Is your mantelpiece filling up with save-the-dates and your summer weekends with Airbnb bookings for nuptials in far-flung destinations? Wedding season is firmly upon us – and deciding what to wear remains as much of a challenge as ever.
No matter the dress code, ensure your look feels cool and current by considering some of the major trends of the season. Whether a lace or fringe detail or the hit colour of the season, these are the five wedding guest trends to know in 2026.
Laced with Love
Vintage lingerie-inspired lace trim dresses are one of the key trends for summer 2026 and they make for excellent wedding guest attire. The high street has some crackers – try the brown satin camisole midi from Mango or the butter yellow satin spaghetti strap maxi from Poppy Delevingne’s collection for Nobody’s Child. For something with more coverage try Australian label Sir’s Aries dress, which manages to balance sexy cutout detailing with a demure femininity (it’s a bestseller for a reason) or Rixo’s Lysander maxi – it comes in several colours but the hot pink is perfect for peacocking in the pews. Keen to steer clear of anything remotely underwear-esque? Try Christopher Esber’s crimped and ruched lime green lace trim dress, or De La Vali’s asymmetric Veta minty maxi.
Six to shop:
Rixo
Nobody’s Child
Mango
Sir
Christopher Esber
De La Vali
Draped Together
Grecian-inspired draped detail dresses exploded last summer thanks to Mumbai-born brand Deme by Gabriella, and continue to be an excellent choice for summer 2026. Super flattering and crafted from stretch jersey, they’re also mega-comfortable for dancing the night away. Deme still makes the best in the biz and for a very reasonable price. For something even more-wallet friendly try Meshki or Club L London.
Five to shop:
Deme by Gabriella
De La Vali
Club L London
Arakii
Christopher Esber
Fringe Benefits
The best-dressed guests at last summer’s weddings were rocking scarf dresses or dresses with chiffon cape overlays, but this year’s most fashion-forward will be swapping their flowing silk scarves for dramatic fringe details. Seen on the runways everywhere from Ferragamo and Lanvin to Michael Kors and Alberta Ferretti, fringe is playful but still effortlessly glamorous. Italian occasion wear brand Taller Marmo is the OG tassel and fringe specialist, but for something more wallet-friendly try the brown satin maxi from Mango’s capsule collection that comes with a detachable tasselled scarf that can be tied at the waist or the neck.
Three to shop:
Mango
Taller Marmo
Ilkyaz Ozel
Something Blue
If there’s a colour that’s set to define summer 2026, it’s pale blue. Spotted at Dior, Tove, Acne Studios and Zimmermann, the soft, delicate shade flatters most skin tones and feels fresh for summery nuptials. For a black-tie event try Self-Portrait’s gorgeous ’20s-inspired gown or Reformation’s Lilibeth maxi which comes with a detachable sheer cape. For a city wedding, Omnes’ slinky open-back satin number is perfect with a grey blazer and strappy mules.
Five to shop:
Tove
Self-Portrait
Omnes
Mango
Reformation
Drive Me Dotty
Less of a trend, more of a perennially recurring classic, a polka dot print is timeless and flirty in equal measure. Stick to dainty dots to avoid anything remotely Minnie Mouse and look for unusual colourways, like the brown and white of Siedres’s Grace dress, for added style points. For a formal wedding, check out the exclusive polka dot capsule Carolina Herrera just dropped on Net-a-Porter, or for a beachier big day try Alexandra Miro’s semi sheer Harper dress. Rixo has an excellent lace-trim polka dot midi skirt and top set that would be perfect for a town hall do – plus the mileage you’d get from styling the separates for summer dinners and pub drinks give it excellent cost-per-wear.
Five to shop:
Rixo
Carolina Herrera
Self-Portrait
Alexandra Miro
Siedres
