What to Wear: Morning-After Brunch

All week, I've put together outfits for wedding-related events, and here's the final one: the morning-after brunch. Here's an easy, comfy, but still polished outfit for when you've celebrated all night and are ready to fill up on coffee and yummy breakfast food.

Dress $28 // Shoes $50 // Bag $49 // Earrings $38

What to Wear: Rehearsal Dinner

All week, I've been putting together outfits for the festivities leading up to a wedding, and we've finally gotten to the night before the big event. Here's a look for a rehearsal dinner that's versatile to wear pretty much anywhere.

Dress $80 // Shoes $45 // Bag $70 // Necklace $30 // Bracelets $5 // Earrings $10

What to Wear: to a Summer Party

Fancy summer parties can be a challenge. You don't want to be underdressed, but you want to stay cool and breezy. Here's what I'd recommend for a warm weather wedding or cocktail party.

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Dress $62 // Shoes $25 // Clutch $33 // Necklace $19 // Earrings $18 // Bracelet $10

Personal Shopper: Formal or Black-Tie Wedding Dress Code

In my opinion, the biggest difference between formal and black-tie is for the men: formal means a dark suit, and black-tie means a tux. For us ladies, the concept is a bit more nebulous, but I think that you can get away with the same type of ensemble for either dress code. I have a rule of thumb for these types of events: if you wear a long dress, keep it fairly simple. If you wear a shorter dress (which is still okay), then it should be pretty fancy and special.

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Gown $121 // Shoes $55 // Clutch $30 // Necklace $42 // Earrings $48

Personal Shopper: Cocktail or Semi-Formal Wedding Dress Code

In my opinion, cocktail and semi-formal are pretty much the same thing, but I suppose some may disagree. For a cocktail or semi-formal wedding, I recommend wearing a dress that's approximately knee-length (give or take) and has some some pretty details - think lace or beading - with luxe accessories.

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Dress $79 // Shoes $53 // Clutch $38 // Earrings $16 // Ring $24

Personal Shopper: "Festive" Wedding Dress Code

I've gone to a handful of weddings where the dress code was called "festive," and each time, I had no idea what to wear. Is that casual? Formal? Somewhere in-between? What I finally realized was that a festive dress code just means that you should wear party clothes. I think that a bold floral dress with fun accessories is perfectly festive and appropriate.

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Dress $39 // Shoes $75 // Clutch $40 // Earrings $14

Personal Shopper: Daytime Formal Wedding Dress Code

A daytime formal wedding requires dressy clothing, but I'd recommend staying away from shiny fabrics, sequins, too much bling, etc. Here's the perfect example:

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Dress $74 // Shoes $49 // Clutch $40 // Earrings $6 // Necklace $9

Personal Shopper: Informal/Casual Wedding Dress Code

As I said last yesterday, I've pre-scheduled some posts for while I'm visiting the Netherlands this week into next. While I'm gone, I decided to tackle many of the personal shopper questions I get, specifically about weddings.

Wedding dress codes confuse many people. What is the difference between formal and cocktail? What about white tie and black tie? And honestly, does it really matter anymore? 

In my opinion, the answer to that last question is not really, but it's a good idea to stick to the guidelines nonetheless. So we're going to start out casual and lead up to super fancy-pants, m'kay? Today, I'm going to put together a look that a guest can wear to a casual or informal wedding, maybe a daytime barn wedding, a beach affair, or something in someone's backyard.

I'd stay away from t-shirt dresses, denim dresses, overly-professional dresses and anything too revealing, but other than that, any festive-yet-casual dress will be just perfect. I paired this one with wedges, because I'm picturing a garden wedding in my head, but heels are fine, too.

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Dress $65 // Shoes $45 // Clutch $30 // Earrings $6 // Ring $4

Personal Shopper: Singing at a Wedding

Reader Request

My cousin is getting married this summer and she's asked me to sing at their ceremony. I can wear whatever I like, but I don't want to clash with the whole wedding theme. It's a rustic, vintage-inspired afternoon wedding and they're getting married in a barn. I tend to wear dark, tailored dresses but I'd like to wear something a bit more romantic (without looking like I'm drowning in fluff). And I'd like to stand out, but obviously not outshine the bride and her attendants. To make things more complicated, I'm recovering from foot surgery and will need to low heels or flats. Any suggestions?

Why not wear a simple, tailored sheath with a lush, romantic print? This dress and the bright accessories will be perfect for your performance. Good luck!

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Dress $80 // Shoes $65 // Clutch $30 // Earrings $34 // Bracelet $25

Personal Shopper: Ranch Formal Wedding

Reader Request

I was invited to a wedding in June with a Country Chic theme. The dress code is "Ranch Formal". I have a pair of black cowboy boots I was thinking of wearing. Any ideas on what kind of dress I could wear so I still look cute and put together?

I found a cute pair of black cowboy boots and built this festive and fancy look around it. I hope you like!

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Dress $55 // Boots $85 // Clutch $33 // Earrings $46 // Bracelets $8

Personal Shopper: Pregnant Wedding Guest

Reader Request

Hi Dana! I have three weddings to go to this fall, when I will be around 8 months pregnant. I was hoping to buy one dress and accessorize it in different ways to wear to all three weddings. I'd like something with sleeves of some sort, but it doesn't have to be super warm since I live in Texas. Also something I could wear with or without tights would be great.

This request was tough, because I fell in love with one dress, but it's so bold that I couldn't figure out how to accessorize it for three different events. Since you need a versatile dress, however, I stuck with this very basic LBD that will go with anything. I gave you two sets of accessories - sweet on the left, glam on the right - and maybe you can use a combination of the two or some items you already own for the third wedding (and while I didn't link to any tights, you could easily wear a pair with either option.

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Dress $72

Sweet on the Left: Necklace $36 // Clutch $16 // Shoes $89

Glam on the Right: Earrings $34 // Bracelet $11 // Clutch $16 // Shoes $90

Personal Shopper: Wedding Guest Pants Outfit

I have two requests that were very similar, so I'm killing two birds with one stone for this one.

Request #1:

I need your help! I was recently invited to a June wedding (I'll only be attending the reception). I have absolutely no idea what to wear, because I'm not a girly-girl type who wears dresses. I'm VERY tomboyish. I have never worn a skirt/dress and I absolutely hate the notion of wearing heels, also I’m not big on flat sandals either because I find them unattractive. I’m very… picky is an understatement. On the other hand, if I absolutely HAD to wear something more feminine, I’d say that maxi or knee length A-line skirts are something I might consider, and wedges as footwear. Color-wise I’d be open to almost anything but pink. I'd really love it if you could give me an idea of an outfit that doesn’t involve a dress/skirt and heels, but that’s appropriate for a wedding and that will be comfortable in the heat of June.

Request #2:

I have a wedding to attend in June. Ceremony at noon with an evening reception. I do not like wearing dresses unless I can wear some type of tights and it will be too hot to do that. Can you suggest a long dress or a dressy pants outfit I can wear?


Here's a festive pants outfit that either one of you could wear to the wedding. I chose a pair of flats for request #1 and a pair of heels for request #2.

But I hope that you're not both attending the same wedding. That would be embarrassing!

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Top $49 // Pants $47 // Flats $56 // Heels $35 // Clutch $33 //

Bracelets $11 // Necklace $5 // Earrings $14

Personal Shopper: Hiding the Arms

Reader Request

Hi! I am a curvy girl, size 14 L/XL. I love my curves but I feel uncomfortable wearing strapless dresses that show off my arms. I have a wedding to attend next month as well as several other events that will require me to wear a dress. It seems like all the cute dresses are strapless, spaghetti strap or short sleeved. I was hoping you could find a dress that's not or maybe put together an outfit showing how to keep arms covered while still wearing all those cute dresses. Thanks!


I actually had a hard time finding a dress I liked for you that had full sleeves, so I chose to go a different route. A dressy skirt/top combo will work just as well for your events, as long as you pair them with the right accessories.

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Top $15 // Skirt $38 // Shoes $27 // Clutch $20 // Necklace $25 // Earrings $5

Personal Shopper: Between Regular and Plus-Size

Reader Request

For most of my adult life, I've been a size 12, but I've gained some weight recently and now I'm fluctuating between a 14 and 16. I'm trying to lose weight, but in the meantime, none of my clothes fit. I plan on fitting back into my clothes soon, but I need to buy a couple of staples in a larger size, just to get me through the next few months. The thing is, I'm too large to fit into an XL in most stores. So I tried shopping at some plus-size shops, and the smallest size is still too big. I basically have nothing to wear.


I have a fancy wedding to attend in a few weeks and I can't find anything to wear. Do you have any general suggestions for shopping while in a transition size, and specifically for the wedding? I'm getting desperate.

Oh, man. This request really hit close to home for me because I've been there. Not only was I disappointed in myself for gaining the weight, but it was really discouraging to have pretty much nowhere to shop. I wore lots of stretchy knits. I found a couple of stores that carried extended sizes and bought my basics there (I recommend Target and Old Navy). But for special occasions, I bought clothing at eShakti, or I shopped at plus-sized shops (Eloquii, ASOS Curve) and then had them altered down a size or two. Good alterations don't have to be expensive.

Also, check out this video from GabiFresh for more on shopping for the perfect fit.

Here's what I'd recommend for the wedding. Good luck!

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Dress $98 // Shoes $48 // Clutch $36 // Earrings $19 // Bracelets $10

Personal Shopper: Verona Wedding

Reader Request

I'm headed to Verona, Italy, city of Romeo and Juliet, for a wedding at the end of April and I cannot find something I like to wear. It cocktail attire for women and I'm really itching to wear a green dress. I love this one from ModCloth but its been sold out for months. I would also consider an elegant maxi dress (any color), just for something different. I was hoping you could find something for me. I'm about 5'5" and 130 but I'm a bit large chested, so nothing low cut.

I've been to Verona, and it's absolutely beautiful! You're going to have a great time! One thing to note: some of the streets of Verona are old, old, old stone, so I wouldn't recommend stilettos. I chose a nice pair of chunky heels for you instead - your feet will thank me.

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Dress $58 // Shoes $45 // Clutch $34 // Earrings $24 // Ring $12

Personal Shopper: Pregnant Wedding Guest

Reader Request

I have a wedding to go to in a couple of weeks, and I'm having a hard time finding something to wear. I'm 7 months pregnant and have slumming it in frumpy maternity wear for quite a while now. This wedding is the first dressy event I've had since I got pregnant, and I want to look really nice for once. I have a beautiful black dress with a stretchy empire waist that I could probably squeeze into, but I really wanted to wear something bright and colorful. Also, I'm okay with heels but nothing too high. Can you help me figure out what to wear? It's an evening wedding at a country club, cocktail attire.


No, don't fall back on the black dress! This bright pink dress will be perfect for the wedding, and I'm sure you'll look amazing in it.

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Dress $59 // Shoes $100 // Clutch $29 // Necklace $10 // Earrings $22

Personal Shopper: Accessorizing a Maxi Dress

Reader Request

I purchased this gorgeous maxi dress from French Connection at a huge bargain last week and am excited to wear it this upcoming wedding season. The website recommends pairing it with "platform sandals and oversized gold hoops for sultry seventies style," which sounds fabulous, but being more of a pumps and pearls kinda person, I'm drawing a blank on how to make it work. I'm totally open to trying the whole "sultry seventies" thing and would love it if you could show me some great examples of shoes and accessories. my only requests are to keep the budget at around $100 and the shoes between 3.5-4.5". Thanks!

This dress is definitely versatile enough that you could wear it with simple pumps and pearls, but since you're open to the 70's style, here's how I'd wear it. I hope you love it!

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Dress $99 // Shoes $45 // Clutch $17 // Earrings $7 // Bracelets $13

Personal Shopper: Pre-Wedding Reception

Reader Request

 I just recently got engaged, and we are in the process of planning our dream wedding in Georgia. We have decided to also plan a separate party/reception celebration in Minnesota a few months before the wedding to allow relatives and friends from MN who may not be able to make the trip down south to celebrate with us as well. So now I just need the perfect outfit to help me stand out as the hostess without being too overtly bridal. We will most likely be holding the party in the summer, and I tend to gravitate to vintage style clothes. Any advice would be amazing!


Although this outfit is built around a white dress, the print and accessories keep it from looking overly bridal. But you'll definitely stand out!

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Dress $95 // Shoes $90 // Clutch $27 // Earrings $18 // Bracelet $6

Personal Shopper: Tennessee Wedding

Reader Request

I'm attending a formal wedding in Tennessee next month, and  I'm looking for a dress that will go with these fabulous nude Steve Madden pumps I already own. I am tan and have dark brown hair, and I'm petite and thin. I lean more toward timeless classy pieces instead of trendier pieces, and I'm totally on board for the whole mint green trend going on right now, adorable!!! I'm looking for a dress and minimal costume jewelry as I'm on an insanely tight budget. Do you think there's any way you could put together an outfit for me?!

This mint green dress is paired with soft accessories for a romantic afternoon-to-evening look. Have fun at the wedding!

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Dress $35 // Shoes $50 // Clutch $27 // Ring $3 // Earrings $6 // Stole $49

Personal Shopper: Mother of the Bride

Reader Request

I am getting married in a few months and my mom has been searching for a dress, but has been unsuccessful so far. She is a petite woman about 5'3" and self-conscious about her "flabby arms". I saw this dress on Jenna Fischer of The Office from the SAG Awards. I really liked it for her. I want to try to find a similar dress. Help!

I found the perfect dress - it reminds me of Jenna's and will be very flattering on your mother. It's a bit pricier than what I normally feature on this blog but under $200 for a mother of the bride dress is still fairly reasonable, I believe. I hope she loves it, and congrats on your upcoming wedding!

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Gown $178 // Shoes $50 // Clutch $30 // Earrings $30