Few fashion scenarios induce as much perspiration as trying to find a wedding guest dress. If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’ve been dressing yourself with next-to-no drama for quite some time, yet having to clothe ourselves to witness someone else’s nuptials still seems to undo even the most accomplished dressers among us.
To be fair, it’s understandable if event dressing brings you out in a sweat. The rules used to be fairly simple – don’t wear white, don’t upstage the bride, wear shoes you can stand up in – but with today’s increasingly varied weddings it can be particularly tricky to work out what the hell you’re supposed to wear.
City weddings? Something chic, probably – but can you wear black? Really, the answer to that will depend on how chill your bride is. Country affair? Florals are always in, but shop on the high street and there’s a high chance you’ll be twinning with another guest. And as for those far-flung destination weddings? Nothing is more challenging than finding a dress that you won’t overheat in once the temperatures tip 40 degrees.
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So, how to win the wedding-guest dress game now? An easy option is to embrace the world of rental, where you can borrow something extra special without the investment. Platforms like By Rotation and Hurr have incredible designer options to hire for a few days or even a few weeks if you're headed abroad – perfect for an outfit you might only wear once.
Generally speaking, something party-ready fits the bill for most weddings these days – I might not know how fun your friends are, but I’m willing to bet hardly any of them will be mad at you for making a major effort on their big day, so consider ruffles, feathers and highlighter-bright hues all on the list. Even cut-outs are acceptable (just perhaps don’t go for the full Kendall.)
As for length? Pretty much anything goes these days, but a midi usually comes with maximum wardrobe mileage after the big day: a calf-skimming floral-print dress will look just as good with chunky boots at the weekend.
And finally, if your chosen look is feeling a little more prim and proper than you'd ideally like, the easiest way to bring edge to a wedding-guest look is via your accessories. Forget the traditional matchy-matchy outfit finishers and try shaking things up a little: a pair of statement sunglasses will dial down the femininity of a floral print, while letting a pair of sheer socks peek from platforms will subvert a pastel puffball perfectly. Have fun with it - at the end of the day, a good wedding is all about the joy.
So from nuptials in a country pile, modest church, local boozer or back garden, there's a wedding guest dress for each and every invite – here, see the ones we’ll all be wearing for this year’s love-in.
The Wedding Guest Dresses We Want To Wear Again And Again
One of the rental sites we recommend the most, Hurr really shines when it comes to special-occasion dresses – especially now they've teamed up with Rejina Pyo to offer a capsule collection of the designer's cult pieces, in every size and a host of hues.
The dress we're bookmarking for the next wedding? It has to be the shoulder-baring Dora, which comes in dazzling silver or navy lamé,
One of Vivienne Westwood's most flattering cuts, the Ginni dress features the late designer's signature drapery in a bold shade of red. Consider this a true investment purchase.
When an event calls for serious impact, it's in Rat & Boa we trust. One of the most wedding-appropriate options, the Navarra dress is made from molten lime-green silk and cut on the bias to really make the most of that beautiful draped neck. Trust us: nothing is quite as flattering as a R&B design.
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Reformation’s Kourtney dress is one of those brilliant designs you’ll find yourself calling on for so many occasions. It’s the small, thoughtful details that make it look so expensive: note the gently curved neckline, adjustable straps and discretely ruched back panel.
Warehouse Cotton Puff Sleeve Ruched Bodice Midi Dress
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For times when you're really experiencing a sartorial shutdown, you can't go wrong with a puff sleeve and a colour-pop shade. (Especially when the dress in question is as generously reduced as this.) It comes in pink, blue and yes, black, too.
A signature Rotate silhouette, this puff-sleeved midi is demure enough for the most formal affairs, yet still makes a major style statement (the cutaway back makes sure of that). Team it with statement earrings for a glam city celebration.
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After something bright and energetic for an exotic event? Head straight to Rhode. The Thea dress is sure to see you from the first co*cktail to the last dance with ease, thanks to its lightweight linen fabrication ands sleeveless silhouette.
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A serious Versace treasure from Farfetch's resale category, this glittering logo-ed mini is the Eighties throwback of designer dreams.
Net-A-Porter's party capsule has landed on Hurr, with pieces from the likes of Nina Ricci and Clio Peppiat ready to rent for your most special occasions.
Size-inclusive occasionwear brand Taller Marmo is at the very top of our wishlist – specifically, this sequin-soaked dress, finished with a fringe of feathers for maximum drama.
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A slinky black dress is always a chic move for evening invites and cool city weddings. Mango's asymmetric design is strategically skin-baring, yet still appropriate for sitting opposite grandma in.
How to tackle the tricky 'destination wedding' dress code? With Louisa Ballou's sunset-print maxi, of course.
Your most fun friend deserves your most fun dress, so save Fanci Club's Y2K throwback just for them.
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Rixo has long been a go-to for occasion dresses, but this season's collection is especially brilliant: think super-flattering silhouettes, slinky fabrics and vintage-style detailing.
Our pick is the Sandrine dress, which features a flocked floral pattern for a touch of nostalgic glamour, and a clever ruched bust that nips you in without feeling restrictive.
There's something so modern about the puffball silhouette of Amy Lynn's Alexa dress: the dropped waist keeps it away from retro territory perfectly. And of course, the cobalt-blue is sure to bring a jolt of joy to any special-occasion look.
Norma Kamali's classic super-stretch dresses are such a brilliant investment. Not only are they incredibly comfortable (even on a sweltering beach) but the all-over ruching is so flattering. You can't go wrong with classic black, but I love this neon green for a more vibrant take.
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The Vampire’s Wife’s Victoriana ruffles are equal parts sweet and sexy. An It dress for good reason, these precisely cut pieces are also incredibly flattering, with the peaked shoulders and defining ruffles creating a streamlines silhouette.
Loewe’s anthurium print is the chicest way to wear florals now – and thanks to Hurr, you can borrow it for a long weekend.