What to Wear to a Formal Wedding, According to a Fashion Writer

Sometimes, even an experienced fashion writer has to search, “What to wear to a formal wedding.”

I pride myself on my sense of style, but it turns out a formal wedding dress code is one of the few things my wardrobe is ill-equipped to handle. While shopping for my friend’s upcoming nuptials, I realized that I have several “nice” outfits that I break out for parties, but black tie attire has been more elusive. A formal or even semi-formal wedding is not the type of event where you can just throw on any old maxi dress, either, because a long length doesn’t necessarily equate to a fancy occasion. Most of us own at least one cocktail dress that would work well for a rehearsal dinner, myself included, but a truly formal affair calls for something a little more elegant.

There are varying degrees of formality, of course, but if the wedding invitation calls for black tie then there’s a good chance you’ll end up wearing a full-length evening gown or a tuxedo. Lately, I’ve been considering trying out a tux style myself. The formula is more straightforward with plug-and-play elements like a bowtie, cufflinks, and a polished pair of loafers. For dresses, it’s different: Most come in fabrics like chiffon, crepe, and velvet that, while elegant, can feel stuffy and overly traditional. Wearing an old bridesmaid dress is an option, I suppose, but hard to style without looking like an outcast member of the wedding party. And while midi dresses and tea-length styles are totally fine for a semi-formal wedding and cocktail attire, longer hemlines are the standard for a black tie occasion.

As you can tell, I’ve spent a lot of time shopping and researching outfit ideas for a formal event. I’ve scoured the internet for the best wedding guest attire, and I’m here to share my findings with you. Read on for nine ideas for what to wear to a formal wedding.

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