Wedding season is in full swing, which means many of us will be hitting the shops in search of the perfect dress. Comfort is paramount because attending a wedding can be a very long day. Sitting down for the meal and all the speeches requires a comfortable dress – anything restrictive will be cause for regret. On the other hand all the standing around chatting/having photos taken/dancing, demands shoes that won’t have you hobbling by the end of the night. All of these considerations can pose a dilemma when you still want to look stylish. So what are the tricks to looking great while feeling comfortable as a wedding guest?
I favour dresses over separates for weddings as they are easier to accessorise and look more put together. PrettyLittleThing has a wide range of wedding guest outfits to suit every style, all at a very affordable price point. I’ve chosen four dresses to show you, which were kindly gifted to me in exchange for a review. I’ve opted for a couple of more traditional style dresses, as well as two that push me a little out of my comfort zone…particularly the last one!
Pastel hues are always popular – soft shades of powder blue, blush pink and lemon look especially pretty with a few well-chosen accessories. This dusty pink midi dress is a very flattering style. It’s a lightweight chiffon fabric with a pleated crisscross top in a sweetheart neckline. The straps are adjustable so they don’t slip off the shoulder (a pet peeve of mine). After checking the size guide I played it safe and ordered size 12 in all four dresses, but I think a 10 would have been fine in this style. It does gape ever so slightly around the side of the bust but it’s not really noticeable. I love the dusty pink shade which would suit most skin tones. Neutral accessories and pearl jewellery is all you need to add to an elegant dress like this.
PrettyLittleThing Gracelyn dusty pink dress (also available in ice grey) | Pia pearl necklace (similar) | M&S white pearl bracelet, handmade coloured pearl bracelets | Costume National perspex heel sandals (old) | Michelangelo white bag (from eBay, old) | Moschino sunglasses (old, similar)
I’ve chosen a second pastel- hued dress, this time in lemon. I know that yellow isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it (as you probably gathered from my last post). This dress fits me perfectly and feels amazing on. I just love everything about it – the ruffles, the colour, the length, and that it has a side zip so it’s easy to do up. This dress also has adjustable straps which score extra brownie points. I think neutral accessories can look a bit insipid with pale yellow so I’ve opted for some bling!
I’ve had the silver beaded clutch for years, and while it might not be the most practical size it is very elegant. I made the necklace and bracelets myself (except for the natural pearl bracelet, which is from M&S). The Swarovski crystal pendant is actually a snowflake, so not very summery, but it looks so pretty when it catches the sun. But let’s talk about these shoes for a moment…aren’t they just gorgeous?
When I saw these shoes in TKMaxx I think my eyes lit up lie a Christmas tree! I’d already seen them in silver which were gorgeous, but when I spotted them in rose gold I gasped with delight! My daughter was with me at the time and she was just as excited…the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! One of the reasons I love metallic accessories is that they go with everything. Another pastel shade would work well with this delightful shade of lemon but I love an excuse to break out the glitter…and what better occasion than a wedding? I even blinged up my face with Glitter Lips…this stuff is amazing and has serious staying power. When it comes to choosing accessories for a wedding guest outfit you simply can’t go wrong with metallics…even better if they sparkle!
PrettyLittleThing Dallia Lemon Ruffle Dress | Accessorize beaded clutch (old, similar) | Betsey Johnson glitter shoes (similar) | ring bought in France | Glitter Lips by Beauty Boulevard in Vintage Pretty
Floral print will always be a hit for summer wedding outfits. The lightweight chiffon fabric of this dress makes it perfect for wearing in hot weather. This gorgeous wrap dress has an inner tie to keep it firmly in place as well as a lining to mid thigh so it’s not see through. The ruffles and off the shoulder straps are really pretty details. While this dress might not be appropriate for more formal weddings I think it’d be perfect for a beach wedding. I continued the floral theme with these fun sunglasses and a necklace that I made myself. I also made the rose quartz bracelets…I’ve made tons of jewellery over the years yet I still keep buying more! I didn’t have a clutch bag to go with this dress so I chose this green beaded ring handle bag. Simple white wedge sandals completed the look.
PrettyLittleThing floral cold shoulder maxi dress | Jeepers Peepers sunglasses (version in pink reduced to £12!) | white wedge shoes (old) | green beaded bag (old) | handmade necklace and bracelets
Lastly, I’ve chosen something a little bit controversial: white lace. Of course, lace is a big wedding outfit trend – my mum wore a cobalt lace dress for a family wedding recently. However, white lace is usually reserved for the bride so traditionally it’s been off limits for guests. This dress is also available in black and I pondered over which to order. The traditionalist in me eventually decided on the black as white is right out of my comfort zone, but I was sent the white dress so I took it as a sign to be daring! I completely understand that some people might baulk at the idea of wearing white in case they’re mistaken for the bride, but accessorised in the right way it can work.
The style of the dress is modern so it doesn’t scream bride, but to emphasise its guest status I’ve chosen a turquoise clutch bag and taupe shoes with a silver heel. Wearing my hair down also steers the look away from bride territory, as do the oversized sunglasses. To be honest, I’m hopeless at putting my hair up – it just doesn’t stay where I want it to. I’m surprised at how much I like this dress; the quality is great and the lace isn’t at all scratchy.
I don’t usually wear tops and dresses with high necklines – as well as feeling restrictive they can be tricky for busty shapes. To my surprise I quickly got used to the high neckline and even did some ironing in it while waiting for the camera battery to charge up (rookie error not checking first!). My only concern with wearing a white dress with a high neckline is getting makeup on it…as well as food spillages! No red wine for me…oh well, there’s alway champagne 😉
SHOP THE POST
PrettyLittleThing Ellina white lace fishtail midi dress | Anna Dello Russo for H&M clutch (old, similar | Ted Baker shoes (old) | Roberto Cavalli sunglasses (old) | Azuni cuff (similar) Les Nereides cat ring (similar)
Now the link up is getting established I’m selecting three favourites from the previous week…picking just one is impossible!
Congratulations to Debbie from Fashion Fairy Dust, Edwige from Hypnoz Glam and Nicole from High Latitude Style!
Linking up with: Shoe and Tell, Flashback Fashion Fridays, Passion4Fashion, Spread the Kindness, Turning Heads Tuesday, Visible Monday, Color and Grace, Fancy Friday, #iwillwearwhatilike, The Saturday Share, Friday Favorites, Midweek Inspirations, Brilliant Blog Posts, Style Swap Tuesdays, Currently Wearing, Ladies Who Link Up, Confident Twosdays, On Mondays We Link-Up, Trend Spin, Hello Monday, Tina’s Pink Friday, Northwest Mountain Living, Thursday Fashion Files, On Trend Tuesdays, Beautiful Style, Mix It Mondays, Weekend Wear, Foxy’s Domestic Side, Style on the Daily, The Style File, Style Sessions, Fashion Frenzy, Wearable Wednesday, Jersey Girl, Texan Heart, Oh, Hey Girl!, Fun Fashion Friday
Disclaimer: The dresses were gifted to me in exchange for review. All opinions are completely honest and unbiased. This post contains affiliates links which means if you click on them and/or purchase via a link I may earn a few pennies, at no extra cost to you. This helps towards the running costs of the blog and is much appreciated.
Oh that yellow dress looks fabulous on you, especially the photo with the sun on you! Very beautiful! But the first dress is also very elegant and I love the bag with it!
You look absolutely lovely in all these outfits but my favourite is the yellow dress and accessories. I mean THOSE SHOES!!! I would have squealed right along with you, Emma! They’re just gorgeous! And the matching glitter lips is such fun too. LOVE LOVE LOVE <3 <3 <3
Suzy xx
Suzy Turner
Yogadocious
Wow, Emma, such great dress choices! They all look fabulous on you! I am loving the blush color on you and that yellow is just magnificent. And the sparkly shoes are totally swoon worthy!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
All four dresses are so feminine and pretty! I love the yellow on you. Your garden is looking fab too! I would wear white to a wedding in the form of a trouser suit if the bride wasn’t going to be wearing white.
I tend to wear dresses for weddings too. In fact, for one of our posts, I had us try to wear pants for the occasion, and my mom thought that was the craziest thing ever!! So at least I come by it honestly—ha ha!!
All these dresses are fabulous.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Well you’re certainly not stuck for something to wear! All the dresses look beautiful on you Emma, and I love how your style shines through with the accessories. xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
I’m not typically a fan of yellow, but the yellow dress is definitely my favorite! It’s a beautiful color on you and the cut is insanely flattering. Thank you so much for choosing me as one of your favorites from last week!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
beautiful choices and the shoes are awesome. xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
All these dresses are beautiful but my favorite is the yellow one! Great post! Peace!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
We have a wedding in Oct coming up, and I will always choose a dress. I LOVE your choices, everyone of them looks amazing on you! I love the details you have added, the green bag and pretty rose necklace with the floral print and the yellow is such a soft butter yellow, love the style. You look amazing and how fun your sprakly lip color!
Have a great week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thanks for featuring me! I am so excited and feel so honored. Also thanks for hosting the party every week.
Oh Emma you look stunning! All dresses are great and i Iove the accessoires. This yellow dress and the wonderful shoes is a Carrie Style :))
XO Tina
Lovely choices and great tips. My favorite is the floral print but you do look stunning in the lemony one. Thanks for sharing your ideas and for hosting.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
This pink dress is heaven on you. The color is perfect.
This post is choked with goodies!!! I love the yellow pastel number, white lace dress, and that white vintage bag!!
– http://www.inmyjoi.bogspot.com
– http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com
Love the fact you included so many good looks! I love the first dress and the shoes for the second dress are stunning!
Wow Emma you look amazing in all of these dresses!!! I think the lemon one ever so slightly tips the scale for me!! It was those GORGEOUS shoes that did it for me and your glitter lips!! I recently bucked the tradition and wore a white lace dress to a wedding and accessorised it with blush pink. I got lots of lovely compliments! I’m also going to wear trousers to another, less formal wedding in a few weeks whoa bucking tradition again!! – here’s my summer wedding outfit ideas https://wp.me/p8PnON-5q
Well these are all stunning Emma! My favourite has to be the first one, but oh those shoes! Why didn’t I spot them – I’m always in there!!! You’re going to be ready for a few weddings and special occasions – that’s always a good omen for me! Thanks for the link up too Emma. x Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
These are some lovely dresses, but I see why you love yellow so much–you rock that color! I don’t see too many people who can pull off that shade of yellow as good as you can!
Mary
https://www.themarycurator.com/
Hi Laurie,
I must say that I love the pink and the yellow dresses the most. You look gorgeous!
X
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
All the dresses are gorgeous! They definitely are perfect for various occasions.
Thank you for hosting us each week – it is a treat to visit!!
All my best, Mimi
I love them all! You look gorgeous hon! Thanks for sharing and linking up 🙂
http://www.tipsyheelz.com
These choices are beautiful! you look gorgeous in all of them!
Liz
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
So many beautiful dresses and bags! I really like the pretty pink one with the amazing bodice.
Holy moly, so many cute dresses! I kept thinking, this is my favorite one and then I’d scroll down and kept loving each one. That blush dress and yellow one are my absolute faves on you!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Loving your dresses. you look so beautiful!
Nistha
https://www.fashionistha.com/blushing-in-one-shoulder-top/
The dresses are so cute and those shoes too. But out of all I need that second lipstick you have, so stunning!
Camila,
My Vogue Style | http://www.myvoguestyle.com
I love your dresses! They are something I’d wear to fancy dinners 🙂
Angelie // Gabe’s Homegrown Dishes
So many pretty dresses! Wow, I love them all.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Wow you look so elegant and beautiful x
Wow, all such gorgeous dresses and you look gorgeous too! I’m so jelly that you can wear blush and yellow both … two fab shades that make me look ill. Boo! ;D
Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.com