One idea for what to wear when the dress code asks for summer cocktail attire!
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Dress: Domino Midi Dress in Marigold by MISA Los Angeles from Revolve | Shoes: Via Spiga 'Dorian' Sandals | Earrings: Beaded Drop Earrings by Ettika from Nordstrom | Bracelet: kate spade new york 'stack attack' bangles from Nordstrom | Nail Polish: Dior 'Vernis' Gel Shine Polish in Bonheur | Clutch: 'Becka' Clutch by Aspiga from Revolve | Shoes: Via Spiga 'Dorian' Sandals | Lipstick: Hot Lips Lipstick in 'Kidman's Kiss' by Charlotte Tilbury
Please note, this post is from 10 years ago, and so the dress is sold out and a bit dated. We'll be updating these looks soon. The shop section has more updated looks.
Affiliate links are used in this post.
Summer Cocktail Dress
It has been one of those hot summers, and even though some kiddos are already headed back to school, there are still several more weeks of wedding season, and it looks like it's going to be a scorcher!
If you're holding a few invitations with a summer cocktail attire dress code, I have a new favorite dress to fit the bill! It's the one featured here - the Domino Midi Dress, and it comes in all sorts of summer colors, and a few for fall too. It looks like such an easy dress to slip on and go to late summer and fall weddings and receptions after 5, but it also has the ability to stand up for daytime or late evening weddings. It's the silky, stretchy fabric that makes it just the right mix of a bit dressy and sultry - it's definitely a compliment-getter - but the midi length and pretty color make it still very wedding appropriate! Here are a few more summer cocktail style dresses.
Dress Code Decoded: Summer Cocktail Attire
So what is cocktail wedding attire? For women, I think it's any sort of chic dress or ensemble like this. A sleek dress of a shorter length (although a dressy maxi, jumpsuit, or a sleek combination of separates can certainly work for cocktail attire).
For suit wearers, a dark colored suit, in most cases with white and blue dress shirt a tie for a semi-formal wedding, but for more casual events, a patterned shirt, is appropriate. And if it's just for a very casual wedding or an invite after work cocktails just a suit over a dress shirt worn with one button open at the neck is a nice look too!
One idea for men's cocktail attire for wedding. Skinny Fit Suit in Navy from ASOS
Outfit Details & Accessories for Summer Cocktail Attire
So, back to this yellow dress! I particularly love the front draping - which gives it cinched in shape, but also looks loose enough to be forgiving and airy and cool to wear on hot late summer nights. The other great detail is the spaghetti straps, which are always lovely in the summer and such a popular neckline right now.
A bright color like this shade of yellow, called Marigold, can stand up to some other bold colors like orange, vibrant blues, and pinks - making it the ideal color for late summer or a destination wedding guest style. If yellow isn't your color, check out the array of shades this array of shades this cocktail dress comes in - mint, navy, pink olive, and many more! It's also available in a longer length if you need a more formal black-tie look.
More cocktail dresses for cocktail wedding attire are in the shop section below. You might also like so see dresses we've picked for semi-formal weddings, or fall wedding attire.
See these posts too!
Summer Wedding Guest Attire Ideas
Outdoor Summer Wedding Guest Outfit
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