HOW TO DRESS FOR A WINTER WEDDING

For winter ceremonies, an elegant coat is a must-have. The best coats for weddings are those that blend seamlessly with the overall look. Often, we already have these pieces in our wardrobes, but winter weddings can be the ideal excuse to add a new, refined coat to your collection.

Your coat is as crucial as the rest of the outfit. A structured wool coat from The Row or Bottega Veneta will give you that sophisticated yet warm touch. Think of neutral tones like camel or black, which pair beautifully with most winterwedding outfits and offer lasting value in your wardrobe.

Neutrals and monochromatic shades allow you to look elegant without being overly flashy. Max Mara coats are stars in this category, as are those from Saint Laurent. A good quality designer coat, whether new or already in your wardrobe, will be your best ally for winter weddings. For a touch of luxury, choose rich materials like faux fur, frequently featured in Prada and Saint Laurent coats.

Texture can also transform a winter wedding outfit. Bouclé, cashmere, and brushed alpaca bring different dimension and warmth, softening clean silhouettes while adding a quite subtle visual interest. Brands like Max Mara and Prada often favor these tactile fabrics, proving that minimal design can still feel luxurious and formal. Accessories also play a role here: pairing a structured coat with leather gloves or a silk scarf elevates the ensemble and ties it back to the overall occasion.

Color, too, deserves proper attention. While neutrals are undeniably versatile, jewel tones (think emerald, sapphire, or deep burgundy) can provide a striking alternative. These shades photograph beautifully in winter light and allow you to express personality without overshadowing the event.

Ultimately, the choice of coat is not only about warmth but about preserving the integrity of your winter wedding outfit. A carefully selected piece frames the entire look as you arrive and leave the ceremony.

For daytime winter weddings, consider a midi dress or skirt, or even a trouser suit for a chic and sophisticated look. Victoria Beckham and Atlein dresses, as well as Self-Portrait pieces, achieve this effect effortlessly, offering simple yet extremely stylish designs. Aim for long or three-quarter-length sleeves, which keep you warm while exuding elegance.

In the evening, don’t shy away from long sleeves or hemlines. For late afternoon or evening ceremonies, long dresses are the height of sophistication. In-store, The Row, Valentino, and Bottega Veneta offer timeless and supremely elegant options. The Row’s long dresses present conceptual and oversized silhouettes, while Bottega Veneta and Valentino provide more feminine and classic shapes.

As for colours, take advantage of deep, rich tones for your winter wedding outfit. Winter is the perfect time to experiment with darker, more luxurious shades. Emerald green, burgundy, navy blue, or purple are wonderfully elegant choices. Pieces from Valentino, Safiyaa, and Bottega Veneta in these hues are all about sophistication.

If you’re leaning towards black, The Row and Saint Laurent offer the ideal long dress options. Both brands present an array of iconic, timeless designs in this classic colour that never disappoints.

In many cultures, colour choices for weddings may carry symbolic weight, and winter deepens these associations. Jewel tones often suggest prosperity and celebration, but in colder months they also echo the natural landscape, evergreen trees, night skies, and candlelit interiors. Burgundy or navy feels solemn and formal in daylight, yet transforms into something decadent under evening lights. Although it should be avoided, even black has been reformulated by houses like The Row and Saint Laurent.

Seasonal contrasts also enrich the styling of winter dresses. A sheer silk gown, layered over opaque tights, or a fluid satin piece paired with statement footwear, creates a dialogue of fragility and cocooning. This game of opposites reflects the season itself, as intimacy gets embraced against a backdrop of cold. Designers like Prada have long embraced this duality, staging delicate materials within structured silhouettes.

For winter weddings, closed shoes are always the best choice. In our store, you’ll find stilettos or pumps from Saint Laurent, The Row, Aquazzura, and Bottega Veneta. These shoes combine elegance with well-designed shapes to ensure comfort throughout the ceremony.

To keep warm and for formality, closed shoes are the most appropriate choice for winter ceremonies. Shape and materials are key, and you can opt for patent finishes or different leather textures. Our selection of stilettos and pumps is extensive, featuring Prada, The Row, Chloé, and Toteme.

When selecting shoes for a winter wedding, think of them as the anchor for your entire outfit. They (literally) ground the look, setting the rhythm for how your ensemble, coat, and accessories are perceived. Pointed pumps elongate the silhouette and work with both midi and full-length dresses. A block heel can provide stability for longer events, while still maintaining sophistication. Materials also do matter: polished patent leather conveys higher formality, while suede offers softness and depth in darker colours like burgundy, navy, or forest green. Metallic leather, on the other hand, adds festive lightness and photographs beautifully under evening lights.

Colour choices can subtly shift the mood of your outfit. Neutral shades such as black, beige, or grey remain timeless, but jewel tones in shoes create surprising highlights when we style them with understated dresses. Burgundy pumps with a navy dress or deep green stilettos with a monochrome look can bring dimension without overwhelming the ensemble. Designers like Valentino and Aquazzura often explore delve palettes, creating shoes that feel celebratory yet versatile enough to wear beyond weddings.

As a final touch, a great hairstyle and makeup are essential to complete your look. Opt for a sleek updo or soft waves to add sophistication to your style or to play up your outfit’s flair. For makeup, autumnal tones like brown work beautifully for winter weddings, while a natural makeup look is always a safe choice. Remember that a smoky eye can make your look stand out at an evening wedding and complements darker styles like those from Saint Laurent.

Winter is the perfect season to explore textures, colours, and accessories. Have fun and find your unique touch within the freedom that winter weddings offer. If you need more guidance or can’t decide, our in-store team is ready to help you find your ideal winter wedding guest outfit, dedicating the time you need to make the right choice.

A clutch is essential. Ideally, a stylish, compact bag. Loewe, Bottega Veneta, and The Row offer some of our clients’ favourite handbag options. Their designs are timelessly chic, drawing compliments wherever they go. An Envelope bag from The Row, Loewe’s coveted Mini Flamenco, and Bottega Veneta’s iconic Jodie, Pouch, and Knot Minaudiere bags are standout pieces for your winter wedding look.

For any ceremony, finding the right balance with accessories is crucial. If your outfit is already striking, go for understated accessories. However, if your look is more minimalistic, you can add an extra touch with a brightly coloured clutch, statement jewellery, or elegant hair accessories. For jewellery, check out YSL, Jil Sander, and Miu Miu among our brands.

Scarves, belts, and gloves can also perfectly refine a winter wedding outfit, particularly when temperatures call for that extra layer. A silk scarf with subtle prints, a slim belt cinching the waist, or delicate leather gloves in neutral tones add opulent polish without stealing the point of focus. These details often become conversation starters, giving the impression of a winter wedding outfit considered from every angle.

Beyond their practical use, accessories help set the tone of your presence at a wedding. They signal personality, self expression, personal quirk, refinement, or even a subtle nod to tradition. Think of the power of brooch pinned to a coat lapel or a high quality clutch passed down through generations, pieces like these carry stories that extend beyond events themselves. Many guests lean towards statement jewellery or unique pieces, items that feel enduring rather than trend-driven. This approach ensures that your accessories remain relevant long after the celebration. Layering discreet sparkle, such as a delicate pendant beneath a tailored neckline or a subtle bracelet peeking from under a cuff, it all adds touches of intimacy to the overall look. Accessories, after all, should feel like an authentic extension of the person wearing them.

For a final touch, think about harmony across all accessories. Each element should feel intentional, creating a dialogue rather than competing for attention. A clutch, jewellery, scarf, or hairpiece can all be beautiful on their own, but when considered together they form a cohesive story. That sense of coherence is what elevates a winter wedding outfit from stylish to unforgettable, ensuring every detail contributes to the elegance of the occasion.