Wedding season is back in full swing this year, which means that it’s time to find at least one go-to summer wedding outfit that you can wear to all the events you’ve been invited to. Whether you’ve never shopped for a wedding guest outfit before or you’re just looking to shake up your current closet. It can be a bit tricky to find an outfit that doesn’t make you sweat too much in the hot weather, but that is still formal enough to wear to a wedding.
When putting together your summer wedding guest outfit ideas, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about the clothes. Many different outfit ideas can be dressed up or down depending on what accessories you pair them with. You’ll also need to get your underwear figured out, which should include seamless panties and possibly shapewear or a speciality bra, depending on the outfit. Make sure to try everything on before the big day so you can make any underwear swaps necessary.
Next, you’ll need to choose shoes, handbags, jewelry and other accessories. More casual sandals such as espadrilles are great for a beachside wedding, while you’ll want a more formal heel for a black-tie event. You’ll usually want to stick with a smaller clutch that is just big enough to carry the essentials for handbags. You don’t want to have to lug around a heavy bag all day. Jewelry is another fantastic way to dress an outfit up or down. Bigger statement pieces dress up an outfit, while smaller baubles will keep the focus on your clothes instead. If the wedding is outdoors and you’ll be in the sun, you might also want some sunglasses or a hat to protect yourself from sun exposure.
Now without further ado, here are six wedding guest outfit trends we’ve loved this summer:
1. Maxi Dresses and Skirts
Maxi dresses and skirts look more formal than their shorts counterparts, but they’re just as comfortable and breathable. Go for a maxi dress if you don’t want to worry about finding a coordinating top, or if you want to mix and match, then go for a maxi skirt. If you like the coordinated look of a maxi dress but the ease of a skirt, look for matching maxi skirt sets. They’re very on-trend this season, and you should be able to find a matching top and skirt that will show just the right amount of skin to keep it classy for a wedding.
2. Matching Suits
Speaking of matching, we adore the idea of wearing a coordinated suit to a wedding. Matching suits are a great wedding outfit idea when you still need to look nice but don’t want to wear a dress for whatever reason. To keep the office vibes at bay:
- Experiment with silhouettes and patterns that you might not ordinarily associate with suits.
- Think wide-legged pants, bold florals, tie waists and other details that will make your suit stand out.
- Pay special attention to the fabric, which is a key factor in making the suite feel like a fashion statement instead of office wear.
3. One Shoulder Tops and Dresses
Exposed shoulders are big this season, and we’re here for it. One shoulder, cold shoulder and off the shoulder sleeves can be found in both blouses and dresses, making them the perfect wedding guest outfit for a summer affair. Pair this with other summer trends, such as ruffles and floral prints, and you’ll have one very fashionable wedding ensemble. Do keep in mind that you will need to wear a convertible or strapless bra with this, so if you don’t already have one in your closet, you’ll need to shop for it alongside the dress.
4. Tiered Dresses and Skirts
Another big fashion trend this year is tiered skirts. Instead of layering fabrics (which would weigh you down and overheat), these skirts create the illusion of layers using seams, ruffles and trim. This adds visual interest to the skirt and creates a bohemian vibe that is perfect for a summer wedding. Especially a daytime or beachside event that is more casual. If you want to add a little extra something to a maxi dress, you can’t go wrong with a tiered skirt.
5. Jumpsuits
We are so glad the jumpsuit trend is here to stay because they’re the perfect one-piece wedding outfit for those days when you don’t want to wear a dress. Jumpsuits range from casual to formal depending on the fabric and cut to be styled for either a daytime or nighttime wedding. We love a wide-legged floral print number for a more casual wedding, while we’d opt for a sleek black silk jumpsuit for a more formal event. If you’ve never worn a jumpsuit to a wedding before, then you are missing out!
6. Midi Dresses
Midi dresses can stop anywhere from just above the knee to mid-calf, making them the perfect option for a summer wedding. Where you may not want to wear a full-length skirt but also don’t want to show off too much of your legs. You can also look at tea-length dresses, which are a bit longer than midi dresses but still fall above the ankle. Midi dresses come in many different colors, patterns and fabrics. You can find one to suit just about any wedding or special occasion.
Now that you’ve decided on your summer wedding guest outfit. It’s time to shop for shapewear and start choosing your accessories. Keep these trends in mind, and you’ll look great at every wedding you attend this year.
