#weddingguestdresses

Signature Style- Wedding Guest Dressing

April 12, 2022 By kimwheeler 22 Comments

Hello it’s that time again for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. This time we thought it might be helpful to chat about wedding guest attire since 2.5 million weddings are happening this year in the U.S… the most since 1984, according to the NYTimes. So many of you may be attending a wedding this year. Since I begun this blog in 2011, the question I get most persistently is, ‘what to wear to a wedding?’

I haven’t been to a wedding since before the pandemic. Here with Max above at an outdoor wedding in Carmel Valley. I wore a one shoulder dress which felt chic and perfect for the day. (Dress was Ralph Lauren from a few years ago similar here, here, and here.)

Invites often tell you the attire, which is helpful, and can be stressful, so let’s navigate shall we?

Cocktail is the most common and a step below semi-formal, but now there are destination weddings, beach nuptials and more. First of all, take into account the venue. If you need more, this chart by Bride’s magazine and accompanying article will help you decode the particulars. This kind of says it all.

Start by planning ahead!

Take the time to pull looks together at least a month before.

What we all want most of all, is to be appropriate, look good and be comfortable. It’s wonderful if you can find something in your closet that is lovely and hasn’t seen an outing in the past few years. Try on all you have in a good full-length mirror. While in that mirror, take some pictures of you in the outfit with different accessories. Often what I like in the mirror, I dislike in the camera. It’s good to evaluate. Maybe all you need is an updated pair of sandals or a clutch. If you own beautiful things, rewear them!

Here I am in three dresses I love that have been gathering dust in my closet. I made these work for a daytime wedding with the addition of a clutch ( I have a little collection of them) and some nicer sandals and dressy earrings. I added my tribal pearls I have had forever, which dress things up. Obviously it looks like I gravitate toward pink and florals..

Sometimes though, we just need new or updated. You may have avoided shopping the past couple years, like many of us and even stopped shopping, like a few friends have confessed. If so, it’s time to add something to your wardrobe you will hopefully wear more than once, so go for classic and quality!

A few tips

Classics that will work for a cocktail to semi-formal and beyond are dresses that hit knee or a bit above or midi. What always flatters are pretty colors and patterns or florals. Try to avoid white or the color of the wedding party.
If you go with a printed dress, go with simpler accessories and shoes. . And on the same note, a simple dress could be made fun with a printed clutch, a cool shoe or flamboyant earrings.
Ask yourself is this an elevated look? It should feel special and not something you’d wear day-to day.
Stockings are optional now, but wear what feel good to you. Examine your look for the need for support like Spanx. Some dresses definitely look better with support layers.
Expect pictures will be taken. It’s nice to have a memory of these special days so bring your best you and get your hair freshened up, do your makeup, nails and so on.

For cocktail as well as day ceremonies..

I’m trying to give options that work for all body types and ages. Here’s what stood out to me of recent collections. Feel free to comment and make suggestions!

I love this bell-sleeved crepe dress by Caroline Rose, which comes in three colors. I have a beautiful crepe dress like this with almost identical sleeve and it still is the nicest dress in my closet. Crepe always is your friend and skims the body, falls beautifully and flatters. This shape is modern yet still dressy and the price is good for a closet classic at $295.

I also love this Trina Turk one shoulder Dress, and Rickie Freeman Shirtdress..

This Milly Brushstroke Dress, and Eliza J Ruffle Dress..

Also nice is this Eliza J floral number, and this cute Cece tie sleeve shift in 6 colors in Plus sizes,

I kind of think this gold dress could be nice for mother of the bride or groom, and this pink one is lovely too.

For formal affairs and black tie

I have zero experience with this kind of wedding, but my stylish pal Juliet does. She just attended the weekend wedding festivities of her stepson Kyle and she documented it all including her events and all the accessories. You can find Juliet’s post here if you missed it. I love her look here- long dress and the gold jacket topper! California chic.

There are many formal choices curated here at Neiman’s and also at here at Bloomingdale’s for fancier weddings and events. A few formal looks that caught my eye – this dreamy dress by Ramy Brook and this blue Chiara Boni dress…

The countryside/ beach or casual wedding

These weddings are growing in popularity and many have opted for small more impromptu weddings the past year or so. The nice thing is you can get more festive with your look and go floral, boho, long or short. You can feel more free to be creative with your ensemble at these types of weddings.

Some choices in this category this Cinq a Sept in blue and this colorful look by Staud..

..a tiered color block look, and a one shoulder Santorini dress.

From Anthro offerings are this square neck maxi from and this one shoulder look …

This pretty floral dress below, can go from casual to dressier. Everyone should have something like this in the closet as a go-to. All the Anthro dresses I showed here, and many others include plus sizing and petite. Anthro also has the most wonderful wedding looks for brides, attendants and guests- which you can find here.

Another new brand that I like is Ba&sh (not a typo), which has some lovely dresses like this below, and also has a borrow option, so for example you can borrow this dress for $69 and return after or have the option to buy. Very cool idea and so much greener than buying things you might not wear again, and easier on the budget

I also love Tuckernuck for very girly dresses and cute accessories. This Ulla Johnson dress is darling.. All the Tuckernuck wedding looks are curated by venue and with accessories here.

Let’s talk accessories

Good news the block heel is in and they are lot more comfy than your old school stilettos which I don’t even think I can or wish to wear anymore. These block heels work with dresses of all types so I am choosing to highlight them as they can be worn on many occasions and are a modern update for your closet as well…

Stutz block heel / Dolce Vita sandal/ Staud sandal/ Ully block heel /J.Crew rosegold sandal.

I rarely wear heels, so last year I saved my money and splashed out on Valentino Rockstud slides. I saw a woman wearing these with the prettiest maxi dress and they looked so elegant, I though they could be my new shoe for dressy events. Love them! One of my favorite items in my closet, comfy and they travel well too.

I also love a pearl for weddings and these pearl hoops kind of bridge the modern and formal, these flower earrings in many colors, and these drops and these inside out Nadri hoops come in many sizes and gold or silver, and these cultured freshwater pearl drops, and raffia/pearl drops.

A small bag or clutch is important and can make your look. Don’t try and bring a tote or your everyday bag. This is the time to look sleek and holding a pretty jewel of a clutch is fun.. A few that are worth collecting….

This Chrysanthemum Clutch by Trina Turk, Sondra Roberts Woven Clutch, Loeffler Randall Mini Clutch, Staud Small Bean Bag, Cult Gaia Rattan Box Clutch, Crystal Gathered Clutch, Aqua Checked Box Clutch, Sondra Roberts Metal Mesh Clutch, Wicker Wings bag.

Well, thats my small take on wedding attire… I will update this post as we move through the wedding season!

Please go see what my lovely pals have for you about spring wedding today on their blogs. I always love what they share..

Cindy Hattersley

Sarah London Style

Thanks for being here!

Kim

You might also like last month’s Signature Style post on Sunglasses and Readers.

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Shop some of the looks I mentioned and a few more..

Weekend Meanderings -Tennis Clothes, Entry Rugs, A Beautiful Home & More

March 11, 2022 By kimwheeler 11 Comments

Hello friends. It’s time for our weekend guide to cool things with Elizabeth and Juliet. So glad to have you all here and to those who have subscribed, thank you so much! It’s been a busy week for me with a link up post on Spring Refresh with five others. I shared our new peel and stick wallpaper in our guest room/office for it and if you missed it, the post is here.

Entry Rugs

Do you need a new entry rug? I’ve been struggling to find an entry rug that’s the right size, not too small or big and flat enough that my door can open over it. I finally found one that checked all those boxes and I liked the look. The Lauren Rug is at World Market, ( I still call it Cost Plus), and looks very nice for the cost. I bought the 3’6 x 5’6 size and it’s $79.

Tennis is Back in a Big Way

Are any of you tennis people? Have you been thinking about playing again? Have you never, but are curious? This article on a study over 25 years gave people who played tennis almost 10 extra years of life, so if you’re thinking of trying it, do!

I’ve been a tennis nut since I was a kid. My athletic mom thought tennis could be a good sport for the unsporty me to try and lured me with the promise of cute tennis dresses like Chris Evert and pom pom socks. That worked and I had lessons starting at age 7 and I played in high school too. I didn’t play again until a neighbor asked me to join lesson about 11 years ago.

I started back with a clinic at a local tennis club and they are also at most park and recreation centers. I’ve made many friends and I get out there at least 2-3 times a week. It’s the one time I don’t think about anything else at all, except playing and I think that is good for you. I also see so many older folks still at it and that gets me happy that this could help me age well. I know it’s great for balance and overall flexibility. When I didn’t play tennis for months during the pandemic I was the stiffest person in the world, so I know it helps.

According to USA TODAY Sports, tennis has boomed during the pandemic with an estimated 21.64 million Americans picking up a racquet in 2020! Apparently being outdoors and not within 6 feet of others made it the thing to do the last two years and people have kept at it.

I noticed that tennis themed clothes are cropping up everywhere! Right now so many cute styles even if you are just a fan. Kule has darling sweatshirts, socks, totes, a vintage looking Hingis jacket (named after the Swiss player),and even a silk scarf I love.. Some of the best I linked on just click on pictures below..

Also entering the tennis club, so to speak, is Athleta now with dresses and retro 70’s striped sweatshirts with matching shorts and skirts.

I really like this tennis dress that has a genius back pocket for the bal. It comes in three colors and a decent size range to 3X. I just ordered this!

Tuckernuck also has tennis clothes – I especially like the skirts with printed shorts that peek out from the skirt, like this skirt in hydrangeas with black, or white with floral..

I also adore this quilted sweatshirt, this tournament dress ( in white too) paired with these floral bike shorts.

I might brave the bike short look someday with a sweatshirt if I had these. This look was copied off of Princess Diana. Vogue did a spread riffing off the Diana look a while back with Hailey Bieber.

Want to start running?

Are any of you runners or wish you were? I’ve been trying to get out and move more now that it’s spring and there is a great article about tricking yourself into liking running on the NYTimes. Some super advice to begin with the walk alternating short run method and go SLOW. Great advice from so many in the comments too. If you can start slow and go for a very short distance, you will be more likely to keep at it. Other advice is don’t wash your clothes all the time, keep them in a pile during the week, throw them on and just go. The less work it is, the more people just get it done!

Weddings

Apparently 2022 will have 2.1 million weddings in the U.S. and is the biggest year for wedding since the 1984! So many people have held off celebrating with their loved ones due to the pandemic. There is a LOT of people looking for guest dresses I imagine.

Juliet has a the first of many weddings this weekend and on her post last week she did a great go-to look for a rehearsal lunch and shared some pretty formal too. This week is her part two with more helpful ideas, especially if you’re mother of the groom like her. Vogue just had this article for mother of the groom looks. Some are quite pricey, but it gives you an idea of what styles are in and what styles might work at you might find similar at other price points. Nordstrom has a special wedding guest link where you can choose Casual, Cocktail or Formal, with some great frocks, shoes and bags.

Neimans also has a wedding guest edit with some the most beautiful dresses, lovely bags and all the finishing touches you might need..

Bloomingdales has a curated online area with looks for mother of the bride, guests, and by beach or cocktail or formal options. I really wish I had a wedding to attend!

Vogue is a great resource as its wedding stories archive has something for everyone. I like the stories of small weddings on a dime as well as destination nuptials and big fancy bashes. So much inspiration here like this bride, below, who found her Balenciaga dress at Goodwill ten years before she married, and these two who transformed their backyard into a beautiful jazz age themed wedding.. Oh so many stories. I love wedding stuff.

A smart option for unique wedding looks is to check out local resale shops as dresses are one of the items they carry the most of and so many have been worn just once. As I have mentioned before, I love Crossroads Trading (the one in Almaden in San Jose) and Filmore & Fifth in Palo Alto for great resale items. (Next month’s Signature Style will also be about wedding guest dresses.)

Dara Caponigro

Dara has been someone whose home style I have always loved. I followed her since she was a style director at Domino and through her stint at Veranda. Her two books, The Authentics, and S is for Style, are hands down, my most favorite design books I own.

Charish interviewed Dara and showed more of her home which is totally my kind of eclectic style. It’s chic, unique and collected – and bright! I think you’ll enjoy seeing more of it and reading the Q & A here on their blog. Dara’s Instagram here.

Ukraine & Sting

Have you seen this video Sting released this week? It’s an acoustic version of his cold war song, The Russians, in this video . It’s very moving and I hope we share this all over the world. He is raising money for the Help Ukraine Center, which gives humanitarian aid. He said he never thought this song would be relevant again, and yet here we are.

Let’s keep sharing our love for Ukraine and its people and donate in all the places we can. How great is it that everyone is sharing all the stories of this war on social media channels? Imagine WWII if we had the internet? The atrocities that were happening were not on everyone’s phones as they are now for us all to see. That has greatly helped the world get behind Ukraine and see first hand the incredible strength of these people. We can see ourselves in their shoes.

I hope you had a good week. I’ll be back Tuesday with our monthly Signature Style and this time we’ll be talking glasses- sunglasses and readers, so come back if you’re in the market for new ones.

Please pop over and see what ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you this week..

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!

Kim

You might also like this post on some of my Serena & Lily Favorites as they are having a 20% off sitewide sale now until 3/15. Use the code HOME on their site when checking out.

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