Spring and Summer are big event seasons. From graduation parties to large reunions and alfresco wedding celebrations, there are plenty of occasions to gather with friends and family and enjoy life's milestones. Most of those events call for a little more dressing up than we tend to do in our day-to-day. And one way to look the part for those occasions, weddings in particular, is to go for a special dress and special dressy shoes. But if you're like me and seldom have to go to those types of events, then you're better off shopping your closet for a look that is in line with your everyday style, while giving posh event vibes. This is exactly what I've done and here are some outfits that I created from my wardrobe and that I would wear to a Summer wedding:
A Full Skirt With A Fitted Bodice Top
Have you noticed how a lot of occasion dresses have a fit-and-flare silhouette? Well, I came across this Mac Dugal dress and was inspired to recreate the look using pieces in my closet so I reached for my favorite full printed skirt and an old strapless bodice top (similar here).
A black and white color combination never fails, and it's even better with bold and mixed prints! To play up the party vibe and stay true to my original inspiration, I added a large gold flower brooch. I've had that one for a few years now and love it for adding a fun and statement touch to an outfit.
A Statement Shirt Dress
Spring/Summer is dress season, and who says dress season also says shirt dress season! As I shared in this post, a shirt dress is a staple for any trend-proof wardrobe, whether you go for a solid color, or a bold printed option (other options here, here and here). I stan both but would go for printed options if I were dressing up for a wedding ceremony. Prints, especially bold prints, create contrast against the typical backdrop of solid hues and neutrals. A bold print is an effortless statement and is sure to set you apart from the crowd.
I have had this multi-colored batik printed shirt dress for almost five years and still can't get enough of it! The silk material gives it a luxurious allure while the relaxed silhouette makes it effortless. For a polished touch, I would add a wide leather belt and matching strappy sandals. And for even more punch, I would go for a colorful leather clutch bag.
A Midi Skirt With A Ruffle Blouse
You need a ruffle blouse in your closet! It's a versatile and feminine staple that you can reach for for work outfits, date night looks, and even wedding events. I wore this polka-dot ruffle blouse with a layered mesh midi skirt (similar here) to create a soft and textured look that would check the occasionwear box. I finished the outfit with strappy heeled sandals (other option here) and a small yellow bag for a playful touch.
This is a look you could also wear to the office by simply swapping the small bag with a work tote, and wearing pumps instead of the sandals (though sandals are also appropriate for Summer workwear).
Wide-Leg Pants With An Oversized Blazer
If you love a blazer outfit, rest assured that you can rock one to a wedding ceremony! I love a good blazer and am always looking for opportunities to throw one on. During the Spring and Summer, I like them longer and in breathable materials such as linen. I also like them in bold colors because those really dial up the seasonal mood. The key to making a blazer work for a Spring or Summer daytime event is to wear it in a more relaxed way, think an oversized linen blazer with wide-leg pants. This combination creates a breezy yet elevated look that fits effortlessly into the Summer event dress code. I built this look starting with my Ronny Kobo purple strong shoulder linen blazer (other colorful linen blazer, similar purple blazer). I wanted a colorful and statement piece. I then added my off-white wide-leg pants to create a striking color combo.
When it came to accessorizing, I was torn between two options: belting the blazer with a soft belt, or wearing the blazer open and belting the pants with a wide leather belt. Tough choice, right? 😃 It all comes down to preference and for a wedding ceremony, I would go with belting the blazer to emphasize the color-blocking and not distract from the bride's white attire. To finish the look, I wore platform sandals and a small handbag that matched with the pants to really keep the focus on the blazer.
A Sleeveless Jumpsuit
Jumpsuits really take the guessing game out of dressing and who doesn't love that? I love a good jumpsuit, one with an easy-to-wear silhouette, a good color, and made from quality material. I scored this sleeveless black jumpsuit last year and am so glad I went for it! The wide-leg cut and halter neckline are super flattering, plus the black linen fabric makes it a versatile Summer piece. I've worn this to work, to casual weekend activities with sneakers, and let me tell you, I would also wear it to a Summer wedding party! To dress it up and give it a lighter allure, add colorful accessories such as a green leather belt and green strappy sandals. This gives the look a real Summer vibe and a polished touch thanks to the belt's stand-out gold buckle. For even more party flair, I added gold earrings and a small metallic gold leather bag.
As these outfits show, no need to go shopping for a new formal or cocktail dress when you're invited to the next wedding ceremony. Simply shop your closet and mix and match pieces to create elevated occasionwear that will still have you turn heads. I hope you're inspired and I would love to know which look is more your core. Chime in in the comments!
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