It's rarely a considered a good thing when something is in-between. Think about it. No one likes not knowing where they stand in a relationship! Who wants the middle seat on a tight and packed flight?! And there's such a negative connotation around middle children (I object!). When you get an invitation with a dress code that says "semi-formal," it's likely you feel a little confused because, huh? What do you wear when the vibe is somewhere riiight in the middle? I know, I know. Blurred lines are not okay. Let me make the picture clear for you.
What is semi-formal wedding guest attire?
KK, a brief explainer: Semi-formal wedding guest attire is not cocktail attire (though it's similar). It's a level lower than formal but it's a waaayy more elevated than showing up in a button-up and dress pants. Semi-formal wedding guest attire is essentially dressy-casual but a tad bit more fancy, bc, ya know, this is a wedding we're talking about here! No one says you have to wear a gown (although an easy midi would also do the trick)—just think outside of the box.
Yes, it was only a couple of lines ago where I was ranting about how sucky being in-between can feel, but I do want to emphasize that it's not always the case for this dress code. When you actually understand what it entails, you'll find that semi-formal wedding guest attire is the ultimate sweet spot. How so? Well, because in a way, you can make a lot of quality pieces work with a well-done face-beat, some fab shoes, and eye-catching accessories. Have some fun and mix and match traditional formalwear with elements that dress it down, experiment with sets, jumpsuits, and even rompers! I can show you better than I can tell you. Grab your imaginary cocktail and stay with me; I'll introduce you to some styles you'll love. But before the inspo—here's what not to ever wear to a wedding, YW!
Semi-Formal Wedding Guest Attire Inspo for Women in 2024:
Make midi dresses your bestie. (I mean, they're mine...)
As mentioned, floor-length gowns are mostly for formal affairs. With a semi-formal dress code, it's time for midi length options to shine!
Lovely Statement Teal Blue Floral Organza Tie-Back Midi Dress
ASOS High Neck One-Shoulder Drape Maxi Dress
ASOS DESIGN Curve Exclusive Satin Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress
Pop off in a mini dress, but there are some key factors to note.
If you're gonna go mini, your best bet is to go with an option that hits mid-thigh. The style would look even dressier if there's a fun element incorporated (ruffles, draping, etc.—ya know)!
Shop Mini Dresses:
ELLIATT x REVOLVE Convergence Dress
100% Washable Silk Mini Slip Dress
ASOS LUXE Jacquard Scrunch Strap Mini Skater Dress
HILARY MACMILLAN Floral Long Sleeve Mini Dress
Go for the sequins but in a subtle way.
An easy way to ensure you're abiding by the dress code is by going all out (within reason, lol, as I said, no ballgowns here). Sooo, you know what that means! Bring. Out. The. Sequins! Okay, but wait—before you get too excited, the sequins should have some subtlety. Muted tones would work best, because this dress code is all about subtlety.
Shop Sequins:
Boohoo Plus Sequin Wide Leg Pants
Abercrombie Straight-Neck Sequin Midi Dress
Eliza J Sequin Metallic Halter Neck Jumpsuit
Bardot Isha Sequin Midi Dress
MAJORELLE Tianna Gown in Purple
If you are gonna go maxi, mind the material!
Okay, okay, so you can wear a floor-length dress, so long as you stay away from deeper colors (the brighter something is, the less formal it looks) and elaborate embellishments. If you're going the maxi dress route, then choose something effortless-looking (like a slip dress or jersey material), something that feels casual to the touch or isn't too lustrous (like taffeta), and/or something flowy (hello, chiffon)! A printed piece would also be super cute and appropriate.
Shop Maxi Dresses:
ASOS Edition Bandeau Maxi Dress with Large Bow
Elexiay Kebbi Dress
Anaya Plus Premium Bridal bandeau tulle maxi dress sage
Xscape Evenings Print Pleated Gown
Avoid sneakers at all costs!
It's time to pop out in your heels! Bring out those stunning sandals you have waiting in the back of your closet for an occasion like this. Flats will work, too. It's even better when they're embellished so to dress up your look, ya know? But, yeah, leave the sneakers at home!
Shop Shoes:
Steve Madden Marianne Green
Rebecca Allen The Two-Strap Sandal
Nalebe Aurum Square Toe Flat
Steve Madden Kari White Patent
Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien is the fashion editor at Cosmopolitan, writing weighty and witty stories that run the gamut of gushing over Zendaya to convincing you of everything you need in your closet! She began her journey in the industry with a fashion and faith blog and an internship at Elle.com almost 10 years ago. Since then, she's also served as the style editor at The Haitian Times. The Haitian-American pageant queen is a Syracuse Masters graduate and the author of two books, including: Claim Your Crown. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @iamtarahlynn.
