For 90 degree weather outside I would try to find a breathable fabric
Wedding Guest Dress Input and Suggestions
- Thread starter leechiyong
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Agreed. 1 is jersey, but I’ve eliminated that one, 2-4 are silk, and 5 is cupro.
Thanks for your feedback!
Then if I were you, I'd choose dress#2.
If the temperature is in the 90s, I'm running away from any kind of sleeve for fear of sweat stains.
(Maybe bring a bolero or light scarf if it gets breezy or going anywhere indoors.)
Because it is so clean and simple you can do a couple of the following:
1) Dress it up with some fun statement jewelry, shoes, and/or bag
2) Be able to re-use the dress for other occasions
Side story. I was known as a very easy bride on my wedding day from my coordinators and guests. I made the effort to try to be a good bride hostess and to me, the most important thing was that everyone was comfortable and having fun.
My attire on the invite was: cocktail attire.
Most people got it pretty on point. However, I was taken aback a bit by a few people's definition of "cocktail attire" was.
This is probably because I am a more dressy person, and people here in California are more casual. No one was inappropriate in any way shape or form. Just a few people (men and women) just kind of stuck out a bit in group photos 
.
Not saying anything about your friend. We all have different perspectives and definitions for various looks and styles. Just some food for thought.
Then if I were you, I'd choose dress#2.
If the temperature is in the 90s, I'm running away from any kind of sleeve for fear of sweat stains.
(Maybe bring a bolero or light scarf if it gets breezy or going anywhere indoors.)
Because it is so clean and simple you can do a couple of the following:
1) Dress it up with some fun statement jewelry, shoes, and/or bag
2) Be able to re-use the dress for other occasions
Side story. I was known as a very easy bride on my wedding day from my coordinators and guests. I made the effort to try to be a good bride hostess and to me, the most important thing was that everyone was comfortable and having fun.
My attire on the invite was: cocktail attire.
Most people got it pretty on point. However, I was taken aback a bit by a few people's definition of "cocktail attire" was.
This is probably because I am a more dressy person, and people here in California are more casual. No one was inappropriate in any way shape or form. Just a few people (men and women) just kind of stuck out a bit in group photos .Not saying anything about your friend. We all have different perspectives and definitions for various looks and styles. Just some food for thought.
Definitive the green one, depending on how it looks without the shrug! It is the most elegant!
I really appreciate everyone's thoughts; it's given me a lot to think about and helped me narrow in on things. Annoyingly, I'm kind of back to the drawing board as I hone in on my priorities, which are:
I’m now eyeing these two, but with that they’d be tailored at the shoulders to bring the neckline up:
- Low-key while still looking like it's a wedding - she's wearing a simple crepe, sheath/column dress and it's her day, so I want occasion appropriate, but unassuming. That said, I do want a dress that makes me feel:
- Comfortable - from the cut to the temperature. I've ruled spaghetti straps out as I'll just be fixing them constantly and I want a breathable fabric. I really don't want to be thinking about the dress once it’s on.
- Color - I checked her pinterest page and I’d say it’s as much desert sunset as jewel-toned (think amethyst, mauve, terra cotta, gold, teal, navy).
I’m now eyeing these two, but with that they’d be tailored at the shoulders to bring the neckline up:
Between the two: #2 (peach pink) hands down.
I am not fond of the stitching on the 1st one (blue) and how it sits on the model's frame.
When is the wedding?
Would you consider a made to order dress?
It could be more flattering and more economical than altering a soso design.
Would you consider a made to order dress?
It could be more flattering and more economical than altering a soso design.
It’s in two months. I would consider made to order, but recommendations would be helpful for me as I usually buy RTW and haven’t bought much in the way of clothes these past few years.
Are you ordering online or would you be buying in person?
If so call Saks or whatever Department store you prefer and speak with a personal shopper.
she can also hook you up with the alterations department and make sure, everything go smoothly.
It is very hard to decipher on a bunch of nightgown looking dresses without seeing you or knowing your taste.
I am always surprised what a professional pulls out for me.
Just a thought.
If so call Saks or whatever Department store you prefer and speak with a personal shopper.
she can also hook you up with the alterations department and make sure, everything go smoothly.
It is very hard to decipher on a bunch of nightgown looking dresses without seeing you or knowing your taste.
I am always surprised what a professional pulls out for me.
Just a thought.
Right now, shopping online. If something's available to try on near me, great, but I hate trying on clothes without knowing what I'm going in to try.Are you ordering online or would you be buying in person?
If so call Saks or whatever Department store you prefer and speak with a personal shopper.
she can also hook you up with the alterations department and make sure, everything go smoothly.
It is very hard to decipher on a bunch of nightgown looking dresses without seeing you or knowing your taste.
I am always surprised what a professional pulls out for me.
Just a thought.
Lol to the nightgown comments. Given that's what I keep gravitating towards, do you mind elaborating on what's giving them that feel for you. I get the first dress with the lace and jersey fabric, but is it the lack of embellishment, fabric, tailoring, or something else for the others? If it's the simplicity, I'm alright with that. I am going for comfort and really don't want to come off like I'm trying to upstage the bride.
It's a hard needle for me to thread because it's not a traditional wedding. There's only one other woman in attendance, there's not really a venue, and the bride's priority is the video and photographs, so I want to look like I'm attending wedding, while being mindful to not look like I'm attempting to outdo the bride or out of place in a nature preserve. Her dress is a very simple cut with no embellishments and she doesn't have much in the way of jewelry. Please let me know if this helps add context or if you're still, nope, still meh. I really appreciate the perspective because I don't want her looking at her photos down the road and thinking that I looked like I was in my nightgown either.
I think the main thing that makes me think nightgown is: 1) the material + 2) the general design. Especially the material for all the dresses you just posted.
Nightgown dresses are traditionally very lightweight and flowy so a satin or silk is often chosen, maybe with some sheer elements to it for breathability and comfort.
And of course, nightgowns tend to have more simple elements because you wear them to sleep, they are supposed to feel comfortable so there will not be much design to them. Yes there is some laces, and some ruching, maybe some cutouts here and there, but for the most part, not very much.
Of course if those are the designs and looks that speak to you then that's what works for you! I'm sure if you wear some nice accessories and heels it's not going to look like you rolled out of bed or something.
Just my personal opinion
:1) turquoise dress - looks the least like a nightgown. But that cut and material will show all the lumps, bumps, and flaws. Just fyi in case you were not aware.
2) purple dress - looks like a nightgown, the cute type.
3) sleeved coral dress - looks like a nightgown, the mature type.
4) sleeveless coral dress - looks also the least like a nightgown. More like a nice summer dress. But that underbust stitching + wide straps gives me more mature/matronly vibes.
Also, all satin and silk will show staining and watermarks very very easily. The moment it gets damp or wet, it will show. It will also dry quite quickly. But, another thing to keep in mind, especially if it's going to be 90 and hot.
Sorry if this is making things a little confusing. At this point, it's probably better to go in and at least try on some options to help give you a better idea. You will never know how something looks on you until you wear it!
It’s incredibly helpful. I’m currently leaning towards 4 as the color is on point for the wedding (though I don’t think helps alleviate the nightgown vibes).I think the main thing that makes me think nightgown is: 1) the material + 2) the general design. Especially the material for all the dresses you just posted.
Nightgown dresses are traditionally very lightweight and flowy so a satin or silk is often chosen, maybe with some sheer elements to it for breathability and comfort.
And of course, nightgowns tend to have more simple elements because you wear them to sleep, they are supposed to feel comfortable so there will not be much design to them. Yes there is some laces, and some ruching, maybe some cutouts here and there, but for the most part, not very much.
Of course if those are the designs and looks that speak to you then that's what works for you! I'm sure if you wear some nice accessories and heels it's not going to look like you rolled out of bed or something.
Just my personal opinion
1) turquoise dress - looks the least like a nightgown. But that cut and material will show all the lumps, bumps, and flaws. Just fyi in case you were not aware.
2) purple dress - looks like a nightgown, the cute type.
3) sleeved coral dress - looks like a nightgown, the mature type.
4) sleeveless coral dress - looks also the least like a nightgown. More like a nice summer dress. But that underbust stitching + wide straps gives me more mature/matronly vibes.
Also, all satin and silk will show staining and watermarks very very easily. The moment it gets damp or wet, it will show. It will also dry quite quickly. But, another thing to keep in mind, especially if it's going to be 90 and hot.
Sorry if this is making things a little confusing. At this point, it's probably better to go in and at least try on some options to help give you a better idea. You will never know how something looks on you until you wear it!
I gravitate a lot towards silk because of it’s breathability with the weather where I am, so have a decent understanding of how to avoid and minimize the appearance of stains, but do you have suggestions on materials that are breathable that will be more suitable for a wedding guest dress?
You could consider elements like organza. They can be a little itchy though depending on how it's used. And it doesn't have to be all organza or no silk at all. Various fabrics can be used together.
Also, sometimes it's not just the material but how the fabric is draped onto the individual or the overall design of the dress.
Here are some silk-like or lightweight dresses. They do not look night-gown like.
And here's something that appears to be organza, maybe a mixture of chiffon and organza.
Or consider something with a gentle print/pattern or something with a different texture?
