We’re talking about wedding guest dressing problems most wouldn’t normally admit to but: Pastel has been done to death and black is like wearing a statement you have to defend to your guests’ mother. Green sits nicely away from both camps. Sage, olive, bottle, emerald, heck even a sharp grass green tone in a premium fabric all read as considered rather than safe. They also photograph beautifully against the gardens and courtyards couples actually get married in this summer.
The key to nailing a green gown is in the fabric. Green is a colour that needs to read in the drape as much as the shade. You want something with weight that flows nicely through a ceremony and reception, so stay away from stiff cottons or shiny satins that can look flat or sweaty under marquee lighting. Opt for a fabric with a bit of structure but give enough that it won’t crease as soon as you sit down for your table speeches.
Both midi and maxi work for green but as with all wedding guest dressing it needs to take into account standing up for an hour during the ceremony in the great outdoors before dancing the night away. That means a bias cut or softly pleated A line will flatter for longer than a tight sheath that was only ever made to look good in the photos at the start of the day.
If there’s one place people tend to go wrong is styling it – either playing it too safe with silver jewellery or going OTT with colour. Gold jewellery is your green goddess best friend and will lift the shade in a way that silver simply doesn’t. Think olive and bottle tones. And a sandal. Keep it neat in tan or nude for daytime weddings, then kick up your heel in something metallic once you’re indoors for cocktails.
Think twice before topping your green gown with another strong colour. Trust us, it wants a natural or metallic accessory doing the talking, not a bold print..
So where does green work best? Nowhere and everywhere. Unlike our pastel picks that scream summer wedding ceremony, a green gown works for the whole shebang. Ceremony to reception. Outdoor to indoor. City rooftops. Countryside marquees. Coastal weddings. Really anywhere the invite says elegant but not necessarily black tie. Just make sure it’s something you’ll wanna rewear – that’s the real test of a successful wedding guest dress.
Top Picks
GREEN DRESSGODDIVAGoddiva Sash One Shoulder Bardot Maxi Dress
$125.00 GODDIVA
GREEN DRESSZEAGOOSexy V Neck Long Sleeve Velvet Mini Dress - Army Green / S(4)
$25.99 ZEAGOO
GREEN DRESSTHE LUXURY CLOSETValentino Black Green Butterfly Print Silk Mini Dress
$311.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
THREDUP (US)Popular 21 Casual Dress: Green Solid Pattern Dresses
$17.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Babaton Cocktail Dress - Slip dress: Green Solid Pattern Dresses - Used
$39.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Julia Jordan Cocktail Dress - Wrap: Green Dresses - Used - Size
$59.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)BCBGMAXAZRIA Casual Dress - DropWaist: Green Color Block Pattern Dresses - Used
$67.99 THREDUP (US)
ZEAGOOHooded Sheath Mini Dress with Drawstring - Army Green / S(4)
$32.59 ZEAGOO
THREDUP (US)Ted Baker London Casual Dress - High Low: Green Chevron/Herringbone Pattern Dresses - Used - Size
$141.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Cocktail Dress: Green Color Block Pattern Dresses
$27.99 THREDUP (US)
SHOPBOPShoshanna Angie Dress Spring Green
$398.00 SHOPBOP
ZEAGOOSexy V Neck Long Sleeve Velvet Mini Dress - Army Green / S(4)
$25.99 ZEAGOO
ZEAGOOZeagoo Women's Crewneck Sleeveless Split Maxi Dress Casual Loose Sundress Long Flowy Beach Dress with Pockets - Army Green / S(4)
$29.99 ZEAGOO
GODDIVAGoddiva Bardot Pleated Maxi Dress
$79.00 GODDIVA
THREDUP (US)IEENA for Mac Duggal Cocktail Dress - Wrap: Green Dresses - New - Size
$246.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Casual Dress: Green Dresses - Used
$28.99 THREDUP (US)
RENT THE RUNWAYAshley Park x RTR Green Tie Neck Midi Dress Green-print
$35.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
GODDIVAGoddiva Square Neck Scalloped Embroidered Sequin Midi Dress
$135.00 GODDIVA
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicsew Elegant Mother Of The Bride Dress Short Sleeves Lace Chiffon Floor-Length A-Line Gown - Olive-green
$169.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
POSTER MASTER USGreen Dress Portrait - Poster / 16x16 inch
$34.95 POSTER MASTER US
FASHIONTAMERS USKocca Green Pleated Viscose Dress For Women
$261.45 FASHIONTAMERS US
HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Ruffled Out Dress Orange
$105.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
THE LUXURY CLOSETValentino Black Green Butterfly Print Silk Mini Dress
$311.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
AW BRIDALAW Amaya Dress
$139.99 AW BRIDAL
HARVEY NICHOLS USGucci Kids Floral-embroidered Silk-organza Dress - Green - 18 Months
$914.49 HARVEY NICHOLS US
HELLOMOLLY (US)On Full Display Maxi Dress Green
$97.38 HELLOMOLLY (US)
ZEAGOOSolid Color A-Line Short Sleeve Crew Neck Dress With Belt - Army Green / S(4)
$40.24 ZEAGOO
DAILY SALE, INC.Women's Spaghetti Strap Backless Dress - Green/Pink
$33.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
W CONCEPT (US)Two-wear Collared Vest Dress
$160.00 W CONCEPT (US)
ZEAGOOV-neck High Split Long Evening Dress with Belt - Green / M(6)
$37.89 ZEAGOO
W CONCEPT (US)Stripe Pattern Voluminous Pajama Dress (Green)
$117.00 W CONCEPT (US)
RENT THE RUNWAYXRENA Luella Dress Green
$299.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
HELLO MOLLY (US)Jade Midi Dress Green
$99.75 HELLO MOLLY (US)
ZEAGOOZeagoo Womens Midi Dress Short Sleeve A
$39.07 ZEAGOO
CERQULARAX PARIS Womens Green & White Floral Day Dress Polyester Short Sleeve Short
$27.29 CERQULAR
GODDIVAGoddiva Scuba Crepe Bandeau Rose Maxi Dress
$85.00 GODDIVA
RENT THE RUNWAYRonny Kobo Zack Dress Green
$224.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
HARVEY NICHOLS USSimkhai Nadya Ribbed-knit Mini Dress - Light Green
$470.12 HARVEY NICHOLS US
ZEAGOOLong Sleeve Satin Shirt Dress - Zeagoo- Green / S(4)
$43.69 ZEAGOO
ZEAGOOZeagoo Women's Cross Back Apron with Pockets Pinafore Dress - Army Green / XL(12)
$25.99 ZEAGOO
HARVEY NICHOLS USFree People Bali Floral-embroidered Woven Mini Dress - Light Green
$206.08 HARVEY NICHOLS US
GODDIVAGoddiva Sash One Shoulder Bardot Maxi Dress
$125.00 GODDIVA
W CONCEPT (US)Lightweight Cotton Short-Sleeve Relaxed Fit Dress [Ivory]
$156.00 W CONCEPT (US)
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Bloomsberry Buttondown Midi Dress
$248.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
$228.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Printed Crossover Maxi Dress
$49.00 GODDIVA
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Jewel Sleeveless Ruched Satin Sheath Elegant Mermaid Mother Of The Groom Wedding Dress - Olive-green
$139.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
−50%
NATURALIZER27 EDIT Tressa Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede, 6.5M Slip-On, Open Toe$129.98
$64.99 NATURALIZER
−50%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Joy Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede Leather, 8.5M Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels$149.98
$74.99 NATURALIZER
−38%
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Utility Pleated Midi Dress$177.34
$109.95 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
−13%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Petra Dress Sandals, Green Multi Faux Raffia Leather, 8.5M Strappy Style, Block Heels$155.16
$134.99 NATURALIZER
−30%
FARMRIOGreen Wavy Trim Halter Neck Mini Dress$297.14
$208.00 FARMRIO
−50%
HARVEY NICHOLS USDE LA Vali Persephone Lace Maxi Dress - Green - 12 (UK12 / M)$721.28
$360.64 HARVEY NICHOLS US
![Lightweight Cotton Short-Sleeve Relaxed Fit Dress [Ivory]](https://images2.productserve.com/?w=200&h=200&bg=white&trim=5&t=letterbox&url=ssl%3Acdn.wconcept.com%2Fproducts%2F7203985%2F40%2F720398540_1.jpg&feedId=21675&k=078faca4253b8eac1e6b80b69cfdde3d8473228f)
