Nuevo Culture

Wedding Guest Ensembles That Go Beyond the Cocktail Dress

Though dresses are the most popular garment choice for formal occasions, cocktail parties, and weddings, they certainly aren’t the only option. A dress might not suit your mood or style and so why invest in an occasion-specific knowing you’ll most likely only end up wearing it once? For a less traditional but equally tasteful wedding guest outfit, you could consider dressed-up tailoring, party-ready jumpsuits, or elegant and formal separates like a bustier top with tuxedo pants instead. You’ll look the part (without looking like everyone else), and you’ll be able to incorporate and re-wear these pieces beyond the wedding day—an added bonus when it comes to purchasing an event-ready ensemble.

With the right accessories, shoes, and a little hair and makeup, a sheeny suit or silk blouse and wide-leg trousers will fit right in amongst a sea of guests in dresses. Take it from this editor, who most recently wore a shiny orange short suit to a garden party ceremony in Houston, and has worn pants to three out of four attended Met Galas.

While unexpected, a formal look that isn’t a dress can still appropriately adhere to the invitation’s dress code. Here, three wedding guest ensembles to help you get dressed up—no dress required.

The Occasion Suit

If you decide to ditch the dress for a pair of pants, whether it’s a full suit or separates, be sure to stick to typical formalwear materials and colors. Silks, satins, or florals are all nice places to start, especially for spring and summer weddings. Exaggerated details like a belted waist or dramatic draping hemlines bring the look to the next level, giving a feminine touch to a wedding guest outfit that is grounded in a pair of trousers.

Jacquemus La veste d’homme oversized blazer

$1,220

FARFETCH

Jacquemus Sauge tailored trousers

$870

FARFETCH

Mango satin belt blazer

$120

MANGO

Mango satin palazzo pants

$80

MANGO

The Vampire's Wife floral-print tie-waist blouse

$936

FARFETCH

The Vampire's Wife rose-print wide-leg trousers

$922

FARFETCH

Marina Moscone patchwork bustier

$870

AMAZON

Marina Moscone slim flare trouser

$390

AMAZON

Oscar de la Renta floral strapless cascade corset top

$2,990

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Oscar de la Renta floral high-waisted wide-leg pants

$1,390

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

The Formal All-in-One

An evening jumpsuit isn’t just for Studio 54-inspired fetes; the swishy-panted one-piece is but another option for dress-fatigued wedding guests. These all-in-one pieces have the details of some of your favorite midi-dresses—say, a romantic puff sleeve, a back revealing halter neck, or drapey, off-the-shoulder sleeves—while elegantly reaching great floor lengths. They’re a solid option for when the invite says, black-tie optional.

Rebecca Taylor silk charmeuse jumpsuit

$495

REBECCA TAYLOR

Halston Elie wide-leg jumpsuit

$695

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

M Missoni Lurex-knit halterneck jumpsuit

$885$575
FARFETCH

Staud Selene recycle shell halter jumpsuit

$295$177
MODA OPERANDI

DVF Diane von Furstenberg Bernice floral print jumpsuit

$1,220

FARFETCH

Cara Cara Blue Hill jumpsuit

$595

CARA CARA

The Skirted Separates

This silhouette might be mistaken for a dress, however, these skirted looks are, in fact, two pieces. Finding separates might make for one less trip to the alterations specialist, and you’ll certainly be able to wear the top or bottoms again after the wedding. Tove and ALC’s shirred tank tops will look just as sweet with a pair of jeans as they would dressed up with their matching skirts, while Vince’s silk slip skirt can take you from the ceremony to casual days if you swap out the complementing top for a T-shirt.

Totême crinkled silk camisole

$320

MYTHERESA

Totême crinkled silk midi-skirt

$510

MYTHERESA

Vince appliquéd satin tank top

$312

MYTHERESA

Vince appliquéd satin midi-skirt

$406

MYTHERESA

Paris Georgia Alice asymmetric top

$445

BROWNS FASHION

Paris Georgia Tulip high-waist pleated skirt

$448

BROWNS FASHION

A.L.C. Lennyn cotton poplin top

$195

A.L.C.

A.L.C. Lyra smocked poplin skirt

$395

A.L.C.

Smythe asymmetrical one-shoulder top

$295

NORDSTROM

Smythe asymmetrical gathered skirt

$325

NORDSTROM