24 Summer Picks That Double as Wedding Guest Dresses

Options for every dress code.

Nikki Ogunnaike's avatar
By
published
in Buying Guides
Nikki ogunnaike
(Image credit: Darrel Hunter)
Jump to category:

Friends! As we inch closer to Memorial Day, I imagine many of your upcoming weekends will start to be taken over by weddings! How many are you attending this summer? And have you worked out what you plan to wear? If not, I’m here to help.

The idea for this newsletter came to me as I’ll be getting married in July, and as a fashion girl, I thought long and hard about what I wanted our dress code to be. We landed on formal because a) it will be hot, b) black tie felt too stuffy for our vibe as a couple, and c) we really just want people to show up, looking—and feeling—good, so they're ready to dance.

But if you’ve got a different dress code on the docket, or are just in search of options, I’ve done some research and found dresses at all price points across four popular dress codes, plus an assortment of shoes I think are wedding-guest worthy.

Collage of Nikki Ogunnaike with wedding guest dresses and shoes

(Image credit: Darrel Hunter/Courtesy)

BEACH

Beach weddings are inherently a little less formal, so take the opportunity to go more flowy and less structured with your outfit. The number one thing you should look for, though, is a look that is breathable. Fabrics like linen, chiffon, and cotton are ideal.

COCKTAIL

Cocktail is generally an evening dress code and means wearing something more formal than a casual work dress—but less dressy than formal attire. My go-tos for this type of affair are T-length dresses, dressy separates, or a sharp suit.

FORMAL

Also referred to as black-tie-optional, a formal dress code lands somewhere between cocktail and proper black tie, meaning we’re looking for elegant fabrics (lace, beads, satin, silk) but a gown is not mandatory. Formal is also a time to play with brighter shades and patterns like the ones I’ve chosen here.

BLACK TIE

This is where things get serious. You’re wearing your finest here: floor-length gowns, tuxedos, and formal fabrics, like satin or taffeta. There’s not a lot of wiggle room in this category, but how often are we really dressing up anymore? Embrace it!

SHOES FOR WEDDINGS

You’ve got to consider two things when shoe shopping for a wedding: the venue and just how long you'll be on your feet. Spending the day outdoors? Go for a wedge or a formal flat. Inside? Opt for something a little strappier where the heel can be more stiletto-like and less chunky.

Reading List

First time reading Self Checkout? Catch up on the past few weeks.

Nikki Ogunnaike
Nikki Ogunnaike
Editor-in-Chief

Nikki Ogunnaike is the Editor in Chief of Marie Claire US. She has previously held roles at Harper's Bazaar, GQ, ELLE, Glamour, InStyle, and Vanity Fair. She authors the popular Marie Claire newsletter Self Checkout. You may also recognize Nikki from her time as the host of Snapchat’s Online, IRL and IGTV's The Run Through.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, in her free time Nikki enjoys running half marathons, learning about wine, and watching reality TV without an ounce of shame. You can follow her at @nikkiogun.