If you have a fall or winter wedding to attend, this post is for you. Once the weather starts to cool off, your wedding guest look has to totally change. The shoes, the accessories, the dress. But most importantly, the jacket.
There’s nothing more miserable than going to an outdoor wedding or event and trying to power through the chilly weather because you have nothing to throw over your shoulders. Or gasp, you instead throw on a terrible jacket that is SO not meant for a wedding or any sort of nice event and it just totally ruins your look. We can have it all, folks. I promise.
Here’s your ultimate roundup of great outerwear that you can wear over a dress for your next wedding or fancy event. And be sure to always keep the dress code in mind when choosing one of the following toppers for your dress.
What To Wear Over A Dress For A Wedding
Pashmina
The classic piece that I think everyone should have in their closet for emergencies like these. A pashmina is just a light wrap, kind of just like a scarf really, that you can throw over your shoulders to stay warm. I styled this one a few fun ways in this post! These are great for any type of wedding too from beach weddings to semi-formal and black tie.
Sequined Jacket
To spruce up little black dresses in a pinch, a sequined jacket makes a fun statement. This is a great choice for semi-formal wedding or a black tie wedding. Sequins just scream “party”! There are lots of different silhouettes to choose from too from a little sequined cape, blazer, or bolero.
Faux Fur Jacket
For a fun jacket to throw over your dress for fall or winter, try a faux fur jacket. There are so many options to choose from. You can go cropped, or long, or anything in-between. Faux fur feels a little nicer to wear to a wedding than just your everyday coat. Which is exactly what we’re trying to avoid here!
Try A Wool Coat
If you really don’t want to add something sparkly, or faux fur to your closet, a classic wool coat can definitely work. I’d keep this in a dark color like navy or black, and longer is always better. It feels more formal and works with dresses better. I love a long wool coat for winter anyway, so my closet always has some variation of this!
Faux Fur Shawl
Shawls in general are great and can be a key accessory for your next wedding or big event. But you can totally step it up a level and go with a faux fur one that’s just perfect for a fall wedding or winter wedding.
A faux fur one is fabulous for a winter wedding guest dress, or floor-length gown and really any formal attire. They just feel very fancy! Get a pretty cream or neutral one so it goes with everything. While I love black, I think a neutral will be more versatile over the years.
A Fancy Blazer
No this is not the time to wear a plaid blazer. This is the time to pull out the fun velvet one, the jacquard blazer, or even a sequined one! And you can always go super classic in a tuxedo-style blazer.
A wool one like Allie Provost did here is great but love that she opted to coordinate it with her dress instead of just grabbing a black one. A fun and fancy blazer would be great for a cocktail dress code, or semi-formal.
Leather Jacket
Proceed with caution here. A leather jacket should only be worn to a wedding that’s cocktail attire at most. I think this is just far too casual for anything above that in terms of dress code. Or if you’re going to a really fun party kind of wedding let’s say on NYE or a couple who is edgy and cool, this would work. Match the vibe of the couple whenever you can!
Suede Jacket
The same goes for a suede jacket. This is definitely trickier but can be done when paired with the right looks. I wouldn’t pair this with a floor length gown, but maybe a cute and fun short cocktail dress. Or a simple dress for a day or early evening wedding that’s cocktail attire.
Pretty Cardigans & Lady Jackets
To have a little something to throw over your shoulders, an embellished or feminine and cropped cardigan is a sweet addition. Maybe a classic black cardigan but with embellished buttons takes it up a notch and makes it feel a little dressier.
I love a more cropped style as they don’t feel like your big cozy cardigan from your desk chair you throw on. It feels much more intentional and pairs nicely with even a floor length gown when done right. You can even try a lady jacket which is a knit or woven cropped jacket that is a nice structured update to a cardigan.
Lightweight cardigans are perfect to wear over those spring and summer wedding guest dresses you plan to wear. They aren’t super heavy and are perfect for the warmer months in the evening.
Satin Trench Coat
Fabric is key with all of these choices, especially in a trench coat. Keep your classic camel trench in the closet, but pull out a really fun and beautiful satin one I love a super long trench for an ultra chic look.
