Wedding Season in Full Swing this Summer, What Will I Wear As A Guest?

With wedding season in full swing, you might be saving the date for an upcoming nuptial or two, which is often followed by the age old question, “but what will I wear?!”

It can sometimes feel overwhelming to find the right wedding guest outfit, especially when it’s as if there’s a new rule to follow every day, but as long as you’re mindful of the dress code and not wearing white, it shouldn’t be a stressful experience. Whether you’re attending a backyard wedding, or going full black tie at a villa in Italy, we’ve come up with some outfit inspiration and tips that’ll hopefully make your outfit search a fun experience instead of a frustrating one.

Black Tie weddings can be intimidating, but the best way to find something special is to go the vintage route. This Roberto Cavalli gown is by Peter Dundas, and is 100% silk; natural fibers are a great choice in the warmer months, because they’re more breathable! Featuring boning, and beautiful Art Deco influences, it’s just the right amount of glamor. Paired with a gold heel and clutch to draw out the colors of the dress, you’ll be all set for a magical evening.

Perhaps your black tie event is taking place somewhere near the ocean. Even if it’s not, this mermaid style Bottega Veneta dress is for those who are bold in their fashion choices, but still want to keep things simple. A flat slingback is perfect for dancing or walking through sand, while a mother of pearl clutch is a cheeky tie into the mermaid skirt.

Molly Goddard knows how to make a perfectly feminine and functional piece, and this navy, cotton dress is sure to be something you wear again. Black and navy might be a fashion taboo, but we think they’re actually the perfect match.

Going with a matching set leaves you with so many options! You might wear both pieces to the wedding, but then you can always wear each piece separately to another event, or dress them down for your every day. If you feel like your look is a bit too proper and polished, use your accessories to make things a bit more funky and fun, like we’ve done here!

The dress code is asking you to keep it casual? No problem – that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun through the incorporation of punchy colors and prints. This Christopher John Rogers Sweater dress is a two-in-one with more than one neckline to choose from, and is sure to be comfortable. A small trick for choosing accessories when wearing a lot of color, is to choose one of the colors that is the least used, this way, it’ll stand out a bit more!

Perhaps you're attending a garden wedding, and so naturally you want to feel like a garden fairy, without being too on-the-nose. Try something flowy, like this easy breezy Gucci dress by Alessandro Michele. The beaded handle on the vintage Rena Pellegrino bag looks like a lovely little vine, and the simple mustard heel ties in the ribbon on the dress, but keeps things from getting too carried away.

Dries Van Noten is a master at blending colors and prints. When you go with a dress that truly speaks for itself, the accessories are the easy part! We went with a bit of a more is more mentality with a striped heel, but opted for a simpler bag that complimented the colors of the dress, but the options are endless.

Dresses shouldn’t have all the fun! This matching set from Batsheva is a lively blend of period and contemporary styles, and is a great option for a wedding that maybe just involves a courthouse and brunch. The embroidered lip print of the set paired with the Vivienne Westwood heat bag, feel perfect for a celebration of love!

While a classic Le Smoking is always an option, the spring and summer season are begging for brighter and lighter colors and fabrics. This linen-blend suit from Banana Republic is perfectly casual and cool. The woven leather and wicker of the accessories compliment the linen in the suit nicely, and are great for the summer season.

If you’ve been invited to a destination wedding in a tropical location, we happen to have the perfect option for you! Diotima creates beautiful crocheted pieces, inspired by the designer's Caribbean culture. Choosing pieces with texture is a great way to make a look that’s of a simpler color palette a little bit more interesting.

Issey Miyake’s Pleats Please line is filled with pieces that can be worn straight off the plane and right to an event. This cape is incredibly versatile, and while you could wear it on its own, it also pairs incredibly well with these pants from Diane Von Furstenberg. The red accessories draw the color out in the pants, but are also complimentary of the green cape.

Florals for spring might not always be groundbreaking, but sometimes they can be! We’d argue that this is a fun way to do black tie if you don’t want to wear a dress. These Christopher John Rogers balloon pants have incredible volume, and almost look like a bubble hemmed skirt, depending on how you stand. As there is so much play with silhouette, we’ve chosen some sleeker accessories to keep the balance.

If you thought you couldn’t wear shorts to a wedding, think again! Sure, this is probably for a dress code that’s a bit more casual, but it’s still an incredibly chic option. Blending the masculine with the feminine is always a good idea, and can be done in more ways than one. Here we’ve done so through the suit, yes, but also with a blouse that has a tie front and a loafer that has a platform heel!

A quick search of vintage 1930s dresses will lead you to a treasure trove of dreamy choices. The 1930s was greatly influenced by Hollywood starlets, and was a time when women’s dress became a bit more feminine after the boyish 1920s, so you’re bound to find something special from that era. Pair your vintage find with some contemporary accessories to show that some garments stand the test of time, or go entirely vintage and create a full time capsule experience!

While you’re never trying to outshine the bride, there’s no reason you can’t be the best dressed guest, and hopefully with this collection of looks, you’ve found a style that appeals to you. Regardless of where your wedding guest wardrobe takes you, the most important thing is to choose something that you know you’ll have fun in, because at the end of the day, it’s about celebrating people you love... but it never hurts to look good while doing so!

Article by Caroline Nycek, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

RELATED STORIES

Style WatchAlison Hernon#wedding, #guest, #outfit, #fashion, #black tie, #ocean, #summer, #romantic, #date