Wedding Guest Dress Codes Explained

woman wearing asymmetric dress and woman explaining wedding guest dress codes

Weddings are back and there is an influx of them happening this summer and fall. Trends will come and go, but there are a few rules that never go out of style for wedding guest dress codes. A wedding is a special occasion and one in which you should dress appropriately. Did you know there are ten types of wedding guest dress codes? That is a lot Today, I am going to explain the most common ones and offer guidance on how to navigate each type. And of course I’ll be sharing share my best picks for wedding guest dresses.

I would say you have a 70/30 chance of receiving a wedding invitation with a dress code on it. People are particular and want their guests to match the event they are planning and I don’t blame them. If you receive a wedding invite without a dress code stick to the semi formal (cocktail) dress code below. You can’t go wrong with it.

Casual

Keep it casual, but clean and presentable. While you shouldn’t show up in your around-the-house clothes you can show up in a casual sundress or even a top and long skirt. Think backyard wedding and polished. For shoes you should stick to flats, sandals or a small wedge. Don’t go over board with your shoes, as you will look out of place.

Dressy Casual

A nice balance between casual and semi formal. Think of something you would wear to a fundraiser or an after-work networking event. While I don’t suggest jeans you can wear a dressy pant or a “work dress.” For shoes wear a closed toe heel or wedge.

Semi Formal (Cocktail)

We are starting to step it up a bit with this dress code. The first thing that comes to mind is a little black dress, which you can never go wrong with. You can play around with the length of your dress here; I would stay in-between a midi length and above the knee. Anything longer would be t0o formal and anything shorter would look a little cheap. Definitely wear a heel, closed toe or open toe is fine.

Creative Black Tie

Anytime the world black tie is mentioned you have to wear a floor length gown. A more popular dress code now is a creative black tie, it’s really just a cryptic way to say dress formally, but add your own twist to it. This is where you can really play with color, patterns and texture of your gown. A heel is best when wearing a gown.

Black Tie

You guessed it…wear a long down. Term black tie is really focused on the gentleman’s outfit, because they should wear a tux. However, a woman should be dressed the part too. You have a little liberty to pick something that matches your style, but I would wear richer colors vs. bright trendy colors. I actually have a whole post on how to dress and accessorize for a black tie, you can read it here.

Black Tie Optional

Once again think long gown, however you could do a cocktail style dress. If you are going to pick a cocktail style dress over a floor-length gown, I would pick a classic color like navy or black in a silk like material. The material on a shorter dress with make it look richer.

Semi Formal (Cocktail) Wedding Guest Dress

woman wearing asymmetric dress and walking down the stairs

My heart belongs to black ties, but I’m a pro at getting dressed for a semi formal event. I like to have a few classic dresses on hand that can be dressed up or down depending on the venue. I’m a huge “less is more” gal when it comes to the actual dress and accessorize to tailor to the event. And when I say accessorize, I mean jewelry, shoes, and purse.

For jewelry I like to wear a large stud earring or anything that shines. I wear my everyday rings and add a few extra chunky bracelets on it. My David Yurman large oval link bracelet is a great wedding guest accessory. It’s chuncky, classic and a true heirloom piece. For shoes I highly suggest an open toe shoe with an ankle strap like this pair. And finally, the purse. I have one piece of advise on your purse and that is to bring a small clutch or chain link purse. Do not bring your large everyday tote, period. I recently picked up this Coach Bag and think it’s an excellent choice for a night out.

For the dress I almost always stick with the basics; navy, black or deep rich jewel tones. These colors are almost always in style and you can use the same dress for years (if needed). My current favorite wedding guest dress is the Lara Dress. It’s very simple up top, offers great coverage and really highlights your arms. The wow factor is the asymmetrical bottom. It has excellent movement (on the dance floor) and offers a fun detail. But this isn’t the only dress I would wear to a wedding. I pulled many options below.