Here’s what to wear to a cold weather wedding

While we love a wedding any time of the year, dressing for one during the colder months is admittedly more challenging compared to spring or summer nuptials. The work doesn’t end with choosing a pretty and wedding-appropriate frock—there are many variables to consider: Will it rain? What should I wear over a formal dress? And with what shoes?

This time of the year is all about the glitz and sparkle, but your wedding guest outfit should be as practical as it is glamorous. Before the “Save the date” panic sets in, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know about dressing for a cold-weather wedding: we’ve got you covered, from outfit ideas to the best fabrics, colours, and accessories.

First, what should you wear as a guest to a wedding when it’s cold? Here are a few ideas—and the dress codes where they’d look most appropriate.

• Cocktail/semi-formal attire
  Cocktail attire for summer is all about fun prints and bold colours, but this season, a semi-formal dress code gives you a chance to recycle some of your tried-and-true holiday season outfits. A long-sleeved dress is always a safe bet, and since cocktail attire is semi-formal, you can go for any length you deem appropriate. A beautiful midi or maxi skirt with an elegant top is also a chic choice. If skirts and dresses really aren’t your thing, a sleek jumpsuit or a warm tweed pantsuit will look festive and smart.
• Black tie/formal attire
  A black tie dress code gives you far fewer options when it comes to suitable looks but, on the bright side, that will make your decision way quicker. Your first option for a black tie wedding is a floor-length gown (sleeveless, short, or long-sleeved, whatever you prefer) in a heavy, winter-appropriate fabrication—we’ll get to those in a minute. Alternatively,  jewel-toned velvet jackets with classic black slacks are a worthy second option.

Cold-weather weddings are the perfect chance to put your wintery fabrics to good use: velvet, brocade, double-faced silk, and sequins might be too warm and heavy for a spring or summer wedding, but are perfectly suited here. Lace—specifically dark or black—is also very elegant and will work better for hot-natured folks.

When it comes to the best colours, dark is best: you can’t go wrong with navy blue, and black is also mostly accepted at weddings—still, make sure to double-check with the couple to avoid a faux pas. For those who don’t mind standing out from the crowd, jewel tones like ruby red or emerald green and even metallics make for chic and winter-appropriate looks.

What to wear over a formal dress when it’s cold outside? It might feel like there’s no chic answer to this question, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

A sleek, long coat in wool or even fur is the perfect outer layer on the way to the venue: it doesn’t necessarily need to be longer than your dress, but make sure it reaches at least your ankle to avoid weird proportions.

The best mid-layer is often overlooked yet undoubtedly classy: the shawl. Whether cashmere, wool, or fur, a shawl will keep your top half warm without hiding your beautiful dress, and it’s super easy to take off once you start dancing.

Lastly, a cool statement blazer—even paired with a belt to cinch the waist—is the perfect pairing to a circle skirt, very Dior’s New Look.

Finding the right shoes for your cold-weather wedding guest outfit is another hurdle. Now that your favourite heeled sandals are relegated to the back of the closet until further notice, what else can you wear?

The most straightforward option is a pair of close-toed heels: pointed-toes are still super trendy this year and will look great with basically any outfit and dress code. Alternatively, a pair of fancy flats—dainty, embellished, metallic—like ballet flats or Mary Janes will work for both cocktail and black tie attire, on the condition that they’re proper elegant.

More relaxed and casual dress codes are the right occasion to finish your look with your favourite pair of heeled boots: ankle or knee-high, they’ll compliment your jumpsuits or midi dresses perfectly.

Now that we’ve figured out what to wear, it won’t hurt to go over the styles and fabrics you should most definitely avoid. Anything too obviously summery is a no-go: save your floral prints—or any pattern reminiscent of warm weather—and sun dresses for the next season. On the same note, bright, neon colours and pastels are also best reserved for spring and summer weddings. Lastly, avoid fabrics like linen, cotton poplin, or very flowy chiffon, which are way too light and might leave you shivering all throughout the ceremony.