Finding a wedding guest dress that you feel confident and comfortable in is no small feat. Add the complexities of dressing for summer — hello, wrinkly fabrics and visible sweat marks — and you’ve got yourself a full-blown shopping project for wedding season. The good news? Whether you’re looking for a breezy dress for a beach ceremony, to incorporate on-trend polka dots into your look, or for casual linen that works for a variety of parties, we’ve got you covered for every dress code.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 24 best summer dresses for every type of wedding — from casual to cocktail — in a wide range of sizes, styles, and price points from Refinery29 reader-favorite retailers like Dôen and Free People to Zara and Old Navy. All that’s left to do? Put on your dancing shoes and raise a glass to the happy couple.
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Black-tie Wedding Guest Dresses
You’ll want to dress to impress at a summer black-tie wedding. The formal dress code typically calls for floor-length gowns and the warm weather calls for bright colors (yes, you can skip the black!). Classic column and slip silhouettes are always on point — or go for something unexpected, like a patterned maxi, sequined florals, or a cascading cape.
Never Fully Dressed Blurred Floral Sofia Dress, $, available at Never Fully Dressed
Lulus Plisse One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Lulus Plisse One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
Arrange Plus Size Floral Embroidered Satin Overlay Maxi Dress
Arrange Plus Size Floral Embroidered Satin Overlay Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS
H&M Draped Halterneck Dress
H&M Draped Halterneck Dress, $, available at H&M
Reformation Frankie Dress
Reformation Frankie Dress, $, available at Reformation
Show Me Your Mumu Edina Maxi Dress
Show Me Your Mumu Edina Maxi Dress, $, available at Show Me Your Mumu
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail weddings strike the balance between formal and fun, and your dress should do the same. Opt for a midi dress with eye-catching details like keyhole cutouts, lace trims, belts, or mesh scarves that stand out from the wedding crowd. (Minis and maxis can work too, as long as the fabric and finish look refined.)
Dôen Marcelle Dress, $, available at Dôen
Damson Madder Juno Midi Dress with Sheer Scarf
Damson Madder Juno Midi Dress with Sheer Scarf, $, available at Damson Madder
Wilfred Cannelle Dress
Wilfred Cannelle Dress, $, available at Aritzia
Miss Circle Tiana Sweetheart Belted Midi Dress
Miss Circle Tiana Sweetheart Belted Midi Dress, $, available at Miss Circle
Petal & Pup Santiago Metallic Side Tie One-Shoulder Midi Dress
Petal & Pup Santiago Metallic Side Tie One-Shoulder Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Abercrombie & Fitch Bra-Free Hardware Maxi Dress
Abercrombie & Fitch Bra-Free Hardware Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
The styling opportunities are endless for casual summer weddings, no matter if they’re at a backyard garden or a restaurant rooftop. Consider a mini, midi, or maxi in casual fabrics. And don’t shy away from playful details like all-over prints, cutouts, and convertible necklines. These versatile dresses also work for summer brunches, showers, and every RSVP in between.
free-est All You Need Is Lace Midi Dress, $, available at Free People
Old Navy Pleated Halter Swing Mini Dress
Old Navy Pleated Halter Swing Mini Dress, $, available at Old Navy
Rixo Novara Crepe Midi Dress
RIXO Novara Crepe Midi Dress, $, available at Rixo
J.Crew Reverie Dress in Colorblock Cotton Poplin
J.Crew Reverie Dress in Colorblock Cotton Poplin, $, available at J.Crew
Mango Side Ruched Asymmetric Dress
Mango Side Ruched Asymmetric Dress, $, available at Mango
Skims Convertible Long Dress
Skims Convertible Long Dress, $, available at Skims
Beach & Destination Wedding Guest Dresses
Channel The People We Meet On Vacation style for destination and beach weddings with travel-friendly dresses. This is your moment to lean into the breezy, slightly more casual dress code — think linen maxis, floral prints, and fringe you’ll want to wear all season long. For something brighter, slip into sunset-hued dresses, finishing with sandals, espadrilles, or on-trend wedges.
Eloquii Plus Size Tie-Detail Halter Maxi Dress, $, available at Eloquii
Zara Asymmetric Buckle Dress
Zara Asymmetric Buckle Dress, $, available at Zara
Celandine Asymmetrical Fringed T-Shirt Dress
Celandine Asymmetrical Fringed T-Shirt Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Sézane Lua Dress
Sézane Lua Dress, $, available at Sézane
Farm Rio Cut-out Euroflax Premium Linen Mini Dress
Farm Rio Cut-out Euroflax Premium Linen Mini Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
Everlane Tie-Neck Dress in Stretch Linen
Everlane Tie-Neck Dress in Stretch Linen, $, available at Everlane
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