smart-casual before committing to your outfit. A silk or satin midi dress is comfy, flattering and easily dressed up or down. Whether you choose a tea dress, a wrap dress or a shirt dress, a midi dress will easily earn its bread and butter in your party wardrobe. However, if the invite states black tie or cocktail then you’ll need to up the ante with a sweeping gown or chic LBD and glamorous accessories. Opt for bold prints, jewel tones or black over daytime pastels and frills.
Men should reach for sleek velvet suit or tuxedo to signal the step change at an evening-only wedding reception. Or, if the event is taking a more casual direction, a patterned shirt and tailored trousers will hit the right note. Don’t forget smart shoes – you’ll find plenty of options from patent derby shoes to soft suede loafers in our men’s occasionwear footwear range.
What not to wear: Double-check your dress is floor-length if the dress code calls for black tie and leave hats or fascinators at home when attending evening weddings.
Words: Dulcie Emerson
