With Covid restrictions lifting and ceremonies with guests allowed again (up to 30 after 17th May and unlimited from June), it wouldn’t be too optimistic to finally start buying some wedding guest dresses.
Luckily there are plenty of joyful dresses up to the job this season, from sophisticated floral dresses to bold colours and minimalist styles.
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Summer wedding guest dresses
While winter weddings (when they used to be a thing) are all about jewel and dark tones, lace and velvet and long sleeves, for summer, you can throw the rule book out the window. Pretty much anything goes, as long as you’re not wearing white of course.
For a destination wedding where heat is a big factor, going slinky will ensure you keep your cool all day. A minimal silk slip dress is the obvious choice here (look to Australian labels such as Lee Matthews, St. Agni or Vince for this), however this season I’m loving the cut-out dress trend, nailed by Zendaya on the Oscars red carpet in a neon yellow Valentino gown.
To keep things classy – it is a formal occasion after all – pick a design with a discreet keyhole detail around the midriff or back. Zimmerman and Aje have a couple of great options for this.
The maximalist fans will be glad to hear that our love affair with print has been revived for the new season, whether that’s tropical prints or florals, and bright hues are also a massive lure this season, from hot pinks to acid greens. Look to Halpern, TOVE and Rotate Birger Christensen for a bright twist on classics.
If you’re going to a black tie wedding, stick to a midi or maxi length dress for maximum elegance. You won’t go wrong with something from Chanel, Givenchy or Ralph & Russo if you’re looking to splash out a bit.
Of course, the high street is a great go-to if you’re struggling, with & Other Stories, Whistles, Mango, Zara and Arket all offering everything from ethereal dresses to elegant jumpsuits.
Without further ado, scroll on to shop Marie Claire’s edit of the best wedding guest dresses for summer.
LA COLLECTION Kate raw-edged silk-satin dress, £585 at MATCHESFASHION
Gone are the days you couldn't wear white as a wedding guest. This beautiful silk-satin dress is a great option for destination weddings.
LINEN BLEND DRESS WITH FAUX PEARLS, £29.99 at ZARA
The faux pearls on this mini dress really elevate it to a dressy enough option to wear to weddings.
MARIA DRESS, £199 at Whistles
This is basically Whistles' version of Rachel's 'commando' dress in the Friends episode where they're all getting ready, and that's a winner in my book.
ZIMMERMANN Wild Botanica tie-detailed cutout linen and silk-blend organza midi dress, £1,650 at Net-A-Porter
Part of the Spring '21 'Wild Botanica' collection, Zimmermann's midi dress has so many pretty details, like the exaggerated straps, which can be knotted into bows at the shoulders or crossed over at the cutout back. It's made from linen and silk-blend organza and falls to a voluminous, tiered skirt.
SILK VINTAGE POSY DRESS, £175 at JIGSAW
You can easily rewear this silk knee-length dress, dressing it down with some trekking sandals or thongs.
Pique Shirred Cuff Midi Dress, £45 at Warehouse
This dress is also available in pale yellow though I love this periwinkle shade.
Melina Dress, Temperley London
Crafted from feather-light, sugar-pink silk punctuated with shimmering stripes, the Melina is imbued with an irresistible sense of nostalgia. The maximalist spirit extends to the silhouette, with a frothy, tiered skirt, off-the-shoulder shape and oversized puff sleeves, whilst an inbuilt corset and tie-belt create structure.
M&S X GHOST Floral Puff Sleeve Midi Tea Dress, £69
Part of the collaboration with Ghost, this mint tea dress serves up all the vintage vibes.
Julie long dress, €499 at Charo Ruiz
Another great option for a destination wedding, this dress features a bustier and sweetheart neckline for maximum impact.
EMILIA WICKSTEAD Shift dress, £270 | Pre-owned fashion shop – Vestiaire Collective
Shop the best pre-owned fashion, at Vestiaire Collective from Dior bags to Hermes belts and Chanel sandals there’s never been a better time to invest in your new season wardrobe. Save £25 when you spend £170 (or more) with our exclusive code ‘FLASHSALE_MC’ (ends 30/04/2021)
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ROTATE BIRGER CHRISTENSEN Dawn jacquard midi dress, £305 at MYTHERESA
ROTATE BIRGER CHRISTENSEN's Dawn dress is the perfect party piece. Puffed sleeves and a self-tie open back define this design, which is made from eco-friendly dotted pink jacquard that fits closely to the body.
CONTRASTED RUFFLE KAFTAN DRESS, £484
A great option for a beach wedding ceremony.
Camo Safari midi dress, £169 at Whistles
Say hello to summer in this endlessly optimistic style. Fashioned in a satin-like finish, the dress is decorated in a palette of soft yellows, pinks and whites for an elegant, summery feel. The design features a slit at the hem and a V-shaped neckline, whilst the silhouette boasts an empire-line cut under the bust and a figure-skimming fit throughout.
