With summer in full swing it also means a full load of summer weddings to attend! At this point you might be scavenging through your closet wondering what’s appropriate to wear. Every wedding is different and all rules can adjust accordingly, but here are some of the basics!

DO

–Coordinate attire with your date. If you’re as meticulous as I am, I always think it’s a good idea to coordinate NOT match your date. Be careful though, the last thing you want is to look like your going to a high school dance together, but that doesn’t mean your outfits can’t compliment each other in the fabrics, colors, and feel.

–Dress for the wedding your attending. Every wedding is different and you need to keep that in mind when deciding on your attire. For day weddings don’t wear evening wear and vise versa. If you know the reception is going to be outside, possibly go for flats or wedges so your heels don’t sink into the grass. If going to a country wedding, don’t dress like your going uptown in the city. And for a chic modern wedding make sure you dress up to par and don’t downplay the occasion. However, always stay true to your personal style and who you are, after all the bride and groom invited you not who they think you should be.

–Ensure appropriate length. For women, anything that hits 2″ or 3″ above the knee is inappropriate. This is a wedding, not a night out with your friends. This is an important factor to consider because in no way do you want to be disrespectful to the bride and groom on their big day. For men, this refers to sleeve length. As I mentioned before, every wedding is different with different expectations. If the event is more casual on a blazing hot day you could get away with a short sleeve dress shirt, as long as your complimenting attire is dressy.

–Balance sexy and tasteful. Learning this balance is one of the best skills you can learn as a young fashionista, and a wedding is one of the most important times to acquire this trait. Wearing too short of a dress or too low cut of shirt is the fastest way to get noticed at a wedding (for the wrong reasons)!

–Wear cool linen or seer sucker. Summer is prime wedding season, and with that comes some of the hotter weather. This means you need to take into account the fabrics and materials you’re wearing so you don’t sweat like you’re in the middle of a workout during the ceremony. These suits from Paul Fredrick are perfect options for your dapper date.

–Wear a tie, bowtie, or pocket square for originality. For men this is the perfect way to express your individual style. Accessories like these allow you to stay respectful and not stand out like a sore thumb, but at the same time a pop of color or relaxed print can spice up any outfit.

DON’T

–Try and outshine the bride. Nothing is more tacky than trying to upstage the bride so keep this in mind when picking your attire. Stay away from anything too flashy. The key is to stand out as the best dressed attendee not the girl who tried (and failed) to look better than the bride.

–Wear white, neon, or denim. No. No. No.

–Wear the colors of the wedding theme. Be sure to pay attention to the colors on the invitation. The last thing you want is to be wearing the same colors of the wedding party, looking desperate to be a part of the group, and getting confused as the “other” cousin all night.

–Wear CRAZY prints. For men and women crazy prints is something to stay away from. It will draw unwanted attention and in most cases is inappropriate for a wedding occasion. Try a relaxed paisley tie or watercolor floral dress that is sure to impress and make a statement without “over-doing” it.

–Wear a three-piece suit. Too hot and heavy. Trying something like a two-piece suit instead is simpler, more fresh, and shows you can look sophisticated and dapper without having to dress to the nines.

–Dress like it’s a normal day at the office. It’s okay to incorporate pieces from your existing wardrobe into your outfit for the event, but it’s not okay to dress for a usual day at the office. This is a special event on a special day and should be treated as such. Taking one small step to dress above your normal attire is greatly appreciated.

Here are just a few great items from the store to help get you started!