How You Dress Your Best for a Beach Wedding

Beach weddings are informal to a certain degree. They may be very expensive when you have to fly to the destination. However, the investment in the needed wedding guest attire is also one in your summer weekend and vacation wardrobe. Read how you can dress your best for a beach wedding.

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Dress Code for Beach Wedding Invitation

A beach wedding invitation without suggested dress code or casual dress code is the most desirable (even if you live far from a beach) outfit-wise. You can wear the purchases also as warm climate vacation wardrobe and on weekends in summer. All you need is a festive beach dress, matching jewelry, flat sandals, clutch, cover-up (if it is a gray, chilly, windy day), sunglasses, and maybe a hat. Take the following Dos and Don’ts in mind.

Stylist’s note: If the invitation asks for Formal Attire read this post for what to wear at a formal wedding as a guest.

Avoid Anything That Makes You Look Old

When creating your beach-wedding outfit, resist to go for anything flower-power. The hippy look had had its time, abut it well passed its prime. Today, this look just looks Old Lady and ridiculous on any woman over 50. We don’t want to relive our youth again! We love who we are now!

Therefore, go for a modern just-right-now look.

Look for a Beach Dress that Permits Wearing a Bra

Go for a maxi or high-low hem dress that still allows you to wear a bra and shapewear. Even when you will never wear that dress again with a bra and shapewear, at the wedding you should. You want your girls sit in the right place on all the photos that will be taken.

Choose your dress with the seea-breeze in mind. A wide skirt might look like you set the sails. Moreover, it is hard to walk in under windy conditions.

Furthermore, you should consider that the ocean reflects the harmful UV radiation on a sunny day. When your skin easily burns, pick chic sun protective beach clothing, sunglasses, and sun cream.

How to Accessorize Your Beach Wedding Guest Outfit

All accessories should match the vibe of the dress. Add only one trendy item to avoid becoming the source for laughter at future family reunions. A straw clutch looks great  floral or ethnic print dresses. A small cross-body bag works well on a striped dress.

When you wear your hair down, adding a hat, long earrings, and sunglasses is too much. Skip the hat or the long earrings.

Crew necks and bootnecks look great with long pendant necklaces. V-necks with a pendant necklace framed by the V. Round cleavage asks for beaded necklaces.

Best Footwear to Dress Your Best at a Beach Wedding

Beach weddings require comfy thongs, flat mules or strappy sandals with either embellishment, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, or a metallic tone. Since you can wear them on weekends in summer, you can invest some money.

Stylist tip: Make sure you break the shoes in prior to the wedding because open blisters on a salty beach hurt!

Outfit Ideas for Beach Wedding Guest

The following photos provide outfit ideas for attending a nuptial at the shore.

When you liked the outfit recipes of this post, and want recipes for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.

Further Readings on Various Wedding Etiquettes

Are you invited to another type of wedding? Here you can find

• What to wear to an afternoon wedding
• How to dress for a civil wedding
• Looks for a casual afternoon wedding reception (aka student wedding party)
• Winter wedding

Curious, what Alaskan women may wear at their outdoor wedding at the Last Frontier? Warning, Alaskan outdoor weddings upset tourists. Find out why.

Do you want more tips on what to wear when? Then my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife will be perfect for you. Buy your copy now.

Photos of me: G. Kramm

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