Where to Find a Wedding Guest Dress No One Else Will Own
3 min readThere may still be snow in some parts of the country, but spring—a.k.a. the start of peak wedding season—is a mere month away. This, of course, means that the time to shop for wedding guest dresses is now. Have you started strategizing yet?
A prime place to start is with the seven fashion girl-favorite brands below, all of which offer memorable cocktail and formalwear pieces. Consider these IYKYK sources your insurance policy against showing up in the same look as everyone else. Since they are all up-and-coming, slightly under-the-radar, or simply offer small runs of every item, they are far less likely to be frequented by half the RSVP list than, say, a mega-chain everyone already knows and loves. (Don’t get us wrong; we love those too—sometimes you just need to mix it up a bit!)
Better still, these labels offer some incredibly cool pieces, which means other people will give you a ton of compliments. The only downside? You just might have to divulge your sources when you thank them.
Nadine Merabi
Founded by former competitive field hockey player Nadine Merabi, her eponymous label trades in glamorous, memorable occasionwear full of sophisticated body-con cuts and sparkle. It’s no surprise, then, that the self-taught designer counts both her English upbringing and Lebanese heritage as constant sources of creative inspiration: the pieces reflect a lovely blend of classic British design elements (think crisp, tailored details and lots of lace) with many of the vibrant colors and bold textures for which Middle Eastern fashion is known.
Sir.
For just over a decade, this Sydney-based brand has excelled in the kind of beautifully draped second-skin pieces you don’t need to put much thought into styling. They appear simple at first glance, but are filled with extremely special details: a cut-out here, a ruched waistline there. Some of its most special offerings are in the dress category, which spans from romantic lingerie-inspired fare to elegant gowns with arty abstract patterns. Because the collection is imbued with a certain easygoing Aussie sensibility, it’s ideal for a destination wedding…but will certainly turn heads at a local affair, too.
Meshki
There’s a little something for everyone to be found within this beloved Aussie line: fluid, Grecian goddess-worthy satin maxis, flouncy skirt midis with corset-like bodices, and full-on sequined gowns worthy of a silver screen siren. The unifying factor? Everything has an inherent look-at-me slinkiness while still maintaining a certain level of elegance—not an easy balance to strike.
Sau Lee
Hong Kong designer Cheryl Leung marries traditional Chinese craftsmanship with the multifaceted needs of modern women in every item in this statement-making line. The result? Streamlined and sculptural dresses that incorporate updated elements of traditional Eastern style, like Mandarin collars, chinoiserie patterns, and pankou buttons.
Baobab
While this Colombian company began as a purveyor of sustainable swimsuits, it’s since expanded to include a truly fabulous selection of party dresses. It is a particularly incredible choice for a beach ceremony (think cutout halter gowns and drapey one-shoulder minis), but plenty of the pieces will work for any sort of celebration. In particular, there’s currently a Princess Diana-worthy polka-dot maxi and a paillette-covered column silhouette, both sure to get year-round play in your wardrobe.
Merlette
If there’s one thing this breezy, super feminine label does best, it’s pretty and free-spirited—never fussy—dresses. Consider one of its short and swishy cuts for a casual post-City Hall party; if the invite calls for something more polished, one of the ruffled or ruched midi options is sure to do the trick. Better yet, the brand has recently added a mix of festively embellished clutches and pouches (which also happen to look adorable with jeans and a T-shirt post-event).
Pink City Prints
Abashedly girlie girls will delight in the flowy, ladylike silhouettes and bright patterns found within this craftsmanship-focused line. The light and airy cotton styles—beautifully suited for an outdoor summer ceremony—are all made in partnership with artisan communities around the world via traditional methods of weaving, block-printing, and embroidery. When you’re wearing one to a wedding, though, people will mostly just notice that your dress is happy and fun. And isn’t that the exact vibe everyone wants when celebrating love?
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