7 Summer Wedding-Guest Outfits I'd Instantly Notice
Deciding what to wear to a wedding is difficult enough, but a summer wedding requires even more consideration. While you can't bank on sunny skies for the big day, if recent weather is anything to go by, you can assume it's going to be a muggy affair. So to strike the perfect balance, you need to be sure of a few things: your ensemble won't make you overheat, it feels comfortable to spend the day in and it still feels fancy enough for a special occasion.
Ticking all these boxes is no small feat, but we've cracked it with a bit of help from some of our stylish friends. Scroll on to see seven chic suggestions for what to wear to a summer wedding.
1. SOMETHING SILK
Style Notes: Cool on the skin, silk makes for an ideal fabric choice for summer weddings. In her follow-up video post, Kellie Brown styles her 11 Honoré dress with a pair of leopard mules. Perfection.
Shop the look:
Kellie's dress is now sold out, but this alternative is just as beautiful.
Give any block-colour dress a fashionable lift with printed heels.
2. SHEER FABRICS
Style Notes: Sheer fabrics also make for a dreamy wedding-guest outfit. We love the addition of puff sleeves and a full skirt, which Monikh Dale expertly balances out with a pair of strappy sandals.
Shop the look:
Airy florals always feel romantic.
If your dress doesn't look right with necklaces or bangles, try an anklet instead.
3. FANCY SKIRTS
Style Notes: Embellished skirts shouldn't be reserved for party season. Instead, give them a summertime wedding spin with a breezy shirt tucked in.
Shop the look:
You'll think up a multitude of ways to wear this, be it over a bikini, tucked into jeans or, indeed, with a sequin skirt.
4. PLAYFUL PRINTS
Style Notes: Summer gives you the opportunity to be more frivolous with your print choices, and nothing will make you stand out at a big event more than a playful motif. Polka-dots are always a great option.
Shop the look:
How beautiful is this maxi dress?
A bright bag will add oomph to muted wedding-guest outfits.
5. SLEEK CUT-OUTS
Style Notes: This summer, cut-outs have become very classy, with subtle exposures adorning dresses in unassuming places. One of the Who What Wear team wore this Aje dress to a wedding recently, and it looked incredible.
Shop the look:
From the colour to the sleeves, this dress is the definition of dreamy.
6. HALTERNECKS
Style Notes: This year marks the return of the halterneck, and what better time to wear one than a summer soirée? We suggest styling yours with pastel accessories just like Grece Ghanem did.
Shop the look:
Sunglasses are key for summer weddings where you can be outside for long periods.
This bag still ranks high on our editors' wish lists.
7. RELAXED SUITING
Style Notes: If dresses and skirts just aren't your thing, trouser suits loan themselves perfectly to weddings. For summer, keep your silhouette loose to ensure you don't get too hot. Pair your suit with a silky camisole underneath—this will make for a sleek top option should you need or want to shed your blazer.
Shop the look:
Wide-leg trousers are trending, so why not take them for a spin at a summer wedding?
Next Up: I'm Over "Dated" Wedding Guest Outfits—9 Fresh Ideas I'm Trying Instead
This story was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over twelve years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories, and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, works closely with influencer talent on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media. Previously, Maxine appeared on TV in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship, she was offered a position on the Look magazine fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. She went on to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine works remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh.
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