Trust Me—I'm an Editor: How to Style One Wedding-Guest Dress for all Seasons

As fashion editors, unsurprisingly, we're the go-to sources of information for our friends and family when it comes to anything style-related. Whether it's a dress for a big date or simply the perfect white tee, we've addressed every question you could imagine. This inspired us to create a new series, Trust Me—I'm an Editor, that allows you, the reader, to get in on the action. What sartorial dilemmas are you facing right now? What problem can we apply our extensive shopping knowledge to? You can shoot us questions via Instagram or our Facebook shopping group, So... Should I Buy This? Use us—you know you want to.

This week's fashion dilemma comes from within the Who What Wear team, but we imagine it's a question that'll resonate with many of our readers (if we're struggling with it, other people are too). As anyone who has attended a wedding will know, finding an appropriate outfit can be a particularly laborious process, and if your experiences are anything like ours, weddings tend to be like buses. Years will go by without a single one, and then five come along at once. The result? Wardrobe meltdown. So what do you do when faced with back-to-back weddings, all requiring equally chic yet smart ensembles?

Well, that's where we come in. We're big believers in smart shopping, and this means restraining from buying four or five new dresses that you'll never wear again, and instead investing in one hardworking piece. Obviously, it can be tricky if guest lists overlap, but in our experience, it's rare that this is the case for more than one event. Also, you'd be surprised at how little other people care about whether you're wearing the same dress again. Either way, we're here to prove that you can invest in one winning dress, restyle it for every season and look killer every time.

I've picked a mid-length Rixo number (it's by far one of the best brands for elegant, fashionable wedding guest dresses) in a universally flattering shade of powder blue. The long sleeves are perfect if you're worried about covering up in church, but thanks to the nipped-in waist, the cut is still super flattering. Plus, the flowy skirt allows for plenty of movement (aka room for dancing) which, let's face it, is a top priority. Scroll down to see how we'd style one dress for every season and shop the pieces.

Look # 1: Autumn/Winter

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(Image credit: Joy Montgomery)

Style Notes: With warmth topping our priority list, it can be tricky dressing for weddings in winter. I've styled the Rixo dress with a chunky white knit and Ganni's tasselled jacket (the tonal pairing looks smarter than a mishmash of prints and colours) and then thrown in a pair of burgundy knee-high boots for a subtle flash of colour and a much-needed extra layer on the bottom half.

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Look # 2: Spring

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(Image credit: Joy Montgomery)

Style Notes: Spring calls for pastel shades, and this Arket pink blazer perfectly complements the soft blue of the dress. All it needs is a pair of sculptural shoes (note the low heel for comfort), a mock-croc bag and statement earrings for a much-needed dose of glamour.

Related: Trust Me, I'm an Editor: Where to Find Interesting Knits That Are Also Warm

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Look # 3: Summer

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(Image credit: Joy Montgomery)

Style Notes: Without the need for copious layers, summer wedding-guest dressing is all about the accessories. Rixo's frock looks 10 times cooler with a gold chain belt, while Topshop's strappy sandals and By Far's sage mini bag add a hint of on-trend '90s styling. Just grab a pair of brown-tinted sunnies and you're good to go.

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Up Next: Trust Me—I'm an Editor: The Best 3 Places to Shop for Vegan Leather Boots