A Guide To Dressing For Any Sort Of Destination Wedding

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There’s a particular brand of panic that comes along with being invited to a destination wedding. Round one involves panic over the cost of flights and hotels. Once that’s subsided, the worry over how many people you’ll actually know there — is it enough to make for a full weekend of hangs? Then finally, what to pack! Destination weddings are so much more fun to dress for than regular ones, and are certainly an excuse to get a little fancier than you might normally do.

But still! What to wear! Fret not — below is a handy guide for how to dress, and what to bring no matter where you’re heading.

City

City weddings call for all-out glamour. You have permission to go a little more fashion-forward than you might normally do. Opt for something sparkly, metallic, or sheer — or just something insanely short but made entirely out of ruffles. Whatever your fashion guilty pleasure may be, now’s the time to indulge it. Basically, wear whatever you want, as long as it’s not white.

Contrast Dress, $50, Zara

Clockwise from upper left:

Attico Grace Sequined Wrap Dress, $2,805, Moda Operandi

Rosetta Getty Split Neck Flared Dress, $990, Moda Operandi

Ulla Johnson Donna French Silk-Lamé Dress, $2,530, Moda Operandi

Solace London One-Shoulder Ruffled Crepe Mini Dress, $495, Net-A-Porter

Clockwise from upper left:

Jimmy Choo Romy 100 Laser-Cut Suede And Metallic Leather Pumps, $775, Net-A-Porter

Crossbody Bag With Star Detail, $40, Zara

Stuart Weitzman Nudist Metallic Leather Sandals, $395, Moda Operandi

Mesh Mini Crossbody Bag, $20, Zara

Beach

Sure, you could take the easy way out and wear something floral, tropical, or predictably “beachy,” or, you could go for something bright, but solid colored, structured, and even slightly geometric. You’ll stand out from the cliched boho-beach look, but still look drop dead gorgeous. Just avoid anything floor length, and do not, we repeat, do not wear stilettos in the sand!

Protagonist Satin Midi Dress, $540, Net-A-Porter

Clockwise from upper left:

Diane Von Furstenberg, $1,500, Net-A-Porter

Beaufille Medea Ruffle-Trimmed Plissé-Chiffon Midi Dress, $745, Net-A-Porter

Solace London Wyatt Asymmetric Crepe Midi Dress, $600, Net-A-Porter

Striped Dress With Criss-Cross Back, $89.90, Zara

Clockwise from upper left:

Geometric Minaudière, $49.90, Zara

Chloé Camille Metallic Cracked-Leather Platform Sandals, $870, Net-A-Porter

Gianvito Rossi Obi Bow-Embellished Satin Slides, $645, Net-A-Porter

Mountains

Unless you’re going to have to physically climb said mountain, there’s no reason to go overtly woodsy here. We love the idea of embracing a cozy kind of glamour — lots of reds and burgundys, velvets, and lace trim.

L: Johanna Ortiz Saint Sarah Ruffled Georgette Dress, $2,850, Moda Operandi

R: Crossover Velvet Dress, $50, Zara

L: Velvet Dress With Lace, $70, Zara

R: Alessandra Rich Crystal-Embellished Crepe Gown, $1,840, Net-A-Porter

L: Dolce & Gabbana Ruched Floral-Print Cotton-Tulle Midi Dress, $3,775, Net-A-Porter

R: Printed Velvet Kimono, $90, Zara

Clockwise from top:

Rigid Corduroy Minaudière, $50, Zara

Aquazzura Shanty Tasseled Suede Sandals, $795, Net-A-Porter

Prada Velvet Mules, $620, Net-A-Porter

Aquazzura + Claudia Schiffer Loulou's Tasseled Satin Pumps, $850, Net-A-Porter

Country

Country or vineyard weddings are tricky. On the one hand, you want to look fun and wedding-appropriate. On the other, it’s the country! It’s relaxed! In the age of Pinterest, the odds are high that you’ll end up drinking something out of a Mason Jar at some point in the evening, and you don’t want to do it in a floor-length gown (or maybe you do, in which case, we salute you). We recommend something short and fun, with subtle interesting details, like a crystal heel, embroidered bag, or contrast lace dress.

Clockwise from top:

Corset Lace Midi Shift Dress, $65, Topshop

Self-Portrait Velvet-Trimmed Panneled Guipure Lace Midi Dress, $645, Net-A-Porter

Flowing Dress, $40, Zara

Ulla Johnson Imogen Asymmetric Dress, $600, Moda Operandi

Clockwise from upper left:

Beaded Minaudière, $60, Zara

Vetements + Manolo Blahnik Satin Pumps, $1,775, Net-A-Porter

Paul Andrew Arco Satin Sandals, $845, Moda Operandi

Miu Miu Leather-Trimmed Satin Platform Espadrilles, $670, Net-A-Porter

Clockwise from top:

PETITE Layered Lace Midi Dress, $210, Topshop

Self Portrait Floral-Print Devore Midi Dress, $580, Moda Operandi

Attico Carlotta Color-Block Satin Maxi Dress, $1,399, Net-A-Porter

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