18 Black Dresses You Can Wear as a Wedding Guest. (Yes, Black as a Wedding Guest!)

I was raised to dress up when attending a wedding. No matter the venue or time of day, a black dress (just like white) was never an option. I’m happy to say times have changed: These days, a guest can always wear black to a wedding. {Glamour agrees! } It’s the universal neutral color, flattering on everyone, and so versatile; it can be chic and sophisticated or casual and fun. As with most clothing, the formality of the piece really depends on the fabric and the cut more than the color. With that in mind, here are some examples of how to wear black as a wedding guest all summer long, no matter the location.

Sunday Garden Wedding

Because of the time of day, usually afternoon, and location, a Sunday garden wedding tends to be a casual affair. A black dress in a cotton or jersey fabric would definitely work for this type of event. And don’t forget eyelet! It’s one of my favorite summer fabrics that is both soft and pretty.

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Tibi Cotton Poplin Dress from Nordstrom.

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Vince Camuto Crepe A-Line Dress from Nordstrom, $148.

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Striped Eyelet Dress from J.Crew, $158.

Sophisticated City Wedding

There is nothing more glamorous than a black-tie city wedding, and of course black is always proper. People often ask me if black-tie means that they have to wear a long gown, and the answer is no, I don’t think you do. {Glamour agrees here too! } Certainly a long dress is appropriate, but the key to black-tie style is formality. As long as the dress is formal, the hemline—ranging from just above the knee to tea-length (which hits at midcalf)—is up to you.

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Tibi Cera Tuxedo Feather-Trimmed Crepe de Chine Minidress from Net-a-Porter, $416.50.

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Loyd/Ford Bustier Tulle Gown from Shopbop, $1,395.

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Solace London Dylan Maxi Dress from Shopbop, $170.

Evening Winery Wedding

In my mind, a vineyard wedding is a chic affair with a focus on the natural setting. It’s about the stunning organic background and not over-the-top decor. To that end, I think a black dress can play well in this situation, but it should be sophisticated and appropriate for the evening. A cocktail dress is a great choice.

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Babs Bibb Maxi Dress ONE by Contrarian from Shopbop, $425.

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Rachel Zoe Suzette Fitted Dress from Shopbop, $395.

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ABS Hi-Lo Lace Cocktail Dress from Shopbop, $198.

Beach Wedding

While selecting a bright dress may seem like the best option, there’s something very elegant about wearing black to a beach wedding so long as the dress is flowy. Movement matters when selecting a dress for the beach. When breezes blow, your skirt should sway.

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Aqua Dress Gold Bar Shirt Tail from Bloomingdale’s, $118.

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Lucy Paris Dress Off-the-Shoulder Ruffle from Bloomingdale’s, $78.

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Pleated Cami Maxi Dress from ASOS, $63.

Conservative Wedding

When attending an affair where the ceremony is in a house or worship, it’s respectful to err on the side of caution and lean on the conservative side with your attire. (Read: no skintight, above-the-knee numbers!) This can often be achieved by simply adding a sweater or jacket to your dress, but as a rule of thumb, if you’re look conjures comparisons to Audrey Hepburn, you’ve nailed it.

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Rebecca Minkoff Lindley Dress from Shopbop, $173.60.

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Shoshanna Midnight Harlow Lace Dress from Shopbop, $485.

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Adrianna Papell Jumpsuit Overlay Culotte from Bloomingdale’s, $189.

Country Club Wedding

A country-club wedding evokes classic, old-school style—probably since many of them have been holding wedding celebrations for decades. Consider a dress with the same vibe, traditional perhaps but also celebratory, festive, and fun. If you can imagine yourself sipping from a champagne coupe and dancing the night away, these black dresses could be for you.