How to Find a Unique and Unforgettable Fall Wedding Guest Look (2024)
Picture this: You walk into a wedding, sit down, and instantly notice that another guest is wearing the same outfit as you. While some people may not care about this very plausible situation, others find it to be a nightmare they’d like to avoid. Even with the vast array of online shops, brick-and-mortar stores, and vintage offerings, wedding guests tend to frequent the same retailers out of convenience, which makes the above scenario increasingly more likely. Lucky for you, that’s about to change!
Today, there are so many ways to find wedding guest attire that’s not only unique, but that also aligns with your personal style, the season, and the dress code a couple has designated for their big day. To help you select a look that’ll set you apart from everyone, we spoke with the team at Cult Gaia, an online store that specializes in heirloom fashion pieces, for their insider tips. Here’s everything you need to know about finding an unforgettable fall wedding guest look that’ll stand out in the best way possible.
What to Look for When Shopping for Unque Fall Wedding Guest Attire
Though it can be tempting to buy what’s trending at any given moment, if you’d like to wear wedding guest attire that’s timeless and special, shopping “outside the trends” is the best way to find an ensemble that’s unique to you. “It’s all about novelty and heirlooms you’ll love forever. In a world where we are inundated with content and overnight copycats, you want to buy things that are special and one of a kind, and [pieces] that aren’t trends,” shares the Cult Gaia team.
Think about it: If there’s a fall-inspired dress that’s currently trending on TikTok or Instagram, isn’t it plausible that you’ll likely bump into a few people who’ve purchased that same look? After all, the goal of social media is to appeal to the masses. Before you add anything to your shopping cart, take a second to consider if the outfit you're hoping to buy is one that you’ve seen all over the web.
If you do want to lean into a trend that’s popular this season, you can easily search for styles that embrace certain elements without fully exemplifying the trend itself. For example, for women who love Cottagecore styles, selecting a dress with long puff sleeves and keeping the rest of your ensemble simple is a good option. The element of a dramatic sleeve and silhouette will set you apart and keep you warm, while the pared-back design will balance out your look for an utterly special and seasonally appropriate aesthetic. Men can adopt this same method when shopping for their outfits, though it can be difficult to wear something unique depending on the dress code (unfortunately, black-tie and formal fall dress codes don’t allow for much versatility when it comes to menswear).
Another tip? “Never compromise quality and originality. Look for interesting hardware details, silhouettes you haven’t seen before, and saturated colors on beautiful fabrics. This way, you’ll have a beautiful one-of-a-kind dress you can wear long after the event is over,” shares the Cult Gaia team.
Lastly, be sure to expand your network and browse new places—like thrift stores or small businesses—for one-of-one outfits no one will surely have. Some of the best pieces a wedding guest can find are those from an indie brand or an up-and-coming designer—especially since the autumn season allows guests to play with a variety of colors, silhouettes, and fabrics.
How to Personalize a Fall Wedding Guest Look
Purchasing unique attire is only one piece of the puzzle; there’s also a personalization aspect that all guests should consider. More specifically, when searching for a way to make your fall look stand out, opt for statement accessories that highlight your individual style. “Accessories like architectural jewelry, a uniquely shaped bag, and innovative shoes help to take your look to the next level,” shares the Cult Gaia team.
You can even customize your attire by wearing pieces that feature autumnal-inspired designs, like leaves and seasonal fruits, which is a fun way to pay homage to the season. For instance, a pumpkin lapel pin, an apple-motif barret, or a leaf-print dress are just a few stylish ways to infuse fall themes into your look—pieces no one else will think to have! “If you opt to wear a print, make sure it’s a classic—such as a neutral grounded floral or a vintage-inspired classic,” adds the Cult Gaia team.
In the end, what’s most important is that you feel and look your best when taking photos amongst the gorgeous fall foliage. “Being a wedding guest is so special and always a fun opportunity to make yourself feel beautiful in your own way,” notes the Cult Gaia team.
The fall season calls for rich hues, smart layers, and a balance between comfort and style. With that in mind, there are many options for fall wedding guests. By considering the venue's ambiance, event dress code, weather, and seasonal trends, you can create a memorable and stunning look for an autumn wedding.
Colors tend to be moodier: wine, plum and midnight abound. A long-sleeve dress is perfect for outdoorsy venues, especially if the night air is chilly. Stilettos and pointy toes can be tricky on grass, so a block heel or platform is the safest bet.
The weather might fluctuate, so think warm. Since the ceremony, and possibly the reception are both outside you'll want a dress that you can layer. Don't worry about sleeves as much, as you can always layer with a shawl or a cardigan sweater.
We would recommend opting for a closed toe shoe or a classic court shoe. Fall weddings can be either outdoors or indoors. During the colder fall months, opt for a pair of closed toe shoes. While open or open toe shoes can be cute and classy, they tend to work better in warm-season weddings than fall weddings.
You can also take color inspiration from the changing leaves and go with an autumn orange, mustard yellow, or deep maroon. Want a more muted look? Opt for a charcoal or caramel gown, or even consider a sophisticated black dress (that's right, you can wear black to a wedding). The options are truly limitless!
October is peak fall, so go ahead and embrace a seasonal look (you know, if that's your vibe). Warm Earth tones are the perfect choice for dresses, suits and separates alike. No matter the weather, you can always lean into the spooky season vibes by opting for classic October hues like burnt orange, plum and black.
Avoid sequined ball gowns, sparkly tiaras, sky-high platform heels, or other articles of clothing that will draw attention away from the bride. A wedding isn't the proper time to make a bold fashion statement.
Few guest rules are set-in-stone as this one: You must RSVP—even if you can't attend—and you must do it by the deadline (or preferably earlier). “Being a gracious guest starts before the wedding with a quick response to the invitation,” says Christin Gomes, co-founder of Common Courtesy.
This will help reflect the energy of the season and can be dressed up with statement jewelry or other accessories. For fall weddings, stick to darker colors like burgundy, navy blue, and forest green.
If the wedding is outdoors, it simply may be too hot to wear black. Skip a black dress for a cooler color that will reflect the sun. In fall or winter, darker colors like black are more appropriate.
“Can you wear black to a wedding? You definitely can!” says bridal stylist Anny Choi. “The rule feels antiquated. Black is a great staple option that you can rewear to different weddings.
But just because it's Fall doesn't mean you can't wear your favorite style of shoes; the variety is less restricting than dresses. You don't have to hide all your open-toed shoes for colder weather weddings—unless it's outside and freezing of course.
You can also wear boots or open-toe heeled shoes to a fall wedding if that's more your style. But again, Lee urges to "think about where you'll be walking." "Open versus closed-toe heels are simply a style choice and matter of personal preference," says Walsh, but they're generally better suited to indoor events.
Or you can add a pop of fall color if that suits you – like a wine or burgundy tie. You can literally go with any color scheme we mention in this blog with a classic tux look, but we are living for the trendy Neutral Chic weddings that are so popular right now.
If the wedding is outdoors, it simply may be too hot to wear black. Skip a black dress for a cooler color that will reflect the sun. In fall or winter, darker colors like black are more appropriate.
What suit colors work best for a fall wedding? Suits in rich tones like emerald green, burgundy, brown, charcoal, navy, and black are always a fitting choice for an autumn wedding. Patterns like plaid, check, and pinstripes also work well for fall ceremonies.
This fall palette is classic and could even work for your winter wedding and is versatile enough to pair with a modern or more traditional affair. Pitch black and crimson are a beautiful and timeless combination and there are so many ways you can incorporate it into your fall wedding.
Even if the wedding has a more low-key dress code, I promise you: It is not that casual. Meaning no sweats, shorts, jeans, T-shirts—you get my point. "If you have to choose between being underdressed or overdressed, it's always better to be overdressed," Swann explains.
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Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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