5 Perfect, Versatile Wedding Guest Dresses You Can Rewear Again and Again

These days, the idea of buying a new dress and wearing it for just one occasion feels a little outdated and even irresponsible, doesn’t it? My university-age self, who bought a new Topshop dress every week, would be mortified if I had had as much education then around the damaging effects of fast fashion and the disposable culture that surrounds it. But that doesn’t stop us from craving a wardrobe refresh every now and then, and that’s totally normal. After all, there’s nothing quite as confidence-boosting as wearing a new, fabulous dress to an event you want to feel really good at—such as your ex’s wedding, for example. 

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(Image credit: @bubblyaquarius)

Luckily, there are a few options these days that involve more mindful consumption. First, you can choose to rent your wedding guest or big-birthday dress from destinations such as HurrRotaro or By Rotation. Another option is turning to vintage or second-hand resellers such as Vestiaire Collective to give an existing dress a new lease on life. But if you’re thinking you’d still like to invest in a new dress to wear for lots of occasions, the key is versatility. Find something that you can dress up and down, and you’ll get double the amount of wear out of it in the years that follow. Beautiful dresses shouldn’t just be kept for fancy dos, after all. 

The ability to wear something for a range of events and across different seasons is something I always try to consider before investing in any wardrobe piece these days—but especially dresses. And so below, I’ve included five styles that have particularly impressed me this season for their versatility and added suggestions to show exactly how I’d wear them dressed up for a wedding and also for everyday outings like office days and park dates. 

Keep scrolling to see and shop the styles you’ll never regret buying.

1. Rixo's Sandrine Dress 

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FOR A WEDDING:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

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FOR A WEEKEND AWAY:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

2. Stine Goya's Jasmine Dress

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FOR A WEDDING:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

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FOR BRUNCH:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

3. Dôen's Sofia Dress

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FOR A WEDDING:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

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FOR A PARK DATE:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

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FOR A WEDDING:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

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FOR THE OFFICE:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

5. Ganni's Seersucker Dress

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FOR A WEDDING:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

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FOR BEACH DAYS:
(Image credit: WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

SHOP THE LOOK:

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Up Next: These 28 Dresses Are Honestly the Easiest Things to Throw on in the Morning

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.