What to Wear to a Summer Wedding in 2025: Formal, Cocktail, Casual

Attending a wedding this summer? What if we told you that it was possible to show up looking hot without actually feeling hot? That's right. When it comes to what to wear to a summer wedding, we just may have cracked the code. Of course, we had a little help from style experts at brands like Rent the Runway, Indochino and Suitsupply. When dressing for high temps and humidity, there are some clear dos and don'ts. When you know what they are, it's much easier to decide what to wear to a wedding in the summer. Below, we're sharing all the summer wedding guest attire hacks you won't want to miss. Keep scrolling for expert advice, plus a list of places to shop this season.

In this article:

• What to Wear to a Summer Wedding
• Summer Wedding Attire by Dress Code
• Where to Buy an Outfit for a Summer Wedding

Photo: Sposto Photography

What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

So, how do you go about deciding what to wear to a summer wedding? Your first instinct might be to reach for that classic black suit or floor-length gown, but dark colors and heavy fabrics are the last thing you'll want to be wearing on a scorching July afternoon. To avoid a potentially sweaty situation, here are a few key things to look for when picking out an outfit for an outdoor wedding, or any event this season.

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Airy Dresses and Skirts: "Keep the heat in mind when choosing your summer wedding attire," suggests fashion expert and former style director at Rent the Runway, Blaire Walsh. "Wear dresses or skirts that allow for a bit of a breeze and are made from lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, charmeuse, jersey, crepe and viscose." When it comes to silhouettes, steer clear of anything overly form-fitting. For outdoor summer wedding attire, you can't go wrong with an A-line style.

Blended Suit Fabrics: Choosing the right fabric composition for your suit is the key to keeping cool at a summer wedding. "Wool-linen suits are a popular choice for summer because they have the strength and durability of wool, paired with the lightweight feel of linen," says Dean Handspiker, vice president of retail at Indochino. "They also don't create as many wrinkles and creases as 100% linen suits do," he adds. For those looking for a lightweight suit that also feels ultra-soft to the touch, Handspiker recommends a wool-silk blend.

Bold Colors and Prints: When thinking about what to wear to an outdoor summer wedding, consider sporting colors and patterns that will stand out against the setting. Floral and tropical prints were practically made for summer nuptials. You can't go wrong with neons or pastels either. Summer is all about taking risks when it comes to fashion, and incorporating a pop of color or pattern is the perfect way to do so.

Earth Tones: If you constantly find yourself reaching for black clothes, consider this your sign to switch things up this season. Suitsupply style expert Marc Harmeling recommends wearing lighter shades that don't absorb as much heat from the sun. "Earth tones like beige, light gray and greens are go-to seasonal colors," he explains. "A natural color palette with beige and brown tones paired with a crisp white shirt freshens up any look."

Functional Footwear: Getting a heel caught in the sand or grass can be a recipe for disaster. If you're attending an outdoor summer wedding this season, be sure to wear a functional pair of wedding guest shoes. Dressy sandals, ballet flats, woven loafers and espadrilles are a few of our favorite styles for summer. If you want to add a bit more height to your look, you can always go for a wedge or platform with a flat sole.

Seasonal Accessories: Since summer is the time to head outdoors, it's no surprise that our favorite seasonal accessories take inspiration from nature. Pearl necklaces, seashell-shaped earrings and lifelike brooch boutonnieres are some of our favorite ways to accessorize this time of year. Of course, you'll also need a place to store all your warm weather must-haves (like anti-chafe sticks and portable fans), and that's where your wedding guest purse comes in. Again, focussing on materials found in nature, we love rattan and bamboo bags for summer.

Photo: Brandon Kidd Photography

Summer Wedding Attire by Dress Code

While rising temps may have you in a more laid-back state of mind, it's still important to consider the dress code before picking out your outfit for a summer wedding. The couple's invitation or wedding website should give an idea of their summer wedding attire expectations. For even more guidance, read up on the most common summer wedding dress codes below, and follow our style tips to find a great outfit for any occasion.

Summer Formal Wedding Attire

For a summer formal wedding, you can't go wrong with a well-tailored tuxedo or glamorous floor-length gown. Like we mentioned earlier, there are plenty of ways to make your summer formal attire more seasonally appropriate (like opting for a suit made from lightweight fabric or a formal wedding guest dress in a seasonal color or pattern). Accessories can help further elevate your formal attire for a summer wedding. If you're wearing a suit, try adding a pocket square or tie with a floral print. If you're wearing a dress, you can finish off your look with an elegant embellished clutch.

Cocktail & Semi-Formal Wedding Attire

If you think of wedding dress codes as a spectrum, both semi-formal and cocktail attire for summer weddings would fall somewhere in the middle. While neither dress code requires a full tuxedo or floor-length evening gown, you'll still want to put some effort into your outfit. For a summer cocktail attire wedding, you can wear a suit without a tie or a sportcoat and slacks. For a semi-formal summer wedding, feel free to skip the jacket altogether. If you plan on wearing a dress, a midi length is preferred for both semi-formal and cocktail weddings. Mini dresses can also work, as long as they're dressed up with a nice pair of heels or wedges.

Casual Summer Wedding Attire

An invitation to a backyard wedding or a ceremony on the sand might seem like a chance to throw on your most casual summer wedding apparel, but there are some things you'll want to avoid. For the purposes of wedding wear, assume this dress code means business casual to be on the safe side. In other words, you should steer clear of jeans, flip-flops, athleisure and any other pieces of clothing that don't match the celebratory vibe of the day. Instead, opt for a floral sundress, a linen frock or chinos and a polo shirt. The good news: It's totally acceptable to wear sandals with your summer casual wedding attire, as long as they're clean and somewhat dressy.

Photo: Megan Noll Photography

Where to Buy an Outfit for a Summer Wedding

Did you know that some of the best outfits for summer weddings are just a few clicks away? That's right. When you know exactly where to look, finding wedding attire for summer can actually be quite simple. Keep scrolling to check out a few of our favorite online retailers.

Summer Wedding Attire for Women

Since so many weddings take place this time of year, it never hurts to have a few extra summer wedding guest dresses on hand. And while you're at it, why not throw in a pair of stylish sandals and a cute clutch as well? From dresses and skirts to shoes and accessories, these five retailers have everything you need to create the perfect summer wedding look.

Lulus: If you're a frequent wedding guest and looking to stock up on summer wedding clothes, you have to check out Lulus. Not only are they one of the most affordable places to find dresses, jumpsuits and separates, but they also have frequent sales. With so many options under $100, you might even have room in the budget to grab a pair of shoes and some accessories from their site as well. Use code "THEKNOT20" for 20% off first-time purchases.

Petal & Pup: Whether you're looking for summer wedding clothing to wear to a tropical destination wedding or an upscale garden party, you'll love the options at Petal & Pup. The beloved online boutique specializes in dresses for every occasion. Not to mention, they have plenty of styles under $100. Use code "PETALXKNOT" for 15% off your purchase.

Abercrombie & Fitch: It seems like everyone is raving about Abercrombie & Fitch lately, and we're here to say the hype is totally justified. In case you didn't know, the buzzy retailer has evolved a lot since your middle school days. Their glow up includes the addition of The A&F Wedding Shop, where you can find high-quality summer wedding looks in standard, petite and tall sizing.

Anthropologie: Willing to splurge on your formal summer wedding attire? Turn to Anthropologie, one of the internet's favorite places to buy luxury clothing and accessories. Here, you'll find plenty of fresh, of-the-moment styles from up-and-coming designers. Shop online or in-store at one of their many retailers across the county.

Rent the Runway: Amid a wedding boom, it might not be feasible to buy all new sumer wedding guest outfits—but that's where Rent the Runway comes in. With options from nearly 800 designers on their site, renters gain access to the ultimate shared designer closet with endless options to choose from, starting at $94 a month for four items.

Summer Wedding Attire for Men

We know just how important it is for you to show up looking sharp at every event from June to August. That's why we rounded up the best places to find men's summer wedding attire. Whether you're searching for summer formal attire or men's casual summer outfits, you're sure to find exactly what you need at one of these five online shops.

Nordstrom: When you aren't sure what to wear to a summer wedding, you can't go wrong with a trip to Nordstrom. The big-box retailer has over 350 locations across the country, which means you're never too far from a physical location. If shopping online is more your style, you can find tons of wedding-worthy outfits for summer weddings on their site.

Indochino: Given the popularity of summer weddings, this season could be a great time to invest in a new suit or tux. When it comes to formal summer outfits, nobody does it quite like Indochino. The brand, which is accessible online or at select Nordstrom stores across the US, specializes in made-to-measure formalwear designed to fit your unique style and measurements.

Jos. A. Bank: Need a wedding suit pronto? Check out the diverse collection of ready-to-wear suits and separates at Jos. A. Bank. They have tons of classic and contemporary styles that are perfect for summer wedding guests. We love that many of their beloved styles are also available in big and tall size ranges. Plus, you truly can't beat their prices!

Bonobos: In addition to suits and tuxedos, the popular menswear brand, Bonobos, also offers a variety of outfit selections for less-formal weddings too, like blazers, chinos, button-ups and colorful printed shirts. On their site, you'll even find accessories like ties, pocket squares and more.

The Tie Bar: There's no better way to complete your cocktail or formal summer wedding outfit than with a seasonal accessory. Head to The Tie Bar to find a stylish addition to your look. In addition to ties, they also have pocket squares, cuff links, lapel pins and so much more. The best part? Many of their products cost less than $20. Use code "TIEBARxKNOT15" for 15% off your purchase.

*Additional reporting by Sarah Hanlon.