Weddings are my favorite place to reconnect with old friends coming from near and far. I recently finished a mini marathon of celebrations that took me from the East to the West Coast. And with that, I learned a thing or two about dressing comfortably for those chilly summer nights. One of my favorite looks is this washable silk wedding guest dress that is simple, and drapes elegantly. At the end of the post, I also share inspiration on how to layer your outfits with wedding-appropriate jackets and scenic photos from my friend’s wedding at the dreamy Inns of Aurora.
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What Makes Silk Machine Washable
Fewer things are more appealing to me than a convenient wardrobe. Though silk is known to be a delicate, and high-maintenance material, washable alternatives exist to lighten your load. (Just realized that’s a pun) I’ve written about the science of washable silk in an earlier post (HERE). But the main difference is that washable silk is chemically treated to be stain and water resistant. This step is important since silk is prone to water damage. In wet state, silk fibers weaken, and can lose their luster and smoothness.
The last thing I want to do after coming home from wedding travels is make another trip the dry cleaners. It’s expensive and bad for the environment! So for me, washable silk is a huge draw that makes me more willing to wear the material.
Note: Washable and ‘Machine Washable’ are not the same! If you see the tag ‘Washable’, just know that you may still need to hand-wash or apply the ‘delicate’ cycle.
Washable Silk Cutout Midi Slip Dress Review
My dress is made with 100% mulberry silk in a satin finish. For the price, I found the fabric thickness to be decent for a summer wedding guest dress. However, as with all silk fabrics, it does wrinkle. I found the creases less noticeable with darker colors, and their ‘Forest Green’ shade (as styled on me) was my favorite. I am wearing a size S, and the fit was perfect!
Silk Wedding Guest Dress: The Design Details
This washable silk wedding guest dress has a minor cut-out detail right above the ribcage. And the back has a lace-up tie closure. As such, I’ve found that this dress works best with a backless sticky bra. However, a strapless bra works well too if you choose a color that is close to your skin tone! I am sharing some highly-rated, affordable options below.
- The Back Tie Closure: For ladies with a smaller bust like me, I am thankful for this lace-up design. It adds to the adjustability, and allows for better fit in the bodice. My only complaint is the darting in the cups did not fit me perfectly, but looks better once the straps are tightened.
- The Straps: The shoulder straps are slippery! By the end of the night, I felt like they elongated, so just be mindful of that and adjust as necessary.
- Over-The-Head Design: This dress is an over-the-head rather than step-design. I wish it had a zipper, but for a 100% silk dress for $110, I suppose this is one of those functional details they had to skip for costs sake. Overall, I didn’t find the dress too hard to take on / off. But be thoughtful of how you plan your make-up to minimize smudging.
How to Layer Over Your Wedding Guest Dress
At every wedding, there comes a point in the night where the temperature drops and you wish you had a jacket. Or maybe you’re struggling to find the right layer to style it with! For something as simple as a slip dress, here are my favorite layering combinations. Steal these outfit ideas:
- Lady Jacket: I love something textured like tweed, as it looks heavy-duty, adds interest, and elevates the outfit.
- Elevated Cardigan: Look for something with texture, fancier buttons, and/or thicker knit.
- Neutral Complementing Blazer
- Contrasting Button-Down: Button halfway, and then tie it up for a cute waist-cinching look.
Outfit 1: Ivory Tweed Jacket | Taupe Leather Clutch | Nude Sandals (Under $40!)
Outfit 2: Beige Blazer | Quilted Barrel Crossbody Bag | Woven Slingbacks
Outfit 3: Cropped Tie Knot Button-Down | Woven Shoulder Bag | Flat Pumps (very comfy!)
Outfit 4: Black Cardigan | Metallic Shoulder Bag | Mesh Heeled Mules
