The invitations were sent months ago and you swiftly RSPV’d. It seemed like there’d be ages to get an outfit together but the wedding is imminent, and aside from making a Pinterest board, you’re still no closer to deciding on what to wear.
Whether it’s a chic city wedding or a classic country affair, dressing for the occasion incurs some etiquette. Apparently, you shouldn’t wear black or white (unless it’s specified in the dress code), so those breezy summer dresses or faithful LBD’s aren’t an option. In truth, wedding guest dressing is complicated; you can’t overdo it (upstage the bride and you’ll be blacklisted from future nuptials), but you must be seen to have made the effort. There are pitfalls all over the place, and it’s usual to feel as though the high street is set against you when trying to find ‘the one.’ The bride managed to do it, but you’re still trawling through rails of dresses to no avail.
We’ve all been there, so we came up with 5 fail-safe options for wedding guests; stick to it, and you’ll never have to face the inevitable again.
Florals
From the bride’s bouquet to the table centrepieces, nothing says ‘wedding’ quite like flowers. Whatever the season, floral prints are a great go-to if you’re stuck for wedding outfit inspiration. Spring or summer weddings call for blossoming blooms in whimsical pastels, whilst winter weddings are suited to moodier, ‘midnight florals.’
Great Lengths
A warm-weather staple in their own right, maxi dresses are perfect for summer weddings. Floor-sweeping dresses are ideal for the daytime, though you can easily make bolder colours such as cobalt blue, fuchsia or red work too – particularly if you’re heading straight to the wedding reception in the evening. Avoid neutral colours such as stone or khaki to differentiate between your everyday summer style; a bold print will ensure you still get more than one wear out of it.
Blush Tones
Blush tones are perfect for wedding fashion, since they reflect the romantic mood of the day. Pastel pinks or nudes are spring time favourites; for autumn or winter weddings, choose a darker pink or berry shades over sorbets, and keep your makeup natural to avoid overkill.
Champagne Metallics
What better cause to celebrate with something sparkling than when you’re at a wedding? Match your dress to the drinks in a champagne gold number; this subtler shade has the versatility to suit any season, and won’t look too much for the daytime service either.
Jumpsuits
For an alternative to dresses, look to the occasion jumpsuit. Embellished styles and wide-leg silhouettes are equally elegant for evening do’s, and have a contemporary appeal that’s perfect for stylishly modern wedding guests. A cropped jumpsuit in a pastel pink or coral will work well during the summer months, whilst draped silhouettes have an haute hippie aesthetic that’s suited to warmer evenings. For trans-seasonal or winter weddings choose a darker colour like navy blue, a lace bodice, or a tapered leg.
