6 Wedding Guest Dress Trends That Will Dominate From London to L.A. This Summer

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Women in wedding guest dresses
(Image credit: @lunaisabellaa; @joiedejude)
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I've worked in fashion for a decade now, and here's what I know: there's no undertaking more time-consuming and complex than searching for the perfect wedding guest dress. There are always numerous factors that need to be considered—weather, dress code, day-to-night activities, silhouettes for your body type, the fabric, among a multitude of others—and on top of this, you never want to choose something that's radically different to your own personal style.

If you have warm-weather weddings to attend this year and need some inspiration to help you feel cool, current, and most importantly, comfortable, then take a look at some of the summer 2026 dress styles that are dominating this warm-weather season. From scarf dresses to lace-trim details, the fashion set from London to L.A. are embracing these trends right now. Perhaps it will help take some of the hard work out of hunting for a dress that feels chic, on-trend, and that you can actually wear for plenty of other formal occasions as well. Keep scrolling to get inspired.

1. Scarf Necklines

Woman in a black satin scarf dress

(Image credit: @erinoffduty)

If there's one trend I'm spotting absolutely everywhere this season, it's dresses that come with matching scarves. It instantly adds elegance and movement to your wedding guest outfit.

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2. Lace-Trim Details

Woman in blue satin lace-trim dress

(Image credit: @makenna_alyse)

It's natural that one of the biggest trends of the season—delicate lace-trim details—is now one of the most popular choices for wedding guest dresses. There are so many gorgeous satin and lace options in various hues that are perfect for a summer wedding.

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3. Magnified Florals

Woman in orange floral dress

(Image credit: @marina_torres)

Forget ditsy florals, this summer is all about large and bold floral prints, as if they've been zoomed in on a macro lens. They make for an Insta-worthy wedding guest look.

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4. Shimmer & Shine

Woman in a yellow sequin gown

(Image credit: @lunaisabellaa)

Shimmery dresses are taking center stage this summer, but forget the black, burgundy, and silver sequins reserved for the holiday season. For summer 2026, it's all about shimmery fabrics in subtle pastel and gentle hues that will sparkle in the sun.

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5. Feminine Ruffles

Woman in a purple ruffle gown

(Image credit: @rosee.lola)

Thanks to Chloé's bohemian resurgence we've seen on the runways for the past few seasons, feminine ruffles are back on the scene, and they strike the perfect balance of romantic and playful—ideal from daytime to dancefloor.

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6. Fringe

Women in a fringe dress

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Playful fringe is trending for summer 2026 and I'm seeing a rising number of fringe dresses at all our favorite retailers right now that feel chic and fun for a summer wedding. Keep your accessories polished to elevate your wedding look.

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Judith Jones
Judith Jones
Associate Shopping Director

Judith Jones is the associate shopping director at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.