What To Wear To A Wedding
With wedding season fast approaching, there’s never been a better time to embrace the joy of dressing up. So, whether you’re heading to a ceremony in the city, alfresco nuptials in the countryside, or an elaborate event by the ocean, our guide to stylish guest attire has you covered
The ceremony-to-dance-floor dress
Don’t be fooled into thinking jersey only works in casual settings – the slinkiness of the fabric makes it a chic choice for special occasions, too. Maygel Coronel’s ‘Tirso’ dress is detailed with a signature floral appliqué and cascading sash at the waist that creates the most flattering shape. Part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of consciously crafted pieces, it’s been made by artisans in the brand’s native Colombia and supports responsible craftsmanship. Pair it with accessories in complementary shades, such as Gucci’s white leather ‘Lady’ sandals and Bottega Veneta’s ‘Long Andiamo’ clutch in the deepest chocolate hue, for a look that’s understated yet sure to turn heads.
Destination weddings
A wedding by the sea encourages guests to reach for lighter pieces – think dresses in cool fabrics and summery prints. From the Resort ’25 collection, Valentino Garavani’s midi style is cut from lightweight cotton-muslin printed with ’70s-inspired paisley swirls and has romantic petal sleeves. Wear yours with K Jacques St Tropez’s flat ‘Caravelle’ sandals from our NET SUSTAIN edit to avoid any sinking-in-the-sand situations, then finish the look with an elevated raffia clutch by Brunello Cucinelli and Saint Laurent Eyewear’s tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses, which will add an instant touch of retro glamour.
Cocktail receptions
You really can’t go wrong with an LBD for a formal event – especially when it comes to a city wedding. Alaïa’s strapless version is both elegant and bold – it’s made from smooth stretch-jersey that skims your figure and has a tubular dropped waist. Pair it with Saint Laurent’s ‘Jacqueline’ slingbacks in glossy black leather and a berry-stained lip to match Loewe’s cherry-red ‘Flamenco’ clutch. Finally, pop in YSSO’s knotted gold-plated earrings – from its collaboration with model Danielle Copperman – to complete a sophisticated evening ensemble.
Oversized tailoring
Oversized tailoring delivers easy sophistication with a touch of non-traditional irreverence that makes it undeniably cool. Consider playful shapes and soft shades to avoid anything that looks too corporate, such as Stella McCartney’s double-breasted blazer and flared pants in warm peachy tones. Another NET SUSTAIN highlight, both are crafted using lower-impact materials. Complement the neutral palette with Jil Sander’s red leather sandals and add a diamond-encrusted necklace by Shay for a touch of sparkle.
Alfresco venues
When it comes to celebrating love, joyful colors are always fitting. This season, slip into Victoria Beckham’s gorgeous apple-green satin midi dress from the SS25 runway – ideal for garden settings. Gold jewelry will pair perfectly with this vibrant shade, so finish your look with David Yurman’s ‘Crossover’ cuff, which is frosted with a row of diamonds that beautifully catch the light. Lastly, add Khaite’s strappy black leather sandals and Valentino Garavani’s leather-trimmed raffia tote – the chic pairing will take you effortlessly from relaxed ceremonies to dancing beneath the stars.
Wedding-ready rentals
A diary full of weddings can often make us feel as though we need a different outfit for each event. That’s why there is no better reason to start using NET-A-PORTER’s rental offering, which gives you the chance to rent runway pieces and items from your favorite brands. Powered by rental platform Hurr, NET-A-PORTER’s hand-picked rental edits feature everything from floral-print midi dresses to designer It-bags.
Extending the life of wedding-guest outfits
NET-A-PORTER offers a luxury repairs-and-alterations service, powered by The Seam, which includes mending pulls and snags, dyeing satin shoes, restoring intricate beading and embellishments, fit alterations and strap adjustment.
1. Care for delicate materials. Occasionwear is often crafted in delicate fabrics that are prone to snagging, such as silk, satin and sheer chiffon. The Seam’s Makers offer invisible repairs for snags, pulls and rips on delicate materials and eveningwear fabrics.
2. Dye satin footwear. Satin shoes are a statement piece for formal events, but they are prone to permanent marks and stains, especially styles in lighter colors. These pieces can be cleaned to some extent, but when signs of wear aren’t removable, The Seam offers dyeing solutions to transform well-worn satin heels into a pair that looks brand new.
3. Restore beading and embellishments. Beaded handbags and embellished dresses are a hallmark of wedding-guest dressing, but it’s important to fix damage quickly to avoid the beading becoming entirely unraveled.
4. Tailor for the perfect fit. There’s nothing worse than putting a sharp heel through the hem of an evening gown (a common repair at The Seam), which is why it’s sensible to get the length of your dress tailored before the event.