Fashion Editor approved looks, these are the best wedding guest dresses for summer 2025 nuptials

The best wedding guest dresses should tick a lot of boxes. If you have a stack of invites, you'll want to ensure the style you choose is not only comfortable, but timeless and versatile so you can maximise that cost-per-wear. Classic silhouettes such as a wrap dress that can be transformed with a new accessory, are a worthy investment, as they can be constantly reinvented and dressed up or down for all occasions.

Alongside your personal style, you also need to consider the type of wedding you’re attending. A black tie event will call for a different aesthetic to a summer garden affair or a religious ceremony. And don’t forget accessories. You want to ensure you find a pair of comfortable wedding guest shoes to complement your dress, that will have you hitting that dance floor all night long.

“A great wedding guest dress should strike the perfect balance between elegance, comfort, and a touch of personal style. You want to look and feel your best while ensuring your outfit aligns with the formality of the occasion. Flowy fabrics, flattering silhouettes, and statement details like puff sleeves, romantic draping, or subtle embellishments can all elevate your look without overshadowing the bride,” says Megan Watkins, Head Stylist at online fashion destination SilkFred.

Establishing the big no-nos, such as whether you can wear white, or the same colour as the bridesmaids dresses, will help you narrow down the vast dress offering this season and avoid any fashion faux pas.

Best wedding guest dresses as chosen by our fashion editor

From stylish dresses to hide a tummy to floor-sweeping gowns, the best wedding guest dresses come in a variety of shapes and designs to match every taste and body type. In general, a midi, midaxi or maxi length dress is most appropriate for wedding guests as the longer hem will avoid any wardrobe malfunctions on a windy day. For a dress-alternative that’s just as versatile, the best jumpsuits are also well worth considering too.

You can rework styles all season long by switching up your accessories for each occasion - a great hack if your diary is full of invites. Whether you’re heading to a stately home in the countryside, or a cool city courthouse or even fleeing somewhere exotic for a beach wedding, ensure you’re the best-dressed guest with our expert roundup.

Best petite wedding guest dresses

Ditch the need for expensive alterations and look for specialist petite ranges to ensure your dress has the perfect fit and proportion. Luckily heaps of high-street brands such as M&S, Hobbs and Phase Eight have petite lines so you can still head to your favourite stores. Consider block colours, small prints and silhouettes that skim the body to avoid feeling swamped or overwhelmed by fabric and patterns.

"For petite frames, opt for fitted or structured styles that won’t overwhelm your proportions. A tailored midi dress or an empire-line maxi can elongate your silhouette beautifully,” says Megan.

Best plus size wedding guest dresses

Options for plus size dresses can often be limited but things are starting to improve with many labels offering extended sizing as well as specialist brands focusing on sizing over a UK 18. The beauty of the best plus size clothing brands is that the dresses have been made with curves in mind, taking proportions into account to ensure you look and feel your best.

“For plus-size guests, a wrap dress is universally flattering, while A-line and fit-and-flare styles offer great shape and movement. Don’t shy away from bold colours or prints because of your size or stature - strategic ruching and waist-cinching details can highlight your best features,” adds Megan.

Best black tie wedding guest dresses

A black tie dress code is one of the most formal but don’t let this scare you. This is your opportunity to go all out and dial up the glamour. Typically, black tie implies a floor-length gown, although shorter designs will suffice if there’s a touch of evening elegance. Often a post 6pm affair, think luxe satin materials, delicate embellishments and statement ruffles. You’re more likely to get away with wearing black with this dress code too.

“Darker hues such as deep emerald, navy, or rich burgundy exude sophistication, while metallic tones can add a modern twist. You could also try out some statement accessories - think chandelier earrings or an elegant clutch to make your look more striking,” adds Megan.

Best wedding guest dresses on Amazon

Need something last minute? Amazon wedding guest outfits are the speedy shopping option that has some great fashion finds to boot. From garden party florals to cute cocktail dresses, no one will believe these beauties came from this online retailer. Many styles come in a variety of prints and colours too, so you’re bound to find something to suit you, all incredibly budget-friendly, of course. We know sifting through the site can take its time, so we’ve saved you the hassle with our faves here. Don’t forget to add the best Amazon shapewear to your basket too.

Best long sleeve wedding guest dresses

Even if you're attending a summer wedding, the weather in the UK offers no guarantees, so avoid the chill with a wedding guest dress with longer sleeves. Think voluminous balloon sleeves or a flouncy flare to make them the focal point of the look. A longer sleeve can also offer balance to a shorter hem, whilst mesh fabric will give gentle coverage, without feeling too heavy.

Best summer wedding guest dresses

Summer is the season for weddings so lean into those sunnier climes with butter yellow hues (one of the big fashion trends for spring/summer 2025), romantic lace details and pretty floral prints. Fabric is key too so avoid a sartorial meltdown and opt for breathable, lightweight materials such as cotton and linen to keep you cool, especially if you’re attending a beach or a wedding overseas.

“Floaty midi and maxi dresses in chiffon, organza, or linen blends will keep you cool while looking your best. Colour-wise, butter yellow and 24k gold are trending this season, along with soft pastels and romantic floral prints. A strappy heel and delicate gold jewellery will add the perfect finishing touch,” adds Megan.

Can I wear a sparkly dress to a wedding?

In general, it is fine to wear sequins to a wedding, although you should consider the colour of the sequins, the time of year and the style of the wedding before choosing your dress.

If the wedding includes an evening black tie party or a cocktail hour, then sequins are expected, however, if you're going to a wedding that involves an afternoon tea, or a beach ceremony, sequins might be seen as 'over-the-top' for the event.

You will want to avoid sequins that are too light - ie. too white or a very light silver, as you don't want to upstage the bride. Equally if you can find out the colour of the bridesmaid dresses, you might want to avoid that colour sequin too. If you're still unsure, ask the bride for her thoughts, she'll appreciate the thought and can put your mind at ease.

Can you wear polka dots to a wedding?

This might seem like an odd question, but many polka dot dresses have a white base colour, meaning that the majority of your dress could still end up being white. To avoid any chance of upstaging the bride, it is best to avoid white-based prints, unless there is a significant amount of colour in the dress.

Polka dots on any other colour base fabric that is not white or champagne is absolutely fine. One of the most classic and timeless prints, you can guarantee that a polka dot dress won't date and can be worn for multiple weddings, even serving as an answer for what to wear to the races or what to wear to Wimbledon (like the Princess of Wales) too.

Can wedding guests wear the same colour dress as bridesmaids?

It's best to avoid wearing the same colour as the bridesmaids where possible, as you don't want to look like you're part of the bridal party if that's not the case. While this isn't a massive faux pas, in order to avoid this, ask the bride if she can give you a heads-up on the colour theme of the wedding, so you can avoid accidentally matching.

Ultimately, the best wedding guest dress matches the type of day you are going to, but as always, make sure you feel confident and comfortable in what you're wearing, as that will ensure that you have a great time.

Megan Watkins

Megan Watkins is the Head Stylist and Shoot Coordinator at online destination for independent fashion brands, SilkFred. Megan has nearly 10 years experience in styling and has shot ecommerce campaigns for the likes of Never Fully Dressed, Dancing Leopard and Pretty Lavish.Prior to her role at SilkFred, Megan worked as an assistant stylist to Karl Willett whose clients include the likes of Amanda Holden, Kylie Minogue and Nicole Scherzinger.