Picture it: you’ve just received a wedding invitation and the dress code is “cocktail attire”. You start panicking, trying to decide what that means and what type of dress to wear. But don’t worry – you’ve found this helpful guide!
Weddings are a special occasion to celebrate love and happiness, but for guests it can cause anxiety when deciding what to wear. This is especially important when the dress code is specified as “cocktail attire”. But fear not, this blog post will give you all the insight you need to choose the perfect cocktail wedding guest dress.
Understanding the Dress Code
As a rule of thumb, cocktail attire suggests not overly formal, yet not too casual. Cocktail attire implies a request for guests to dress up, but don’t overdress, as this is not a ballroom or black-tie dress code scenario.
To stay within the dress code guidelines, women should wear a dress that is not floor length. (There is an exception to the Bride, Mother of the Bride, or Mother of the Groom, who may wear long length dresses if they wish.)
This means anything above the knee: mini, tea-length, or mid-calf (midi) are all perfect examples of what to wear to a cocktail wedding reception.
You don’t have to wear a dress, but if you opt for an alternative we recommend formal separates such as a blouse and a skirt.
Need help with separates? I highly recommend Stitchfix to help you piece together a perfect cocktail wedding outfit. They have an area where you can shop directly or request a stylist to send a box of appropriate outfit pieces for you to wear. They also recommend how to put it all together. It’s brilliant! Get $25 credit here.
Here are some examples of appropriate outfits to wear.
Finding the Right Style
From A-line to sheath, wrap to high-low, here are the most popular styles for cocktail wedding guest dresses.
1. Hot Pink Long Sleeve Romper, $69
2. Royal Blue Tulip Halter Dress, $69
3. Navy Jacquard Backless Cowl Front Mini, $59
4. Floral Print Wide Leg Jumpsuit, $59
5. Green Off the Shoulder Ruffle Midi, $59
6. Black Long Sleeve Sheath Mini, $49
7. Black Cap Sleeve Wide Leg Jumpsuit, $69
8. Navy Blue Midi, $59
9. Asymmetrical Olive Green Mock Neck Midi, $79
10. Satin Magenta Midi, $69
11. Lilac One-Shoulder Midi, $69
12. Long Sleeve Black Mini, $69
13. Pink Floral Mini, $79
14. Pink Midi Floral, $79
15. Off the Shoulder Green Midi, $69
16. Ruffle Satin Midi, $79
17. Black Jumpsuit, $59
18. Light Green Floral Mini, $79
19. Navy Satin Midi, $69
20. Blue Floral Bustier Midi, $79
21. Hot Pink Knit Dress with Open Back, $69
22. Navy Blue One Shoulder Mini, $69
23. Puff Sleeve Floral Pink Mini, $88
24. Emerald Green Jacquard Midi, $69
Popular Styles
Look for A-line, sheath, and wrap styles in mini or midi length. Jumpsuits are great, too!
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Style
Go with your personal preference! What color do you think looks best on you? Do you like to show off your legs, or do you prefer a more covered look? Utilize the best fit for your body type, as well as style preference to achieve the best outfit.
Choosing the Right Length
You should opt for a mini or midi length when considering the length. Mini (short) and midi (length hits between knee and foot) is the most appropriate for cocktail wedding guest dress length. While it’s important to note your body type, it’s also good to keep in mind the venue, time of day, and formality of the wedding when deciding the best length to wear.
Selecting the Perfect Material
During the summer, you’ll want to select cocktail dresses or jumpsuits with breathable fabrics, especially for outdoor weddings. Opt for more luxurious fabrics, like velvet or satin, for evening weddings. And avoid anything that is too clingy (hello, static) or tight, as it may make you uncomfortable when sitting for long periods of time (especially in hot or humid weather).
Color and Print Choices
When picking out a cocktail wedding guest dress, colors and prints are fair game. As long as you don’t wear white (or ivory or champagne), you’re pretty much safe to wear any color you like. It is important to remember that some colors – like bright red – distract from the bride in photos, but it’s not considered a faux pas to wear red. Simply choose a dress that won’t upstage the bride, but still make you feel and look your best, when deciding your dress choice.
Can you wear a jumpsuit to a cocktail wedding?
Yes! You can absolutely wear a pantsuit or a jumpsuit to a cocktail reception. Jumpsuits are a great alternative to dresses for women (especially this season, as they’re wildly popular). You can browse beautiful jumpsuits for guests here.
So, to recap:
• A Dress that is not floor length: mini, tea length, or midi are appropriate lengths. Skip long dresses for women.
• Dressy Separates such as a blouse and a skirt or pantsuit
• A jumpsuit is also appropriate to wear to a cocktail wedding
What kind of shoes to wear
You should always wear the most comfortable shoes you can! But make sure the shoes are dressy for the occasion. Heels, sandals, flats, or wedges are all appropriate shoes to wear to a cocktail reception.
Also, you should accessorize your outfit with a few nice pieces of jewelry and/or a stylish handbag.
Shoes should be formal; no athletic shoes or flip-flops. Strappy gold sandals are always a nice choice.
And most of all, have fun. :)
Now that you know what to wear for a cocktail wedding dress code, discover your perfect style:
► Get your dream dress now! Click on a photo above or browse the entire collection here.
