What to Wear to a Winter Wedding as a Guest This Year

When planning what to wear to a winter wedding, I'm often faced with a dilemma: How to look cute without freezing my tail off. Fortunately, through a bit of trial and error, I've discovered the secret to styling a winter wedding guest outfit that's equal parts fashionable and functional. Dressing for events this time of year is all about the art of layering. And no, I don't mean pairing your elegant evening gown with a puffer coat that doesn't fit the vibe. I'm talking about strategic layering that adds warmth without changing the overall aesthetic of your outfit. Below, I've broken down my top tips for styling wedding outfits for winter wedding guests. I've also shared a few of my favorite shoppable looks for the upcoming season.

In this article: What to Wear to a Winter Wedding as a Guest | Where to Buy Clothes for a Winter Wedding

Wedding Outfits for Winter Wedding Guests: December | January | February

What to Wear to a Winter Wedding as a Guest

If you're attending a winter wedding, what to wear as a guest is likely top-of-mind. While the dress code of the event is the main thing to consider, you'll also want to think about the weather. Even if the wedding isn't taking place outdoors, chances are you'll want a look with a bit more coverage. Luckily, winter offers the perfect opportunity to break out your winter wedding guest dresses and suits made from heavier fabrics, like crepe, velvet and corduroy. As for styles, you can't go wrong with long-sleeve wedding guest dresses. For suiting, you might even consider swapping out your classic button-down with a knit sweater.

When it comes to colors, feel free to keep things classic. Navy blue and black are foolproof picks for events all winter long. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you could always lean into jewel tones, like ruby red or emerald green. Just steer clear of neons, pastels and any shade that might give off a more summery vibe.

Like I said earlier, layering is key to creating the perfect winter wedding guest outfit. Come prepared for a variety of weather scenarios. (trust us—you won't want to leave your umbrella at home.) One of my favorite accessories to wear over a wedding guest dress is a cozy shawl. They're oh-so chic, plus they're easy to take off once it's time to hit the dance floor. As for suiting, think outside the box when it comes to your coat. While a herringbone tweed blazer might feel out of place at a summer event, it will fit right in during the winter. Plus, when layered over a long-sleeve dress shirt, it will be much warmer than your classic suit jacket.

Formal Attire for Winter Wedding Guests

Winter weddings that request black-tie or formal wedding attire leave you with a daunting task: Finding an outfit that's equal parts stylish and practical. Enter: velvet fabrics. Not only are dresses and suits made from velvet much cozier than your classic options, but they also look incredibly elegant thanks to the way they shine under light. You can opt for a full velvet evening gown, or top off a satin slip with a velvet stole. (These fabrics look great together, BTW.) As for suiting, I love pairing jewel-toned velvet jackets with classic black slacks.

Winter Cocktail Attire for Wedding Guests

A cocktail attire wedding gives you the perfect chance to recycle some of your favorite holiday party looks. That's right—That festive jumpsuit or sequined mini dress you've been keeping in your closet can have a second chance to shine. Cocktail attire is a bit less rigid than other dress codes, so don't be afraid to lean into vibrant colors and prints here. Like I mentioned earlier, jewel tones were practically made for winter. You might also want to experiment with metallics (gold and silver are totally on-trend this season).

Semi-Formal Winter Attire for Wedding Guests

When it comes to semi-formal attire weddings, there are a few tried-and-true looks you might consider (ie: satin midi dresses and blue or black suits). However, these aren't your only options this time of year. You might consider stepping up your seasonal attire with some accessories. For instance, you can style a floral or satin midi dress for winter by throwing a faux fur stole on top. For suiting, add in a festive tie or pocket square. An emerald green or sapphire blue accessory is sure to tie your seasonal ensemble together.

Casual Winter Wedding Attire for Guests

Casual wedding attire for a winter wedding gives you a bit more flexibility. That means you can totally weave some of your favorite pieces of everyday wear into your look. Suede booties and felt hats, for example, can give your look a seasonal touch, while still staying true to the dress code. Don't be afraid to reach for your knitwear pieces either. A sweater dress or a turtleneck with slacks both make great casual winter wedding attire options.

Outfits for December Wedding Guests

With holiday season right around the corner, you're probably eager to break out your most festive attire options. (I'm talking sequins, metallics, velvet and everything in between.) Coincidentally, these are some of my favorite looks for a December wedding. A velvet evening gown or tuxedo is great for a more formal dress code, while a sparkly mini could work for a cocktail or semi-formal event. As for colors, shades of black, navy and red work well. But jewel tones don't have to be limited to just your attire. December is also the perfect time to accessorize to the max, so go ahead and break out those ruby or emerald earrings.

Burgundy Satin Maxi Dress With Draped Cowl Back

Photo: Lulus

Size range: XXS–3X

Use code THEKNOT25 for 25% off first-time purchases on selected categories.

Faux Fur Stole

Photo: Lulus

Use code THEKNOT25 for 25% off first-time purchases on selected categories.

Crystal Tennis Necklace

Photo: Swarovski

Gold Metallic Kitten Heels

Photo: Dolce Vita

Size range: 5–13

Black Velvet Tuxedo Jacket

Photo: Bonobos

Size range: 36S–48L

Black Wool Tuxedo Pants

Photo: Bonobos

Size range: 28–40

White Tuxedo Shirt With Black Buttons

Photo: Bonobos

Black Satin Bow Tie

Photo: The Tie Bar

Use code TIEBARxKNOT15 for 15% off your purchase.

What to Wear to a January Wedding

New year, new you, right? Start the year off strong with a unique January wedding guest outfit. You can swap your classic wedding guest dress with a stylish jumpsuit or a two-piece set. If you're wearing a suit, consider choosing a bold color like emerald green or teal. No matter what you decide to wear, be sure that it will keep you warm, since January is the coldest month in most cities. Pro tip: Add discreet layers to your look to add warmth without changing the overall appearance. For example, if you're planning on wearing a dress, go for a floor length number, that way you can secretly sport fleece tights underneath. If you're wearing a suit, consider adding an additional long-sleeve under your dress shirt.

Black Off-the-Shoulder Midi Dress

Photo: Adrianna Papell

Size range: 0–20

Use code THEKNOT25 for $25 off purchases of $100 or more.

Black Shapewear Tights

Photo: SKIMS

Size range: XXS–4X

Black Leather Slingback Pumps

Photo: Quince

Size range: 5–11

Black Sparkly Clutch

Photo: REVOLVE

Emerald Green Velvet Suit

Photo: Indochino

Size range: Custom

Black Dress Shirt

Photo: Quince

Size range: S–XXL

Black Oxford Dress Shoes

Photo: DSW

Size range: 7–13

February Wedding Guest Outfits

My advice on what to wear to a February wedding varies on the location of the event. Some cities might be experiencing an early spring, while others may still be blanketed in snow. That said, be sure to do a bit of research before finalizing your outfit plans. Whether you're wondering what to wear to an outdoor wedding, or one indoors, you should come prepared with outerwear. Try pairing a knit sweater with a plaid suit (it will look stylish whether you choose to wear it with or without the jacket). For dresses, a structured wool coat will elevate your look, plus, it can easily be removed if the weather doesn't require it.

Long Sleeve Floral Maxi Dress

Photo: ASTR The Label

Size range: XS–3X

Black Kitten Heel Boots

Photo: Banana Republic Factory

Size range: 6–10

Black Satin Pleated Hard Clutch

Photo: Lulus

Use code THEKNOT25 for 25% off first-time purchases on selected categories.

Taupe Corduroy Suit Jacket

Photo: Macy's

Size range: 30–48

White Knit Polo

Photo: Madewell

Size range: XS–XXL

Brown Leather Penny Loafers

Photo: Banana Republic Factory

Size range: 8–12

Brown Leather Belt

Photo: Banana Republic Factory

Size range: 30–42

Where to Buy Clothes for a Winter Wedding

Continuing your search for winter wedding looks for guests? Below, I've rounded up a few of my favorite online retailers where you can find cozy-yet-cute outfits.

• Lulus: What if I told you that you didn't have to break the bank to find the winter wedding guest outfit of your dreams? Lulus has countless options for under $100, making it easy to stick to your budget. I'm obsessed with their satin and velvet gowns (which are comparable to much pricier options.) They also have faux fur stoles for you to finish off your look with. Use our code THEKNOT25 for 25% off first-time purchases on selected categories.
• Petal & Pup: Petal & Pup is one of my favorite places to shop wedding guest attire year round. Their styles range from classic satin midi dresses to festive floral frocks, and everything in between. Of course, when it comes to winter wedding guest styles, there's no shortage of options either. On their site you'll find plenty of cozy knit dresses and accessories. Plus, you can use our code PETALXKNOT for 15% off your order.
• Nuuly: If you live somewhere with a mild winter, you might not get much use out of your winter wedding guest attire after the event is over. Enter: Nuuly. With so many options available to rent online, you won't have to worry about excess clothes taking up precious space in your closet. You can rent all your wedding guest attire essentials from Nuuly from one convenient price.
• Banana Republic: It's no mystery why Banana Republic is a go-to for wedding guest attire. They carry outfit essentials for every season. In addition to a variety of guest dresses and suits, you'll also find plenty of outerwear options on their site. Not to mention, they also have shoes and accessories, making them the perfect one-stop-shop for all your wedding guest wardrobe needs.
• Bonobos: If you want to stand out this season, Bonobos has you covered. Their selection of on-trend options includes plenty of cozy picks for winter. Their knitwear is particularly popular amongst fans of the brand. I love the versatility that their pieces offer. Trust me when I say you'll love your Bonobos outfit long after the wedding.