Decoded by Dress Code: The Best Summer Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Shape and Style

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.

It’s wedding season, which means you probably have a slew of invites from friends and family members who are getting hitched over the next several months. Wedding registries and honeyfunds take care of the stress associated with gift-giving, so if you’re all set with accommodations and travel plans, all that’s left to figure out is your outfit.

With so many styles and silhouettes out there, finding the right look can feel overwhelming. However, the thing to keep in mind is that the best wedding guest dresses are a mix of elegance, convenience and comfort. After all, it’s something you’re most likely going to be wearing for hours, so you’ll want to be able to move in it (not to mention dance). And depending on where the nuptials take place, you’ll also want to be dressed appropriately for the weather.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up over 15 of the best wedding guest dresses for every type of celebration, from garden weddings and fancy evening affairs, to tropical beach destinations and beyond. Aside from a variety of price points, buzzy designers and trendy to classic silhouettes, so many of these styles are versatile enough to wear for other types of events, so don’t think twice if you feel compelled to reprise your look again and again.

Keep reading for our top wedding guest dress picks — all in hues other than white to avoid classic nuptials etiquette — go-to retailers and brands including Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Revolve, Reformation, Azazie and more, all organized by dress code and ready to pair with your most comfortable dancing shoes.

Black Tie

Black tie usually calls for floor-length gowns in silk, brocade, velvet, chiffon and other luxe fabrics for women and tuxedos for men.

Formal

While formal is close to a black-tie dress code, dress hemlines can be (slightly) higher. Ankle-baring silhouettes are acceptable for formal dress codes, but avoid anything above too far above knee. Men can go for a suit and tie — no tuxedo needed.

Cocktail

Just a small step above semi-formal, cocktail attire usually involves knee-length or midi cuts and in materials such as silk, chiffon, linen and lace.

Semi-Formal

Semi-formal allows for a knee-length or midi dress and jumpsuits in prints and more casual fabrics, such as linen and cotton.