What to wear to a fall wedding as a guest

Follow the dress code on the invitation, then dress for the season with a deeper color and long sleeves or a layer for the evening. At most fall weddings that means a midi or floor length dress, a dressy jumpsuit or a velvet trouser set for women, and a dark blazer with tailored trousers for men. Wear shoes you can stand in for hours, and leave white and ivory to the couple.

Dress codes in plain words

• Black tie: a floor length gown for women and a tuxedo for men.
• Formal, or black tie optional: a floor length dress, or a dressy cocktail dress or jumpsuit; for men, a dark suit and tie.
• Cocktail: a knee length or midi dress, a dressy jumpsuit or a smart trouser set; for men, a suit, or a blazer with tailored trousers, often without a tie.
• Semi formal or dressy casual: a midi or maxi dress, or a jumpsuit with a jacket; for men, a blazer and trousers without a tie.
• Casual: a step above everyday clothes: a day dress and cardigan, or a knit and tailored trousers.
• No dress code: read the venue and the hour. An evening at a hotel leans formal, and an afternoon at a barn or vineyard leans semi formal. For a ceremony in a place of worship, cover your shoulders with sleeves, a jacket or a wrap. If in doubt, dress one step up.

Fall fabrics: velvet, satin finish and lace

Velvet suits the season: its short, dense pile holds deep color and catches the light. A satin finish adds a smooth sheen, and lace sleeves turn a simple shape into evening wear. The velvet blazer and flare trouser set and the velvet off shoulder mermaid dress are both 100% polyester velvet, as their pages state, and the satin tie waist dress is a satin finish in 100% polyester, with long sleeves. The lace lantern sleeve jumpsuit is mainly polyester, 50 to 70%, and we are confirming the rest with the supplier.

Read the care line before the day: the lace jumpsuit and the satin cowl neck slit maxi dress are hand wash cold, with no tumble drying. Our guide to holiday party outfits has more on velvet, satin and lace.

Which length for which wedding

Floor length is right for black tie and formal evenings, and welcome at almost any fall wedding. Midi and knee length dresses suit cocktail and semi formal weddings; keep a mini for a casual wedding or the party afterward. The one shoulder ruched evening dress and the satin cowl neck slit maxi dress are both floor length. The sheer sleeve turtleneck dress ends at the knee, with sheer balloon sleeves. More long styles are in women’s maxi dresses.

Three outfits for her

1. A formal evening: the velvet maxi

The velvet off shoulder mermaid dress has long sleeves and a mermaid skirt that flares at the hem, and good stretch keeps it close through the body. Its page says it is made for formal evenings. Choose burgundy, navy or black, and carry something small: the pebbled top handle flap bag, in cowhide, can be carried by its handle or worn across the body. See more in the evening collection.

2. Cocktail attire: the velvet trouser set

The velvet blazer and flare trouser set pairs a fitted double breasted blazer, with four gold tone buttons and a short peplum, with high waist trousers that flare from the knee. Trousers suit a long evening on your feet. Dark green, wine red, deep purple and navy blue all look right for fall. Wear it with the square toe patent loafers, on a 1.2 in (3 cm) heel, or with heels of your own.

3. Semi formal, or a reception that runs late: the lace jumpsuit

The lace lantern sleeve jumpsuit has lace lantern sleeves and a fitted bodice over wide legs. Its page puts it simply: the lace sleeves dress it up for evenings, and the legs keep it easy. Choose black, blue or red rather than the white. For a daytime wedding in a barn or vineyard, the long sleeve pleated surplice maxi dress, with a tie at the waist, does the same job. See all women’s jumpsuits.

Three outfits for him

1. Formal or cocktail: the velvet blazer

The velvet blazer is a slim fit with notch lapels, in 100% polyester velvet. Wear it with a white shirt such as the cotton button up shirt (95% cotton, with a point collar), and a tie if the invitation says formal. Add dark trousers like the slim tailored trousers, which have a pressed front and a little stretch, and black oxfords. Sizes start at M, so compare the measurements with a jacket you own.

2. Semi formal: a blazer over a fine knit

For an afternoon ceremony, swap the shirt and tie for a fine knit. The fine knit mock neck sweater sits flat under a blazer. The unstructured cotton blend blazer, in 75% cotton and 25% polyester, has no shoulder pads or heavy canvas, so it wears like a shirt jacket. The high waist pleated trousers finish it. The sweater runs in Asian sizing, and most US shoppers go one size up.

3. A barn or vineyard wedding: a turtleneck under a coat

Outdoors in the fall, a turtleneck under a coat looks smart without a tie. The rib trim turtleneck sweater has a deep ribbed collar, and its page suggests it under a coat or on its own with tailored trousers. It runs small, and most US shoppers need one or two sizes up. Wear it with the side adjuster pleated trousers, which have side adjusters instead of belt loops, and brown oxfords. More pairs are in men’s trousers.

A coat over it

Choose a coat long enough to cover what you wear under it, or clearly shorter. Over a floor length dress, the lapel collar longline overcoat hangs straight to below the knee. The double breasted coat sits just above the knee and covers a blazer comfortably, which suits the velvet set. For men, the single breasted overcoat has a little stretch that helps it sit over a jacket, and the button front mac coat falls to mid thigh and sits neatly over a suit. See women’s coats and jackets and men’s coats and jackets.

Shoes

You will stand through the ceremony and the drinks, then dance. With a floor length dress, wear heels you have already broken in at home. On grass or gravel a block heel is steadier than a slim one: the pointed toe block heel loafers are faux leather with a low block heel, and they slip on easily. For men, black closed lace oxfords go with a dark suit or the velvet blazer, and brown suits a daytime wedding. The leather medallion toe oxfords are cowhide leather with a punched medallion toe, in black or brown. Choose your size by foot length, as their page explains.

Order in good time

For US orders, each product page shows when the piece usually arrives; outside the US, checkout shows the delivery time. Order early enough to try everything on at home; returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery.

Questions guests ask

Can I wear black to a fall wedding?

Usually, yes. Black suits an evening or formal wedding, while burgundy, navy or dark green is the safer choice for a daytime or religious ceremony. If the couple asks for certain colors, follow them.

What colors should a wedding guest avoid?

White, ivory and cream belong to the couple, and it is kind to avoid the bridal party’s color if you know it. Several pieces in this guide also come in white or champagne, so choose another shade.

Can I wear a jumpsuit to a wedding?

Yes. A dressy jumpsuit suits cocktail and semi formal weddings, and most formal ones unless the invitation asks for a gown. Lace, velvet or a dark color makes it read as evening wear.

What is cocktail attire for a wedding?

It sits between semi formal and formal. For women it means a knee length or midi dress, a dressy jumpsuit or a smart trouser set; for men, a suit, or a blazer with tailored trousers, often without a tie.