Elevating your Evening Style
Wedding season can feel overwhelming. As a guest, the endless Friday and Saturday nights spent getting dressed up might start to feel like a chore—not because you don’t want to celebrate love, but because it’s a long night!
I used to feel the same way—until I changed my mindset. Instead of seeing it as an obligation, I started romanticizing the experience. Now, I look forward to the opportunity to truly dress up and embrace the magic of the evening.
I imagine stepping back into the Roaring ‘20s, an era where women embraced glamour, independence, and social freedom. A time of bold fashion, red lips, and a carefree spirit. So why not bring that energy into wedding season?
Get ready to roar like it’s the 1920s and slay in style. In this article, you’ll find a curated list of stores with the best evening wear selections and mood boards for both him & her —all shoppable and perfect for making an unforgettable entrance.
Let’s make wedding season a celebration in every way.
Favorite shops for evening wear
- Revolve: Good for women's dresses of all different colors, budgets, and styles.
- Abercrombie & Fitch: This brand is great for men's and women's evening styles. The price point is very reasonable, and seasonal sales happen often.
- Shop Bop: Higher price point styles but has a nicely curated collection of high-end dresses for women.
- Meshki: Great for a trend-forward gown for a reasonable price. They have some really fun and sexy styles.
- Reformation: They always have stunning options, plus I love that they are sustainably made.
- Zara: Trendy, European-inspired evening options for both men and women on a budget. I always look here first for when I need some serious style on a budget.
- Aritzia: Beautiful dresses at a great price point.
- Nordstrom: They have a nice selection of men's evening wear online.
- Banana Republic: If you are a dude, run, don't walk to BR. They have a great aesthetic for men overall.
- Anthropologie: A great source for women's dresses but not many super affordable options.
- Suit Supply: A great resource for guys looking to invest in a nice suit. They even offer custom options.
- House of CB: If you are looking for a dress that is both elegant and sexy, than look here.
- H&M: A great spot for both men and women looking for style on a budget. I created a full H&M look below.
Guest of Wedding Mood Boards
I’m here to take the stress out of getting dressed for wedding season! To make things effortless, I’ve created curated mood boards with stunning looks for both him and her —so you can feel confident and stylish for every celebration.
I styled some of the looks with designer pieces, but in the full edit, I included non-designer alternatives that are just as amazing.
Every piece in the boards is shoppable in our LTK Edit —just click the button below to browse and shop with ease.
Look 1: Classy and Cool
Navy is just one of those colors that screams regal. Paired with my favorite look for a man, a total black-on-black situation, this pair will definitely turn heads. Both apparel looks are from Abercrombie & Fitch, a great source for affordable evening wear. This mood works great for a fall or winter wedding.
Look 2: Earthy Elegance
Embracing earth tones is a fashion must, with shades of brown and green more significant than ever. I love this earth-tone moment, which works great for fall, winter, and even early spring. The men's apparel is from Banana Republic, one of my favorite stores for men, and the women's dress is from Anthropologie.
Look 3: Always Sexy
There's something about a fitted black dress that always hits the spot. Paired alongside a Gray suit, this pair gives Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes. This look works all year long, but for warmer temperatures, you will want to have a lighter-weight suit than the one shown here.
Look 4: Eurostar
Whether you are attending a destination wedding on the Amalfi coast, or a rustic wedding set in a beautiful barn, this look exudes "Summer in Europe." Perfect for any spring or summer wedding, remember that if the wedding is indeed in Europe, you are going to want a chunkier heel (I learned this lesson attending a wedding in Ravello - we had a steep walk on stone to the venue).
Look 5: Black Tie
A "Black Tie Wedding" means the couple requests you show up in your most formal attire. It's not the most-loved request by guests, but it's important to respect the couple's wishes. For men, you either have to finally invest in a tux and bow tie (if you don't have them already) or go and rent one. For the ladies, that means floor-length gowns. I love the gown shown here because it will literally never go out of style, and it has a super low back, so you can sneak in some sexy without breaking the "black tie rules."
And as for those passive-aggressive "Black Tie Optional" requests? That basically means they want you to be in a tux and gown but don't want to force you to spend money to rent a tux or buy a new dress. If it's not within your budget to rent a tux, then I would say at least wear a black or navy suit. Refrain from anything light-colored, like gray or beige. The same goes for women. If your dress is not full-length, at least make sure it is black.
Look 6: Affordable and Awesome
Style doesn't mean "expensive" or "designer." You can literally throw me into Walmart, and I will find a trendy outfit I want to purchase. For this mood board, I sourced all pieces from H&M except for the women's handbag, as their selection at the time of this article was not inclusive of anything I would wear (nor would I want you to). The men's blazer, pants, shirt, and shoes come to a total of 213.97. The women's look was created for 172.97. Both looks are super fabulous, can be worn in many different places, and are very affordable for the style they are offering.
Other Resources
The Black Tux: An easy tuxedo rental service with nationwide locations. PLUS they even have a free home try-on service.
VIVRELLE: If you want to elevate your wedding season looks with designer jewelry and handbags but are unsure of what to purchase, or maybe you aren't ready to take the plunge, then you can subscribe to this monthly rental service with options to buy the items!
Rent the Runway: Maybe you want to wear something awesome but don't want to buy a new dress, or you want something designer for an affordable price; that's where Rent the Runway comes in. I have used this service in the past, and it is very reliable. The only con is that you can't alter the clothing, and sometimes, my frame doesn't fit certain pieces.
Dress to Celebrate
Weddings are a time for love, laughter, and unforgettable style. With these curated looks, you’ll feel confident, chic, and ready to celebrate in fashion. Whether you’re channeling vintage glamour or modern elegance, let your outfit set the tone for a night to remember.
Shop the edit, embrace the moment, and slay wedding season in style! ✨💃🕺
Sending Style,
Bri