If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a traditionalist; an ethos that extends from my personal style and interests right into my disinterest in weddings. I never played bridal dress-up as a little girl, instead riding around on a Fisher-Price motorcycle. So while I’m always sincerely happy for my loved ones getting married, I’d be even happier to hear they eloped. Nuptials are possibly my least favorite gathering; the prospect of putting together a note-perfect outfit often only adds to my aversion.
One thing I’ve learned over my years in the guest seat: I may not be able to control my social battery draining by the time the reception rolls around, but I can control what I wear so I still feel like myself. And if you, like me, aren’t interested in throwing on any black suit or floor-length pastel slip dress in the name of easy formality, I’ve put together a few unconventional wedding guest outfit formulas I rely on whenever the occasion calls for it.
Vogue’s Favorite Non-Traditional Wedding Guest Attire:
Instead of purchasing (or renting) a slew of dresses destined to be worn once, I’m keen on a slowly acquired capsule wardrobe of formal and semi-formal attire I can reach for at a moment’s notice. Even if my edgier-leaning aesthetic isn’t exactly your cup of tea, there is a method to my stylistic madness: The secret, I’ve found, is to discover your favorite silhouettes, stick with them, and get creative with accessories.
Scroll on to discover four adaptable outfit ideas for the wedding non-traditionalist.
The Black-Tie Attire
I often find myself asking—what even is black tie? In lay terms, it’s a floor-length gown over a cocktail dress, or a tux over a suit. That said, black-tie dressing doesn’t have to be stodgy, nor does it have to feel like a prom. I gravitate towards dresses with draped and ruched details for their figure-flattering cuts. Then, I use accessories to add personality—this is where I like to lean into what one of my favorite designers, Simone Rocha, calls “hardcore femininity.”
