With winter’s chill starting to thaw away, at last, many of us are looking forward to a little spring light and gentle warmth (maybe!). If you’ve been invited to a springtime wedding, it’s definitely time to start planning what you’re going to wear.
Spring can be a tricky time for men and women when it comes to planning an outfit. It’s usually still a little too cold for a short dress, but it’s a little too warm for heavy trousers. But, with careful coordination between the springtime weather and current wedding trends, we’ve managed to create this guide on what to wear to a spring wedding. We’ll be covering menswear and womenswear too, so if you’re taking a plus one, no worries — we’ve got you both covered.
Spring 2019 trends
Firstly, let’s quickly review the upcoming trends for spring. Many of these trends will apply to both men and women, so it’s worth taking a look at these first:
- Coral colors — Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2019 is ‘Living Coral’, so expect to see this warm, pastel hue cropping up in fashion and in wedding trends throughout the year. It’s certainly going to see its moment during the springtime, with its blossom-evoking undertones. Think coral-colored ties to add a splash of color, or coral shawls to cover-up against the cold.
- Minimalism — After chasing highly-embellished dresses, wedding trends are set to cool down to a more sleek, minimal look thanks to the Meghan Markle effect. Guests can take note of this too, and embrace the ‘less is more’ mentality for their outfits.
- Eco-friendly themes — Sure, the idea of florals for spring brings the cutting tone of Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly to mind, but florals will certainly fit the eco-friendly theme set to take hold of weddings across the country. Couple this with some eco-friendly shopping and the minimalism trend and you’ll have a crisp, smooth look without fiddly synthetic embellishments.
Womenswear
With these trends in mind, we’re heading to the womenswear section first. Florals, as mentioned, are a tried-and-true essential for spring. You can opt for large or small floral prints; both are absolutely on-trend, and it’s just down to preference.
Add in a little pastel pizzazz too! Opt for floral prints that use a shade close to the ‘Living Coral’ shade that’s set the theme of 2019 to make an effortless nod to the current trend. You can use this for dresses, skirts, shirts, or even as an accent with a coral-colored accessory, like a thick bangle or coral-gemstone earrings.
On that note, there’s no need to restrict yourself. If you’re not a fan of dresses, an elegant jumpsuit can look so sophisticated, and it’s set to be a big trend at weddings throughout 2019. Wedding Wire is calling it a ‘fashion-forward style’ for guests, and the best part is that they can be dressed up or down to adapt to pretty much any dress code! When picking a jumpsuit, keep the shape simple and avoid too many embellishments for a really streamlined look. There’s also the catwalk-hot trend of colored tailoring — that is, two-pieces sticking to one color, in loose and light materials ready for spring. Nod to Pantone’s Colour of the Year with a pastel two-piece and you’ll have yourself the perfect spring wedding outfit.
Alternatively, wear your springtime florals as a flowing wrap-top with a smart skirt for a classic look that can never go wrong! Keep your shirt looking formal with a pick from designers such as Rixo Clothing matched with a sophisticated pencil skirt.
For shoes, there’s a trend gaining pace on Instagram for square-toed shoes. In particular, square-toed satin flats are having their moment on the catwalk and on social media, and they make a great addition to your springtime wedding outfit.
A top tip to make any outfit look elegantly and effortlessly put together is to consider a matching bags and shoes combo. Pick a color, material, pattern, or all of the above and blend them through your choice of shoes and bag to really tie up your outfit nicely.
Menswear
We may have seen a more casual tone on the wedding scene of late, but according to Brides Magazine, this is set to take a sharp U-Turn back to the classic expectations. That means a much more tailored look, and absolutely no to jeans and t-shirts, even if it’s a ‘casual’ dress code!
Of course, as a guest, you don’t need to match the groom’s three-piece suit, but it can be a good option for layering. Spring can be a tricky one to predict, and a three-piece suit will let you add or remove layers as needed without compromising your look.
Nothing can beat a crisp, clean white shirt for a wedding, so make sure to invest in a good one that will stay looking sharp all day long. Avoid a white jacket though, as you don’t want to be seen as trying to outshine the groom! Instead, opt for a light blue jacket to bring out the spring feeling. If you want to make sure your outfit is catwalk-approved, pick a double-breasted jacket — it’s set to be all the rage in spring this year, with the likes of Louis Vuitton and Burberry both showcasing their versions on the runways recently.
Though it’s a spring wedding, keep the sandals at home! Instead, opt for a pair of smart black derby shoes — they go with pretty much any outfit and are light enough to be comfortable if it’s sunny, and sturdy enough in the weather turns grey.
As mentioned before, a few well-picked accessories can really highlight a trend. A pastel-coral tie or pocket square can certainly pop for a springtime feeling. If you’re attending with a partner, this can be a cute way to match up without looking cheesy if you both have an accessory with the same color on.
Keep it minimal, elegant, and with a nod to the eco-friendly feel of 2019 with pastel hints and you’ll effortlessly nail your spring wedding outfits, as a couple or on your own!
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