Hello, it’s great to see you today! Yesterday, Beth shared a variety of chic and classic wedding guest dresses. Today, I am sharing a wedding guest dress perfect for a casual or cocktail-attire summer wedding. After planning and organizing my own wedding three years ago, being a guest at a wedding feels like a vacation! For the few other weddings I have been to, I quite enjoy the ease of being a guest and just enjoying the celebration of the day.
The Summary
Today Kelly shows us a variety of petite summer wedding guest dresses
One of the dresses is modeled and the others have been put together on boards
The dress is shoppable via a text or image widget
The boards are shoppable via a text widget
Petite Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
1. Love The Label Poppy Dress
(Neiman Marcus)
For a casual or cocktail-attire summer wedding, a shorter hemline dress that is fun and feels celebratory is in order. And the Poppy Dress by Love The Label fits the bill. This dress is sold as a mini dress, but for a petite like me, it falls just above the knee. I found this dress locally, here in Athens, but you can find it online at Neiman Marcus. I am wearing size xs.
Love The Label Poppy Cotton Dress (Nieman Marcus) | Lana Convertible Bag (Hobo) | Waver Wristlet (Hobo) | Rayne Pleated Clutch (Loeffler Randall) | Aerosoles Emmex Sandal (DSW) | Jody Sandal (DSW) | Josie Sandal (Cole Haan) | Two-Strap Block Heel Sandal | (Ann Taylor)
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2. Dress Details
To me, being an infrequent wedding guest means not going crazy buying a dress that I will never have the opportunity to wear again. I don’t know about you, but we don’t have much opportunity to attend black tie galas, or super fancy events. So, I like to look for a dress that will fit the occasion and that I will be able to wear again.
This is where the dress’s details matter. While the shape of this dress is a loose shift, or tent shape, the sharp pleats of the double cap sleeve and neckline give it a more polished look. Similarly, the gathering of the bottom tier of the skirt creates a slight ruffle. If the structure of the dress is simple, or casual, it’s details like this that can elevate it to wedding guest attire.
Love The Label Poppy Cotton Dress (Nieman Marcus) | Lana Convertible Bag (Hobo) | Waver Wristlet (Hobo) | Rayne Pleated Clutch (Loeffler Randall) | Aerosoles Emmex Sandal (DSW) | Jody Sandal (DSW) | Josie Sandal (Cole Haan) | Two-Strap Block Heel Sandal | (Ann Taylor)
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3. Accessories
Another leveling-up comes with the accessories. To emphasize the bright Kelly green color of the dress and to create a stark contrast, I went with black accessories. The Poppy Dress has a 1960’s vibe to it so I decided to go with a modern take on the block heel sandal. These J.Crew suede Penny Sandals are a few years old, but here are similar styles.
(HOBO) Waver Wristlet | (HOBO) Lana Convertible Bag | (Loeffler Randall) Rayne Pleated Clutch
And then my go-to for dressy handbags, my TSATSAS Black Tape clutch. I have gathered a couple similar bags by HOBO, plus one that’s not so similar but that would be a ton of fun with this dress, the Rayne Pleated Clutch by Loeffler Randall.
(DSW) Aerosoles Emmex Sandal | (Cole Haan) Josie Sandal | (Ann Taylor) Two-Strap Block Heel Sandal | (DSW) CL by Laundry Jody Sandal
Love The Label Poppy Cotton Dress (Nieman Marcus) | Lana Convertible Bag (Hobo) | Waver Wristlet (Hobo) | Rayne Pleated Clutch (Loeffler Randall) | Aerosoles Emmex Sandal (DSW) | Jody Sandal (DSW) | Josie Sandal (Cole Haan) | Two-Strap Block Heel Sandal | (Ann Taylor)
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Petite Wedding Guest Dresses
While I have dressed up this dress with black accessories, I can see wearing this dress for a variety of occasions; pairing it with wedge espadrilles; or flat slide sandals for something more casual. An easy, breezy dress, fit for a variety of occasions, now that’s my kind of summer dress! xo Kelly
Top Board (J.Crew): Stretch Linen Sheath Dress | Cupro Gwyneth Slip Dress | Stretch Linen A-Line Dress | Bottom Left Board (Banana Republic): Radiant One Shoulder Dress | Belay Silk Dress | Ramie Open-Back Dress Bottom Right Board (Banana Republic Factory): Linen Midi Dress | Color Block Midi Dress | Ruffle Dress
Who says you have to wear a dress? A comfortable Linen Suit might be the way to go!
Board: Linen Cupro Trouser (J.Crew) | Linen Cupro Blazer (J.Crew) | Belay Silk Top (Banana Republic) | Loeffler Randall Camellia Knotted Sandal (Nordstrom) | Loeffler Randall Rayne Pleated Clutch (Nordstrom)
In Case You Missed It
This morning, Beth did a deep dive into Talbots’ summer collection. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Talbots Summer Collection Deep Dive
About The Author
Hi Kelly,
First, I love your new hair style, very pretty on you.
Second you look great in that beautiful green dress.
Nice choice for wedding and less formal occasions.
Julie
Thank you so much, Julie!
You look great in the green dress. Love your suggestion of wearing a linen pantsuit! That seems so comfortable & then easily turns into separate pieces that can be worn multiple ways.
Hi Michelle, I love the idea of a pant suit for a wedding guest outfit. You’re so right; it’s super comfortable and you do get a lot of bang for your buck with the separates. Thank you so much! xo Kelly
Awesome. So fresh … and you wear it so well, Kelly. Love it. I totally agree: pick something that doesn’t look so “wedding-y” so you can get more mileage. Love seeing what you choose along with Beth.
Thanks so much Carolina Girl! This dress is really comfortable and fun to wear in this bright Kelly green! xo Kelly
I wish I had done what you did, i.e., bought a dress for a family wedding that would’ve been more practical… the wedding was in 2019 & have I worn the dress since then? Nope… & nothing to do with Covid, lol… Thanks for tip & you look adorable!
Hi Marybeth, I hear ya! You know, I think for the next summer wedding I go to, I might have to get that linen suit! I love the idea of having the separates. Thanks so much for stopping by! xo Kelly