Woman wearing a red floral dress and another woman wearing a navy dress.

Wedding Guest Attire For Women

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Woman in a black blazer, jeans, white shirt, and black bow with accessories.

As a woman, shopping for a wedding can be quite the challenge — there are dress codes, seasons, and colours to consider. No one wants to upstage the bride on the biggest days of her life, but blending into the crowd isn’t much fun either.

Ralph Lauren is an expert when it comes to wedding guest attire for women. By following a few key rules, you can adhere to proper dress code etiquette while looking and feeling your best. Below, you’ll discover trending apparel and accessories for black tie, cocktail, and casual nuptials including opulent gowns and bohemian dresses

Understanding the Wedding Dress Code

First things first, check your wedding invitation for mention of a dress code. Your outfit will be significantly influenced by what is required by the bride and groom, whether that’s black tie, cocktail, concept/themed, or casual.

common dress codes

Black Tie
Wedding Attire for Women

A black tie dress code asks that you arrive strictly in formal attire — think “belle of the ball gowns”, floor-sweeping dresses, and glamorous jewellery set with gemstones and pearls. When it comes to footwear, nothing beats an elegant flat shoe or come-hither heel like jewelled Grecian sandals or strappy stilettos.

If you’re not a dress type of gal, opt for a feminine tuxedo or a super-smart pantsuit elevated with a Ruffle-Trim Blouse or romantic Silk Camisole. Add a touch of Hollywood prestige with a dazzling festoon necklace or a pair of diamond earrings, before teaming with Kitten-Heels or Calfskin Penny Loafers

Woman wearing a navy evening gown, holding a black handbag.
Woman in a black suit with a white blouse, holding a black handbag.
common dress codes

Women’s Casual Wedding Guest Attire

Casual weddings are often held in more informal settings such as barns, beaches, and botanical gardens. At an event like this, you can show up in a Floral Faux-Wrap Shirtdress, a flouncy skirt and simple blouse, or tailored RL jeans and a Double-Breasted Stretch Wool Blazer.

Woman in a navy maxi dress and another in a striped shirt, navy vest, and trousers.
Woman in a balloon sleeve blouse and relaxed-fit trousers

Accessorising for the Wedding

When it’s time to select wedding guest jewellery, carefully consider what will go with your outfit. For example, formal events ask for precious metal accessories imbued with red-carpet glitter, while laidback affairs allow avant-garde pieces.

Detailed close-up of statement jewellery.

Statement Jewellery

If you’ve been invited to a black tie, cocktail, or casual wedding, you can add a touch of flamboyance to your outfit with a piece of statement jewellery. We love a bling-heavy necklace with a Queen Anne gown, a jewel-encrusted tennis bracelet with a summery dress, and chandelier earrings with a tailored suit or tux.

The key is to find balance and not overdo it! For further inspiration, browse the Ralph Lauren Jewellery Collection which features crystal bracelets, faux pearl chokers, chunky diamond cuffs, and stone drop earrings.

Close up of silk fabric.

Shawls for Wedding Guests

If you’re heading to a cool-weather wedding in autumn or winter then a pashmina, cape, of shawl will help ward off the chills. Swathe yourself in luxurious fabrics like silk, cashmere, and lace and add a beautiful brooch (if appropriate) as a means to secure.

Woman in a sequined hair accessory, white blouse, and holding a black handbag.

Women’s Hair Accessories

If you’re not big fan of jewellery, you can jazz-up your tresses with an elegant hair accessory, whether you’re sporting a cute pixie cut or Rapunzel-like hair. The mother of the bride can opt for an artfully-made fascinator decorated with feathers, tulle or flowers, while younger women can wear pins embellished with diamantes, or delicate foliage headbands.

Close up of handbags in various colours and textures.

Wedding Guest
Clutch Bags and Handbags

Last but not least comes the handbag or clutch (a wedding day must-have for all your essentials). Select a bag that is both practical and glamorous and made from eye-catching fabrics like butter-soft pony skin or sumptuous velvet.

Wedding Attire for Different Seasons

While many weddings are held during the warmer months of the year, some nuptials buck tradition by taking place during crisp fall days and icy winter evenings. Alternatively, you might find yourself invited to a destination wedding that’s entirely season specific like a palm-fringed beach in summer or a castle garden in spring.

If the wedding you’re invited to is held outdoors, make sure you dress for sudden dips in temperature by taking a coat, blazer, or cape. Alternatively, if the nuptials are held in the height of summer, in a very hot location, opt for an outfit made from breathable fabrics such as silk, cotton, or linen.

Woman in a linen suit with a distressed leather jacket and a white bag.

Wedding Guest Attire Recap

When heading to your next wedding, remember to select an outfit that’s aligned with your invite’s dress code. Different nuptials call for different levels of formality depending on the venue, whether that’s a themed affair on a Maldivian beach or a black tie event in a baroque French cathedral.

While formal weddings ask for floor-sweeping gowns in sophisticated colour palettes, cocktail and casual weddings allow you to flex your creativity with bright hues, playful fabrics, and effervescent patterns. You can also elevate your outfit with a range of RL accessories like jewellery, shoes, capes, and bags.
Shop your next wedding outfit today.

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