Wedding Guest Style: What Not to Wear—And What to Try Instead

Weddings might not be as formal as they once were, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. Sure, there’s more freedom in what you can wear these days, but the goal is still to show you’ve made an effort—without stealing the spotlight from the couple.

Some rules still stand. Don’t wear white (obviously). Skip anything that looks like it came straight from a music festival. And let’s be real—if it’s something you’d wear to the beach or to bed, it’s probably not wedding-appropriate. That said, this isn’t your cue to go full black-tie either.

The sweet spot? Somewhere between polished and personal—something you can dance in, sit comfortably in, and still love when you see the photos weeks later.

So if you’re side-eyeing that a-little-too-loud mini or questioning whether sequins at a countryside ceremony are overkill (they are), it might be time to rethink the outfit.

Instead of that dress, try one of these…