Summer Wedding Outfits You'll Actually Wear Again

Greetings Spendthrifts,

I had planned to use the ‘culture’ section of this month’s newsletter to write about Robert Pattinson and Zendaya’s new movie The Drama, a film that provoked a frankly surprising amount of discourse and is also – fittingly – about a wedding. I’d even written a rough draft, had it all ready to send out to you guys—

—And then Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively issued a joint statement announcing they’d settled their long-running and bitterly acrimonious feud just weeks before the highly anticipated trial was set to begin, and I felt it my moral duty to weigh in.

Also, as Marie Kondo once famously said:

More on the trial that never was below. First up though - it’s wedding season!

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THE SHOPPIES: WEDDING EDITION

I want to contextualise the style advice you’re about to read by informing you that, a couple of weeks ago, I scrolled past a Substack post about wedding guest outfits titled ‘How To Be The Best Dressed When It’s Not About You’, and the voice in my head automatically went ‘…but it’s always about me?’

The thing I hate about the style guidance usually offered around weddings is that it seemingly assumes you want to look as conventional as possible, and inevitably devolves into a blur of uninspiring florals and satin bias cut dresses that beg the question: why willingly wear an ugly dress to a wedding when you’re not even in the bridal party?

When I go to a wedding - or indeed any kind of dressy occasion - my main goal is to look cool, and possibly also a bit sexy (sometimes ‘cool’ precludes sexy, sometimes it doesn’t). And if I’m buying something especially for said event, it HAS to be something I’ll actually wear again elsewhere (choosing separates really helps with this).

Below then, some ideas on how to approach getting dressed for wedding season if, like me, you see life as a movie in which everyone else is just a supporting character (haha just kidding.. sort of).

‘COOL DRESSES’

The obvious advantage of wearing a dress (as opposed to separates) is the one-and-done nature of them. I’m calling these dresses ‘cool dresses’ because they’re the sort of thing you wear to your cool fashion friend’s London wedding (rather than, say, a traditional countryside affair).

I don’t really understand this tie-dye Ottolinger dress (currently 20% off at checkout) but I do know I like it, and that’s what counts. I’ve also had my eye on this deadstock patchwork Rave Review dress for a while now - florals that actually look cool (and worth the duties charge for UK shoppers IMO):

And there’s just a handful of smaller sizes left of this (on sale!) buttercup yellow ruched Conner Ives dress, but I like it enough to still include it here. The silver strappy sandals it’s been styled with are a good look too IMO.

Two high-street options, both Zara: the cobalt blue faux suede bandeau dress above would look great with silver jewellery (am also into the cord necklace they’ve styled it with) and flat sandals, while this patchwork print midi dress punches way above its £40 price tag IMO.

Rat & Boa is one of those brands that actually makes some pretty showstopping dresses but somehow gets slightly overlooked both by the fashion media, and by yours truly. I love the butterfly-inspired print that’s woven throughout their new summer collection though:

I’d go for either this dress or this one for a wedding (and save this sultry little number for your summer hols).

FORMAL/BLACK TIE DRESSES

Well guess what? Almost all the dresses in this category come in one of the above colours, which is honestly a genuine coincidence but also - I resent that all the best colours are somehow verboten at weddings!! And look, if anyone makes a comment about the fact you’re wearing black, red or some other spuriously ‘forbidden’ colour, here’s what you do: you look them in the eye and say, as witheringly as you possibly can, “don’t be so parochial”, and then you walk away.

Now that’s out of the way, this open-back knitted Reformation dress is SO slinky and divine, and the kind of dress I can see myself wearing over and over again (the beauty of a simple black dress).

If you really want to bring the drama then this scarlet red Issey Miyake dress is the one. And this black knitted H&M dress does admittedly seem a touch sheer, though for a warm weather destination wedding I think that’s fine - practical even. Wear with simple gold earrings and some jazzy t-bar sandals (these embellished Aquazzura jelly sandals have seen me through two summers and are about to see me through a third).

Some people will tell you you can’t wear a cream sequinned gown to someone else’s wedding. Those people are wrong (it’s patterned, okay?) - also, if the wedding is glamorous enough, then this totally works for a black tie evening reception do. Wear it with a black tuxedo-style jacket on top - Mango has some good options (here’s another, also from their Capsule collection), as does Massimo Dutti.

This navy Jacquemus dress is cheapest on Cettire (although this Net A Porter visual gives a better idea of how it actually looks on). Relatedly, navy is a great colour to go for if your natural habitat is black but the wedding you’re attending is a little too traditional to risk it.

And Rejina Pyo’s gorgeous Erica dress (available in blush pink/mint green/chocolate brown/black/buttercup yellow) is guaranteed to keep the compliments flowing all night long - I should know, I wore it to a wedding a few years ago, paired with an athletics-coded pair of Miu Miu sandals to offset the ‘prettiness’ of the dress.

There are a few knocking about on the fashion rental platform HURR too - here’s a mint green one in UK10 and the pink one (not mine lol) in UK6.

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TOP & TROUSER COMBOS

The advantage of buying separates is you’re far more likely to wear them again afterwards, just styled with different items. I haven’t bothered with any skirts here as I so rarely do skirts for formalwear (or indeed ever).

First up, I recently put some H&M credit I had to good use with this satin-y bandeau top which looks fabulous on (especially with this mother of pearl shell sequin bag, which I also bought… what can I say, the product styling got me!) Pair it with wide-leg trousers, or perhaps a more tapered silhouette like these khaki linen balloon leg trousers.

Massimo Dutti’s new summer collection is absolutely lush (although their website’s shockingly bad UX literally makes me want to SCREAM into a PILLOW). This cowl neck top looks brilliant with the suede butter yellow balloon trousers they’ve styled it with, though I’d team it with these lighter versions if I was going somewhere super-hot for a wedding. Add a ‘naked’ strappy heel so you don’t look too Aladdin.

I am also VERY into the idea of tailored shorts for formal occasions, though they do need to be knee-length. These off-white Róhe ones are perfectly cut IMO, while this Massimo Dutti pair are a fantastic option at a lower price point. I’d wear them with something like these metallic Tom Ford kitten heels which I still regret not buying when they were going for tuppence in the Matches Fashion closing down sale (also available in a plethora of colours here and here).

And you can never go wrong with some Issey Miyake Pleats Please, at a wedding or otherwise. If you’ve been wanting to add some Pleats Please to your wardrobe, I spotted Harvey Nicks is currently offering 30% off lots of their online wares with the code HELLOSPRINGCUR (although I don’t know how long for!)

SUITING

It probably goes without saying that I’m partial to a suit for a wedding - I don’t think men should get to commandeer tailoring for formal occasions, and suits also score very highly on the ‘will I wear this again’ meter.

Surprise! The khaki linen H&M trousers I linked above are actually part of this fabulous suit (blazer here - love the curved lapel). I initially bought just the trousers (which I’ve already been getting loads of use out of this spring), before coming to my senses literally as I was writing this newsletter and ordering the matching blazer too. Both are low in stock so I’d advise you to move fast if you’re a fan.

The navy suit I’m wearing here is actually separates that happened to match (actually selling the Acne Studios trousers on Vinted as they no longer fit me - snap ‘em up if you’re a UK6! Do not ‘make me an offer’). And of course my trusty Jil Sander sandals, because flat shoes make so much sense for a wedding - you just have to find a smart enough pair.

And - you guessed it - even more Rejina Pyo (she really is my go-to for formal outfits you’ll actually feel cool in and wear again). Here’s all her current tailoring - I think my favourite might be this soft blue linen suit jacket (those buttons!) which you can combine with either the matching trousers or (my personal preference) shorts.

There are also loads of Rejina Pyo bargains on The Outnet (including plenty of ‘cool dresses’ - lamé anyone?). On the tailoring front, here’s a gorgeous yellow wool-blend suit (blazer/trousers) as well as a sage green one (blazer/trousers) that you could also combine with the matching skirt if that’s more your speed.

SHOES

I’ve been evangelical about independent London-based brand IZIE ever since I wore a pair of their heels to and from a wedding in Surrey (including getting the train there) and found my feet miraculously didn’t hurt at all, even though I left my house in the morning and got home at 2am. These sublime gold mesh mules are the pair I wore (although actually the cobalt blue colorway is sickening) - simultaneously high enough (9cm) to feel like you’re going ‘full glam’ and yet still, somehow, extremely comfortable.

Also on my radar are The Outnet’s excellent array of Neous shoes, all at 50% off - this pair have been on my wishlist for at least a year now… that delicate little tie and tiny pearl is just too darling!

They’d look fabulous with that black knitted Reformation dress or really any simple black column dress - Solace London does great ones (assorted sizes and styles in stock here, here and here).

And my goodness - the sexual tension between me and these Jacquemus shoes!!! Informal polling among my friends yielded what I shall call a mixed reception, but I love ‘em and that’s all that matters. They sold out pretty sharpish on Net A Porter but are currently 25% off at Farfetch.

A postscript, for brides: I hadn’t planned to share any bridal fashion in this newsletter, but just as I was pulling it together Rohé launched their impeccable new bridal collection and I knew I had to include it, essentially as a sort of public service for brides who aren’t planning on the big white dress but don’t know what else to wear.

The collection is perfect for a more low-key registry-office-and-then-fancy-lunch sort of wedding (and a damn sight cheaper than regular bridalwear). This reversed blazer and satin bustier top both get my vote, and the made-to-order sculptural silk hat is to DIE for.

Relatedly, IZIE also have an excellent range of bridal shoes too, which is important to know because the last thing you want is to be hobbling around on your big day.

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INTERIORS INTERLUDE

Cometh the sun, cometh the need for an outdoor parasol! I spent months looking for a decent one for my little balcony last summer - pretty much all of the parasols on the market were far too large, or if they were small enough, they were made from plastic and exceptionally flimsy. All except for—

—This gorgeous Zara Home one, which I am still SO happy with. The quality is excellent, and it withstands rain very well too. Lots of people asked where it was from when I posted it on Instagram last summer but by that point it’d long sold out - so here is the updated version Zara Home released this summer. FYI: I’d advise not waiting until it’s consistently sunny to buy a garden parasol as by that point they tend to have sold out (I learned this the hard way). Go for the matching base if you’ve got a decent sized patio, or for the spatially challenged, here’s the base I went for myself.

BALDONI V LIVELY: IS THIS REALLY THE END?

And now - finally - to unpack the Blake Lively v Justin Baldoni settlement and speculate on what next for everyone involved… because despite the initial statement this looks far from over, given Lively still intends to pursue Baldoni for damages relating to the counter lawsuit he filed in response to her initial lawsuit (keep up!!) - which could result in a payout of millions of dollars.

To refresh your memory on how this all began, you can read the newsletter I wrote about the feud all the way back in January 2025, a few weeks after news of Lively’s lawsuit/Baldoni’s counterlawsuit first made headlines:

Fast-forward to May 2026, and after one of the most vicious and public celebrity feuds of recent times, countless leaks, attacks and counterattacks - and with the trial set to commence in a matter of weeks - the duo surprised the world by issuing a joint statement announcing they’d settled their lawsuit just a few hours before Lively attended the Met Gala.

I can’t decide if they released the news that night in order to bury it, or in order to allow Blake to Met in peace (yes I’m using ‘Met’ as a verb) by signalling a fresh start at one of the most high-profile events of the celeb calendar. My other working theory is that both camps conspired to release the news on that day specifically to spite me, because even one day earlier and I’d have been able to write about it for my Grazia column, but alas – print deadlines wait for no one. Either way, we can be sure that the Met of it all was not a coincidence.

The statement read:

The end product – the movie “It Ends With Us” – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind. We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.

And my immediate thought upon reading it was—

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