Molly Flores/CNN Underscored
Wedding season is officially upon us, and if you’ve been invited to one (or five), you’ve likely already started stressing about what on earth you’re going to wear. Listen, we get it. Weddings these days come in myriad shapes and forms — from casual backyard barbecues to tropical island beaches to high-society shindigs — and finding just the right frock for the occasion can be daunting. With that in mind, we talked to The Stylish Bride founder Julie Sabatino about how we should all be approaching wedding guest dress shopping this season.
“I really believe it’s an honor to be invited to someone’s wedding, and you should treat it as such, which means dressing up and putting effort into your appearance. This goes for both men and women,” says the New York City-based fashion stylist. “I love working with clients on what they’re going to wear to a wedding because it’s a moment where they’re able to express their personal style and put together something that goes the extra mile. Looking great is another way to honor the couple.”
Wedding guest attire do’s and don’ts
The sky is certainly the limit when shopping for wedding guest dresses, but Sabatino says we should all be working within appropriate guardrails. Case in point: wearing white. “That’s a hard no. No one should even wear white with a pattern, just stay away from it entirely,” she says. “I have a motto: ‘Doubt means don’t.’ Which is to say, if you’re having any hesitation about a dress being appropriate, skip it and find something else.”
Another “don’t”: the risqué factor. “You should really err on the side of wearing something that’s respectful and tasteful,” says Sabatino, whose book “Dressed, Styled, and Down the Aisle” is available for preorder on Amazon. “Nothing too sexy. Someone else’s wedding is just not the moment to be very over the top or physically out there.”
A verified “do” on Sabatino’s list, however, is putting in the effort to match the wedding vibe. “You really want to pay attention not only to the dress code the couple is giving you but also to the wedding website and the reception venue to make sure that your outfit is appropriate for the event,” she says. “For example, a black-tie wedding in New York City requires a very different dress than a beachside wedding in Nantucket. Do a little research, then pick the dress.”
Here are Sabatino’s top picks for wedding guest dresses on Amazon, in addition to bestsellers, most reviewed and a few of our own editor favorites.
“I love this dress for many reasons. The flattering wrap dress style, the feminine flutter sleeves, the fact that it comes in lots of colors and patterns, but most of all because you can easily dress it up or down with accessories,” Sabatino says. “The black with white polka dot pattern can be more casual with a white wedge and straw bag or dressier with black strappy sandals and a statement purse. Add in some jewelry and you are ready to go!” Available in 38 patterns and sizes XXS to XXL, the dress has a whopping 12,000 reviews, with shoppers citing it as being both flattering and of high quality.
Pretty in pink! We love the bubblegum hue of this Amanda Uprichard frock, which is full of chic draping and design. From the boatneck to the thigh slit, it’s a dress that will stand out. The covered elastic waist also creates a cinched silhouette that is pretty much guaranteed to be flattering.
“I chose this dress because of the fluid satin fabric (that’s machine-washable!) and the lovely draping on the bodice,” Sabatino says. “It elevates the whole look. It also comes in lots of colors and can be appropriate for anything from a semi-formal to black-tie wedding depending on the color and accessories.” Beyond this solid dark-blue hue, you can choose from 17 additional colors and sizes small to XXL.
“I love a one-shoulder dress, and this one hits the mark with a modern ruffled shoulder and flattering side ruching on the skirt,” Sabatino says of this Anrabess dress, which comes in 16 colors and sizes small to XL. “For someone who wants to show off their curves while still being tasteful, this is a great find.”
Popular Amazon womenswear brand Zesica has a slew of wedding guest dress options, including this chiffon minidress that is as easy and breezy as dresses come. We love the dress’s flattering details, like the pleated, ruffled fabric and the tiered design that creates a flowing profile. Available in nine colors and sizes small to XL, the one-shoulder dress is lightweight and ultra comfortable, and could work at casual and dressy weddings alike.
When any Amazon product has more than 34,000 reviews, you take note. And that’s exactly the case with this Sarin Matthews skater-style dress that is off-the-shoulder and has a high-low hem. Beloved by reviewers for its thick fabric that is forgiving and doesn’t wrinkle, the dress is also cited as being incredibly comfortable. We love the “purplish-blue” hue, but you can choose from 12 other options and sizes XS to XXL.
Chic and sweet all at once, this one-shoulder dress from ASTR the Label is among our favorite dresses on this list. We love the two pretty prints it comes in and the cascading ruffle detail. It’s flouncy and flirty while still being modest.
If it’s a print you’re looking for, this FashionMe dress with more than 4,000 reviews will do the trick. While we’re smitten with the Crystal Green pattern, there are 15 other colors and sizes XS to 3X to choose from. Thoughtful design details include the adjustable straps and the forgiving smocking on the back of the dress, and we love the tasteful side slit and bodice keyhole.
Perfect for a formal wedding this spring or summer, this elegant, off-the-shoulder dress from Prettygarden is ultra flattering, thanks to ruching on the bodice. Available in 20 hues and sizes small to XL, the dress’s nearly 1,000 positive reviews include lots of commentary about how the dress is not only stunning IRL but also very comfortable with its stretchy fabric.
A dupe of the Herve Leger bandage dresses made famous in the ‘90s and beyond, this Houstil bodycon dress is beloved for all the same reasons. Its thick fabric functions like shapewear, creating both a slimming effect and smooth lines. We love the halter-neck design and the fact that it has 2,800 more-than-positive reviews and a 4.3-star rating. The dress also comes in a rainbow of 23 colors and sizes XS to XL.
Whether you’re the maid of honor, a bridesmaid or a guest, this simply elegant dress is a beautiful option. The off-the-shoulder silhouette gives a fairy tale feel with its sheer chiffon and flouncy ruffle. It has over 1,000 5-star ratings singing its praises for its quality and comfort for curvy figures, and it comes in sizes 14 to 36.
Calling all garden party wedding guests! Sweet and light, this Zaful dress is perfect for more casual fetes, though if you add heels and accessories, it could certainly be elevated for fancier occasions. We love the chic black floral print, but the dress also comes in seven additional colors and sizes XS to XL. Our favorite details are the twist knot at the bust and the tasteful keyhole cutout, as well as the cinchable straps that ensure a perfect fit.
Black Halo has long known its way around a black-tie frock, and the Juma is no exception. Utterly chic, the two-piece set includes a relaxed crop top with a mock neck and a slim-fitting skirt, both of which have a hidden zipper in at the back. Also available in white — which we know is a no-no for wedding guests! — Juma comes in sizes zero to 14.
“I love this silk dress by Saloni for a casual or semi-formal event,” Sabatino says. “Pair it with a strappy gold heel and bag and you have a dressier look, or a block-heeled sandals and straw bag for a more casual event. This is a great option for rehearsal dinners too.” Ultra lightweight, the drop-waist dress features a pleated skirt and a hidden zipper and comes in sizes 4 to 14.
Sometimes we all just need a boldly printed dress, and the Kiki by A.L.C. is just that. We love how the bodycon fit is balanced with a crewneck and long sleeves, and that side ruching lends to a seamless, flattering silhouette.
The Gaia is a longtime bestseller for a reason: It looks great on everyone. Featuring flattering details like a cowl-neck, midi length, side slit, spaghetti straps and an adjustable tie back, the slip dress comes in 24 colors and patterns and sizes XS to XL.
Say it with us: Va-va-va-voom! Great for curvy and slender figures alike, this dress is incredibly comfortable and a compliment magnet, according to its 5,000-plus reviews, and it can be worn off the shoulder or in a one-shoulder style. We love the mermaid-style hem and the v-back design, not to mention that it comes in 11 colors and sizes XS to XL.
Flirty and fun, this baroque-style cotton dress can be dressed up or down with accessories and is a great option for more casual events. Available in nine colors and patterns and sizes XS to XXL, the dress can be worn cinched at the waist with the self-tie rope waistband or loose and swing style. Did we mention it has pockets? Done and done.
Simple and chic, this ribbed knit maxi dress is chock-full of stretch and has a flattering waistband detail with adjustable spaghetti straps to boot. We’re partial to the bubblegum pink color, but you can choose from 16 other hues and patterns, as well as sizes XS to XL.
Let us count the ways we love this fun frock. The ultimate mini, the dress is also bursting with drama, thanks to that batwing sleeve that creates a flattering, drapey silhouette. Available in 13 colors and sizes small to XXL, the dress also has more than 2,000 reviews.
Lace is always good in our book, and that includes this sleeveless cocktail option from Merokeety. Boasting nearly 20,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating, the form-fitting dress is beloved by its owners for the rich colors, excellent quality and flattering fit. Available in 18 hues — from a bold royal blue to a soft violet — sizes small to XL, the dress comes in a midi length and has a hidden back zipper.
When it comes to a wedding guest dress budget, Sabatino says you absolutely don’t have to break the bank, and that Amazon is a great place to shop. “Amazon is an amazing resource for wedding guest dresses,” she says. “Ordering dresses online can be tricky when it comes to fit, and I love that Amazon has a ‘try before you buy’ option, where you only pay for the items you keep. Beyond that, Amazon’s return policy is just the best. It takes the stress out of buying a few sizes of a dress and returning what doesn’t fit.”
And if you are going to splurge on a wedding guest dress, Sabatino suggests choosing a classic, quality piece. “You’re never going to regret investing in a little black dress,” she says. “It’s worth spending extra to have something that will stand the test of time. I still have dresses in my closet from 15 years ago that I pull out and wear!”
Rain on the wedding day might mean good luck for the bride, but it’s not for the guests. As such, Sabatino recommends always having a layer — something along the lines of a pashmina, blazer or jacket — to put on if the weather shifts. “I’ve worked on weddings where the weather goes from sunny to cloudy to raining and then back to sunny, and as a guest, you want to have layerable options to keep you warm but that you can also take off if it gets hot,” she says.
As for the rest of the outfit — jewelry, shoes and bags, of course! — Sabatino has a rule of thumb: “Pick one statement piece and keep everything else more minimal.” And don’t discount the fun factor of a good bag. “A great way to jazz up an otherwise plain dress is with a really fun, cool, interesting bag,” she says. “That’s a really easy and inexpensive way to amp up the style.”