Open thread: How should an offbeat wedding guest dress?

I just was wondering if someone could do a “what to wear” post for wedding guests. I saw a few posts about dress codes, but some links and ideas (like your shoe posts) would be super useful. Even though I've been to over a dozen weddings in the last 6 years I am still clueless about what to wear.

I am generally under-dressed at formal weddings or I end up buying a dress that is boring, wear it once, and donate it. I don't even know where to look for some cool, offbeat wedding guest dresses. I even googled “dresses to wear to formal weddings” and was overwhelmed by blandness.

I guess basically, can someone tell me (and probably others) what an offbeater wears to a formal gig?

Fridays are normally reserved for shoe posts, but today is going to be the exception. This is sort of a rough question to answer because of course finding a wedding guest outfit that feels “right” will be super dependent on the specific wedding, and the specific guest.

Also, I have loud and questionable taste that will not be to everyone (or even many people's?) liking… but hey! You asked me! Moral of the story: there's no way this one post could be everyone's everything, but I'm going to round up some of my favorites outfits to give you some jumping off places in your own explorations. I've included tons of plus size dresses, and options for our beloved dapper androgynes. Plus my recommendation for the ultimate wedding reception dancing outfit…

Retro wedding guest dresses

Super affordable at $62 and available up to a 4X EVERYONE loves this dress — we've seen brides wear it, bridesmaids wear it, and it's perfect for guests, too (although cross you fingers that no one else wears it!)

Bohemian

 

Floral wedding guest dresses

I love bold floral prints!

Such flowers. Much pretty.

Modern wedding guest dress styles

 

I personally own this dress and LOVE IT.

So you don't want to wear a dress?

Dapper

Unicorn suit

STAY WITH ME HERE! I'm not suggesting you wear this to the wedding ceremony, but I am telling you first-hand that there is no quicker way to liven up a wedding reception dance floor than by changing into a unicorn onesie. TRUST ME.

How do I know this to be true? Just ask this guy:

Clearly, my taste is questionable. Share links to what YOU'RE wearing to weddings this summer!