Green tackles the problem most wedding guest dressing refuses to acknowledge: that pastel tones have been done to death, and wearing black is made to feel like a statement you’ll need to defend to your friend’s mother. Good green dresses sit nicely away from both extremes. Sagey greens, olive, bottle, emerald and yes, even a sharp grass green if you find it in the right fabric, all read as considered rather than ‘safe’, and more importantly all photograph beautifully against the kinds of gardens and courtyard venues summer weddings are actually held in.
What will separate a good dress from a costume party RIP-it-at-the-end-of-the-night moment is the behaviour of that fabric. Green is one of those colours that shines through in the drape just as much as it does in the shade. Pick a heavy crepe or fluid viscose that will sit with weight and move with you through both ceremony and reception, where a stiffer cotton or shiny satin can start to look flat, or worse, begin to sparkle under marquee lighting.
You want something with a bit of structure to it, but with enough give that it won’t crease as soon as you sit down to listen to the father of the bride’s speech.
While both midi and maxi lengths work well, whatever you choose needs to take into account standing up for an hour in the sun, followed by dancing for hours later. As such, a bias cut or fluid A line will out-last that fitted sheath that was only ever going to look good in photos at the start of the day.
As for styling it, that’s where most folk either play it too safe or try too hard.
Gold jewellery lifts green in a way that silver doesn’t. Think particularly against olive and bottle greens. Tan or nude sandals will keep your look grounded if you’re getting married in the day, before elevating to a metallic heel for when the reception kicks off indoors.
Adding another bold colour on top is a rookie mistake. A green dress wants a natural or metallic accessory playing the supporting role, not another strong print stealing its thunder.
Occasion wise, this has been a category created with every moment of a summer wedding day in mind; from ceremony to dancing, rather than catering to one specific part. It works in a countryside marquee, on the beach or by the sea for a ceremony, or downtown on a rooftop for drinks, anywhere the invitation tells you to dress elegantly but has no black tie mandate. Ideally it’ll earn you enough repeat wear afterwards to justify the label ‘wedding guest dress’ altogether.
![RIBBED COTTON MODAL BLEND DRESS [HERB GREEN]](https://images2.productserve.com/?w=200&h=200&bg=white&trim=5&t=letterbox&url=ssl%3Acdn.wconcept.com%2Fproducts%2F7204576%2F11%2F720457611_1.jpg&feedId=21675&k=0317837399e423047cec861ca192eac9a96ae312)
