If you’re headed to one or more weddings this summer and are not sure what to wear, start with the dress code – if one is indicated on the invite – and also consider the venue.
“It’s going to give you a vibe of the overall theme without knowing the details of what the wedding is going to be like,” says fashion stylist Erica Wark. “For example, if it is in Prince Edward County in a vintage barn, you’re not going to be wearing a gown. Alternatively, if it’s at the Four Seasons in Toronto, likely you’re going to be wearing something more elevated.”
Then, other than avoiding white “unless otherwise specified,” Wark says it’s just about “finding something that you put on and you feel genuinely excited about.” And once you have that item or look chosen, feel free to rewear it to other weddings and special occasions, perhaps with some additions or styling updates. “When you find or try something on that gives you all those good feels, you’re going to wear it far more often, and so you will get more creative in how you’re styling it because you love it so much,” says Wark.
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Making the most of a maxi dress
Boho dresses and separates are popular on and off the runway this year. “Lots of ruffles. … [They] are still going strong,” says Cat Tham, who does trend forecasting and planning for Vancouver-based retailer Park & Fifth. “Especially for a summer wedding, it feels fun and flirty.” Lace textures and embroidery details are also popular, adds Tham.
To rewear the same maxi dress across multiple events, consider adding a tuxedo jacket or silky scarf, in matching or complementary colours. “In evening settings, a lot of people [are] accessorizing with scarves,” says Tham. “It makes it feel really elegant and a little bit extra.”
You can even shorten an older maxi dress to give it a fresh update. “Take your long dress and let’s play with the hem length a little bit,” says Tham. The tailor could add a slit, or even use the fabric they remove to create a ruffle hem.
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Making the most of a mini-dress
The structured mini-dress is having a moment. And you could wear it with leather ballet flats or embellished sandals for one wedding, and then layered over flowy silk pants for the next. When layering, choose a pant in a colour and texture that is complementary to the dress, even if the fabrics differ.
Switching up your accessories will also change your dress for each occasion. Maybe it’s adding a cool belt instead of a necklace, or swapping out flats for a kitten heel. “Subtle changes can make a huge impact on your outfit,” says Wark.
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Making the most of a matching set
Making the most of a relaxed suit
Relaxed suiting is one of the biggest men’s wear trends this season.
To wear the same suit to multiple celebrations without it feeling stale, the key is to mix up the styling and accessories. “It’s sort of a misconception that suits are boring,” says Wark. “They can actually be quite fun with accessories. … It could be changing out the dress shirt from a simple white shirt or a simple black shirt to a print, it could be adding a lapel pin … it could be switching out your belt and shoes to a different colourway.”
Wark also recommends a pair of novelty dress socks, which she says can be great conversation starters at weddings. “When we go to weddings so often we are stuck at tables with people we don’t know, and [fun socks] can be an incredible icebreaker, especially if you’re going to a wedding as a single person.”
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