We Try Before You Buy: Chic Wedding Guest Looks That Meet Every Dress Code

Our We Try Before You Buy series aims to take the stress out of shopping and eliminate the number of Post Office visits you make each month to return failed online orders. We test new-season buys and styling ideas so you don’t have to, and this month our editors have chosen a selection of wedding guest looks to bring you their edit of the ones that are worth a spin this season.

It’s official—spring is in the air, and wedding season is hot on our heels. Your local postie probably has a stack of wedding invites in hand, and some might be coming your way. If so, your first thought will likely be, “What shall I wear?” Weddings, like many formal occasions, come with a dress code—a set of guidelines and rules to follow to ensure you show up correctly. Take it from a fashion editor: there is nothing worse than arriving at an event over- or, even worse, under-dressed. Some unspoken rules include avoiding anything white—this is, of course, a definite no-no unless stated otherwise. You may be asked to wear a particular color or theme, so take note and have fun with it; this day is for your enjoyment, too. However, never upstage the bride—show off your sense of style and personality but let the special couple have the limelight on their day. The time of year or location may also influence your choices, whether the wedding is planned to take place at home or abroad, so check the forecast and plan ahead to ensure you are not caught wearing the wrong attire.

In our latest installment of We Try Before You Buy, we wanted to test some wedding guest-worthy looks with a broad range of themes in mind. Whether you’re heading to the Balearics for a beachside engagement or a sweet and simple local town hall nuptial, perhaps a very English countryside affair, a late-night reception party, or, lastly, a black-tie extravaganza—we have got you covered. Our editors have shopped and styled each look and have hand-selected additional styles for you to continue browsing, so you can nail the dress code and feel like your very best self.

We know how complicated it can be to get the right outfit sorted, so our guide comes with many tips and tricks, including modest dressing ideas, suiting options (I love a two-piece), notes on a variety of different cuts of dresses, as well as pointers on shoes and accessories. We also tested some rental options, which are great for those who want to try something brand new without the hefty price tag. Dressing up should be a joy, and there is no better excuse than showing up and showing out for the happy couple.

Whichever route you take, and whatever kind of wedding you're heading to, scroll down for our editors’ reviews on some of the best wedding guest options available to shop or rent now.

The Reception-Only Wedding

"Always the wedding guest, never the bride. So, until it’s my time to walk down the aisle, I’ll be taking every ceremony I attend as a chance to don the most glamorous piece in my wardrobe and play dress up for a day. This season, Realisation Par’s Lila Dress in a striking red floral print, which is aptly titled ‘Rosa’, has piqued my interest. There’s something so flirty and feminine about this style, with the slightly sheer silk crepe fabric bringing a touch of carnal elegance to an otherwise timeless shape. The round neck and frilled cap sleeves also bring a slightly youthful touch as the piece feels like what the big sister of a dreamy nap dress would look like—soft, romantic, but a little bit more mature. Pairing it with a pair of classic black pointed-toe stilettos, gold jewellery, tortoiseshell glasses and a lick of red lipstick is all you need to tie the ensemble together. Next stop? The reception, with a glass of Pét Nat in hand and an attitude to celebrate love." - Ava Gilchrist, SEO Writer

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"Renowned for its excellent dresses, Reformation was my first port of call when considering a standout wedding guest dress. Through the impressive collection I eventually narrowed down my choice to the Ciana satin dress, a form-skimming maxi with long sleeves and a soft scoop neckline. Considering the occasion as well as attending the reception only, this is a chance to really embrace the evening feel with a longline silhouette. Whilst some floral dresses can feel very daytime, the darker shade of the print alongside the silhouette brings it into a dressier space, whilst still nodding to the brighter spring and summer days. As the dress really is the main event, styling can be kept simple with tonal or neutral heels along with a small bag for quick touch-ups. Notably, it's incredibly comfortable whilst still having that form-fitting feel so you won't find yourself adjusting or tweaking straps as you dance the night away." - Florrie Alexander, Shopping Editor

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The English Countryside Wedding

"It was such a treat to take this pretty purple Aje dress for a spin just in time for wedding season. I’m a sucker for unique texture on a dress, which already makes me susceptible to Aje’s much-loved fabrications but I felt like a true princess in this layered lilac design. The hooped skirt gave the perfect amount of volume and will guarantee you’ll be remembered on the dancefloor (for all the right reasons) and the layered linen cinched in just at the right point of my waist, I felt super comfy, which is always important when you’re in an outfit for so long. Being on the more expensive end of my usual wedding guest dress budget I was really happy I found this on HURR to rent. If you’re someone with a lot of weddings in the diary, renting will already be your best friend, it also means you can try out brands you might have always been curious about.

This was certainly the case with my Aje dress. I’d heard a lot about the luxurious floaty volume and precise attention to detail in these designs and was delighted this style did not disappoint. Paired perfectly with this darling Edie Parker tulip bag from Koibird and the comfiest Topshop heels, I think I’ll be running back to this combo come wedding season." - Annie Wheatland-Clinch, Assistant Social Editor

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"When shopping around for an English countryside worthy look, I instantly thought of cult-favourite brand DÔEN. Their vintage-inspired silhouettes and timeless appeal make a great choice for a wedding guest's outfit. They are known for their micro-florals, soft linens, shirred cottons, and pretty pastel tones, which are all perfectly in tune with a pastoral dress code. I know butter yellow is seriously trending this season, but this bright and bold take on the hue is great for a high summer affair, with sweet little lace details and trims which make it a little bit more special. The skirt is cut on the bias, meaning the drape is generous and flowing, perfect for dancing barefoot on the grass. I paired this dress with a classic clutch from Marks & Spencer, plus some vintage heels and sunglasses. Wedding guest dressing shouldnt be too fussy, I believe in dressing comfortably and simply. This one-dress wonder is not only a dopamine hit of colour, but makes me feel like my very best self. Cheers!"- Emily Post, Graphic Designer.

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The Town Hall Wedding

"When it comes to the wedding guest styling, I gravitate toward dresses that feel effortless and elegant—and for me, no print captures that balance quite like the classic polka dot. Fresh yet unfussy, this motif has been making a comeback this season. For a town hall wedding, I found exactly what I was looking for in a glossy, lace-trimmed polka dot dress from Marks & Spencer—and at just £50, it felt like a true hidden gem. Cut on the bias for a flattering fit, the dress skims the body and moves gracefully with every step. Delicate lace detailing across the décolletage and sleeves adds a romantic touch, ticking off two of the season’s key trends without feeling overdone. Rendered in a soft, neutral palette, you can easily play with pops of colour or metallic accents, but I opted for a more understated approach, pairing it with classic black heels and a rich emerald green bag, rented from By Rotation, for a look that felt relaxed, polished and most importantly, comfortable." - Natalie Munro, News Writer

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The Destination Wedding

"This year, if you don't catch me on UK soil, you will without a doubt find me island hopping in Ibiza, Menorca, and Greece for a mixed itinerary of holidays with friends, family, a little bit of solo traveling, and yes, you guessed it, the odd destination wedding. I'm a chronic over-packer and struggle to think about what I want to wear each day of my trip, so I tend to bring everything but the kitchen sink. The one brand I can count on to deliver the goods, however, is Rixo. I will be packing this super chic and colorful Hayley dress in my hand luggage, as I don't dare to think what would happen if the airline were to lose my overweight hold bag. This dress has it all— it is form-fitting but equally breathable and lightweight, perfect for the Balearic heat. It has a removable scarf detail, which is a Rixo signature, in a polka pattern that clashes nicely with the abstract floral of the dress itself. The low back lets the scarf do the talking and doesn't cling to the body. Rixo makes fabulous vintage-feel designs and also houses an archive collection in their King's Road store. This branch also has a seamstress on hand, perfect for those who need a little bit of altering to get the fit of their new dress bang-on just before jetting away. See you at the frequent flyer lounge!" - Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki, Junior Fashion Editor

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"Sister Jane know how to do show-stopping dresses, and this one is no exception. The voluminous skirt is the perfect balance of chic and feminine, whilst making the dress SUPER comfy–I could eat, drink and dance to my hearts content wearing this. The floral pattern would feel right at home in Italy or the South of France or whatever gorgeous destination your wedding might be in, and the billowy silhouette is perfect for the heat. When it came to accessories, I went for fairly simple shoes (leaving the dress to do the talking) and I tied in the metallics with this stunning Staud silver bag–what is it about a beaded bag that screams holiday to me?

All in all, I felt great in this dress, and loved wearing something so fun. Call me extra but I could also imagine wearing it after the wedding, more casually, with a white tee underneath and trainers, another big tick as I hate buying a one-wear dress." - Megan Storey, Social Editor

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The Black Tie Wedding

"When it comes to black-tie dressing, I always look for pieces that feel elegant, modest, and make a statement—and the Taller Marmo Ubud Extravaganza Dress delivers on all fronts. The high neckline and flowing silhouette offer beautiful coverage, while the dramatic fringed sleeves and fluid crepe fabric bring a sense of movement and occasion. It’s the kind of piece that turns heads without being loud, which makes it ideal for a formal evening wedding—especially one held at a grand venue, like a historic estate or a luxe hotel. Taller Marmo’s designs are known for blending vintage-inspired glamour with modern sophistication, which made this dress feel like a confident, fashion-forward choice.

I paired it with my Aquazzura Matilde Heels and the JW Pei Gabbi Bag—both in similar beige tones—to add a soft, tonal contrast against the black. As someone who dresses modestly, I gravitate toward silhouettes that let the fabric and form do the talking. This look felt effortlessly elevated—polished, graceful, and perfect for celebrating in style." - Humaa Hussain, Junior Branded Content Editor.

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"I've never been a dress kind of girl, but I've never let that stop me from having fun when the event at hand requires a little bit of dressing up. Jeans, tees and a blazer are what you'll find me wearing in my day-to-day attire, so I use this ethos for evening gatherings too. Take a black tie wedding—this is the sort of event where planning and considered dressing are key. My take on this dress code is a simpler solution than you might initially think. Suit separates or a tuxedo are an instant ticket to feeling put-together, but still comfortable all the same. Frills and ruffles are off the menu for me, but give me a classic smoking jacket and flared trousers to match and I'm there with bells on! I find this kind of look still feels ultra-glam yet fuss-free, but to add a little bit of visual interest, I like to add a pair of sky-high heels and a statement bag, just to punctuate the all-black fit. This Coperni bag is a great choice from rental concession Hurr at Selfridges, with a bang-on trend zebra print, and enough room for my phone, keys, and a little bit of make-up for the evening.

Women have been rocking suits and tuxedos for eons— I think of Lauren Hutton, Bianca Jagger, and Michelle Pfeiffer when I slip on this satin-lapel jacket from Mango. Not only do I feel right at home when rocking up to the event, but I also know I'm ticking many sartorial boxes and at a purse-friendly price. It's a classic suit that I know I will revisit and cherish for years to come, and for many future weddings. Take it from me— stick to the classics" - Shannon Lawlor, Beauty Director.

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