26 Outfit Ideas That Will Make You the Best-Dressed Winter Wedding Guest

Choosing what to wear as a winter wedding guest can be tricky. You could stick with a basic black dress or experiment with your attire. Not all winter weddings are the same, so we enlisted expert Jaclyn Goldgrub to give us some pointers and explore all of the possibilities. “Lately, a lot of people are going the non-traditional route,” Goldgrub shares. “Shoppers are asking for an elevated jumpsuit or pantsuit instead of a traditional dress or gown.” If you want to stick to a dress, Goldgrub strongly encourages wearing a pop of color: “Wearing a vibrant hue in the dead of winter is so unexpected, and helps to maintain the positive energy throughout the evening.”

Meet Our Expert

Jaclyn Goldgrub is a former fashion buyer and owner of Dear Dreamer, boutique in Brooklyn, NY.

With that in mind, check out 26 winter wedding guest outfits that you’ll want to wear again and again.

Leather & Lace

One of the fun parts about coming up with a winter wedding guest outfit is the ability to mix and match fabrics in almost any imaginable combination. We love this rock-and-roll-inspired look featuring a lace top and black midi skirt with a leather jacket. Take it to the next level with accessories that go heavy on the hardware, like the belt and bag seen above

Winter Florals

More muted floral designs are often overlooked when choosing what to wear to a winter wedding, but they make for a much more exciting look than the standard little black dress. Look for a dress that comes with a matching jacket, as seen above, and use playful accessories to keep the vibe from veering into mother-of-the-bride territory.

A+ Accessories

Speaking of accessorizing, wearing a more simple winter wedding guest outfit is a great opportunity to show off your style with a heavy touch of flair. The two-piece ensemble is undoubtedly chic, but it’s the perfectly positioned hat, pendant necklace, leather gloves, and mini Dior bag that make this outfit so fierce, that people will wonder if you’re there to object.

Dramatic Sleeves

A bright minidress with dramatic, flowing sleeves worn with on-point accessories demands attention without stealing the spotlight.

Rosette Details

Rosettes are a very specific trend that comes and goes quicker than a bouquet of fresh flowers. Right now, however, this particular embellishment is in and can be spotted on everything from dresses and shoes to hats and handbags. Naturally, we love the look of several red rosettes scattered throughout the look. But the boxy red suit jacket keeps this winter wedding guest outfit feeling fresh. “I love the simplicity of a slip dress with an oversized rosette accent,” shares Goldgrub. “It’s simple yet chic, and definitely can be worn with so many different kinds of accessories.”

Tips

If you’re not into the oversized blazer, Goldgrub suggests amping up the wow factor with chunky gold earrings or a metallic clutch.

A Statement Scarf

Remember: Scarves don’t have to be practical. Some dramatic draping helps add dimension to any winter wedding look. Keeping you cozy is a bonus, and if it gets too hot, you can always leave it on the back of your chair.

Related: 18 Different Ideas for How to Tie a Scarf

Fun in Flats

If there’s any chance you’ll be encountering the elements on your way to an upcoming winter wedding, don’t feel shy or self-conscious about wearing flats, especially with a floor-length dress. Pointy-toe patent leather always makes for a great party shoe, plus your feet are guaranteed to feel more comfortable on the dance floor.

Anything But Basic Beige

At first glance, beige feels like an odd choice for any wedding, let alone a winter affair. However, Goldgrub, who typically eschews muted tones, counts this look as a winning wedding guest outfit because of all the delicate details in the design. “Despite being the opposite of vibrant, there is definitely a sexy element to this look. However, a pop of color, like a pink or red lip, can only help take this elegant outfit to the next level.”

A Single Cold Shoulder

It seems like cold-shoulder tops and dresses are everywhere lately, and can run the gamut from black tie to boho. But that doesn’t mean you should shy away from the design once temperatures fall below freezing. A single cold shoulder helps to add movement, while the spaghetti strap—while adding minimal coverage—can help the dress feel more secure on the dance floor.

Sheer & Shiny

Somehow, mixing these sequins, leather, and mesh really works for a winter wedding guest outfit. Just keep the overall color palette dark, and remember to add some bling to double down on the sparkle.

Cozy Yet Chic

While perhaps not ideal for the dance floor—hey, it gets sweaty out there—we love the idea of attending a winter wedding wearing something cozy like a cashmere gown. The super soft fabric screams luxury, while simple jewelry and fluffy accessories enhance the overall comfy chic aesthetic.

A Tiny Bit of Tulle

Sometimes too much tulle can feel a little too Disney princess. If that’s what the bride is going for, great. But, as a guest at a winter wedding, it goes without saying that less is more. Instead of seeking out a voluminous ball gown or skirt, try looking for an outfit where the fabric is used as an accent rather than a primary element. We love how the red tulle is used to create a color-blocking effect with this pink column gown without being too va-va-voom.

A Classic Turtleneck

Yes, you can wear a turtleneck to a winter wedding, provided it is more than your basic base layer. If a simple turtleneck gown catches your eye, go extra glam with some over-the-top accessories like dangly earrings and a sparkly choker necklace. The cutouts, while alluring, are totally optional.

BYOBlazer

You don’t have to rely on your plus one to lend you their jacket at the end of the night if you bring your own. Opt for an oversize or menswear-inspired piece to drape over your shoulders en route, and as you make your entrance. It’s an unexpected styling trick that can elevate even the most demure dress to boss status.

A Bold Blue Hue

Something blue isn’t just for you-know-who. Look for something elegant in a bright royal blue. Not sky blue, or navy. Or even cerulean. It’s amazing how this hue can stand out, even on the dreariest winter days. The super-long opera gloves and flowing cape pictured above give off regal vibes, but won’t overshadow the bride.

Platforms & Plaid

This plaid winter wedding guest outfit is for a couple of specific weddings — for instance, if the couple getting married is very punk rock, or the event is held on a storied Scottish estate. Regardless, this flouncy dress with a handkerchief hem is too cool not to include on this list. Give it a more formal spin with classic black pumps and a pendant necklace or perhaps a visible lace bralette to dress up your décolletage.

Pile on the Polka Dots

We could wax poetic about polka dots, but let’s cut to the chase: They’re timeless, seasonless, and inject a pop of personality into any outfit. This is all to say that we strongly encourage wearing playful polka dots to practically any formal affair. But, if you’re worried about looking too pedestrian, elevate the look by incorporating some fuzzy swift dots in your stockings, gloves, or even the dress itself. Nailed it.

A Glamorous Graphic Print

We’re partial to the trompe l'oeil gloves by Loewe pictured above, but really, any dress with an eye-catching design is fair game for a winter wedding guest outfit. Keep accessories simple, or play off different pops of color in the print. We love how this style star iterated on the red accented nails with bold sunglasses in a similar shade.

Gothic Glam

Wednesday Addams doesn’t have to be your style icon to love this black sequin-and-lace look. “If you are going to wear black, look for a dress with elements of textured lace mixed with sequins that make it special,” suggests Goldgrub. No matter what, a bold lip—blood red or otherwise—is an absolute must for nailing this gothic glam look.

A Silky Set

If a suit feels stuffy, try wearing a satiny patterned set instead. If it looks too pajama-like for the ceremony, wear a blazer on top—then go with the matching set once the reception rolls around.

Go for the Gold

If you’re not one to mix metals but want to wear something shiny, we suggest passing on the same old silver sequins and going for gold. This sunny, shimmery shade is ideal for a destination winter wedding, ideally somewhere near a beach. Hey, no one said it had to be snowing!

A Coordinating Coat

If, for some reason, a portion of the wedding takes place outdoors, then you’ll want to take the time to make sure your outfit and outerwear actually go together. Whether you find the coat first and build a look around it, or simply looking for something in a similar shade, you’re bound to be one of the better-dressed guests braving the elements.

Time for Tie-Dye

Just the thought of tie-dye brings visions of summer to mind, but the technique can work just as well in more muted colors and on a knit fabric. “Normally, I’m not a fan of tie-dye, but this color combo and dip-dye dress had me at hello,” gushes Goldgrub. “It’s a great way to take a more common spring and summer print and winterize it. I love the long-sleeve element as well.”

Black and Blue

If anyone ever told you that black and blue don’t go together, well, they were obviously incorrect. A navy blue dress looks even more polished with black accessories (instead of brown), and a black dress can appear even more on trend with blue embellishments. Don’t be afraid to break the rules; just don’t break any bones on the dance floor.

Related: There's an Easy Way to Figure Out What Colors Go With Navy Blue

Beautiful in Bronze

When clients ask Goldgrub to steer them towards something special, she always reaches for something metallic. “I find them to be extremely flattering on most, and this bronze look in particular is a showstopper,” she shares. While yours truly is partial to a single metallic hue, Goldgrub doesn’t shy away from mixing metals. “Just because you are in bronze or gold doesn’t mean you can’t accessorize with silver!”

A Rouge Number

Who says you can’t wear red to a wedding? That fashion “rule” is outdated—so long as the rest of your look is appropriate for the occasion. We love this relaxed ruffled look on Sophia Roe, specifically for the accessories pairings.

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