Words by Danielle Whiteman
3 Minute Read
Share this article…
Wedding season is finally here…
…but the excitement of receiving an invite to a loved one’s special day is invariably tempered by the dreaded question of what to wear! Well fear not… I’m here to help you make some smart decisions when it comes to finding the perfect wedding attire.
First of all, consider the info you have…the dress code, location and even the weather! When shopping for a wedding outfit, the key is to shop smarter and buy something that isn’t single wear. You could consider renting your whole look. This is a great sustainable option which will give you the opportunity to be more adventurous without breaking the bank. You also want to make sure you’re comfortable! Weddings can be a long drawn out affair and you need to make sure that whatever you chose is going to feel as good at midnight as it did at midday!
With all this in mind here are my top wedding guest outfit picks from the High Street to suit all scenarios…
What to wear to a traditional British wedding
For a timeless, quintessentially British look, I would opt for pretty florals and feminine silhouettes. Nobody’s Child is absolutely brilliant for this, with endless options and styles to suit all shapes at a decent price.
For boyish slender frames, opt for a bias cut that will add the illusion of curves like this Nobody’s Child, White Ditsy Floral Delilah Midi Dress, £55. And if you’re looking to flatter your curves, I love this Nobody’s Child, Navy Floral Nova Midi Smock Dress, £89 which suit almost all shapes and sizes.
This New Look, Green Floral Frill Hem Midi Dress, £33.99 is another great High Street option at a brilliant price.
How to avoid arriving in the same outfit as another guest
Let’s face it – this happens a lot! Unless you only wear Haute Couture, there can be a genuine concern about turning up in the same outfit as a fellow guest. There are a couple of ways you can reduce this risk and the first is to shop at smaller, lesser known bands. I adore this retro-inspired Patch Floral Midi Dress £82, by Sister Jane. With the added belt detail to cinch in at the waist, it’s a great shape for all figures. Pair with a cropped cardigan and accessorise with a wedge sandal to take you from lawn to dancefloor.
The option is shop in your local vintage or thrift store. You can find some stunning pieces that way, for a fraction of the price of buying new and pretty much zero risk of someone else matching you.
What to wear to a black tie wedding
If your dress code says Black Tie or Formal, this is your moment to go all out – so go for it! Reach for dramatic lengths, bright colours, and shimmering details for an elevated look. This is actually the perfect moment to rent an outfit as it’s likely to be a single wear piece and rental options are endless! I love this Self Portrait, Black Dot Mesh Midi Dress, from £54.45. It’s a super flattering dress for anyone who’s conscious about their arms.
Or if you want to go High Street and buy, make a bold statement in the colour of the season, with this H&M, Cerise Gusset-Panel Jersey Dress, £79.99. This fishtail detail and drama of the train are what make this hourglass, figure-hugging style a great statement black tie dress.
On the other hand, if you aren’t keen on wearing a dress, a jumpsuit is a great alternative. If you have a slender frame (and a larger bank balance), Mango have this striking Two-tone Jumpsuit with Opening Detail, £300. Add some extra sparkle with a statement earring and clutch bag. Or check out this Warehouse, Polka Satin Jacquard Ruffle Jumpsuit, £51.
The other option is shop in your local vintage or thrift store. You can find some stunning pieces that way, for a fraction of the price of buying new and pretty much zero risk of someone else matching you.
What to wear to a beach wedding
If you’re flying off somewhere exotic for a wedding, familiarizing yourself with the climate is paramount!
Shopping for a beach wedding outfit can feel daunting, but for this sort of location, comfort really is key. Bare feet or flat sandals are a must, so the outfit needs to do all the talking, whilst enabling you to handle the heat! A pop of colour is a great statement and Oasis have the perfect mango-coloured Frill Crinkle Midi Dress, £39, with a delicate neckline. Retro prints are a great style injection when shopping for a beach wedding guest look and this red patterned Warehouse, Halter Neck Maxi Dress £55.30 has taken inspiration from the runways where a knitted dress has seen a resurgence of late. This halterneck dress is a definite head turner and something you can take from beach to the dancefloor. Rixo has become the go to place when looking for the classic floral midi wedding guest dress but it probably wouldn’t be top of your hit list when looking for a beach wedding outfit. Now it’s pricey, but this retro-inspired Rixo, Liza Lilac Abstract Shell Dress, £325, deserves a mention. The blue hue is perfect for the beach and it’s a fun print that will suit all shapes with the added show-stopping drama of the caped sleeve!
What to wear to a more formal destination wedding
I don’t think you can go wrong with the classic cut of this Phase Eight, Clea Print Midi Dress, £139 which screams a Sicilian Vineyard wedding to me. It’s a classic shape that will never age in your wardrobe and it’s cut to fit and flatter all shapes. I also love this H&M, Sleeveless V-Neck Dress, £19.99. At under £20 it’s an absolute steal! Pair with a heel and colourful bag to finish the look.
Going to a city wedding is an excuse to make a glamourous statement. Metallic finishes and rich, vibrant colors always work well in this kind of scenario. It really is the perfect opportunity to have a play and maybe wear something a little more unconventional. This might prove another good opportunity for a rental number. I love Hurr’s, Self Portrait Pink Boucle V-Neck from £50.57. It’s the perfect Barbie-pink mini dress with added sparkle detail. Don’t be afraid of a mini dress, especially for a modern, relaxed dress code.
A two-piece is also a great way to go when dressing for a city wedding. Don’t be afraid of a little colour either. A punchy suit can be an overwhelming prospect, but there are lots of subdued pastel shades on the High Street at the moment. I love this co-ord from Zara, Bubblegum Pink Blazer with a Tuxedo Collar £79.99 & High Waist Loose Trousers £32.00. Pair with a shirt or vest in a similar pink hue for a put-together tonal look or brave it as just a blazer and trousers. Don’t be scared to add a stitch or two at the bust to save your dignity if you’re worried about gaping. Incidentally, something I am seeing a lot more on the High Street are top and skirt co-ords and this acid green Whistles, Link Check Tie Front Top £89 & Link Check Side Button Skirt, £99, is a punchy look for wedding guest attire but also something that can be worn separately after the occasion.
I hope this advice really helps with the dreaded quest for perfect wedding guest attire and that I’ve covered most eventualities. Just remember, comfort really is the key as your dressing from morning to…well…morning!
Share this article…
Danielle Whiteman
Stylist
@danniiwhiteman
