Happy Thursday, Ladies! Today’s post is all about Petite Wedding Guest Dresses. In North America, the most popular months to get married are June, September and October. Where we live, in the Southern US, weddings tend to happen in the early spring and in the fall because summer is way too hot! In 2024, fall weddings are the trend, with the most popular month being September.
All of this to say that we are headed into fall wedding season! Depending on where you live, if you’re headed to a wedding, you’ll likely be looking for a wedding guest dress that walks the line between summer and fall.
The Summary
Today, Kelly shares how to shop for and style a transitional wedding guest dress
The outfit is shoppable via text and image widgets
Find shoppable accessories and a collection of Petite Wedding Guest Dresses
Petite Wedding Guest Dresses
How to Shop for a Transitional Wedding Guest Dress
When looking for a transitional wedding guest dress, I always consider the sleeves. Will the dress sleeves become a crumpled mess if I wear a jacket or wrap over it?
Without sleeves to worry about getting crushed in the shoulder of a jacket, the halter style is a perfect transitional wedding guest dress because it’s easy to top with a sharp blazer, like the Regent Blazer, if the weather is chilly.
Another consideration is, if I do need to wear a coat or jacket, will the dress in question go with things I already have in my closet? If I am buying a new dress, I don’t necessarily want to spend money on a jacket or wrap to go with it – especially if I have budgeted for a new pair of shoes to go with a new dress.
While keeping these considerations in mind, I think of whether the weather will be mild enough that I can wear a dress with sleeves that won’t require a jacket or wrap at all. Something like the Twist Front Puff Sleeve Ruffle Hem Dress.
Last year, I went to a wedding in California in October. I know that October is one of the hottest months in that area of the California coast, so I felt safe enough to wear a dress that would be comfortable in the heat and wouldn’t require a jacket all – so puff sleeves and bow tie shoulders abound! LOL!
My Husband and Me at a Wedding in October 2023
How I Have Styled This Transitional Wedding Guest Dress
Today I am wearing the Somerset Halter Maxi Dress from Anthropologie. Anthro is usually my first stop when I am looking for an occasion dress. They have a robust petite dress collection in a range of price points and styles. I originally wanted to share the Pink version with you, which is a patchwork of romantic roses in a beautiful fall color palette. It was sold out in petite sizes last week, but it’s back in stock in all petite sizes! I am headed to a wedding in October and might snatch up the Pink version while I can. It also comes in a Neutral motif.
Somerset Maxi Dress in Pink Motif
Somerset Maxi Dress in Neutral Motif
So while this Green motif was not my first choice of the Somerset Halter Maxi Dresses, I have to say I absolutely love this dress! It’s a pull-over style with buttons at the halter neck.
Shop the Outfit
Somerset Halter Maxi Dress | Vince Camuto Saprenda Heels | Gia Raffia Clutch
The wide smocked waist is a very comfortable waist-defining feature and the drape of the skirt is a dream. This truly feels like a gown and I love the approachable elegance of the whole dress.
Since it’s a halter neck, the pressure is off to find a necklace – which if you’ve read my posts for a while now, you’ll know I don’t really wear jewelry very much. But, I do have a few fun bracelets to choose from, and I went with a gold bead layered bracelet from J.Crew, which is sold out. Another beautiful option would be a simple, yet bold cuff like the Textured Hinge Cuff, or the Wide Snake-Link Bracelet. Both are from J.Crew and are super affordable.
Shop the Outfit
Somerset Halter Maxi Dress | Vince Camuto Saprenda Heels | Gia Raffia Clutch
How to Style a Transitional Wedding Guest Dress
Comfort is one of my biggest considerations when it comes to wedding guest attire. There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable in your outfit for hours at such a special event.
Comfortable footwear is a very personal matter. What works for me might be a terrible choice for you. So it’s important to know what works best for yourself when looking for the perfect pair of shoes for that wedding guest dress. While I love the opportunity to wear a pair of heels, sometimes it’s just not the best option. Especially if it’s an outdoor wedding, the terrain might be incompatible with heels.
Something I love about the idea of dressy flats is that the opportunity to wear them will likely come up more often than heels – at least that’s the case for me!
Embellished Removable Strap Ballet Flat
Cammy Slingback Pointed Toe Flats
Just because it’s getting late in the summer season doesn’t necessarily mean you have to ditch your woven raffia bag. The natural-color versions might feel too summery, but if your ensemble allows for black, you can get away with a black woven clutch.
Shop More Transitional Wedding Guest Dresses
1.
Cowl Neck Flare Midi Dress
Shop Now
2.
Floral Mock Neck Shift Dress
Shop Now3.
Boatneck Flare Midi Dress
Shop Now
4.
Boatneck Wrap Sheath Dress
Shop Now5.
Striped Midi Halter Pocket Dress
Shop Now
6.
Twist Front Puff Sleeve Ruffle Hem Dress
Shop Now7.
Sleeveless V-Neck Wrap Dress
Shop Now
8.
The Fleur Strapless Satin Maxi Slip Dress
Shop Now9.
Floral Tie Strap Maxi Dress
(Loft)
Shop Now
10.
Tie Strap Tiered Maxi Dress
(Loft)
Shop NowIn Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth shared what we are shopping on Amazon this month. Make sure to click the title or image below to read the article.
What We Are Shopping at Amazon This Month
About The Author
These are some of the best pictures I have seen of you!! I love this dress!
Thanks so much, Lisa! xo Kelly
Love, love, love your lighter hair color and highlights. Fabulous on you!! I have a terrible time buying shoes and hope you can tell me the brand you are wearing in the photos. They might not be available where they were purchased, but I’d like to try and locate them.
Thanks
Hi Hetty, Thanks so much! The shoes I am wearing are the Vince Camuto Saprenda Heels
They are super comfortable and a great all-purpose black heel. Hope that helps! xo Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Great post today! And you just look so pretty! That dress becomes you and is an Anthro winner. Thanks for the tips and photos — inspiring.
Hope you’re staying dry there; NC is getting hammered.
Thank you, Carolina Girl! We got some rain from Debby last night, but not as much as we needed. I hope all is well for you in NC, take care! xo Kelly
Kelly looks wonderful in that beautiful dress!
But why oh why are manufacturers making everything so long, even petites! I have to have everything hemmed (and that gets expensive). As an over 60, I can’t wear Kelly’s fabulous looking 4-inch heels.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Robin! xo Kelly
Kelly, you look lovely. I like the green version of the dress. The color really compliments you. The green with the scenery looks so serene. Also your highlighted hair makes your complexion glow. Great photo shoot.
Thanks so much Judy! xo Kelly
Those dresses are stunning! Kelly, you look lovely in both dresses. I’m not petite, but I do appreciate the challenges getting the right fit and proportions.
Thanks so much, Nancy! xo Kelly
Kelly, your an “ethereal beauty” from your head to your toes in this oufit ! Those heels are perfection.
Love your new highlights and your skin is glowing ,giving it a lit from within effect.
Well done my dear.
Denise Wells
Thank you, Denise! xo Kelly
Kelly, you look great!
Thank you, Karen! xo Kelly
Great post! Kelly you look lovely! I love everything about your outfit. Great choices! I’m petite/short as well. I look forward to these Thursday posts! thanks so much!
Thank you, Lynn! I am so happy you find my Thursday posts helpful! xo Kelly
Great post with good fashion ideas, Kelly. And the post has some beautiful pictures of you!!
Thank you so much, Ann! xo Kelly
That halter dress is stunning, but even better you are stunning in it! Just beautiful. Love your highlights!
Thank you, Beth! xo Kelly
Kelly, that is such a beautiful dress on you! Excellent choice!
Thank you so much, Nancy! xo Kelly
Kelly, you look stunning!
Thank you, Suzanne! xo Kelly