Wedding
Apr 9, 2022

I Tried On So Many Reformation Wedding Guest Dresses to Find the 7 Best

by Emily Dawes

Wedding season is almost upon us. Although, after so many years of postponements, wedding season in 2022 is basically 12 months long—right? Reportedly, this year is going to play host to 25% more weddings than usual, and I for one (being in my early 30s) am starting to feel the effects of mounting invites.

Of course, weddings are wonderful things, and I can’t wait to attend them all and celebrate my friends and family. The one worrying thing I’m already starting to consider is what to wear to so many events. With everyone’s diaries becoming so crowded, there are not only the usual summer weddings to think about but also winter occasions. Not to mention the hen dos, pre-wedding dinners and post-wedding parties.

Photo:

Reformation

Luckily, rental is such an easy, sustainable option these days, and I’ll definitely be turning to the likes of Hurr, Rotaro and My Wardrobe more than once. Personally, though, I’m a fan of investing in one great dress that makes me feel amazing and wearing it to as many different events as I can for years to come.

Reformation is one of the brands I (and most of the industry) turn to most when shopping for versatile, quality pieces like this, and wedding guest dresses are its MO. It’s not only a sustainably focused brand, but the dresses are timeless, flattering and perfect for (cliché incoming) dressing up or down. From weddings to summer barbecues to pub gardens and big birthdays, there’s always something in its huge offering that works for all of the above, and the great part is it offers petite and extended sizes, too. Add strappy heels to one, and you’re all dressed up. Switch for trainers and a leather jacket, and you’re instantly picnic ready.

When it comes to investing in the perfect wedding guest dress, though, it can really help to try the pieces on in real life and get a feel for the material, fit and features of the dress, especially if you plan on wearing it as much as I do. And since Reformation only has two stores in the UK, I thought I’d put some time aside specifically to pop into the newest store in London and try as many dresses as I could find so that you don’t have to. Below, you’ll find seven styles that were particularly good, with notes on the fit and which body shapes they could work best for. Of course, there are so many more beautiful styles in Reformation’s online offering that weren’t in store, so I’ve also added in links to more of my favourite dresses.

Keep scrolling to see and shop.

Photo:

@emilyjdawes

Starting on a high note, I think this may have been my favourite style of the lot. For starters, you can wear a bra with it, and it also just felt really comfortable and easy to wear. You don't have to worry about any accidental flashing or see-through material, and the pretty arm detail made it feel like a really special piece. I'm usually between a size 8 and 10, and in Reformation dresses, I've opted for the 10 or a medium so that they skimmed over my slightly bigger hips and tummy nicely. Since I'm only an A-cup, though, there was definitely room for a more ample bosom in this dress, in case you were wondering.

Photo:

@emilyjdawes

I always love a wrap dress on my slightly pear-shaped figure, and this was no different. The skirt flowed beautifully and had a flattering split when walking that wasn't overly dramatic. It could definitely accommodate a bigger chest and would probably not be as low-cut with a bit of cleavage to pad it out (à la the model below).

Photo:

@emilyjdawes

This was surprisingly figure-hugging and gave me a lot of shape, so if you're straight up and down or want to emphasise your bum and hips, this is the perfect option. The straps are adjustable with the bow at the front so you can really tailor it to you specifically.

Photo:

@emilyjdawes

This was another clear winner for me. I'm not normally a spaghetti-strap girl, but the bows on the top of the shoulders made them really flattering. It came up a little smaller than the others, so if you're between sizes, I would go up, but the bodice is stretchy at the back so offers some leeway for different body shapes.

Photo:

@emilyjdawes

If I had boobs, I would love this dress. Sadly, my chest wasn't quite shapely enough to fill the cups, but if you want to wear a strappy dress and are worried about not wearing a bra, this in-built support would be great for those with a B-cup or above. And can we talk about this shade of pink? It's certainly a showstopper and a half.

Photo:

@emilyjdawes

Fan of a slip dress? This is your sign not to overlook this gorgeous '90s-style dress for events this year. When I saw it on the hanger, I hummed and hawed over whether the lacey panels were too risqué for something like a wedding, but I'm glad I tried it since it felt much more on the pretty end of the scale when on. You probably couldn't wear a bra, as the back is open too, but at least the fabric wasn't see-through, so no nipple action to worry about. I love how they've styled this on the model with flats too.

Photo:

@emilyjdawes

I feel like this dress could work for so many different events. I'd probably size down to an 8 if I were to buy it, as there was quite a lot of material in the 10 to allow for a bigger chest (a positive thing—well done, Ref, for considering that!). It does have an open back with a button closure where a bra would sit, so I think you could get away with a thin or pretty bra strap if you wanted.