"I don’t have anything to wear" is a commonly uttered phrase, but when wedding season arrives, it becomes a resounding chorus heard far and wide. The mere mention of attending a wedding prompts a collective outcry of fashion despair, as guests frantically search their closets for the perfect ensemble. Dressing for a wedding is no small feat, in fact, it comes with its fair share of do’s and don'ts. For example, don’t wear white, don't match the colours of the bridal party, and when in doubt, err on the side of being overdressed. Like Tom Ford once said, "dressing well is a form of good manners," and indeed, it’s one of the aspects a bride remembers most about her guests. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for a casual outdoor wedding, a black tie affair, or anything in-between, here are the emerging Summer 2023 wedding guest dress trends.

Summer Fabrics

When choosing what to wear to a summer wedding, it’s important to be intentional about your fabric selection. You want to steer clear of thick materials like velvet, as well as synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, which can trap heat and make you uncomfortable. Opt for breathable and lightweight materials instead, such as satin, silk, chiffon, linen, linen lace, tulle, or cotton.

Wedding Dress Styles, Colour and Patterns

Whether you've planned a wedding or attended one, you recognize the significance of colour themes. Luckily, as a guest, the only ones you really need to consider are what’s in style. The hottest colour trends for Spring/Summer 2023 are tangy orange, beetroot purple, exotic green, digital lavender and empire yellow. Trending prints include polka dots, blurred tie-dye, painterly florals and chunky two-toned stripes.

Black Tie

When attending a black tie wedding, it’s customary to wear long gowns and resplendent maxi dresses. Trending neckline cuts to consider for the summertime are halter, strapless, keyhole, Grecian, asymmetrical, one-shoulder and v-neck. For a summery flair, consider dresses with slits and open backs.

Cocktail

Cocktail weddings, being slightly less formal than black tie and often held outdoors, embrace below the knee and tea-length dresses. Popular summer styles include high-low dresses, midi corset dresses, silk slip dresses and halter neck wrap dresses, which evoke timeless Hollywood glamour. Other neckline trends favour round neck, off-the-shoulder, cowl and Queen Anne.

Casual

Casual weddings, often reserved for garden or beach venues, call for dresses that blend comfort and danceability, and seamlessly transform from day to night. Embracing the casual dress code, sundresses take centre stage, whether in flowing maxi or chic midi and knee-lengths. Among the favoured silhouettes are the bustier sundress, the sweetheart or sculpt square midi dress, either with puff sleeves or spaghetti straps, and satin slip dresses.

Shoes

Your choice of footwear holds the power to seamlessly transform a look from formal to semi-formal or casual, underscoring the importance of making thoughtful choices. Trending this season for black tie weddings are Sali pump and platform heels, knife-edge heels and lace-strap heels. Meanwhile, for cocktail or casual, consider peep-toe mules and kitten heels, espadrille wedges, ball-heel sandals, or woven heels.

Jewellery and Wedding Accessories

The great thing about jewellery is its ability to customize your look and make it uniquely yours. These wedding accessory trends have been seen in the Spring/Summer 2023 runway shows of Givenchy, Chanel, Tory Burch and more. Noteworthy pieces include shoulder-grazing bijoux, boxy cuffs and bangles, jumbo pearls, moving jewellery (that shake and catch light with your movement), sculptural hard-wired jewellery, chains and pinky rings.