What I’d wear to a cocktail wedding as a fashion editor

Without buying a whole new outfit.

You haven’t experienced wedding season until all your friends start turning 30. Trust me. Over the last two years, I went from knowing nothing about weddings to accidentally becoming an expert on them. I’ve written about them, done the makeup for them (five brides, two sisters-in-law, three friends) and been invited to one next year that I’m supposed to fly to Italy for. 

Weddings often get a bad rep for being stressful. While emotions can certainly run high on the day, for the most part, I always look forward to them – especially when I’m a guest with no expectations apart from showing up, looking hot and enjoying myself.

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Deciding what to wear to a wedding is a fun and creative process if you allow yourself enough time to plan. As a neurotic Virgo, who loves nothing more than comprehensive guidelines and a list, I always start by examining the dress code. What exactly does it say on the invite? Some couples will (helpfully) spell it out for you, like ‘semi-formal beach attire’ or ‘space disco cowboy’. 

Others will write something annoying like ‘black-tie optional’ which IMO is a recipe for disaster unless you want your wedding photos to be a mash-up of tuxedos and Uncle Al’s crumpled Hawaiian shirt. If there is no dress code, you’re best to ask the bride/s or groom/s for guidance directly, well in advance. 

I’m a big fan of the cocktail dress code. It strikes the balance between casual daywear and super-formal attire, leaving guests with enough room to interpret it their way, while still affirming the elevated nature of the event. The question you should ask yourself when planning what to wear to a cocktail wedding is: ‘Would I feel confident walking into a glamorous bar, ordering a martini and being photographed in this?’ If not, go back to the drawing board.

What I like most about cocktail attire is that I usually have some of the elements in my ‘work wardrobe’ already. Smart, tailored pants, blazers, waistcoats and silk shirts are all appropriate pieces, you just need to style them to make sure your outfit says ‘I’m here to celebrate’ not ‘I’m here for the board meeting’. In light of this, here are three outfit ideas to wear to a cocktail wedding, without buying an entirely new outfit.

Outfit one: Dress over pants

The dress-over-pants look has come a long way since the MTV Awards, circa 2003. Now, it can totally meet the cocktail dress code, provided you choose the right pants and do not also wear a beret. Jeans are a no-go, even if they are dark denim (who do you think you are, Mandy Moore?). Choose slim or wide-leg tailored pants and experiment with layering different ‘party’ dresses over the top. You can also play with textures, like pairing ’70s wide-leg lace pants with wedges and a simple silk slip dress or long boob tube over the top. If you’re missing an element, you don’t have to buy new. Hit the op shops or search eBay for a dress, trousers or pair of heels you’ll wear again.

Outfit two: Add a silk scarf

There’s so much you can do with a silk scarf. You can wrap it around your waist, asymmetrically, over capri pants with a silk camisole and sling-back heels, Carrie Bradshaw-style. If you have a really generous scarf, you can tie it like a strapless wrap dress over a pair of pants (see above). If you’re gifted with a safety pin, you could even fashion a halter top and wear it over a long skirt in a similarly slinky fabric. And if you don’t own one already, I’d recommend searching vintage stores or online for a pre-loved designer scarf (Corso Como, Oroton and Zambesi all have great options). Failing that, raid your mum or grandmother’s wardrobe, they probably own 20.

Outfit three: The office siren

When in doubt, I gravitate towards an all-black outfit and add a pop of colour, either with my shoes or accessories. I call this look the office siren because it’s all about sophisticated tailoring that’s sexy, but still demure.

Tailored suit pants are a must. My favourites are the low-rise black Kahe trousers already in my wardrobe, which have a zip at the ankle, exposing a flash of black lace. Paris Georgia, Lee Mathews and E Nolan are other local designers making workwear you can wear to a wedding. For a pop of colour, try online resale platforms or pre-loved boutiques for some fun accessories. Look for pointed-toe party shoes, statement earrings or a bag (Georgia Jay, Prada and By Far have cool solid-colour options, always going for a good deal on eBay). Finish the look with slicked-back hair and extra glowy skin. 

Start planning your next wedding outfit on eBay.