Wedding Guest Linen Dress: Fabric, Fit, Colour and How Far Ahead to Order
A linen dress works well for a daytime, garden, beach or summer wedding, and it is the wrong choice for a black-tie evening. Choose a structured cut in a colour that is not white, ivory or cream, accept that linen creases, and order well before the date, because a made to measure dress arrives 15 to 20 days after you place the order, dispatch included.
Here is how to decide, what to look for in the cut and colour, and how far ahead to order.
Check the dress code first
Linen reads as relaxed. That suits invitations that say beach, garden, summer, rustic, destination or smart casual. It suits a formal daytime wedding if the cut is smart. It is not the right cloth for a black-tie evening, where silk, satin or crepe is expected, and no linen dress will look like them.
Customs also differ by country and by family. In some cultures white, black or red carry particular meanings at a wedding. If you are unsure, ask the couple or a friend before you choose a colour.
Choose a structured cut
The biggest practical issue is creasing. Linen creases after sitting, and after a car ride it will be creased. A cut with volume, tiers, gathers or a full skirt hides creases better than a straight column. Four to consider:
- A fit and flare with a circle skirt. The linen party dress with a circle skirt has a boat neck, 3/4 sleeves and a 39 inch length. A circle skirt moves well when you dance.
- A tiered or flounced midi. The sleeveless tiered midi dress has a square neckline and a ruffled hem at 48 inches (122 cm). The midi dress with a gathered hemline has a boat neckline, short sleeves and a flounce, at 50 inches (127 cm).
- A buttoned midi with pockets. The green sleeveless linen midi dress has a scoop neck, functional buttons and patch pockets at 48 inches (121 cm). Pockets are useful at a wedding, for a phone and a tissue.
- A maxi for a more formal feel. The linen dress collection includes maxi lengths. If you are choosing between a midi and a maxi, our guide to choosing the length will help.
Choose the colour carefully
Avoid white, off white, ivory and cream, and be careful with very pale champagne tones that photograph as white. We stock thirty-six shades of linen. Deep Green, Sage Green, Dusty Rose, Terracotta, Navy Blue and Lavender are among them, and any style can be cut in any shade because each piece is made after you order. Darker and more saturated colours hide creases better than pale ones. Shade varies a little from one bolt to the next and screens show colour differently, so if an exact shade matters, write to us before you order.
Fit for sitting, dancing and hugging
- Arms: raise them. A close armhole in a fabric with no stretch will pull on a dance floor.
- Bust and back: linen has no give, so the bust measurement needs to be right. This is where made to measure helps most.
- Length: decide on your shoes first. A hem set for flats will sit higher in heels, and a hem set for heels will drag in flats. Tell us the heel height and we set the length.
Our women's dresses are cut from medium weight OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified pure linen, which means the cloth has been tested for harmful substances. The size guide lists bust, waist and hip for XS to 3XL, or you can send your measurements through the custom order page and we cut to them at no extra cost. Our guide to made to measure linen dresses explains the process.
How far ahead to order
Production takes 2 to 5 business days, and the order arrives 15 to 20 days after you place it, dispatch included. That is about three weeks at the outside. Our suggestion is to order at least six weeks before the date. That leaves room to send measurements, for a customs hold if one happens, and for a remake if the fit is off, which we offer when a measurement misses by more than 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) and you tell us within 30 days of delivery with a photo.
If the date is closer, write to us before you order and we will tell you honestly whether it is realistic. Express courier is available at checkout for an extra charge. And if the date is within about three weeks, a shop where you can buy the dress today may be the safer route.
When the dress arrives, try it on straight away rather than the night before. A standard size can be returned within 30 days if it is unworn and unwashed, while a made to measure dress is final sale, with the remake as the safeguard.
A dress made from a picture
If you have seen a dress you want, the custom made wedding and party dress is our made to order listing with no fixed design. Tell us the fabric, colour, length and fit you want, or send a photo or a sketch, and we come back with what is possible and a price before anything is cut.
Keeping linen smart on the day
Hang the dress as soon as you arrive. A steamer, or a hot shower with the dress hung on the bathroom door, takes out most creases. Our honest answer to does linen wrinkle has more.
The verdict
Choose linen for a warm, relaxed or outdoor wedding, pick a structured cut in a deep colour, and order six weeks ahead. Save linen for another occasion if the dress code is black tie.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear linen to a wedding?
Yes, to a daytime, garden, beach or summer wedding, or a smart casual one. Linen is not the usual choice for a black-tie evening event.
What colour of linen should a wedding guest avoid?
White, off white, ivory and cream. Check the customs of the families involved, since in some cultures other colours also carry meaning.
Will a linen dress be creased at the wedding?
Some creasing is natural. A cut with a full skirt, gathers or tiers hides it better. Steam the dress before you wear it.
How far ahead should I order a made to measure dress?
The order arrives 15 to 20 days after you place it. We suggest at least six weeks before the event, to leave room for measurements, customs and a remake if needed.
Can the length be set for the shoes I will wear?
Yes. Tell us the heel height and the length you want, or send your measurements, before you order.