Fashion Friend is a non-judgmental, politely honest shopping advice column. Send us your hyper specific questions on Instagram and we’ll collect answers from people with great taste.
“Beach weddings are nasty,” a friend recently complained. “It always gets windy and you ruin your shoes.” Personally, I’ve never been to a beach wedding, but they look lovely from a distance. Who doesn’t want to be on a beach? But I think it might be a bizarre place to find yourself in formal attire. Another friend attending one in August had similar concerns. She was concerned about being hot and sandy; She was confused as to whether the setting would allow for a more casual dress code; and at the end of the day she just couldn’t find anything to wear.
When I started asking around, linen and silk slip dresses popped up as the usual, obvious suggestions. Plus flat shoes. But my girlfriend is afraid that she will wear the same slip as everyone else. “All wedding party outfits look the same!” said one reader of beach weddings, singled out Ulla Johnson as the go-to for her relaxed and roomy designs. Many people also reported wearing or having worn suits and overalls. (See suggestions here.) Beach weddings don’t have to be Something must give, although. A friend said she wore a two-piece look with a crop top to her cousin’s wedding in Puerto Rico this year because “if your younger cousin gets married before you do, you’ll wear a two-piece look to her wedding.” Right.
Beach weddings are begging you to get on the subject, so roll with it. Since people are so fond of looking at the blue sea, you might as well just copy it.
Kamali designed this style in the ’70s, but it’s been enjoying a resurgence of late, in part, I think, Emily Weiss, who shared a photo of herself on Instagram this spring.
Available in sizes XXS – XL.
There’s only one left of each color, but the deal is so good I had to take it with me. However, almost all designs by Rojas are excellent for the occasion. Available in small size only.
To me, this dress looks like a good time. Available in sizes S to L and in orange.
Zoë Kravitz wore this dress on a date with Channing Tatum last summer, so if you’re looking for love at your next beach wedding, you might want to check it out.
Available in sizes XS to XXL.
Blue is not everyone’s color. If I were going to a beach wedding, I would rather wear an orange shade myself.
I’m afraid to sweat in silk but this looks flowy and strapless enough to stay cool. Available in sizes XS to M.
These prints remind me of Dries Van Noten but are a fraction of the price. Available in sizes 2 to 12.
This really is a great dress for any wedding. It’s comfortable and colorful – and flattering. Available in 2X and 3X sizes. Also available in a different imprint ($525) in XXS to 3X.
This silhouette is a beautiful balance between casual and elegant. Available in sizes XS to XL.
I can see the sunset selfie now! Available in sizes XS to XL.
If you instinctively want to go the easy linen route, there’s nothing wrong with that, but maybe mix it up and go for a bold push instead. Personally, I treat every beach like Miami.
This brand sells out so quickly but if you can still find one of these dresses, the beach print will get you noticed. Available in sizes M to XL.
As my friend said, it can get windy on the beach, so a sleeveless sweater dress seems like a good solution. Available in sizes XS to 3XL.
Just don’t stand too close to the raw bar. Available in sizes 0 to 4.
I like that this print isn’t too much on the nose. Available in sizes XS to XL. (Similar prints in this style go up to 4XL.)
This pressure is very on the nose though, but that can also be fun. Available in sizes 0 to 14.
We love Issey Miyake Pleats Please, but chances are someone else is wearing it. Julia Heuer’s designs have a similar stretch but edgier prints. One size fits all.
Beach weddings are a great excuse to shop for a kaftan or kaftan-like style.
This silhouette reminds me of Valentino Couture, but at a lower price. Available in sizes XS to L.
This brand has a lot of very beach themed prints but I love the cut outs on this dress. It’s spacious and sexy at the same time. Available in sizes XS to XL.
Emilio Pucci prints are always the life of the party, and you can get them for less at a vintage/thrift store. Available in size L.
I would like an excuse to buy it and wear it not just to a wedding but every day for the rest of my life. One size fits all.
This dress will cover you completely but the sheer fabric makes it sexy. Available in sizes S to L and other colors.
This is your chance!
In the last week or so I’ve seen both Bella Hadid and Elsa Hosk wear this brand that makes you look like a mermaid going to prom. So if you wear it too, it will officially be a trend. Available in sizes XS to L.
A friend recently wore another dress from this brand to a wedding and she looked amazing. So amazing this style is currently sold out. But this one isn’t. Available in sizes XS to XL.
It’s a lot, but you could probably wear this dress to a summer dinner too. Available in sizes EU 36 to EU 40.
I give you permission to wear Tevas to a beach wedding, no matter what the dress code dictates. Isn’t it important to have or attend a beach wedding that you can finally wear comfortable shoes? Or no shoes at all. Anyway, flat sandals seem to be trending, or espadrille wedges/flip flop pumps if you really prefer a lift. However, I am most inspired by actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach from The bear. In this week’s edition of the Blackbird spy plane Newsletter, he revealed that he wore rubber sandals with a linen suit while vacationing in Greece, and the photo he’s attached has me convinced that 1) we have a crush on the wrong Chicago sandwich dudes, and 2) jellybean formals clothes can be. Hug the sand!