Dresses to Wear to a Wedding
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The Daytime Wedding
YAS Ruffle Lace Skater Dress, $160 at Topshop
A daytime wedding is a great reason to wear a bright, festive dress. While this long-sleeved midi is fairly modest, the sheerness and ruffles keep it youthful. Pair it with colorful statement earrings and metallic heels.
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The Garden Party Wedding
Mes Desmoiselles Surinam Gathered Silk-Blend Lamé Maxi Dress, $460 at Net-a-Porter
This gold maxi dress would make anyone feel like a goddess. Plus, set against a backdrop of flowers, it'll get you all the Instagram likes. Keep your footwear neutral and flat — garden party weddings mean treading on soil, and sinking heels are a total buzzkill.
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The Low-Key Wedding
Ganni Flynn Stretch-Lace Turtleneck Dress, $190 at Net-a-Porter
So, your friends who can't stomach tulle are holding a low-key (but still fancy) dinner, renting out their favorite bar, what have you? This pretty stretch-lace sheath dress will ensure you look hot/appropriate without upstaging the bride. Take a cue from Net-a-Porter's stylists and wear it with fuchsia heels. We love a pop of color.
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The Ever-So-Popular Moroccan Wedding
Caravana Yatzil Asymmetric Leather-Trimmed Cotton Maxi Dress, $300 at Net-a-Porter
Your invite to Hannah Bronfman's seven-dress shindig may have gotten lost in the mail, but chances are at least one of your pals is saying their I Dos in Morocco. Suddenly and all at once, the (at least somewhat) monied and affianced have realized that Islamic architecture, mosaics, incredible rugs and endless deserts make for A-plus wedding pictures. (No arguments here.) This luxe, lightweight maxi dress will not only complement your surroundings, it'll make sitting through a ceremony in the scorching hot sun much easier.
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The College Friend's Wedding
Zara Floral Print Kimono, $89.90 at Zara
For a college friend's wedding, don't go too crazy. It's a truth universally acknowledged that all your ex-classmates tend to marry around the same time, which means (a) you can't repeat dresses and (b) your "dresses to wear to a wedding" budget is going to be particularly steep that season. Hit up Zara for something affordable, elegant and fashion-forward that you can repurpose for dates, work dinners, etc.
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The Person-You-Used-To-Date's Wedding
Topshop Unique Lambeth Cutout Silk-Jacquard Midi Dress, $325 at Net-a-Porter
This navy Topshop dress is perfect for any wedding, really. With subtle matte and satin panels and an expertly tied waist-cinching belt, it's fresh-feeling and eons away from your standard satin mini. Plus, the thigh-high slit and peekaboo shoulder add a touch of not-even-trying sex appeal, which'll give you a slight confidence boost for the (not to be reductive, but probably at least a little awkward) occasion.
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The Relative-Packed Wedding
Eva Franco Sara Embroidered Dress, $198 at Anthropologie
On the opposite end of the spectrum, no need to rock thigh-high slits amongst those who saw you in diapers. Nor should you dress as if you've just joined a convent. Dress for yourself, always. This embroidered, mesh paneled dress toes the line between cool and conservative.
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The (Conservative) Work People Wedding
COS Dress With Cocoon Skirt, $135 at COS
There's a zero percent chance you're getting drunk and a 50 percent chance something work-related will come up and you'll have to zip to the office. Reach for a simple, minimalist dress, dial it up with metallic shoes and some fanciful earrings and you're good to go, whatever that entails.
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The Black Tie Wedding
Solace London One-Shoulder Stretch-Crepe Gown, $360 at Net-a-Porter
For an over-the-top fancy wedding, look for a simple, one-shoulder number without the bells and whistles. When you're throwing down upwards of $300, you'll want a gown that's timeless and easy to style; something you can wear again and again.
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The Black Tie Wedding Part 2
Fame and Partners The Pepper Dress, $299 at Fame and Partners
...Or go all out. Take that crazy eveningwear trend you've been dying to try — cake-tier ruffles, for instance — for a spin. Just think about the slow-mo Instagram-story opportunities.
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The City Hall Wedding
J.Crew Long-Sleeve Sheath Dress With Tulle, $118 at J.Crew
Weddings are the perfect excuse to have fun and get really dressed up, but if the bride's going to be wearing a suit, you, too, must forgo whimsy. Still, it's a wedding, and a tiny bit of tulle never hurt anybody. Follow J.Crew's example and pair this (kind of) demure dress with bedazzled Mary Janes.
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The Dead-Of-Winter Wedding
Warm Daphne Full Length Dress, $380 at Moda Operandi
Frigid temperatures call for long sleeves, ankle-length hems and giant, colorful florals that'll still be visible beneath your hefty-ass coat. Pair this Warm dress (how apropos) with neutral accessories since it’s so eye-catching.
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The Wedding Where You Plan on Partying — Hard
& Other Stories Ruffle Dress, $125 at & Other Stories
A night of debauchery calls for a dress that's neither delicate, nor expensive, nor prone to wardrobe malfunction. For added assurance, hide some nondescript black bike shorts under this cute swishy cocktail frock.
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The Beach Wedding
Reformation Sabrina Dress, $218 at Reformation
Don't shy away from pattern — it photographs well, especially against neutral hues like sand. Speaking of which, the presence of minuscule, easily airborne granules necessitates higher hems and flat footwear.
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The Ojai Wedding
Free People We Broke Free Maxi Dress, $228 at Free People
Weddings are stressful, wellness is #trending. In search of calming vibes, more and more couples are migrating to California's sun-bathed, natural spring-filled Ojai Valley for their big day. Cater to your crystal and Coachella-loving friends' aesthetic with a breezy boho gown that'll fit right in with the surroundings.
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The Early Spring Wedding
Mango Floral Print Dress, $79.99 at Mango
Wallpaper florals and long bubble sleeves: the perfect early spring compromise. Add espadrilles and gold hoops for a low-key but pulled-together outfit.
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The Fashion or Art Person Wedding
Fame and Partners The Orion Dress, $249 at Fame and Partners
Go ahead, be trendy. Wear two belts at once; cover your shoulders — soon to be rubbed against those of the bride's cool aunt who you've been dying to meet — in Maribou feathers. Review the first dinner scene in Nocturnal Animals for outfit inspo.
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The Height-Of-Summer Wedding
Reformation Sophia Dress, $428 at Reformation
Florals for summer? Yawn. Take a page out of Jacquemus' style book and reach for an umbrella-striped dress that won't have you schvitzing like a (censored) in church. (Although, if you are headed to an actual church, you'll want to bring a cover-up of some sort. In fact, temperatures drop at night, so have a cute silk robe on hand regardless.)
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The English Countryside Wedding
Zara Flowing Midi Dress With Long Sleeves, $89.90 at Zara
When in England, wear Victorian necklines. It's always nice when your outfit makes sense among the decor.
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Any Wedding, Really
Raey V-Neck Silk-Satin Midi Slip Dress, $193 at Matches Fashion
Investing in a quality slip dress is always a good idea. It'll never go out of style; it's easily dressed up or down. In the winter, pair it with sleek boots and layer it under a patterned kimono-sleeve robe. In the summer, team it with strappy sandals and use it to show off your (faux) tan.
