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Art of Style

What To Wear To A Wedding

Wedding season is here and there has never been a better time to embrace the joy of dressing up. Featuring expert advice from our editors, our guide will help you find the perfect look for every style of ceremony – from sleek city soirées to romantic outdoor vows and glamorous coastal celebrations

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Millie Parry
Fashion
A classic black dress cuts an elegant silhouette at city ceremonies and cocktail receptions

Cocktail receptions

You really can’t go wrong with an LBD for a formal event – especially when it comes to a city wedding. Khaite’s ‘Raina’ version is both elegant and alluring – it has vintage-inspired ruching through the bodice and delicate straps framing the low back. Pair it with Bottega Veneta’s timeless clutch in deliciously soft Intrecciato leather and Christen’s tactile ‘Helix’ sandals – one of the coolest takes on this season’s trending thong silhouette. Complete a sophisticated evening ensemble with gold hoop earrings and a berry-stained lip.

  • DOLCE&GABBANA
    Halterneck backless silk-blend midi dress
    $2,645.00
    Select a Size
    36
    38 - low stock
    40
    42 - low stock
    44 - out of stock
  • CHRISTEN
    Helix 75 leather thong sandals
    $1,750.00
    Select a Size
    37.5
    38
    42
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Lauren 1979 Intrecciato leather clutch
    $4,800.00
  • KHAITE
    Raina ruched silk midi dress
    $2,800.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large - low stock

The ceremony-to-dance-floor dress

Wearing white to a wedding may be a no-go, but you could nod to the bride’s ‘something blue’ in Tom Ford’s languid crepe gown. Exclusive to NET-A-PORTER, it has an alluring open back and a dramatic floor-length hem that calls for a heel – Jil Sander’s caged sandals are just the right height for a spin on the dance floor. Complement the cool blue shade with David Webb’s ‘Unity’ diamond bracelet for a touch of sparkle that’s sure to turn heads. Alternatively, celebrate the color of love with Victoria Beckham’s red satin midi dress and matching accessories.

  • TOM FORD
    Crepe silk gown
    $3,690.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36
    38
    40
    42
    44 - low stock
    46 - low stock
    48
  • KHAITE
    Black leather clutch bag
    $3,200.00
  • JIL SANDER
    Cage satin sandals
    $990.00
    Select a Size
    37
    37.5
    38 - low stock
    38.5
    39
    40
  • VICTORIA BECKHAM
    Satin midi dress
    $1,550.00
    Select a Size
    4
    6
    8
    10
    12
    14
    16
Alluring floor-length gowns are an elegant choice for day-to-night celebrations
For a sunny destination wedding, opt for cool fabrics and pretty summer prints – like this floral McQueen dress worn by Zendaya earlier this year

Destination weddings

A wedding by the sea encourages guests to reach for lighter pieces – think dresses in cool fabrics and summery prints. Ticking every box, Missoni’s asymmetric maxi dress is made from lightweight crochet-knit, decorated with psychedelic stripes and ruched to enhance the figure-hugging silhouette. Wear yours to the ceremony with Aquazzura’s raffia ‘Birdsong’ mules, while relishing their eye-catching vibrant detailing – before kicking them off for photographs on the beach to avoid any sinking-in-the-sand situations. Finally, add Miu Miu’s tortoiseshell sunglasses to add an instant touch of retro glamour.

  • MIU MIU
    Rounded-frame acetate sunglasses
    $525.00
  • MISSONI
    Striped metallic crochet-knit maxi dress
    $3,290.00
    Select a Size
    36
    38 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    42
    44
    46 - low stock
    48
  • ZIMMERMANN
    Aster cutout knotted printed silk midi dress
    $1,350.00
    Select a Size
    00
    0
    1
    2
    3
    4
  • AQUAZZURA
    Birdsong 75 raffia mules
    $1,220.00
    Select a Size
    36 - low stock
    36.5
    37 - low stock
    37.5
    38
    38.5
    39 - low stock
    39.5 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    40.5 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock
    41.5 - out of stock
    42
Oversized tailoring is sophisticated yet relaxed – and undeniably cool

Tailoring

A tailored suit delivers easy sophistication with a touch of non-traditional irreverence that makes it undeniably cool. To avoid anything that looks too corporate, seek out slouchier shapes, softer colors and contemporary details – Saint Laurent’s silk-habotai blazer and pants both come in a dusty purple shade that’s perfect for summer weddings. Finish with Saint Laurent’s leather-trimmed mesh pumps and a diamond-encrusted necklace by Foundrae – the lariat design looks so chic nestled between the lapels of a jacket.

  • SAINT LAURENT
    Double-breasted silk-habotai blazer
    $4,100.00
    Select a Size
    30 - out of stock
    32 - out of stock
    34 - low stock
    36
    38
    40
    42
  • FOUNDRAE
    Internal Compass + Small Mixed Clip 18-karat white and yellow gold diamond necklace
    $14,300.00
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Pleated silk-habotai straight-leg pants
    $2,300.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36 - out of stock
    38
    40
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Renée embroidered patent leather-trimmed mesh slingback pumps
    $1,250.00
    Select a Size
    EU 35
    EU 36 - low stock
    EU 37 - low stock
    EU 37.5 - low stock
    EU 38
    EU 38.5 - low stock
    EU 39
    EU 39.5 - low stock
    EU 40
    EU 40.5 - low stock
    EU 41 - low stock
City weddings often allow for a more laid-back, edgier approach

City-hall venues

City-hall ceremonies are a great opportunity to embrace sleek separates, such as Erdem’s poppy-print top and the matching pencil skirt from the pre-fall ’26 collection. Made from crinkled satin, both come in a close-fitting shape that’s chic and ultra polished. Alaïa’s flowing jersey maxi dress, on the other hand, is perfect for staying cool on heatwave days. Complement the sunny yellow shade with Jimmy Choo’s gold leather ‘Jenn’ sandals or opt for Manolo Blahnik’s kitten-heeled ‘Paterno’ pair if you’re planning on walking from the ceremony to the reception.

  • ALAÏA
    Halter jersey maxi dress
    $3,650.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - low stock
    38
    40
    42 - low stock
    44
  • JIMMY CHOO
    Jenn 100 metallic leather sandals
    $925.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    36.5
    37 - low stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5
    39
    39.5
    40 - low stock
    40.5 - low stock
    41 - low stock
    41.5
    42 - low stock
  • ERDEM
    Floral-print crinkled satin cropped top
    $1,475.00
    Select a Size
    4 - low stock
    6
    8
    10 - low stock
    12
    14 - low stock
    16 - low stock
  • THISTLES
    The Jack square-frame acetate sunglasses
    $380.00

EXPLORE MORE DRESSES

16 items

  • VICTORIA BECKHAM
    Isabella ruched satin gown
    $1,085.00
    Select a Size
    4 - low stock
    6
    8 - out of stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
    16 - low stock
  • SALONI
    Selma ruched ruffled polka-dot crepe de chine maxi dress
    $537.00
    Select a Size
    4 - out of stock
    6 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
    16 - out of stock
  • VICTORIA BECKHAM
    Asymmetric gathered satin-jersey dress
    $930.00
    Select a Size
    4
    6
    8
    10
    12
    14
  • ALAÏA
    Open-back asymmetric ribbed jersey maxi dress
    $3,300.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36
    38
    40 - low stock
    42 - out of stock

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