Summer wedding season is in full swing and with that comes lots of pre-wedding festivities. Do you have any wedding showers coming up? If so, you might be wondering what to wear. A bridal shower is one of the most sentimental pre-wedding events, offering an intimate and relaxed celebration with close friends and family. It’s a day filled with games, treats, and lots of love, so picking the perfect outfit is key! You want to look chic without being overdressed, but also feel comfy, right? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the ultimate guide on what to wear to a bridal shower as a guest, featuring outfit ideas that are stylish, elegant, and simple!
Bridal Shower Outfits
If you’ve received an invitation to a bridal shower that doesn’t have a dress code listed, it’s safe to go with something that we would describe as classy casual. It’s a little less formal than classic cocktail attire, but a little dressier than elevated casual. It’s more casual than what you would wear to a rehearsal dinner or the wedding, but it’s still elevated and chic. This means nice dresses in mini, midi, or maxi lengths, jumpsuits, dressy separates, elevated tops and pants, or blouses and skirts. Sometimes brides will request that bridal shower guests wear specific colors…if that’s the case, it’s important to follow the brides wishes. And of course, never EVER wear white to bridal showers! Other things to consider are where the shower is being held and the weather. For example, what you wear to an outdoor shower at someone’s home will be more casual than what you wear to an indoor bridal tea at a nice hotel or restaurant.
If you’re looking for dresses for wedding guests over 40, you can get some great ideas here. Plus, even more here.
What to Wear to A Bridal Shower
Below, you’ll find bridal shower guest outfit ideas starting with the most casual and getting dressier…
Printed Shorts Set
First up is an elevated but casual bridal shower outfit idea. In this look, Erin’s wearing a matching printed blouse and shorts set by Farm Rio. Erin loves the Farm Rio brand for their gorgeous prints and small but impactful details. For example, this blouse has beautiful, ruffled shoulders that add some drama, while the shorts have a super flattering and chic belted waist. These shorts are roomier, which makes your legs look smaller. Style this look with some platforms, strappy heels, or sandals and add some simple jewelry and a clutch to keep it effortless but stylish.
Erin wore this look on a trip to Italy… if you want to see all her Italy outfits, make sure you check out this post next!
Matching Blazer & Shorts Set
Next up is another matching set, but this time a little dressier. In this look, Erin’s wearing a beautiful beige blazer and matching shorts by Camilla Coehlo. This blazer is longer and more oversized, which makes it feel more casual. But we love that the puff shoulders add some oomph. The matching shorts have roomy legs, a belted waist, and higher rise that make them incredibly flattering. Erin styled the set with a white button down shirt, but for a bridal shower you could easily swap that out with a printed or different-color blouse. She completed the look with espadrille loafers but you could try platforms, pumps, heels, or sandals to dress it up.
Pink Tweed Mini Dress
For a bridal shower, you can never go wrong with a simple shift dress in an elevated fabric. This pink dress by Cinq A Sept is so chic and we love the tweed. Some people may think tweed is only for cooler months, but you can actually wear it year-round…especially when it’s in gorgeous spring/summer hues like this pink. This dress has pretty white trim (not too much white for a bridal shower) and luxe gold buttons, a modest neckline, and it’s a great length on Erin (she’s 5’4”). She styled it with sneakers on vacation but to dress it up she would wear some kind of heel. For a bridal shower, ditch the white accessories and swap them out for beige or tan instead.
Printed Romper
Rompers and jumpsuits are great options for bridal showers! This one is another Farm Rio piece Erin scooped up this spring and absolutely loves. How gorgeous is this print?! We love the puff shoulders, faltering legs, and waist-defining belt. Erin styled it with espadrille wedges, making this the perfect elevated look for a bridal shower!
Printed Maxi Dress
Maxi dresses are another wonderful outfit idea for bridal showers. This one has a little bit of white in the print, but since it’s mostly green, we’ve deemed it safe for a bridal shower. It’s so chic, breathable, and versatile. Erin has worn it with heels, sneakers, and sandals this summer and loves how easy it is to dress up or down! The one-shoulder neckline is really cool, the print and color are beautiful, and the length is nice too.
Black Top & Printed Skirt
If dresses and shorts aren’t your style, try a skirt! In this look, Erin’s wearing a black top with fun ruffled sleeves tucked into a black and white printed skirt. This skirt might have a little too much white for a bridal shower, but we still wanted to show you the outfit to give you inspiration. You could easily swap this skirt for a different floral, striped, or solid-colored skirt that you probably already have in your closet!
Black Midi Dress
The old idea that you can’t wear black to weddings or wedding-related events is outdated. You can wear black and this midi dress is a wonderful option! Erin has this Staud midi dress in a few colors and the mini version and absolutely loves them. The silhouette is SO flattering and the square neckline is unexpected. Plus, you can wear a regular bra with it…win! Erin wore the dress on her trip to Italy and styled it more casually. For a bridal shower, swap the sneakers for heels, the belt bag for a clutch, and ditch the hat.
Printed Fit-and-Flare Dress
This dress is similar to the last look but we wanted to show you a fun, colorful option if black isn’t the color you want to wear. Erin bought this dress earlier this year and has taken it on multiple trips and styled it multiple ways. In this look, she’s wearing it with a pair of platform heels, which would be a perfect, elevated bridal shower outfit. But you can style this dress with mules, flats, or wedges too. We love the bright, bold print, flattering fit-and-flare silhouette, and sexy (but modest) square neckline.
Have any wedding festivities coming up soon for someone you love? Let us know in the comments below!
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Thanks for the great ideas for a bridal shower outfit! I’ve ordered the pink sheath for a shower I’ll attend in August. I would love it if Team Busbee would do an Ultimate Guide to what to wear as a wedding guest to an Autumn 2024 wedding. Thank you so much for your consideration. Always LOVE to see Busbee Style in my inbox! Thank you ladies!
We hope you love it! That pink is just gorgeous… Thanks so much for sharing this great idea. We love hearing just what you are needing help with in the style department. Thanks for being a part of this amazing community! ~Team Busbee