12 Dresses to Wear to a Wedding

Summer Wedding: Formal Dressing for a black-tie wedding in the summertime is all about looking elegant. Heels are a definite do, and a pashmina is a good idea too (it's likely the AC will be on full-blast). As for your dress: A floor-length chiffon gown is our favorite option. It's soft, ethereal, and light enough for any outdoor setting.

Summer Wedding: Cocktail Cocktail attire is always a tricky dress code to decipher, and in the summer, it's even more open to interpretation. We like to think of it as the equivalent of "business attire," just sexier. When it comes to pulling off this semiformal look, something simple and solid-colored is always a safe bet because it's so easy to dress up or down.

Summer Wedding: Casual Beware —casual doesn't mean you can stroll in wearing a sundress and flip-flops. You still have to look like you're going to a wedding. Focus on wearing breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, especially if the wedding is outdoors. Lighter colors are a great idea too. Just steer clear of ivory or white.

Fall Wedding: Formal As the weather starts to get cooler, the vibe of any formal wedding becomes more chic than carefree. A dark, floor-length dress is the no-brainer option, but we suggest getting a bit more creative with your wedding style. It's the perfect season to experiment with layers and textures like velvet, lace, and artful draping.

Fall Wedding: Cocktail Cocktail attire for weddings in the fall is our favorite because anything goes, and it's finally time to break out that LBD. Just make sure it's not too sexy (read: no plunging necklines) —you don't want to draw any attention away from the bride.

Fall Wedding: Casual If the bride and groom have opted for this laid-back dress code, they're hoping you'll show up comfy but clean-cut. Feel free to wear a dress with a design or bright colors. Just use the invitation as a guide. If the wedding colors are pink and blue, you should avoid those colors —you don't want to look like a bridesmaid.

Winter Wedding: Formal 'Tis the season to go all out. Yep, a black-tie wedding in the winter months means it's likely the couple has pulled out all of the stops jazzing up the ballroom (it's sure to be indoors) and focusing on the details, so they want their guests to look just as good. So consider a glitzy gown. Whether studded with sequins or encrusted with crystal, sparkly embellishments will make any style —long or short — feel more special.

Winter Wedding: Cocktail Your goal at a semiformal winter wedding is to look fun and festive. A dress in any jewel tone (think emerald green or royal purple) should do the trick. Plus, these colors look good on almost anyone!

Winter Wedding: Casual Put down the cable-knit sweater! The invitation said casual, not log-cabin chic. Stick with rich colors, but skip fancier fabrics like satin or velvet. Add accessories like opaque tights to give your style a laid-back vibe without making you look underdressed.

Spring Wedding: Formal The buzzword here is chic, not cute. If you're going short, make sure it's nothing too poufy, and don't forget to add statement accessories.