Your Guide to Semi-Formal Wedding Attire

“A semi-formal wedding dress code can be confusing and pose a bit of a fashion conundrum for some,” says Alexandra Macon, founder of Over The Moon. Probably the most used and the least specific wedding guest dress code, “semi-formal” attire can run the gamut and apply to an array of venues, seasons, and time of day. Unlike “black tie,” the stipulations aren’t spelled out for you. (“Cocktail” even delineates its own category of dresses on most e-commerce sites.) “The pro is that it typically means guests have some flexibility when it comes to what to wear—but the con is you have no idea what everyone else is going to show up in,” she continues. “It’s like that famous line from Forrest Gump about life being like a box of chocolates—when it comes to a semi-formal dress code, you never know what you’re going to get, and there’s a decent chance that guests may end up looking like a sartorial hodgepodge.” But don’t let that scare you.

“The good news is that, when choosing your own look—and vying for the title of ‘best dressed guest’—maxis, midis, and minis all work well here. You can select the hemline and silhouette that flatters you best, and get creative with regards to the material. A midi in silk is always a smart choice, and for summer, even cotton can be worn if the style is elevated enough.” Macon also suggests employing accessories to your advantage. “If you opt for a printed midi like this Carolina Herrera dress with a fit and flare skirt, add a great pair of colorful earrings—like those in our Loren Hope assortment, a handbag that tells a story, or statement shoes that you can dance all night in.” Whether you’re headed to a beach wedding or courthouse nuptials, a barn soiree or an outdoor wedding, we’ve rounded up suggestions across each category that should hopefully satisfy your impending semi-formal event.