Summer Wedding Season—What Do I Wear?

It’s that time of the year love and weddings are in the air! You are sure to open your mailboxes to find an invitation to a summer wedding; then you are faced with the dilemma on what to wear.  As a whole, summer attire is inherently more casual and easy-breezy than winter wardrobes, but it is still a wedding.

The question always is how can we strike the delicate balance between finding something to wear that’ll look both appropriate and seasonally appropriate? P.S> It is always a good idea to consult with the wedding planner/bride about wardrobe/color restrictions. 

Here are a few iStyle’s dress suggestions for the four basic types of weddings:

Black Tie Wedding

Black tie weddings are the most formal dress code you’ll face. Here, it’s customary to wear floor-length gowns. In warm weather, avoid heavy fabrics like satin, velvet, and poly, and instead opt for silk, cotton, or floaty chiffon, depending on the venue. You can also choose a shorter style for a summer black-tie wedding if the color palette feels dressy, not beachy (think a classic LBD, or a dress in a darker hue.) If you opt for a shorter dress, add some sparkle with chic diamonds or long drop earrings, and keep hair and makeup classic.

Cocktail Wedding

If a wedding calls for cocktail attire, there’s no need to reach for that gown—knee-length or slightly above works, but steer clear of anything too tight, flashy or pouffy. Think of it this way: Fun and festive is fine, but consider the type of dresses you’d want worn at your own wedding (a skin-tight sequin backless mini dress…not so much? Pair your look with strappy stilettos in metallic hues to up the festive factor. In terms of other accessories, it’s okay to have some fun.

Afternoon/Daytime/Chic (less formal) Wedding

Seek out dresses that are feminine and polished in a delicate floral print or a muted color.  Consider a light cardigan, if you’ll be outside for the ceremony. Keep accessories clean and simple. This isn’t the time for the bling!

Destination/Beach Wedding

Color! Color! Color! Print! Print! Print! Embrace dresses in airy fabrics and fun patterns that compliment skin tone for a beach wedding. To help capture the vibe the setting, look to hues like cobalt blue, yellow, coral, and pink. When choosing jewelry, turquoise accessories are the perfect finishing touch. Be sure to find out if you’ll be walking on grass or sand, and if so, ditch the heels and choose embellished flat sandals or a pair of festive wedges.  To keep warm from the ocean breeze, choose a pashmina in a bright color or a neutral color.