Wedding season is almost upon us, and with it comes the inevitable stresses of wedding dress codes. You want to look appropriate but not fuddy-duddy, stylish but not too sultry. Fortunately, there are few who navigate those sartorial waters with quite as much aplomb as the British royal family, making them the perfect place to look for inspiration. Here, we’ve pulled together some of the most essential lessons the royals can teach us about how to look just right at all of the weddings you’ll attend this season.
Don’t be afraid of the dark.
Some wedding guests worry that donning dark duds will bring down the celebration, but there’s a reason black tie and LBDs are considered classically elegant. Dark shades—like this inky ensemble Sophie, Countess of Wessex wore to the wedding of Princess Eugenie in 2018—look timeless and chic no matter the dress code.
Dress the Population Corey Chiffon Fit & Flare Cocktail Dress
Pile on the pearls
There’s rarely a bad time for pearls, but for a wedding they’re especially well-placed. Princess Diana wore this pearl choker and earring set to the 1993 wedding of David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley for a refined look.
Brinker & Eliza Khai 24K Goldplated Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings
Boldly go
The royals certainly aren’t afraid of color, so they know the power of a bold, solid shade for a wedding guest ensemble. Look no further than the mother-daughter duo of Sarah, Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice and the jewel-toned looks they selected for Princess Eugenie’s wedding for inspiration.
Wear pumps
When it comes to shoes, pumps are far and away the most popular choice for the women of the royal family. A touch of lift, a timeless, leg-elongating shape, and major versatility make them an ideal choice for any wedding look.
Lighten up
If a darker shade feels too serious for the celebration, take a page from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall’s book and opt for a gentle pastel hue. The muted tones bring a hint of color and airiness that work especially well for warm-weather celebrations, like the May 2006 wedding of Camilla’s daughter Laura Parker Bowles.
JS Collections Rory Fit & Flare Midi Dress
Make a minimalist statement
Choosing a sleek and simple silhouette, like the all-over navy look Meghan Markle wore to Princess Eugenie’s wedding, gives an outfit instant polish. Keep the accessories and embellishment minimal for maximum sophistication.
Say “I do” to cream
Fashion rules once dictated that guests should never wear bridal shades to the wedding, but as Princess Anne proved at the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor in 2008, creamy colors can be note-perfect to attend the nuptials in, provided you diffuse them with a few pops of color, like these yellow florals.
Iris Open-Back Floral-Print Cotton Midi Shirt Dress
Pop on a print
Make an impact, like Kate Middleton did a the wedding of a friend in 2011, with a punchy, graphic print in a subdued shape, to give a look energy and a modern edge.
Fascinate with a fascinator
Even if a dramatic topper isn’t quite your style, a more petite and understated fascinator (like the one Queen Elizabeth wore to her son, Prince Edward’s wedding to Sophie, Countess of Wessex) adds plenty of pizzaz to a look—and it’s equally royal-approved.
Be the “something blue”
Blue will always be a good choice for wedding attire, and a Wedgewood shade is a particularly sophisticated take on the style. As seen on Princess Eugenie (and her aunt, Sophie, Countess of Wessex in the background) at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, the pale, gray-toned hue has all of the polish of a little black dress with a breezier, more convivial air.
Tulip Hem Sleeveless Crepe Gown
Patterns from head to toe
Polka dots were one of Princess Diana’s signature looks, and these all-over spots made her outfit for the wedding of of Lady Carolyn Herbert and John Warren at Highclere look positively joyful—just the right note to strike on the happiest day of someone’s life.
Rebecca Taylor Women’s Polka DOT Dress
Covetable colorblocking
Not into a traditional print look? A colorblocked style, like the one Meghan Markle wore to the wedding of Charlie Van Straubenzee in 2018, is similarly bold, yet still streamlined.
Stick with a signature style
Coat dresses are one of Kate’s go-to looks, and she saw no reason to stray when picking a style for Zara Tindall’s 2011 wedding. Take the stress out of choosing a wedding guest look by leaning into a signature style you already know you’ll look and feel great in.
Don’t shy from accessories
No one pulls off an accessory full-court-press quite like the Queen. Earrings, three-strand pearls, a coordinating brooch, even a hat—Her Majesty is proof that sometimes more is more.
Crystal & Flawed Saphire Brooch
Embellish your neutrals
Beige has a rather ho-hum reputation, but a neutral shade needn’t be dull. In fact, with a touch of embellishment, like the sleeve and belt details on the taupe suit that Sophie, Countess of Wessex for to Prince William and Kate’s wedding, an understated color can be a real showstopper.
Nested Wrap Jacket & Sheath Dress
Contrast color and texture
Want to evoke some fun and flounce without scene-stealing? A deep hue tempers playful touches, like this lacy, voluminous dress that Princess Beatrice sported for the 2019 wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor.
Stack your rings
Rings are naturally associated with a wedding day, so piling on several of your favorites, as Meghan Markle did at the wedding of Princess Eugenie, is a lovely nod to the big day. Just make sure to keep the rest of your jewelry more understated to avoid competing.
Angelika Four Point Ring with Pavé Diamonds
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