7 Chic Accessories I'm Adding to My Wedding Guest Outfits This Spring
Call me a hopeless romantic, but there's something about a good ol' fashioned wedding that starts the water works. This spring, I'm attending seven celebrations of my closest family and friends—a major undertaking in wedding guest style as someone who's daily uniform consists of sweatpants and hoodies. Luckily for me, shopping for wedding guest attire is one of my favorite things to do, and there's nothing more special than finding the perfect accessory to pair with an outfit of choice.
Regardless of dress code, accessories are the best on-trend way to spice up a wedding guest dress you may repurpose for a few celebrations throughout the spring and summer as wedding season kicks into high gear. Although my basic black slip dress usually works for any wedding I go to, I find myself experimenting more and more with elaborate jewelry and statement handbags to change up my look without having to spend a pretty penny on an entire new outfit. After attending a ton of postponed pandemic weddings over the last two years, I'm basically an expert at this point.
Below, all of the accessories to add to your wedding guest outfits that will make you the best dressed person in the room—second to the couple, of course.
Rose Chokers
Ah, yes. The trend that's everywhere right now: the cool girl–approved rosette aesthetic. The oversize floral scarves, chokers, and broaches that are all over your Instagram feed and Paris runways alike are perfect for a wedding, especially when wearing a sleek silk strapless dress.
Opulent Bags
Nothing's more fun than a mini statement bag, especially when it's an over-the-top delicacy adorned with rhinestones, feathers, and other out-of-the-box embellishments. Although Judith Leiber's crystal bags are the go-to for fashion people, sometimes a four-figure mini bag isn't in the budget. That doesn't mean you can't channel the same fun, wild spirit with a micro bag during a friend's nuptials.
Eclectic Jewelry
For a wedding where your best dress option is a little black dress, play up your fun nature with oversize gold jewelry, layered necklaces, and embellished gem rings. Not only will they add a bit of personality to an otherwise understated 'fit, but they're massive compliment-getters.
Sculptural Sandals
Although I'm not a heel girl, I'll make an exception and throw on a pair of pumps for a special occasion. Case in point: My spring wedding sandals just got a ton cooler with these fun, architectural heel designs the fashion crowd has been loving over the past few months. Contrary to popular belief, they're not any less comfortable than a pair of platforms, so prepare to dance the night away in style with these.
Sheer Gloves
And now, the chicest wedding guest accessory of all: sheer gloves. If you're ready to make a statement, these are it. It's a wedding, after all! I've worn a pair of crystal-embellished sheer opera gloves to friends' stylish weddings, and frankly, you can't go wrong. Opera-length is preferable for black-tie events while still being playful with embellishments and accents.
Ballet Flats
Heels not your friend? Note taken. These ultra-on-trend ballerina flats are the comfier option for people with low arches (read: me) who don't sacrifice style. Plus, instead of ditching your heels under a table to dance all night, these ballet flats are mega comfortable. No dogs allowed!
Wide-Brim Hats
After scrolling through wedding-tok for weeks on end in preparation for wedding season, there's one accessory that stands out over and over again: larger-than-life sunhats. Perfect for both an Italian countryside affair at a villa or a backyard soirée, wide-brim hats are the unlikely winner in my book. Pair your floral-printed sundress with an oversize hat for an overly chic South of France–esque 'fit.
Next, Inside Our Editor in Chief's Dreamy South of France Wedding
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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