Need help: What to wear to a beach wedding in April?

Peri

It will be fairly casual, but the dress code as far as it goes says "khakis for men and sundresses for women, but it might still be cold on the beach so bring a jacket." Yikes!

When I hear sundress I think of sleeveless strappy cutesy things but I'm 66 and that's not happening. And I'm flummoxed over shoes as well. Cold sand in your feet on an April beach? I'd be more inclined to wear boots. Let's add, I'm the aunt. I won't be in the spotlight but I don't want to look "wrong" either. Mostly I don't want to stand out in any way.

Here's what I've found in a short and limited search. I can't get my Finds to work so apologies for the links:

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/fa.....origin=bag

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/lo.....gin=bag#fs

I don't like them much and would never buy either without this occasion. But am I at least on the right track? I appreciate any ideas and guidance.

2 days ago

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from karen23

Roberta

Veteran

This is a bit of a stumper. I actually really like the Maggie London dress. I like that blue and white combination, and I think the sleeves are a useful length for other occasions. I think looking for short sleeves and flowing fabric is the right direction for sure. This DKNY Maxi Dress from Nordstrom might work: http://www.nordstrom.com/s/7894730

As for shoes, I would probably end up in pristine sneakers and claim to be the wacky aunt.

Lands' End

Women's Cotton Modal Embellished Trim Maxi Dress

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Amazon

Cole Haan Women's Grandpro Max Platform Sneaker Slipper

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Nordstrom

Ted Baker London Relina Sneaker

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2 days ago

Peri

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Thanks Roberta! I do like the DKNY one, I'll put it on my list. And I like the sound of wacky aunt.

2 days ago

Star (Lise)

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INDIGOPRINT posted a month ago asking about a linen dress for a wedding. Most felt that although it was gorgeous it was too informal for that occassion. Maybe it would be suitable for a beach wedding. Have a look back at her recent posts.

2 days ago

MsMary

Veteran

I would not buy something I don't like just to wear once at a wedding. Surely you have a summery/springy dress already in your wardrobe that you can wear? Or... I really like to do dressy separates like a fun skirt and top for events like this. As for shoes, I think fun sneakers are a great option.

2 days ago

cat2

Veteran

You can do almost any flowy dress, and toss a lady jacket over it if you already have one. I would do espadrilles for the beach. They aren’t very expensive so who cares if they get ruined? Or, I
have some Cole Haan shoes that are espadrille inspired but in their indestructible knit.

2 days ago

cat2

Veteran

Just checked: mine are the Cole Haan cloud feel espadrille. I would not do sneakers unless you go with a sporty dress.

2 days ago

JAileen

Veteran

We’re going to a wedding this spring, too, and I’m also the aunt. I haven’t given much thought to dresses. I agree with Mary - don’t buy something you don’t like. What I would do is take this opportunity to get something that you love but wouldn’t have bought otherwise. I think I might need one of those puzzle purses.

I like both of the dresses you linked to. I would probably go for the long sleeves.

2 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Peri, beach weddings are not easy. Bring your sunnies, or you'll do a LOT of squinting and looking down (as I found out the hard way)

I like both dresses! You're on the right track. I encourage longer sleeves for sun protection, versatility, and warmth.

As per Mary's point, don't you have a frock in your wardrobe you can wear?

Like cat2's suggestion for a dressier topper for when it cools down.

I know you battle with your feet so on that note since you'd like to wear boots, can you wear cowgirl boots? Might work if it's part of the culture where you live - which I know is in the South!

Last, I seem to remember that you like periwinkle blue - (hence your avatar!) - and black! How about a dress with a black background and a periwinkle pattern? That way you might wear it again - with your black ECCO sneakers.

2 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I wouldn’t buy anything you don’t like either. I clicked on your links, and Roberta’s link, they all come up about or over $250 in my NZ$ due to exchange rate. No thank you. You could possibly thrift something or else try hard to find something you do like and will wear again, because possibly as the aunt you won’t want something thrifted. I think boots or sneakers would be fine if they go well with the dress.

2 days ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Maybe you can rent a dress? I wore the red-orange dress to my MIL’s celebration of life. The white dress comes in colors. Both hit me quite a bit longer since I am short. The thing about both their sleeves is that they’re not the easiest to layer over.

I hope you can find a dress that you can imagine wearing again.

Nordstrom

Caslon Long Sleeve Tiered Dress

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Nordstrom

Treasure&Bond Ladder Stitch Accent Linen Blend Tiered Minidress

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2 days ago

LJP

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Where in US is this wedding ? Trying to wrap my head around a beach wedding in April too . This would stress me right out as the footwear is tricky - unless it’s not literally standing in the sand . If it’s at a resort / beach in a Southern area that’s warm , it would be a totally different vibe than a northern location on a lake somewhere . If it were me I’d actually wear funky flowy pants and some sort of jacket- top thing in linen or a cotton / linen blend that gives a set vibe . And metallic sneakers or sandals .

2 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I like DonnaF’s idea of renting if you really can’t find a dress you like and will wear again.

2 days ago

Peri

Veteran

Thanks for the help. And Angie, wow you have a good memory!

For the frequent advice not to buy a dress to wear once, I have to say, I don't wear dresses. Like, ever. I just don't have occasions to. I don't believe I've worn a dress in over 6 years. So following that advice, no new dress.

For the advice about wearing one I already have, I barely have any! But I have been thinking a little of a very old (Laura Ashley, that's how old!) dress that I still have. Black with white embroidery in a kind of wandering vines pattern. It is about ankle length and basically just a loose fitting column, no shape to it. (Well, I hope it's still loose. Might not be anymore!) I was wondering if I could wear it with a casual white jacket and either black boots or white sneakers or my black Eccos Angie remembers. I would be comfortable, I just wondered if black at a wedding on the beach would be not festive enough? The photo doesn't look like much because it's a sack, but I've always liked it.

Thoughts?

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2 days ago

Jaime

(website)

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I am stuck on the shoe problem. That would drive me crazy because any low shoe would fill with sand. I think I would go with boots if possible. Since you are the aunt, I would ask my sibling/sibling-in-law what they think of the dress. It does sound like the dress code is relaxed.

2 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Peri, try on your pretty dress! See if it works. If it does, we can complete the outfit

2 days ago

Peri

Veteran

Jamie, yes! Shoes are a big problem. The common advice would be some kind of sandal but...cold! The only sibling-in-law is a BIL and I love him, but won't be asking for any clothing advice!!

To many who asked, yes, the US South, but April is quite a chancy month. Not warm yet, especially the water, and with an ocean breeze? I'm counting on it being more on the cold side.

2 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I like your Laura Ashley dress! To it being old, no worries, I have a beautiful Laura Ashley skirt from 2008 that I still wear and it’s forum approved!
I think it would be festive with some lighter things to bring out the pretty cream/white colour of the flowers. Cream jacket of some sort? Cream closed toe espadrilles, or boots or sneakers?
I guess you wouldn’t do a small fascinator or similar if you don’t wear dresses, LOL. If it were me I’d be looking for one already
But I love dressing up.

2 days ago

cat2

Veteran

Oh, your dress would be fun. Do you have any pastel or beachy colored accessories that would work?

2 days ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

This would be a great wedding for the Quince tiered maxi dresses, which come in a few different materials, and a number of colors. Covers shoulders, and can put on topper and leggings/thermals underneath.

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1 day ago

Bijou

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Peri if you don't wear dresses (or skirts) I would not wear one. A beach wedding is always less formal than a regular wedding, so pants would also be acceptable and warmer than a sundress. I always think at things like this, it is best to feel comfortable and like oneself and if not sticking strictly to the dress code, make sure that the level of formality is right.

1 day ago

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I like the dress you have and I like BIJOUs advice.

1 day ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

So… I do agree with Bijou that you don’t have to wear a dress if you almost never do. But I got excited anyway and looked up sites for fascinators, the best one here is The Iconic which is an Australian site but surely in the US you would have way more choice. I was disappointed to see many are only one colour but the exception is either black/white or black/cream (I couldn’t quite tell from your photo which the dress is, if the vines are white or cream) where there was a reasonable choice of those combinations. The other question of course is whether you should wear a sun hat. The wedding I went to on a very hot day I was glad to have my 2011 sun hat as some people did get sunburnt. Of course our ozone layer is very thin down here in NZ and the sun very strong. I’m lucky to have options already in my wardrobe for many things.
Isn’t it you that does ballroom dancing? Does that mean you have special accessories?

1 day ago

Indigoprint

Veteran

Peri, I am also in a wedding dress search. What I saw on the "wedding sites" are styles I do not typically wear. I did notice many lovely pant styles. Still a little formal for me but it seems like "pants" are an acceptable dress for a wedding.
I like your dress, and it's a plus that it is already in your closet.
For my occasion, I am considering a black slip dress with a Grey topper. My future DIL likes it.

1 day ago

Peri

Veteran

Bijou, Jenny NZ, LJP, and Star...I'm still considering pants, yes. I'd have to buy something there too so it wouldn't be easier, I'd just feel more like myself. I'm going to ask my niece about this.

But, thanks to all of you I'm now leaning hard into the "vintage" dress. I haven't worn it in so long it could easily pass as new. So with this post I've gone from clueless to having two strong ideas. I'm grateful!

Yes, Jenny, I do ballroom competition. Accessories would be jewelry meant to be noticed from 40 feet away! In ballroom there is no such thing as over the top, but that doesn't translate into much else in life. Maybe drag!

1 day ago

JAileen

Veteran

Your dress with a white denim jacket and red, white, or black espadrilles would be a great beach outfit. Several years ago we went to a barn wedding. I wore a dress I already had with a denim jacket and sandals.

1 day ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Last time I bought a dress for a wedding was the only time I wore that dress or any dress - several years ago. In that case it was a very formal wedding so I'm glad I did have something that felt 100% appropriate. But, if I were invited to a beach wedding and wanted something new I'd lean towards linen blend pants or cotton twill with a good cut that you feel really good wearing and a flowy feminine top.

Can't add finds right now but I can imagine something like the top linked below and a pair of off white pants being dressy enough and giving coverage from the sun. You can always take your shoes off in the sand if you plan ahead - other people will likely do it too if the sand is an issue.

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ge.....wordsearch

1 day ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Beach in April.....brrrrr!

I know it's not as cold as here, but still...

I'd say sleeves are required (so, a jacket) and I hope your niece will be reasonable about that. It sounds as if she intends for it to be somewhat casual if she has said khakis and sundresses.

1 day ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

Late to the party but... Isn't this exactly the situation that Uggs were made for? (Cool sand, not necessarily the dressiness factor.)

If it were me, I would lean into the eccentric aunt, and wear either a flowy maxi or flowy linen pants. Sounds like you are going in the same direction!

1 day ago

karen23

Active Member

I've been the aunt at a wedding, and the older cousin, and the groom's dad's girlfriend - but not at the beach yet!

You can probably look online and find what the weather is like at that time of year at that location.

I like to wear a flowy midi (or is it midaxi?) length dress to weddings because I can't wear high heels and it looks OK with flats. And I agree with Angie - sleeves are good. Sandals with decent arch support, sneakers, boots - whatever works for your feet. The women who show up in high heeled shoes will be the ones feeling awkward on the beach.

6 hours ago

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