Navigating the world of wedding guest attire isn’t as tricky as you may think, and choosing outfits for Summer weddings can be lots of fun as there are so many options at your disposal. Here are some key points to consider when deciphering your fashion strategy, just in time for the wedding invitations to start flooding in.
The first thing to do when planning your outfit for a summer wedding is consider five key points. These key points are crucial in determining what garments will be appropriate for the wedding you will attend.
Where is the wedding being held?
Is it a traditional church wedding, a beach wedding, a garden wedding, or perhaps a vineyard wedding? Think about the location and practicality of your outfit, as this will be one of the most important points to consider initially. For example, a guest could wear a dressy pair of sandals to a beach wedding but not to a formal cocktail wedding. Considering your environment is the first step to fashion success.
Does you invitation provide a dress code?
Smart casual? Cocktail? White tie? A dress code will give you a solid indication of what level of dress is appropriate for the occasion. If you need some clarification on decoding dress codes, click here.
What is your relationship with the happy couple?
Traditionally close family members of the couple have a free pass to get a little more dressed up, if they wish. In saying that, this really comes down to how comfortable you are in certain items of clothing and again relates to the overall dress code.
What colours and styles suit you best?
When choosing an outfit for any occasion, it’s always imperative to choose garments which accentuate your best features, and to not wear colours that may wash you out. If the current fashion trend is a colour that does not suit your hair or complexion, then it is a better option to steer clear of the trend and focus on finding garments that enhance your features.
Timeless vs trends
Are you planning to wear an outfit which can be reused for a similar occasion, or are you leaning towards wearing a trend piece? A trend piece is generally a garment that is very current and on trend, such as colours that are in season, or details such as fringing or shoulder pads, whereas a classic garment such as an LBD, (little black dress), can be used many times over. Sometimes ‘timeless’ outfits are more applicable to certain environments, such as more traditional functions, and trend pieces can be worn for less traditional events. However it really depends on what the item of clothing is and the dress code that has been stipulated.
If you’re still not sure…
Here are some potential outfit choices based on the type of wedding you may attend.
Traditional church wedding
A summer cocktail dress, or a top and skirt with and a strappy heel would both be ideal options for a traditional summer wedding. Think classic attire in lieu of trend pieces for a church wedding, as the location infers a traditional approach.
Beach wedding
At a beach wedding you have a greater scope of outfits to choose from. Anything from a fun jumpsuit, to a summer cocktail dress, or a maxi gown would be suffice. You can even get away with some ornate flat sandals too. Trend pieces are appropriate for a summer beach wedding, as the environment is typically more relaxed.
Garden wedding
Garden weddings can sometimes lend themselves to a Bohemian theme, so outfits like a long flowing skirt and heels, a maxi dress, a play-suit or jumpsuit, a skirt and top, or a summer cocktail dress would all be applicable. However, always refer to the dress code stipulated on the invitation. Just because a wedding is held outside doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t formal. Generally the couple will express is they wish it to be a formal occasion.
Vineyard wedding
A vineyard wedding is probably more related to the traditional wedding, so an outfit such as a smart cocktail dress would be ideal. Or for a more contemporary option a sharp tailored tuxedo with strappy heels and a metallic clutch. Mixing classic garments with trends pieces is a great approach to a vineyard wedding environment, as the vineyard wedding can be a formal event in a non-traditional context.
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