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7 Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas That *Are Not* a Dress

Can you tell I have weddings on the brain, lately? Haha. I’m really excited to be attending a couple this summer, and I’m standing up in one of my best friends this fall!

And not everyone loves to wear dresses, but it seems every time I think of what to wear to a wedding… “dress” is all that comes to mind. Dresses are incredibly simple, you throw them on with shoes, and bam! You’re good to go. But the problem with many wedding guest dresses is that that’s all you can wear them for – a wedding.

For this post, I decided to challenge myself a bit and come up with outfits that will be wedding-appropriate, but NOT a dress. And you’ll likely be able to use these pieces for many other events! Enjoy! And let me know which idea is your favorite in the comments.

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7 Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas That Aren’t a Dress


1.) A Jumpsuit

Halter Neck Jumpsuit JULIA JORDAN

A jumpsuit is just as easy as a dress! Pair it with some heels and pretty earrings… and bam! You’re done. It’s sooo chic looking, in my opinion. And it could work great for dinners, cocktails with the girls, shopping, you name it!


2.) Wide Leg Pants + a Halter Cami

Understated and versatile is the name of the game for this outfit! The sexy open back of the top is balanced by the relaxed/high-waist fit of the pants. These pants would be perfect for the office too. Talk about getting your money’s worth!


3) Skinny Ankle Pants + Blouse

This is basically the same outfit as above. However, if you aren’t a fan of wide-leg pants, you can easily do this outfit with a pair of skinny ankle pants too!


4.) A-Line Midi Skirt + Basically Any Color Top You Want…

Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas That are not a dress

I’m including this outfit idea because I’ve actually worn this to one to a wedding last summer. I’ve had my eyes on this skirt for YEARS. And I finally used a wedding as an excuse to buy it. However, I’ve been wearing it nonstop since it arrived. I’ve paired it with striped tops, floral tops, plain white tops…you name it, it works! 


5.) Dressy Romper

dressy romper

In the same vein as the jumpsuit at the beginning of this post, rompers are incredibly easy to style! Grab a strappy pair of heels and some statement earrings and you’re good to go. Most rompers are on the casual side, but there are some dressier ones out there that would work great for a summer wedding (like the one pictured above).


6.) Culottes 

ASOS DESIGN Petite tailored clean culottes
Paper Bag Culottes - Navy Blue

Most people either love or hate culottes. I fall firmly in the love category. Not only are they cute (in my opinion), but they’re comfy as all get out AND you can wear them for just about any occasion (including weddings)! What’s not to love?


7.) Shorts + A Modest Top

If the wedding you’re attending is in the summer when it’s hot and muggy…you’ll want to be comfortable! However, wearing shorts to a wedding can be a tricky business. You can run the risk of looking far too casual…and wearing shorts that are too short is never a good look for a wedding either. I really think that looser fighting, high-waisted shorts, made of a nice dress-pant-like material, can work, though! Just be sure to pair them with a more modest top. (Think higher neckline, some sort of sleeve, not too form-fitting.)


BONUS: Rent the Runway

Black Halo (16) ADD TO HEARTS Zana Jumpsuit

Now, if you don’t want to run out and buy a whole new outfit for your upcoming wedding… rent it! Rent the Runway is fantastic – they let you rent items for events, or you can subscribe to their rental plans and have items sent to your home every month or even week!

Plus, they have a great selection of wedding guest attire that goes beyond dresses! I also love how helpful their reviews section is. A lot of customers will upload photos too, so you have a really good idea of what the items look like.


I’m curious, which outfit idea is your favorite? And what have you worn to a wedding that wasn’t a dress? Let me know in the comments!

Click here to see my other wedding outfit ideas.

Wedding Guest Outfits That Are Not A Dress
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24 Comments

  1. Courtney Byers says:

    These are such great ideas! I love the idea of wearing a jumpsuit or fun pants

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Me too! I really need to get a jumpsuit one of these days. 🙂

  2. chuky1958 says:

    For me the best choice is the ruffled jumpsuit, it is comfy, chic and with the right accessories you’re gonna kill it!

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      That is so true!

  3. Rosé Outlook says:

    YES!!! So obsessed with this jumpsuit suggestion! I love the idea of trying something other than a dress! Xx, Amanda

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Yay! So glad you liked that one too!

  4. I love the ruffle jumper! Looks chic and makes me feel like a badass.

    x Rasya

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Haha! That’s awesome! Thanks, Rasya!

  5. MsDivineShyne says:

    Love, Love, Love your suggestions. I am not really a dress girl so love this post. I would definitively wear the ruffled jumpsuit.

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Yay! So glad you liked this post!

  6. Love this post! I’ve got a lot of weddings coming up in the next year or so, and it’s nice to have some new inspiration!

    Keep up the great content!
    xoxo,
    laura
    xoxolovelaura.blogspot.com

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Thank you so much, Laura!

  7. These are great ideas! I like the a-line skirt outfit especially. I wish that I could pull of jumpsuits, being petite it’s not something that works for me most of the time. Good luck finding dresses, how frustrating that the place shut down!

    Hope you are having a great weekend so far! 🙂 Yesterday was a productive day for me, hoping for a relaxing day today.

    Away From The Blue Blog

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Oh gosh, thank you! We did actually find a place yesterday – so phew! Haha. Hope you’re having a wonderful week too!

  8. Everyday Countess says:

    I love your picks for outfits to wear to a wedding! My favorite is the ruffled jumpsuit! I always think of wearing a dress too but I definitely want to whip out a jumpsuit to the next one I attend. xo
    http://www.everydaycountess.com

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Thank you so much! I really need to give the jumpsuit look a try too! 🙂

  9. This is great! Thank you! So many weddings coming up 🙂

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      Yay! Thank you so much!

  10. I remember when we styled a post about pants to a wedding, and I got the eye roll from my mother!!! But I see it a lot more now…and it works!!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    1. haveclotheswilltravel says:

      I completely agree! There are so many options now. 🙂

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