Wedding season is officially upon us, and the perennial question of what to wear to a summer ceremony looms large. As editors, we face this dilemma with the same enthusiasm and sartorial consideration as any guest. From timeless black ensembles to vibrant dresses in shades of pale pink and zingy chartreuse, the options for a stylish wedding guest are as diverse as the celebrations themselves. Complementing these key pieces are statement earrings and dance-ready kitten heels, essential for completing any polished look.
Ahead, discover how 11 Vogue editors approach wedding guest attire for every occasion, from black-tie soirées to more relaxed countryside affairs.
Navigating Wedding Attire: A Vogue Editor’s Guide
The Ever-Versatile LBDKallmeyer Lizzy midi dress
The Draped DressFforme Kahlo asymmetric dress
The Glitzy BagOlga Berg Florence chainmail bag
The Statement CuffCompletedworks Pool silver-plated cuff
The Festive FloralsRixo Cathy midi dress
The Stylish SunglassesCeline Eyewear Triomphe acetate sunglasses
The Chartreuse GownSiedrés Raye midi dressElly Leavitt, lifestyle editor, shopping
“My dear friend Ida just got married in the most beautiful Beaux Arts-style mansion uptown, the dress code for which was black-tie (and, as a maid of honor, blush pink). Enter this equally beautiful gown from New York City brand Temily. With fluid draping, gossamer Habotai silk fabric, and a plunging neckline, it felt dramatic enough for the venue. I kept everything else simple: minimal gold jewelry and a pair of vintage Manolo Blahnik kitten heels I bought on The Real Real years ago and have worn in to the point where they’re as comfortable as any ballet flat. (These are a similar suede style.)”
Temily
Angelina maxi dress
MODA OPERANDI
Uno de 50
ring
UNO DE 50
Manolo Blahnik
Bow D’Orsay heels
EBAY
Jenny Bird
Remi bracelet
NORDSTROM
Maddy Fass, fashion market director
“I had four weddings last summer and went in a different direction for each. I found a great black vintage Jil Sander column gown on The Real Real for a black tie affair in Tuscany. It has a beautiful boat neck and open back, similar to this L’Academie silhouette. I wore Tory Burch’s viral mirrored dress in yellow and Khaite’s Candita dress in blue for celebrations in Spain, and borrowed a floral Dries Van Noten number from my stylish colleague Mai, for when I had bridesmaid duties at a wedding in southern California. While all of the dresses felt different, I kept my accessory formula the same for all: a comfortable heeled sandal, a simple drop earring, and a pretty pouch does the trick.”
Khaite
Candita scarf-detail dress
MYTHERESA
Sophie Buhai
teardrop satin pouch
NET-A-PORTER
Christen
Double Strap 35 leather sandals
MYTHERESA
Lié Studio
The Louise silver earrings
NET-A-PORTER
Kasey Busiel, marketing and production manager, shopping
“Later this month, we’ll be traveling to the outskirts of Dublin for the first of many summer weddings—a pretty wonderful way to kick off the season, if you ask me. I’m eyeing this stunning Siedrés dress for the occasion—elegant enough for countless photos while frolicking around the castle grounds (the setting for the highly anticipated wedding weekend), yet versatile enough to wear again for wedding celebrations closer to home. I’m pairing it with these fun chandelier earrings from Chan Luu, a simple pair of strappy heels, and a hair pin from Machete to complete the look.”
Siedrés
Raye midi dress
MODA OPERANDI
Chan Luu
Mizumi earrings
CHAN LUU
Tony Bianco
Caprice silver metallic heels
TONY BIANCO
Machete
French hair pin
MACHETE
Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer
“I always end up wearing black to a wedding, no matter the season. It’s an easy way to look sophisticated without the risk of running into theme trouble. Add a little shine and texture with a beaded bag—done and done.”
Kallmeyer
Lizzy midi dress
NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial
Venice Opera onyx earrings
NET-A-PORTER
Olga Berg
Florence chainmail bag
REVOLVE
Khaite
Archer sandals
KHAITE
Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
“At my best friend’s wedding this summer, I have the pleasure of being her maid of honor—meaning, I won’t be arriving as your average guest. As my outfit is already planned (matching the bridesmaids of course!), I’m choosing to flex my wedding guest dress style at the surrounding events. What I’m most excited for is the welcome party. The attire is colorful cocktail chic; I’m leaning into vibrant hues, unexpected embellishments, and pops of metallic.”
Meshki
floral maxi dress
MESHKY
Zimmermann
Belara sandals
NET-A-PORTER
Cos
floral earrings
COS
Dries Van Noten
crinkled-leather clutch
NET-A-PORTER
Taylor Lashley, social media manager
“With three weddings this summer, I’m approaching occasion dressing with versatility in mind. I’ve been drawn to gowns that feel special enough for a celebration but timeless enough to wear again and again. This chocolate brown gown from TWP is exactly that piece. I’m looking forward to styling it with a fun heel and a statement bracelet this summer, then giving it a new life this fall with a different set of accessories.”
TWP
On The Side gown
SHOPBOP
Completedworks
Pool silver-plated cuff
NET-A-PORTER
Khaite
Loop leather sandals
NET-A-PORTER
KHAITE
Saint Laurent
soft clutch
SAINT LAURENT
Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
“My friend is getting married in the South of France this summer and I knew I wanted a dress that fit the location. The sequined netting on this Saint Art dress feels right on the mark. I love that it’s short enough to show off my shoes (I’ll be wearing strappy nude sandals from Tony Bianco). For a nautical touch, why not add a pair of funky pearl earrings?”
Saint Art
Orleans sequin dress
SAINT ART
Tony Bianco
Caprice heels
REVOLVE
Celine Eyewear
Triomphe acetate sunglasses
NET-A-PORTER
Chan Luu
Anini thread thru earrings
CHAN Luu
Minty Mellon, shopping market editor
“There is nothing I love more than a great black dress. This style from Fforme has a sleek silhouette with a playful twist: a structured skirt that sways perfectly with every step. To finish the look I’ll always accessorize with beaded jewelry and a fresh white shoe—you might see me repeat this look once or twice this summer (different groups, of course).”
Fforme
Marina flared tank dress
BLOOMINGDALE’S
FFORME
Juju Vera
Gemma cuff bracelet
JUJU VERA
Staud
Brigitte mules
SHOPBOP
Le Sundial
Venice Opera onyx earrings
NET-A-PORTER
Andrea Zendejas, shopping market editor
“I love this draped Fforme beauty—the jersey feels effortless and breezy for warm weather. I’m keeping the styling easy but intentional, with a Marlies Grace clutch, a sleek Manolo Blahnik mule, and a signet ring.”
Fforme
Kahlo asymmetric dress
NET-A-PORTER
Marlies Grace
Marlies clutch
MARLIES GRACE
MODA OPERANDI
Manolo Blahnik
Pirua 70 suede mules
NET-A-PORTER
Le Sundial
The Deco onyx ring
NET-A-PORTER
Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
“Somehow, the woman who isn’t particularly fond of weddings (me) has ended up as a bridesmaid three times. Now, ungrip your pearls and take a breath—I’m genuinely happy for my friends and family. It’s more of a preference thing, similar to how you may loathe or love certain sports. Nevertheless, I need a dress. I’m shopping for a floor-length burgundy dress (a color that, thankfully, looks good on me), and accessories. My one shopping rule? Only buying things I actually would wear again and re-style; these all fit the bill.”
Deme by Gabriella
Berta dress
REVOLVE
Merlette
Lune mini sequin bag
MERLETTE
Prada
floral detail kitten heels
EBAY
Mudd Pearl
Geode huggies
MUDD PEARL
Fred Sahai, associate commerce producer
“I’m attending a wedding I’m very excited about in Hawaii at the end of the summer. My dad’s best friend’s daughter is getting married on the island of Kona, so the trip will double as a little family vacation. The dress code has recently gone from black tie to ‘aloha chic,’ so I’m taking the opportunity to heavily lean into the tropical theme with this Rixo dress. For shoes, I was told we’d be walking on grass, so stilettos were discouraged. Instead, I’m opting for my trusty Maryam Nassir Zadeh Olympia wedges, which are also really comfortable. As for the bag, I am known to carry a film camera everywhere, and this Home of Hai bag is very practical because it fits all my essentials and provides easy access should I need to snap a quick photograph.”
Rixo
Cathy midi dress
RIXO
Mango
Resin flower earrings
MANGO
Maryam Nassir Zade
Olympia wedges
MARYAM NASSIR ZADEH
Home of Hai
Little Silk bag
HOME OF HAI
Business Style Takeaway: The enduring appeal of the wedding guest dress lies in its ability to transcend a single event. Investing in versatile pieces that can be re-styled for future occasions or even different social contexts, as demonstrated by the Vogue editors, aligns with a modern approach to luxury consumption that values longevity and adaptability in one’s professional and personal wardrobe.
Source: : www.vogue.com