What to Wear to a Wedding
WHAT TO WEAR TO A WEDDING WITH LES RÊVERIES’ WAYNE LEE
The New York-based designer, revered for her whimsical dresses, shares her wedding style masterclass
The question of what to wear to a wedding remains an eternal dilemma. Regardless of where the nuptials are taking place, there are a few factors to consider: comfort, style and a sense of occasion. Les Rêveries Creative Director Wayne Lee is an expert in the field, having launched her brand with the goal of creating timeless, romantic wedding guest dresses with a touch of New York nonchalance.
“I make wedding guest dresses for a living,” Lee explains. “Les Rêveries started out as my sister and I wanting to find the perfect wedding-guest dress. So many of our friends and family were getting married and we just couldn’t find the perfect one at the perfect price. We just wanted to find a style that suited our aesthetic and life, so we decided to make one — and that’s where it began.”
As the label launches an exclusive upcycled collection of dresses on THE OUTNET ready for all your occasionwear needs, Lee offers her masterclass in dressing for every kind of wedding this season and beyond.
THE FLORAL DRESS IS A FOREVER WEDDING CLASSIC
“My go-to for any wedding is the floral dress. Flowers make me happy, so the emotion of this style is a big factor for me. Floral prints make me feel joyful and remind me of spring and summer, when everything’s warm and the birds are singing. They’re so cheering and hopeful, which feels apt for a wedding. I love backless dresses, partly because they give a floral dress a dose of glamour… Accessorize with a cute pair of ankle-length socks and heels.”
INVEST IN ULTRA-VERSATILE PANTS
“I love pants because of their incomparable ease. I’ll wear a slouchy, wide-leg, high-waisted pair in a beautiful wool, with a floral top — maybe a halter or asymmetrical. You want to keep it fun, and vibrant florals will always take you there. If you wear something loose below, then go tight on top or vice-versa.”
COMFORT IS PARAMOUNT
“Comfort is so important regardless of whatever wedding you’re attending. Whether you’re on a tropical island, or in a city registry office, you want to look like you’re having a good time — and you won’t if you’re uncomfortable. Choose fabrics that are airy and breezy. Silk is unbeatable because it’s basically temperature control. On a hot day, it doesn’t make you sticky, and on a cold day, it keeps you warm. It also looks special. It’s more expensive but you’re paying for the quality.”
NEON COLORS ADD INSTANT COOL
“I love bright colors, especially neons. We’ve been doing lots of experiments with neon colorways the past few seasons and they’ve been really successful with our stockists. If you’re not feeling the floral vibe, or even if you are and you just want to ensure you stand out, I’d go neon. Just be careful you don’t do too much — keep the proportions simple.”
YOU CAN WEAR WHITE IF DONE RIGHT
“You obviously don’t want to rival the bride, but if you want to wear white, choose something with a white background covered in a colorful print, and there needs to be a lot of them. No ditzy florals that are spaced far apart. Inject vibrancy with non-white accessories as buffers. Controversially, I also think black is a totally acceptable choice for a wedding — it must still be fun and whimsical.”
THE PERFECT FINSIHING TOUCHES PULL EVERYTHING TOGETHER
“I carry the smallest bag possible — a small clutch or one with a little handle. I like minimal styles, something that doesn’t rival the dress but complements it. Nothing fussy, nothing big that hangs weirdly. Your choice of footwear is destination-dependant. I’m not going to turn up to a wedding in Bali in stilettos (hello, beautiful flats), but I would definitely wear heels to a New York reception. Choose shoes that show you did your homework on dressing for the occasion.”
MAXIMISE THE SYLE MILAGE OF YOUR OCCASSIONWEAR
“Layering, accessorizing or different makeup — different color eyeliner or lipstick — can make a dress look totally different. Give the world a different version of you.