What to Wear Over a Dress to a Wedding, From Casual to Black-Tie

Whether a jacket is keeping you warm or making a fashion statement, it should appear as an intentional extension of your ’fit.
Cardigan, cashmere scarf, and cropped jacket for wedding guests to wear over dresses
Photos, left to right: Anthropologie, Quince, Tuckernuck
Elle Cashin headshot
by
Elle Cashin
Elle Cashin headshot
Elle Cashin
The Knot Fashion Contributor
  • Elle writes for The Knot online with a focus on fashion, covering gown design trends and shoppable accessories.
  • Elle is a contributor to wedding publications across the country, including Brides, The New York Times Vows and Modern Luxury Weddings.
  • Prior to shifting to weddings, Elle covered lifestyle, culture and celebrity across Chicago as the editor of the Chicago Tribune’s SPLASH magazine, where she interviewed cele...
Updated Oct 11, 2024
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Wedding guest dressing has become more of an art form recently, with dress codes getting more specific. Once you've spent time on the perfect look, the last thing you want to do is ruin it with a coat. So, consider what to wear over a dress to a wedding an art form as well. Bridal stylist and content creator Hope LaVine is an expert in the craft; she covers not just bridal fashion but wedding guest attire through her highly followed Instagram account. So we tapped her to offer advice on layering and jackets for wedding guest dresses that elevate, rather than detract from, the look. She started with a noteworthy disclaimer: "It is most important, first and foremost, to wear a dress, set, suit or jumpsuit in the proper dress code—then layering is super simple," she says. "Most jackets and accessories work for all dress codes as long as the dress is dressy enough." That said, you want your overall look to seem purposeful rather than thrown together. Here, LaVine breaks down exactly how to achieve that, and a few favorite styles that do the trick.

In this article:

Wedding guest wearing mini cape over dress
Photo: Nikki Daskalakis

What to Wear Over Any Dress to a Wedding

The key to determining what to wear over a dress for a wedding, LaVine says, is intentionality. As long as the layering choice looks purposeful—and not like something you grabbed from the coat closet at the last minute—it works. There are a few ways to do this, even if you're working with a casual jacket for a formal wedding. "One way to make a jacket look intentional is to 'color sandwich' it," LaVine explains. "If your jacket is black, wear black shoes or a black purse. If your jacket is camel-colored, lean into a nude heel or a gold-toned purse to complement the jacket and make the look less harsh." Here, she offers more specific pairing options.

Over a Casual Wedding Guest Dress

The etiquette is naturally a little looser the more casual the dress code. "Leather jackets are acceptable for [dress codes] up to cocktail attire and denim jackets work for a casual wedding," LaVine says—but she adds a caveat. "I would never suggest these as the best first option, but when you're working with what you've got, it's not a bad option." Instead, she recommends a dress jacket or something with color. "This will look much more intentional and elevated."

Over a Slip Dress or Maxi

LaVine suggests pairing something with structure—a tailored blazer, cropped jacket or shoulder-padded style—with a slip dress or maxi. The juxtaposition of flowy and structured is surprising and fashion-forward. The structure can also help elevate the look for a more formal dress code; if your dress is bohemian or ethereal, add a structured cover-up to dress it up.

Over a Ballgown or Black-Tie Gown

Ballgowns are the height of black-tie attire, and the jacket should match the vibe—but it's true that few coats can keep up. Luckily, there's a hack. "You can dress a jacket up by getting an oversized one and draping it over the shoulders [instead of] putting your arms through," LaVine says. "You can also wear a tailored blazer with shoulder pads or some shape at the bottom over a fuller skirt or ballgown." This achieves that intentional aim; you want "to have more of a 'look' than just a dress that you're cold in," LaVine says.

Over a Tailored Dress

LaVine has a trick up her styling sleeve: the "jacket for everyone," she calls it. A swing-style silk jacket—she recommends this one from Etsy creator LisBeth Silk—goes with just about anything and especially suits tailored dresses. "This is the perfect jacket because it is dressy, comes in every color and brings the comfort," LaVine says. "I'd wear this for a casual wedding, all the way to a black-tie wedding. Wear it with an A-line style to match the lines or with something very tailored to balance the wide oversized proportions."

Over a Winter Wedding Guest Dress

The question of what to wear for a dress at a winter wedding is a little bit different, as cold-weather coats must serve a practical purpose in addition to being stylish. That said, the code can be relaxed a bit here. "Coats you wear to go to and from the event are less of a concern because you can check them at most wedding events," LaVine says. "The couple getting married wants you to respect their wedding, show up and celebrate, but also be comfortable. Trust me: They understand that if it's a New York rooftop on New Year's Eve, you'll have a coat on." Go for practicality first, but note that a dressy winter coat can be a great investment piece. LaVine suggests a long coat inspired by suiting (see some black suit coat options below).

Shawls, Sweaters and Jackets to Wear Over a Dress to a Wedding

When it comes to jackets for a wedding guest, the options are truly endless—but there are multiple factors to consider: Will you be removing it or leaving it on? Are you looking for dressy jackets to wear with black-tie attire or is the wedding vibe more casual overall? Are you looking for what to wear over a sleeveless dress for a wedding or do you already have warmth covered and simply want to make a fashion statement? With LaVine's help, we've outlined a well-rounded handful of jackets, shawls and wraps that fit various attires and seasons. Within each category, we pegged three different price points to hit all budgets.

A Sheer Capelet

Sheer capelet for wedding guest to wear over dress
Photo: bridalspain

LaVine recommends a sheer capelet for easy—and intentional—wedding coverage.
"Purchase this in the same color as the dress you're going to wear," she says. "It will look like it was made for the dress, eliminating that 'had to throw this on because it was cold' look. Intentionality is chic." The best part? You don't have to spend a lot on a piece like this. LaVine's chiffon Etsy pick is midrange; you can go higher or lower.

Save: JJ's House Chiffon Evening Shawl, $18
Spend: Etsy Chiffon Wrap, $37
Splurge: Terani Couture Sheer Beaded Capelet Overlay, $198

A Cashmere Scarf

Cashmere scarf for wedding guest to wear over dress
Photo: Quince

LaVine loves a cashmere scarf and recommends looking for one that comes in a variety of colors, so you have options (all three of these pricing options fit the bill). "I'd try to accessorize—with earrings, shoes or a purse—in a similar color to create a pop and color-sandwich the dress," she says. It's appropriate for every dress code, from casual to black-tie, and works double duty to combat cold if needed.

Save: Quince Featherweight Cashmere Silk Frayed Edge Scarf, $60
Spend: J. Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap, $198
Splurge: Aerin Noe Lightweight Cashmere Scarf, $275

A Tailored Blazer

Tailored blazer for wedding guest to wear over dress
Photo: Revolve

"Pair a tailored blazer over a simple slip dress or dramatic ballgown, and you're bound to make a statement," LaVine says, noting that this type of jacket to wear over a dress to a wedding works for any dress code and attire. Unique tailoring creates a look that's more intentional—and fashion-forward—than simply throwing your date's jacket over your shoulders, and these pieces are ones you'll get lots of wear out of far beyond the wedding day.

Save: NA-KD Fitted Blazer, $76
Spend: Donna Karen New York Button Sleeve Blazer, $169
Splurge: Helsa Recycled Twill S Curve Jacket, $348

A Neutral Cropped Jacket

Neutral cropped jacket for wedding guest to wear over dress
Photo: Tuckernuck

"There's something about the juxtaposition of flowy and structured I die for," LaVine says. It's why she loves a structured cropped jacket over a slip dress or maxi; the look is perfect for casual to semi-formal wedding dress codes. Look for something in a beige or neutral tone to let your dress do the talking. LaVine dubs Destree's Amoako Smart Jacket "the cropped jacket of my dreams," and we couldn't agree more. It's a splurge, though; here are a couple more affordable options to try as well.

Save: Lulus Beige Double Breasted Cropped Blazer, $59
Spend: Line & Dot Pearl Jacket, $161
Splurge: Destree Amoako Smart Jacket, $540

A Fun Cardigan

Fun cardigan for wedding guest to wear over dress
Photo: Anthropologie

Pour your whole personality into your outerwear with a fun cardigan over a simpler dress. LaVine loves the options by Bubish, like this splurge-worthy feathered blouse. "This cardigan is so cutesy and fun and flirty—the life of the party in a layer," she says. Feathers are just one option, though; look for fringe, sequins, sparkle or embellishments and pop it over a dress for casual and semi-formal affairs.

Save: JM Collection Petite Sequined-Diamond Party Cardigan, $60
Spend: DOLAN Bow-Front Cardigan Sweater, $98
Splurge: Bubish Gigi Feather Blouse, $429

A Faux Fur Coat

Faux fur jacket for wedding guest to wear over dress
Photo: ASOS

A black faux fur jacket is "the quintessential winter wedding guest jacket," LaVine says. "You can wear it with any dress code, from casual to black tie." Prices range dramatically across the category; before you make a purchase, consider factors like how often you'll wear it and what length you prefer.

Save: Lioness Faux Fur Coat in Black, $139
Spend: Donn Salyers Fabulous Furs Happy Hour Faux Fur Jacket, $245
Splurge: Unreal Dream Jacket in Black, $399

A Black Suit Coat

Black suit coat for wedding guest to wear over dress
Photo: Boston Proper

While many jackets and shawls can be left on during the whole wedding and truly become part of your look, it's also wise to have a heavier removable coat for those weddings taking place in the coldest months. This is a dressy jacket you can check at the door—but one you still want to look chic in while coming and going. Opt for a coat inspired by suiting: It's a true classic that will never go out of style. "This jacket is very dressy and is perfect for semi-formal, formal and black-tie weddings," LaVine says. A coat like this is also worth a larger investment.

Save: ASOS Design Tailored Single-Breasted Dad Coat, $100
Spend: Boston Proper Full-Length Tailored Coat, $200
Splurge: Nana Jacqueline Evie Long Suit Jacket, $685

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