It's wedding season, people. You have undoubtedly received that sweet, pretty, calligraphied invitation in the mail and begun to panic over what you will wear. Am I right or am I right? Calm your nerves, little ones. The rules for wedding wear are fairly liberal, at least for the ones I've attended, (except for theme or black tie formal requests): 1). Don't wear white or the bridesmaid's color; 2). Don't wear a prom or New Year's Eve dresses; 3). Don't wear anything that you'd wear doing errands or while at work. Those rules leave a lot up in the air, so what we have here are some updated ways to dress up, get fancy, and impress the crap out of your family or past high school and college cohorts.
First off, let's remove our idea that we have to wear a dress to a wedding. Of course, you could wear an a-line, empire waist, ties in the back party dress, but if you did you wouldn't be reading this blog, and to be honest, we wouldn't be friends. A printed pencil skirt is an incredibly appropriate option. Especially when paired with a white peplum top, strappy black sandals, black tuxedo jacket, colorful statement necklace, and a bright chain link purse. 
Second, the business suit is not just for the 9 to 5 workday. A vivid suit jacket, blouse, and trousers displayed in different tones of the same color scheme exudes sass and class. When paired with nude peep toes, pink hued chandelier earrings, and a gold minaudiere, you'll be appropriate for the afternoon service all the way through evening cocktails. You'll even be able to channel John Travolta on the dance floor! 
The mid length hemline has been all the rage recently. It's demure yet the pleating and sometimes sheerness still show what you're momma gave you. Keep the look wholesome and wear a headband in your updo, drop pearl earrings, structured black satchel, and bow pumps. Who wants to be the girl pulling at the bottom of her skirt anyway? Save the shorter hemlines for the club (or keep them on the shelf at Armani Exchange)! A pair of printed trousers have the reputation of being appropriate for brunch, but not making the way through to the evening. By incorporating metallic peep toes, a white power clutch, rhinestone fringe earrings, rhinestone cuff, and a pastel sparkly top, you can elevate these pants from, "I'll have a mimosa, please," to answering "Yes" to the dance request from the cute cousin of the groom.
Finally, if you're still a stranger to the maxi dress, or think, "I'm too tall, too short, or too plump" to wear one, we have bigger fish to fry. The length is not the part that is flattering or not, it's the neckline! Stick with the shapes that work for you. Halter, strapless, sweetheart, v-neck, etc. are all appropriate to be dressed up for some "I do's" but the type of fabric is important. Save your jersey material for the farmer's market and upgrade to flowy chiffon or a poly blend with a lace cuff, lace earrings, cocktail ring, and strappy cognac heels. All inspiration photos from street style blog
Vanessa Jackman.
