You are invited to a wedding, and immediately the first thing that comes to mind is, “what will I wear?” Finding the perfect look for a wedding depends on so many varying factors that can, sometimes, make for a challenging hunt. The weather, the location, and the bride’s style are all factors to consider; and even when you have these answers pinned down it can still be tricky. Today I’m sharing a few tidbits on how to shop for the perfect dress that your friends will be talking about for days.
Rules of thumb to consider when picking your wedding guest dress:
- Don’t wear white. It goes without saying, do not wear white unless otherwise requested on the invitation. As a guest you never want to stylistically compete, nor outdo the bride who will likely be wearing a shade of white.
- When in doubt, wear black. You can never go wrong with a LBD. And if you think that black is a cop-out, think again! Be adventurous with black by wearing an untraditional jumpsuit or a flirty, flowy midi skirt with a matching lace top. Black is a classic color–and a safe one for that matter. Now, if it’s a day wedding you may want to consider a brighter, airy color for a more casual look.
- Research the venue and the wedding location. The venue will quite usually provide great direction for the attire. Thankfully, social media is a handy tool for photo stalking. You’ll find all sorts of outfit ideas through a quick search on Instagram under the wedding venue’s handle. For example, if the wedding is at the Fairmont hotel in San Francisco you can expect to see city glam, cocktail chic and floor-length gowns.
- Don’t forget to discuss your outfit details with your plus one. This way you’re both aligned and your guest feels appropriately dressed.
There’s no better time than the present to start shopping for that perfect wedding guest dress. Labor day sales are through the roof, making it even more tempting. Madewell is offering 30% off with code “DOUBLEUP.” Nordstrom has 40% off its summer clearance, and Anthropologie is giving an additional 40% off its existing sale. The Joie dress I’m wearing in these photos is currently 60% off, making it a great steal! Even if you don’t have a special occasion on the horizon, this is one you can safely store in your closet, waiting in queue for the perfect evening.
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Dress: Joie (bustled and cinched at the waist to create a midi length, otherwise it’s a floor length maxi) | Shoes: similar | Clutch: Ann Taylor