31 Summer Wedding Guest Dresses to Get You Through the Season in Style

Maximalist Prints. A true standout from the other trend predictions on this list, vibrant colors and bold prints are expected to thrive this summer. But proceed with caution—the last thing you want is to draw too much attention to yourself and potentially upstage the happy couple. “If you’re on the hunt for a vibrantly-hued wedding guest dress this summer, I recommend opting for clementine orange,” advises Reese. “The saturated, juicy orange will give your look (and your mood!) a boost that’s perfect for celebrating the happy couple on the reception dance floor! The best part? This shade is flattering across a wide variety of skin tones.”
Solid Hues. “Solid colors are a major go-to this season, whether it’s a bright pink or a baby blue pastel,” says Loizou. If a maximalist print isn’t really your vibe, but you’re sick and tired of your same old LBD, opt for a single cheery hue instead. “Sticking to one color allows more room to have fun and get creative with accessories,” Loizou explains. To shake things up, try adding a contrasting clutch or some vibrant earrings.
Timeless Classics. “Last summer, we saw a 21 percent increase in requests for wedding-specific looks from clients,” says Reese. And that trend is only continuing as we head into summer ’24, “with requests for items that can be worn again and again for other weddings and more formal occasions.” Folks want dresses that aren’t necessarily tied to a hot trend, or even a specific season, preferring classic black or navy satin midis over Barbiecore-inspired pink cutouts. “Having a staple wedding guest dress that can be paired with items you already have in your rotation will ensure you always have an option that you feel comfortable reaching for again in the future.”
Florals and Small Blooms. Floral prints will always be a hot option for spring and summer, and according to Reese, those with a navy or black background, in addition to smaller scale blooms, are the way to go in 2024. “Small floral patterns are more neutral than many expect,” she explains, “which adds to their versatility.” If you do want to go lighter, Loizou suggests sticking with those smaller scale florals and leaning into baby pink or summery shades of green. “Opt for scattered prints in light greens or pale pinks to add a romantic touch to your look.”

We’ll state the obvious first: Don’t wear white. This includes shades of ivory, cream and champagne hues, too. “Even certain pastels (like very light yellow and pink) can be colors to avoid if they pull too close to white in-person or in photographs,” advises Reese. “If you’re going for a patterned option, it’s also a safe bet to stay away from a dress with a white-based background as well.”

Lastly, Loizou stresses what we’re calling the Goldilocks rule. “Extravagant dresses, headpieces and trains are all a no-go, but you should also avoid being too casual,” she says. Stick with frocks that hit right in the middle like satin midis, one-shoulder styles, jewel and earth tones, etc.

There are obviously tons of places to pick up wedding guest dresses online, and while I love having a bounty of options, it can start to feel overwhelming incredibly quickly. The best place to start is by scrolling through our top picks above, all of which were cherry-picked by PureWow’s Fashion Editor, Abby Hepworth, and Shopping Editor, Stephanie Meraz, with special attention paid to those pieces with breathable silhouettes, lightweight materials and summer-ready colors and prints that won’t upstage the happy couple. That said, if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, we suggest checking out Anthropologie for dresses that feel incredibly special with a range of price points, ASOS and Amazon for more affordable styles to fit any budget or Nordstrom for classic silhouettes you can wear for years to come.