What to Wear at a Summer Wedding
Wedding Guest Outfits from Maxi Dresses to Chiffons & Stripy Shifts
As a wedding guest outfit; a soft and feminine maxi dress or a stylish shift are the easiest (and most elegant) to wear. These are fuss-free items, which will take you confidently from wedding ceremony to reception. Glam Today advises choosing a dress which has “bold (but not too bold) graphics or a floral print, which minimizes the need for accessories.” Go for one of this season's hottest colors, fucshia pink or purple, or dramatic monochromes. Black and white stripes are a strong summer look, along with softer, floaty, transparent chiffons, paired with satin shoes.
If you want to feel flirty and feminine then chiffon, silk or satin is a good choice, topped off with an elegant clutch purse in a similar fabric. Monsoon have some feminine and floaty chiffons, featured in InStyle online's "Weddng Guest Dresses," just crying out to be teamed with silver sandals and a clutch.
Accessorize with Care
When it comes to accessories, instead of looking like a Christmas tree, and outshining the bride (the ultimate wedding faux-pas), go for one or two simple but strong statement pieces like one of this season’s trendy huge cocktail rings or an elegant cuff. Add a wide brimmed hat, if you wish, to give you that extra air of elegance and sophistication.
Wedding Day Dress Codes
Much of the traditional wedding day dress code no longer applies. For example, a black outfit for a wedding guest these days is usually considered stylish rather than bad luck. (Although it pays to check with the bride first!) There are still a few pointers to follow, however, like not wearing white if it is going to compete with the bride. A stylish monochrome dress is this summer’s chic look, with elegant, elongating maxis from Temperley London or Temperley’s striking Anais Dress. Fendi’s knee-length candy striped dress, cleverly slims and flatters all body shapes. All dresses mentioned are available from the high-end online store, Net-A-Porter.
If you want to invest sensibly then select your wedding outfit carefully, so that you are able to is again for other occasions. Alternatively you can always borrow something from a friend, more people are becoming eco-fashion minded these days. Whatever you choose, you need to feel confident and comfortable in it, so consider aspects like the specific nature of the wedding, the weather, and other guests.
Factors that May Influence What You Wear:
Where is the Wedding?
The wedding destination may give you some style clues about what to wear. According to Suze Yulof Schwarz, executive fashion editor of Glamor and part of the Full Frontal Fashion team, creators of the series, and book of the same name, “If it’s New York, I might wear a black dress, if its Washington DC, I might go for a suit.” If you are fortunate enough to be attending a beach wedding in a tropical location, then a soft summery maxi dress (and hat to shade you from the sun) is a good choice.
Who is Attending the Wedding?
Also consider the nature of the wedding, and the crowd. If you are attending your best friend’s wedding then its possible that you can be less formal and more fashion-forward. If it’s your partner’s boss then conservative and chic may be the safest look of the day. You may need to keep your look respectable without showing too much leg or cleavage. When it comes to a wedding, subtle is sexy, slutty is not. For a really stylish and safe compromise there’s the 3.1 Phillip Lim one-shoulder Orchid Strapless dress (Net-A-Porter); a real figure flatterer.
What’s the Vibe?
If the wedding is a more formal, Black-tie occasion then there are so many elegant LA Luxe-style maxis out there. If its for a less-dressy wedding then you can go for a shorter, more versatile party dress or an on-trend tea dress, with a bit of pazaz! A strapless bandeau or corset top dress is another option, worn with a stylish bolero, capelet or wrap. Alternatively, step back into the 1950s with a fashionable '50s prom dress.
If the bride is into everything Bohemian, then the style of wedding is likely to be influenced by that too. Adjust your outfit to be in tune with the vibe and you'll feel more comfortable. Should the wedding happen to have a Boho theme, then designer Robert Cavalli has floral hippie-style, nostaligic '70s-inspired dress (Net-A-Porter), which is recommended by InStyle.
What's the Weather Like?
If you can’t depend on the weather to keep you warm then don’t opt for a strappy little-number which will leave you shivering or frozen to the bone, whilst taking those wedding shots. Dress fashionably but sensibly. That means layering with a jacket or a wrap.
Shoes Maketh the Woman
Summer weddings lend themselves to a huge choice of footwear, from super-high stilettos, strappy sandals or summer wedges, as well as classic pumps. A traditional fabric for bridal wedding shoes is satin, but this season has seen the fashion runways awash with satin shoes for everyday and eveningwear too.
Dress up your outfit, (particularly a floor-sweeping gown) with a pair of high heels which will give you a lift and make you feel elegant. If you are likely to be wearing the shoes from ceremony through the reception, then you may need to opt for wedges or a platformed-heel, which are more forgiving on the feet, and give you more support when you are bopping about on the dance floor.
However, it may be necessary to carry some emergency flats, to pop them on after the wedding ceremony, to give your feet a break. If your feet start to complain bitterly, at the reception, then at least you have a contingency plan.
Style Advice For a Wedding Outfit
Visit Net-A-Porter.com and search through their Style Fix section to give you some more ideas about what to wear. They categorize their wedding outfit suggestions into modern, classic, beach, and evening attire – it’s like having our own personal style guide at your fingertips.
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