Wedding Guest Outfit Sewing Patterns - Laurens Round up!

Wedding season is creeping up on us and if you’re on someone’s guest list this year you might be thinking about making a special outfit for the event. But what to choose?!

The selection of patterns which are suitable for wedding wear is enormous. You could even say overwhelming! In this post and video, linked below, I’m sharing with you my tips and inspiration for patterns and fabric combinations to make that special event outfit your feel amazing in this summer!

Planning your wedding guest outfit

When planning an outfit for an event like this I find it’s helpful to think about some of the key criteria I want my garment to fulfil.

• Do I want a fitted silhouette to pair with a looser jacket?
• Is there going to be great food and therefore I want enough room to be able to eat a big lunch?
• Will I be carrying a small child who might pull on my clothes and cause me a wardrobe malfunction if the neckline is cut low?

Try to narrow some features down to help you choose. Ultimately you want an outfit that is comfortable to wear and makes you feel great all day - and all night!!

Fabric for Wedding Guest Outfits

When it comes to picking a fabric, again try to narrow down the general look and feel you are going for - all weddings and events are different and you'll want your outfit to suit the occasion best!

Whats the temperature likely to be? If you are off the the beach in warm climate great, but if you are here in the UK then you might be planning for all seasons and considering what layers you might need!

Do you like prints or plains? Vibrant and colourful printed viscoses and cottons, I think, make great special occasion dresses. Everyone will have their own preference of what fancy and smart means to them.

Will your outfit be all about the details in the garment design, in which case you might want a plain fabric to show them off.

On the other hand a simple garment can be super striking by picking a bold and vibrant print where the fabric does all the talking and showing off!

Sewing Patterns for Wedding Guest Outfits

I’ve rounded up all of my favourite wedding friendly patterns from the selection that we sell in our online shop to help you find your ideal make whether you're an evening guest, bridesmaid or even the bride to be!

For even more inspiration or good places to look, I like browsing the dress section of the Fibremood website, Sewing Over It and Deer and Doe also have some really beautiful dresses that are popular for wedding guest outfits.

I've split my selection into three sections - dresses, jumpsuits and two pieces. So simply have a browse through or skip to your favourite style!

Dresses

Midi/Maxi Dresses

Midi and maxi dresses have been having a moment for a while now and that doesn’t look to be ending any time soon! Scroll through the gallery below to see pictures of this selection:

• Named Kerttu Dress - If your headed to a beach wedding in the sun the Kerttu dress is a gorgeous choice, with its knotted detail at the top and tired skirt section - it looks lovely paired up with a swishy light weight viscose fabric!
• Fibre Mood Gladys Dress - I made this dress to wear to two weddings and had a great time wearing it. It has a delicate frill on the bodice and an easy to adjust waist casing that you can adjust for comfort as needed! I made mine in a viscose sateen print that gave it an extra luxurious feel.
• Tilly and the Buttons Lotta Dress - One for a quick make or the confident beginners, this simple style with a flattering gathered waist and blousy bodice would be perfect for a fabric with a large scale print or design.

Wrap Dresses

A wrap dress is a style that has truly stood the test of time. They’re elegant to wear and easy to adjust if you need to make the fit more comfortable as the day goes on!

• True Bias Calvin Wrap Dress - Calvin is a delicate wrap dress which I think would be perfect for a beach wedding. Strap sliders make the fit easy to adjust and tweak.
• Cashmerette Roseclair Wrap Dress - A gorgeous wrap dress designed with a full bust in mind - this pattern is perfect for anyone who’s struggled before with gaping wrap necklines!
• Closet Core Elodie Dress - A previous Sewing Society kit, the Elodie dress is a favourite among many makers for wedding attire. A graceful wrap with beautiful sleeves and a lovely clean finish at the neckline.
• Jennifer Lauren Handmade Jade Wrap Dress - This fitted wrap dress would look lovely in a stiffer fabric like a brocade so that the fullness of the skirt shape is maintained making it really chic and fancy.

Sleeve Drama

A sleeve can really change the look and feel of a dress and we’re really enjoying the attention big sleeves are getting at the moment! Fabric choice will really affect how your sleeve hangs. Choose drapey viscoses for a softer look, or pick something with more structure like a linen for a little more body!

• Papercut Array Dress - A dress with an unusual wrap at the waist and lovely sleeve options, I think Array would be a great choice for showcasing a bold fabric print.
• Chalk and Notch Shay Dress - The elbow length puff sleeves on the Shay dress not only have a sweet tie detail at the hem, but also have dainty pin tucks which would look great in a solid colour fabric.
• Closet Core Pauline - Pauline has got two options for sleeve drama. Pick from an elbow length puff sleeve for summer or go full length for cooler weather.
• Paper Cut Aura Dress - This statement dress with captivating balloon sleeves would look lovely in a printed linen fabric or a viscose linen that had a higher percentage of linen so that the gorgeous shape of the sleeves was maintained.

Comfort central

If you know you'll feel better as the day goes on if you've got a little more breathing space in your outfit then a jersey dress can be a great option. With a lovely selection of vibrant printed viscose jerseys you can still make a gorgeous dress that is super comfy!

• Cashmerette Appleton Dress - This classic wrap with a cross over front, built in waist tie and deep v-neck has an innovative construction to prevent gaping at the bust - yay!
• Sew Over It Georgie Dress - Featured in a recent Sewing Society kit this is actually not a true wrap dress - the clever corss over body just gives that illusion! With a fully lined bodice that has elastic built into the neckline, it's also NOT a gaper and will keep you comfortable and secure for all the wedding fun you can handle!
• Named Kielo Wrap Dress - You will never run out of room with the unusual design of this wrap dress that can be wrapped to the front or the back. Opt for it sleeveless for a more summery look and you can shorten it at the knee line marking on the pattern like I did too!

Jumpsuits

A chic alternative to a dress, a jumpsuit means you get a whole outfit in one without having to mix and match separates or wear a dress. Jumpsuits can be a great choice as a wedding guest outfit as they are nice and comfy and you don't need to worry about your skirt or dress blowing about in the wind for photos!

• Kielo Wrap Dress and Jumpsuit - Also included in the Kielo wrap dress I mentioned above is a jumpsuit version with a flattering openign down the centre back and that unique wrap style, which I'm sure would eb super comfy to wear in a nice stretchy jersey fabric!
• Zadie Jumpsuit - We featured this iconic pattern in a Sewing Society kit a few years ago and I love it! It's one of those patterns you always want to make more versions in with its wrap front and wide leg design. Make it in a bold print for a statement outfit!
• Papercut Patterns Mirri Jumpsuit Sewing Pattern - Featuring a classic twisted wrap around tie detail, it can be worn with or without sleeves. Featuring a back button and loop closure with an invisible zipper & front and back neck facings.
• Closet Core Jo Jumpsuit and dress - with its v-neck bodice, sculptural 'croissant' sleeves and a beautiful and innovative bias-bound slot seam finish to add structure and dimension, Jo is an engaging sew with a big impact.

Separates/Two piece options

If you'd rather opt for separates, which can be a great way to get more use out of the garments you make, then there are lots of great combos to pick between.

You could go plain on the bottom and patterned with the top, or keep it simple and accessorise with colourful statement jewellery or a hat. Or for ever bigger impact go for a matching two piece in a statement fabric

For the top half

A smart blazer in a bright coloured or patterned fabric, worn over a simple top will give you a super smart option.

• Friday Pattern Company Heather Blazer - an unstructured, more modern blazer with a slightly oversized fit is a more straight forward make and approachable for a confident beginner.
• Closet Core Jasika Blazer - this classic tailored blazer with a semi fitted shape has polish and detail. Fully lined with a classic notched collar, back vent, welt pockets and two-piece sleeves is a special make that will have you feeling super chic!
• The Avid Seamstress The Blazer - with a relaxed stylish fit this balzer has shoulder darts, front pockets, panelled sleeves and is fully lined, aimed at an intermediate sewist this would be a good inbetween option compared to the other patterns listed above.
• True Bias Ogden Cami - simple and classic, made in a luxurious silk this top would look great layered under a blazer.
• Chalk and Notch Victory tank - similar to the ogden but with a few more neckline detail options. It has a scoop neck with optional v-neck straps for added detail.

For the bottom half

• Closet Core Mitchell Trousers -Elegant and comfortable with special details like a comfy hidden waistband, deep front pleats with a unique angled pocket, optional welt pockets and adjustable waist straps and a choice of leg width, they are a lovely smart trouser!
• Atelier Brunette Le Pantalon Carotte Trousers - a simple trouser with subtle french pleats at the for for added 'allure' - oh lala!
• Named Clothing Mimosa Culottes - these super wide legs with slanted pleats and a high waist are perfect for swishy dancing on the dance floor!
• The Assembly Line High Waisted Trousers - this classic shape has modern vibes with a fitted high waist, wide legs, pleats and a side tab detail at the back.
• Friday Pattern Company Saguaro Set - this gorgeous two piece set has super summery vibes and looks amazing in a matching fabric that can easily be mixed and matched with other garments for different occasions.
• Papercut Patterns Axis Dress And Skirt - if a skirt is more your thing, the pencil skirt option with a front slit looks super chic and smart!
• Closet Core Fiore Skirt - the wrap option of this beginner friendly pattern would look lovely in a bright bold print - you could paire it with a simple top for a faux dress look too!