Summer Wedding Guest Dresses | ASTR the Label Bllue-Purple Maxi Dresses
If you have a summer wedding on the calendar and you are stuck on what to wear, this one is for you. Summer wedding guest dresses are one of those things that sound easy until you are standing in your closet an hour before you need to leave, wondering if anything feels right. I pulled two gorgeous blue maxis from ASTR the Label to compare side by side, and honestly, both of them would be a beautiful pick for a summer wedding. They are both dreamy shades of blue, both maxi length, and both have that romantic, feminine feel that just works for warm weather celebrations. Let me walk you through each one like we are getting ready together.
Why Blue Is the Easiest Summer Wedding Guest Dress Color
Before we get into the two dresses, can we talk about blue for a second. A soft, dusty blue is one of the most flattering and least fussy colors you can reach for when it comes to summer wedding guest dresses. It photographs beautifully, it works against almost every backdrop a wedding throws at you (garden, beach, ballroom, backyard), and it feels fresh without competing with the bride. If you tend to default to black, a powdery blue maxi dress is the easiest way to feel a little more seasonal and a little more dressed up. Both of the dresses I am sharing today live in that perfect summer blue zone, just in two very different silhouettes.
The Tiered Pleated Maxi
The first dress is the tiered pleated maxi, and it is the slightly more structured of the two. It has a sweetheart neckline, delicate adjustable straps, and these gorgeous pleated tiers that move when you walk. The pleating gives it a little more body and a slightly elevated, almost formal feel, so if your summer wedding leans dressier or you want something with a bit more presence, this is the one I would grab.
On fit: this tiered style runs a touch tighter through the bodice, but it is still true to size. I am wearing a small and it fit me as expected. If you are usually between sizes, I would stay with your normal size here rather than sizing down, since the top has less give than you might think. The pleated skirt is forgiving and flowy, so all the structure is really up top.
For a length reference, I am 5’8” and the tiered maxi hit me right at the ankle with my heels on, which is exactly where I want a wedding guest maxi to land. If you are shorter, you will likely get a longer, more floor grazing look, which is just as pretty.
The Polka Dot Ruffle Maxi
The second dress is the lighter polka dot ruffle maxi, and this one is pure summer romance. It is a softer, lighter blue with a tiny dot print, a pretty ruffled neckline, a tie at the waist, and tiered ruffles all the way down. It feels a little more whimsical and a little more relaxed than the tiered style, so it is the one I would reach for at a garden wedding, a vineyard, or any celebration with a softer, more romantic vibe.
On fit: this lighter dress runs a bit looser than the tiered one. I am wearing a small, but I could have easily sized down for a more fitted look. If you are between sizes or you want something closer to the body, go down a size in this one. If you love a breezier, more flowing fit (which is honestly so comfortable for a long day of celebrating in the heat), your true size will feel relaxed and easy.
Same length note here: at 5’8” this polka dot maxi grazed the floor with heels, so if you are on the taller side you have plenty of length to work with. Shorter friends may want to factor in heel height or a quick hem.
How to Style These Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
The beautiful thing about both of these summer wedding guest dresses is that they do most of the work for you. I kept my styling really simple with a pair of nude strappy heels, which lengthen the leg and keep the focus on the dress. For accessories, I would stick with dainty gold jewelry and a small clutch so nothing competes with the print or the pleating.
A few easy styling notes if you want to take either look further:
Lean into a soft, natural makeup look and loose waves so the whole vibe stays effortless and summery. Add a light layer like a cropped cardigan or a wrap if your wedding goes into the evening and you run cold. Keep your bag small and your shoes comfortable, because summer weddings tend to mean a lot of standing, dancing, and walking across grass. If you love a little extra color, both of these blues pair beautifully with a warm coral or a soft pink lip and pedicure. For more outfit inspiration in this same feel good, easy to wear category, I have a whole library of summer outfit ideas that pair well with this look.
Which Summer Wedding Guest Dress Should You Pick?
So which one is winning. Here is how I would decide between the two.
Reach for the tiered pleated maxi if your summer wedding is on the dressier side, if you love a little more structure, or if you want a silhouette that reads slightly more formal and put together. It is true to size with a tighter bodice, so order your normal size.
Reach for the polka dot ruffle maxi if you want something softer, more romantic, and a little more relaxed, especially for a garden or daytime celebration. It runs looser, so size down if you want a more fitted look.
Honestly, you cannot go wrong with either, and if you are someone who goes to a lot of weddings, both earn their place in your closet. If you love the idea of building a small rotation of pieces that make you feel good every time you put them on, that is exactly the kind of intentional, joy first approach I talk about in my post on dopamine dressing outfit ideas. And if you want help making a maxi work for everyday life and not just events, here is how to style a maxi dress so it does not just sit in your closet between weddings.
Sizing and Length Notes for Taller Girls
Since I get this question a lot, here is the quick reference for my taller friends. I am 5’8” and wore a size small in both dresses. The tiered pleated maxi fits tighter but is true to size, so I would keep your normal size. The polka dot ruffle maxi runs looser, so you can comfortably size down. Both hit at the ankle to floor on me with heels, which is the sweet spot for summer wedding guest dresses on a taller frame. Both of these are from ASTR the Label, one of my go to brands for feminine, occasion ready dresses, and you can usually find their pieces and similar styles when you shop them at Nordstrom.
At the end of the day, the best summer wedding guest dress is the one that makes you feel like the most confident, comfortable version of yourself when you walk in. Getting dressed in something that makes you feel good is genuinely life changing, even on a regular Tuesday, and a wedding is the perfect excuse to feel a little extra beautiful. Whichever of these two you choose, I hope it gives you that little lift.
