Style Guide | What To Wear To a Wedding
As wedding season approaches and the invites begin to flow in, there’s never been a better time to embrace the joy of dressing up. We all want to make an impact whilst walking that fine line when it comes to deciding on what to wear, from formal wedding attire to navigating the ins and outs of a casual beach wedding - we have got you covered. We’re here to help - by running you through our fail-safe guide to finding the perfect wedding guest ensemble. Consider this your guide on what to wear to a wedding, no matter the dress code.
WHAT TO WEAR TO A FORMAL WEDDING
Who doesn't love a formal wedding? You can’t go wrong with a luxe-silhouette, think elevated fabrications, a subtle cut-out, or pop of colour for a stand-out (in all the right ways) type of outfit. Keep an eye out for dresses in materials and textures that will drape nicely, have a luscious feel and complement the occasion. It's always recommended to lean towards the more formal side of outfitting, complement your look with a strappy heel, elegant jewellery layers and chic handbag or clutch.
WHAT TO WEAR TO A COCKTAIL WEDDING
When it comes to celebrating love, a reimagined floral is never a missed opportunity. With cocktail weddings on the rise, think effortless elegance and timeless wear. Consider a knee-length or maxi dress in a sophisticated fabrication and fashion-forward silhouette, it's the perfect chance to lean into your signature style. Play with your accessories to add a personal touch to your ensemble.
WHAT TO WEAR TO A CASUAL WEDDING
When it comes to casual weddings, whether it’s at a family home or by the seaside, they allow for more flexibility whilst still leaning into the occasion. It’s important to strike the right balance between comfort and style, whilst still looking appropriate and feeling your best. Opt for floating silhouettes, linen fabrications, and floral details paired back with a strappy sandal and textured jewellery layers.
WHAT TO WEAR TO A DESTINATION WEDDING
Invited to a tropical destination wedding? Pack for the location with light, breathable fabrics and relaxed silhouettes. Think your best resort dress but elevated with the right accessories, lean into the occasion with flowy maxi dresses in tropical prints or pastel hues. You might be doing a bit of walking, so pair your outfit with sandals or wedges suitable for sandy or grassy terrain.
CALLING UPON THE ANTI-BRIDE
Stepping into the Anti-Bride Era? Whether you are a guest or the bride-to-be, step outside of the traditional dress codes and play into your signature style. Think fresh and modern silhouettes, embodying a cool-girl aesthetic - it’s up to you to determine your ensemble, leaning into the theme, location or time of year.
HOW CAN I EXTEND THE LIFE OF MY WEDDING GUEST OUTFIT?
To extend the life of your wedding guest outfit, we will always advise you to take proper care when washing to ensure you have this piece for many seasons to come. Opt for timeless silhouettes in block colours or fashion-forward prints, so that they can be worn time and time again (think “how can this be dressed up or down with the right accessories”).
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR IF THERE IS NO DRESS CODE?
When there’s no dress code, we’d recommend taking cues from the couple, the location and the season. If the couple loves big events, glamorous styles and is holding the wedding in the city – a formal or semi-formal look might be your best bet. If a wedding is being held at the beach and the couple is generally pretty relaxed – opt for flowing smart casual dresses in light or bright colours to suit the environment. For summer weddings, opt for light and breathable fabrics, such as cotton or LENZING™ Viscose Crepe. Pastel colours and floral patterns work well in warm weather. For winter weddings, go for richer fabrics and deeper hues like burgundy or navy. If you’re still feeling unsure, we’d recommend checking with other guests or asking the couple about any preferences they may have. Remember, the most important thing is to celebrate the couple and share in their joy on their special day.
CAN I WEAR BLACK TO A WEDDING?
While wearing black to a wedding used to be a point of contention, weddings have relaxed in recent times and it’s more common for guests to wear darker colours to weddings. As always, we’d recommend considering the couple, location and season – as black might not be the choice for a beach wedding, but could be a beautiful pick for a black tie or city wedding.