The Chic Wedding Guest Ensemble Fashion Girls Favour Over Dresses

Theory: The reason you haven't found the perfect dress to wear to that fast-approaching wedding you're invited to could be because you shouldn't actually wear a dress. Don't get us wrong. Our love for dresses is well-documented here at Who What Wear, and we're still very much into them. But sometimes, to stand out from the crowd, you need to see past the typical floral midis and lace minis that dominate wedding guest attire. Instead, why not consider an elegant trouser suit? 

From fine checks to linen and a standout colour palette iteration, some of our favourite looks we've been archiving on Instagram lately all revolve around suiting, and they've certainly inspired us to give them a whirl for wedding season. 

More comfortable than the vast majority of dresses, two-piece suits always resurge come springtime and never fail to look chic when paired with courts and dainty arm candy—which happens to be all you need to make them look wedding guest–appropriate, too.

Keep scrolling for five examples of impressive wedding guest suit outfits, and then proceed to shop the pieces you need to re-create them. Best dressed guest? It's in the bag.

wedding-guest-suit-outfits-286091-1583959076384-image

PRINT CLASH
(Image credit: Hand In Fire)

Style Notes: To make a real impact, we suggest opting for a printed suit then clashing it with accessories or a blouse in a contrasting motif. 

wedding-guest-suit-outfits-286091-1583959077278-image

JUST ADD FLATS
(Image credit: Lucy Williams)

Style Notes: You needn't default to heels to create a sleek suited ensemble. Thanks to sharp tailoring, you can pair just about any shoes with a suit, and you're practically guaranteed it'll look polished. 

wedding-guest-suit-outfits-286091-1583959077756-image

COLOUR POPS
(Image credit: Erika Boldrin)

Style Notes: If your suit is on the muted side—perhaps it's one you bought for work that's been lingering in your wardrobe—then give it a new lease on life with unexpectedly bright accessories. 

wedding-guest-suit-outfits-286091-1583959078809-image

SLEEK SLOUCH
(Image credit: Tamu McPherson)

Style Notes: Slouchy suiting can look just as elegant as more tailored iterations, particularly when paired with a silk shirt and directional accessories. 

wedding-guest-suit-outfits-286091-1583959079427-image

SOMETHING BLUE
(Image credit: Eni's Wardrobe)

Style Notes: It's one of the oldest styling tricks in the book, but wearing one colour top to toe never fails to look cool, as Eni proves with aplomb. 

Next: I just assembled six chic wedding guest outfits on the high street.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.