If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a traditionalist; an ethos that extends from my personal style and interests right into my disinterest in weddings. I never played bridal dress-up as a little girl, instead riding around on a Fisher-Price motorcycle. So while I’m always sincerely happy for my loved ones getting married, I’d be even happier to hear they eloped. Nuptials are possibly my least favorite gathering; the prospect of putting together a note-perfect outfit often only adds to my aversion.
One thing I’ve learned over my years in the guest seat: I may not be able to control my social battery draining by the time the reception rolls around, but I can control what I wear so I still feel like myself. And if you, like me, aren’t interested in throwing on any black suit or floor-length pastel slip dress in the name of easy formality, I’ve put together a few unconventional wedding guest outfit formulas I rely on whenever the occasion calls for it.
Vogue’s Favorite Non-Traditional Wedding Guest Attire:
The Non-Boring Black Tie
Rick Owens Shailee gown
Read moreThe Fun Bag
Veronica Beard Ziger Prism bag
Read moreThe Statement Earrings
Simone Rocha stacked pearl hoops
Read moreThe Silky Slip Skirt
Anna Sui lace-trimmed maxi skirt
Read moreThe Chain Belt
Chan Luu Ondine chain belt
Read more
Instead of purchasing (or renting) a slew of dresses destined to be worn once, I’m keen on a slowly acquired capsule wardrobe of formal and semi-formal attire I can reach for at a moment’s notice. Even if my edgier-leaning aesthetic isn’t exactly your cup of tea, there is a method to my stylistic madness: The secret, I’ve found, is to discover your favorite silhouettes, stick with them, and get creative with accessories.
Scroll on to discover four adaptable outfit ideas for the wedding non-traditionalist.
The Black-Tie Attire
I often find myself asking—what even is black tie? In lay terms, it’s a floor-length gown over a cocktail dress, or a tux over a suit. That said, black-tie dressing doesn’t have to be stodgy, nor does it have to feel like a prom. I gravitate towards dresses with draped and ruched details for their figure-flattering cuts. Then, I use accessories to add personality—this is where I like to lean into what one of my favorite designers, Simone Rocha, calls “hardcore femininity.”
Simone Rocha
