New season, who dis? The arrival of fall is the perfect chance for you to mix up your style, but because the weather can be unpredictable, determining what to wear as a guest isn’t always easy. To help you on your quest for the perfect look, we’ve tapped industry experts for their advice on the best colors, prints and styles for fall wedding guest dresses and outfits. We’ve also handpicked eight shoppable looks to make choosing an outfit an [autumn] breeze. Read on for our helpful tips plus plenty of outfit inspo.
In this article…
- What to Wear to a Fall Wedding in 2023
- Fall Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas
- Where to Buy Fall Wedding Guest Attire
What to Wear to a Fall Wedding in 2023
If you’re wondering exactly what to wear to a fall wedding, let the experts help you decide. “Once the fall season hits, we say goodbye to summer brights and start the transition into warm but cheerful color tones,” says Blaire Walsh, Style Director of Rent the Runway. “This season gives guests the chance to play with assorted necklines, unique sleeve cuts and heavier fabrics.”
Before you choose your autumn wedding attire, look at the invitation to get an idea of the wedding dress code. This is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing your look. You’ll dress differently for an outdoor wedding in a barn than you would at a hotel rooftop. In addition to the requested wedding dress code listed on the couple’s invitation, clues like the venue and the time of the event can offer additional fashion insight.
“Location is a huge factor in deciding what to wear,” explains SuitShop co-founder Jeanne Foley. “Look into where the ceremony and reception will be taking place because that’s the best indicator of determining the level of formality you can plan for.” While you might opt for a casual sundress with a denim jacket, or go tieless for a backyard wedding, an evening soirée at an upscale hotel would require a more formal look, like a full-length gown or a tux.
Fall wedding guest attire is most notably associated with jewel tones and rich fabrics like silk and wool, and this won’t change any time soon. “This season, expect to see plenty of moody floral prints and deep jewel tones like fuchsia, emerald, mustard, burgundy and plum,” says Kristen Schnars, Director of Merchandising for Lulus. “Saturated pop colors like magenta, hot pink and shades of red are trending this year too.”
When shopping for stylish fall wedding guest dresses, Schnars recommends looking for designs that feature silk, floral burnouts and jacquard. Puff sleeves, one-shoulder necklines, asymmetrical ruffled hems and tiered skirts will dominate this year, as well as trending internet aesthetics, like cottagecore, regencycore and barbiecore. But if you’re looking for a reliable silhouette you can rewear for multiple events, Schnars urges that you can never go wrong with a classic wrap dress.
Fall Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas
Looking for inspiration? You’ve come to the right place. Get ready to *fall* in love with one of these handpicked seasonal looks.
For a September Wedding
By September, you might be ready to fully embrace fall fashion, but that won’t stop the summer heat from sticking around. Our advice? Opt for lightweight styles and silhouettes, in warmer tones like mustard yellow, burgundy or olive green.
The colors of this dress may scream ‘fall’, but its flowy silhouette and breathable Georgette fabric say ‘second summer’. Paired with some classic gold accessories, you’ll love this look for the transitional months.
Good news: You don’t need to run out and buy a whole new suit for that upcoming fall wedding; You just have to know how to accessorize. A seasonal pocket square and a pair of warm-toned oxfords are sure to do the trick.
For an October Wedding
Deciding what to wear to an October wedding shouldn’t be scary! Unless you’re attending a Halloween wedding, it’s probably best you leave your costume at home. But don’t fret; A stylish burnt orange look is sure to get you in the pumpkin spice spirit this fall. . . and it will look really good.
Is ‘pumpkin spice core’ a thing? We think it should be. This orange and yellow ensemble is giving major October vibes and we’re totally here for it.
Guys: There’s no better time to break out the rust-colored suit than October. Oh, and because this option is made from layerable, lightweight linen, it’s perfect for the unpredictable weather.
For a November Wedding
‘Tis the season. . . to get dressed up. With the holidays on the horizon, you might be eager to break out your festive looks for an upcoming wedding. Luckily, jewel tones, velvet fabrics and crystal accessories are perfect for November.
That outfit you bought for the holiday party deserves a second life. Pair a burgundy gown with some glitzy silver accessories for the next November wedding on your calendar.
It’s not everyday that you get the chance to rock a velvet tuxedo. This sleek ensemble pulls out all the stops (plus, it’s perfect for transitioning into winter).
What to Wear to an Outdoor Fall Wedding
Aside from the foliage, you can expect to encounter some unpredictable weather if you’re attending an outdoor wedding this fall. Our advice? No matter the forecast, come prepared with a shawl, wrap or overcoat just in case.
A pashmina adds a stylish (and practical) touch to any look. Use it to elevate your outfit during the day, and to keep warm after the sun goes down.
The key to mastering the art of layering? A really great coat. We love this classic ensemble for keeping warm (and looking stylish) at an outdoor fall wedding.
Where to Buy Fall Wedding Guest Attire
Whether you’re looking to save some cash or want to splurge on your next fit, there are plenty of places to buy standout options for wedding season. Of course, if your calendar is full of events that range in dress code, you can always go the rental route. Check out some of our favorite places to shop fall wedding guest attire:
Anthropologie
Anthropologie’s wedding shop has the cutest selection of fall wedding guest dresses for every dress code, from elegant black-tie gowns to laid-back casual frocks. Most importantly, they carry occasion dresses in a range of size options, including standard, petite and plus.
ELOQUII
ELOQUII is our go-to retailer for plus-size fall wedding guest attire, thanks to their inclusive size range (14 to 28). Look through their curated wedding guest edit or scroll through their expansive collection of plus-size dresses for your next event.
ASOS
Take it from us: ASOS has it all when it comes to fall wedding guest attire. Not only do they offer on-trend and budget-friendly options for both men and women, but they also make it super convenient to filter for what you’re looking for, whether it be size, silhouette or style.
Bonobos
When it comes to wedding guest attire for men, Bonobos is the perfect one-stop-shop. They have all the essentials you’ll need to earn yourself the title of ‘best dressed guest’, such as statement-making suits and accessories. We especially love their selection of sweaters and outerwear for the fall.
Rent The Runway
Don’t want to buy a new wedding guest dress for every event? We feel you. Renting a fall wedding guest dress from RTR is an excellent way to sport a fabulous gown and save some cash. With RTR, you can filter by size, formality, color, body type and much more.