What to Wear to a Fall Wedding

May 2024 · 3 minute read

As a wedding guest, dressing for the occasion can get tricky. Not only do we have to decipher the dress code (what is cocktail attire, anyway?) but we also have to strike the perfect balance between looking cute and feeling comfortable (enough). And while a dress — be it simple or statement-making — will typically do during prime-time wedding season, it might not cut it when temperatures start to dip in the fall. So what, exactly, do you wear to a fall wedding? After some investigating, we’ve rounded up 22 wedding guest outfit ideas that will work for those not-too-hot and not-too-cold in-between days.

Keep scrolling for what to wear to a fall wedding — regardless of the type of reception.

Never Underestimate the Basics

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Don't overthink it — sometimes a printed, long-sleeve dress and a pair of heels is all you need.

Focus on Those Details

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Puff sleeves and shiny earrings will help take things up a notch.

Make It Monochromatic

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Want to wear a suit? Style a turtleneck of the same color underneath to create something sleek and on-trend.

Stick With Sleeves

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And it doesn't have to be a simple shift. A blazer or tuxedo dress is another sexy, polished option.

Add a Jacket

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Any dress becomes fall-appropriate with the help of a blazer.

Try Layering

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Invest in a long-sleeve, sheer top to wear underneath all your fancy (and casual) outfits.

Think Outside the Box

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Not only is putting pants underneath your dress unexpected and cool, it's also warm.

Reach for a Leather Look

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If you're looking for the perfect time to break out faux leather pants, this is it.

Opt for Something Metallic

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Then balance it out by toning down your accessories and going with classic footwear.

Amp Up a Skirt

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Add a blazer of the same color in order to dress it up.

Break Out Your Boots

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They're fit for frigid temps and also bring a whole new vibe to those typical go-tos.

Colorblock

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Your jacket doesn't have to be neutral — a bright option adds some oomph.

Mix and Match

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Rather than styling your suit with the jacket it came with, trade it in for something longer and a different color.

Go With a Jumpsuit

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It's the easiest outfit and works for nearly every event.

Try a Going-Out Top

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Trusty black pants get a whole new life with the help of a corset or sequined top.

Pull on Some Tights

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Sheer, sweater, black, or colored, they're all out there, waiting to keep your legs nice and toasty.

Remember to Match

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Perhaps you never thought to wear a dress with matching, colored, patterned tights... but you should!

Style Around a Statement Top

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Dare yourself to go big and bold as long as the bottom half of your outfit is neutral.

Keep It Cropped

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For in-between temps, culottes can take the place of full-length pants.

Stick With Something Simple

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A pleated skirt, a velvet top, and heels. Boom — you're done.

Combine Your Staples

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Everyday pieces like a jumpsuit and blazer suddenly become dressy when styled together.

Swap Out Your High Heels

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Who says you have to wear high heels to a wedding? Kitten heels — especially ones that create a contrast with the rest of your outfit — work just as well.

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