Dress for a Summer Wedding: How to Style Your Outfit Secondhand
Summer is nearly here, and the wedding invites are rolling in! Shopping secondhand for a wedding guest outfit means that you can stretch your budget further and splurge on something worthy of a celebration. Refreshing your existing special occasion wardrobe with consignment shop accessories also allows you to put a new spin on your existing clothing without buying a brand-new piece that you may only wear a few times.
Here are some of our favourite summer wedding guest outfit ideas:
Dresses: Summer weddings call for shorter hemlines, lighter colours, and chic prints. Pick a fabric that will stand up to warmer temperatures, such as cotton or chiffon. If the wedding is being held outdoors, pack a layer to keep you warm after the sun goes down. Don’t forget your chic sunglasses!
Jumpsuits: A jumpsuit is a comfortable and stylish alternative to a dress, and you can accessorize it in a number of different ways to make it your own. A jumpsuit can easily be dressed up or down with a belt or statement necklace to suit a variety of dress codes. (More on this below.)
Two-piece set: This style is incredibly trendy in 2022, and the beauty of a coordinating two-piece set is that you can mix-and-match the top and bottom with other items from your wardrobe, making these pieces infinitely more practical than a formal gown. A coordinating set can also be quite whimsical, which is perfect for a cocktail or festive dress code.
Dress Codes
Getting a wedding invitation that specifies a dress code can be daunting, but a bit of preparation will help you nail your wedding guest look. We love this primer on wedding dress codes, but if your invite doesn’t mention dress code, consider the following:
Location: If you’re attending a beach wedding (or a tropical destination), chances are that the dress code will be casual, but this doesn’t mean shorts and flipflops! A sundress will likely do the trick, but make sure that both the length and fabric weight are appropriate for a nice occasion. Weddings held at upscale hotels or country clubs will typically call for formal attire, such as a floor-length gown or tailored pantsuit.
Timing: Daytime weddings are typically less formal than evening weddings, but no matter the start time, leave your floor-length gown at home if the invite specifies “semi-formal” attire. A mid-length dress or two-piece set should work perfectly for most weddings, but check out the venue online ahead of time to get a sense of the style if you’re unsure. Remember to check whether you’ll be walking across grass so you can select the right footwear.
Cultural considerations: Keep the couple’s cultural background in mind while selecting your look. If the bride will likely wear red (ex. at a Chinese wedding celebration), steer clear of that colour. Certain cultures consider black to signify death and mourning, so avoid that colour if you’re unsure.
Tip: If you’re switching up your wedding guest look for future events, consider consigning the pieces you no longer wear with us! Trove Fashion accepts gently-used clothing and accessories. Visit our website or visit us in store for details.
