Second-hand wedding guest outfits: what to wear, what to check and when to buy

Start with the invitation

The invitation, or the couple's wedding website, usually tells you the dress code. If it does not, the time of day and the venue are good clues.

• Black tie: a floor-length or elegant evening dress, a smart jumpsuit, or a dinner suit with a bow tie.
• Formal or morning dress: a smart dress or tailored suit, sometimes with a hat or fascinator, or a morning suit if the couple has asked for it.
• Smart or "dress to impress": a dress, a jumpsuit, smart separates or a suit and tie.
• Smart casual or relaxed: a summer dress, tailored trousers and a nice top, or chinos and a blazer.

If you are unsure, it is fine to ask the couple or someone in the wedding party. Dressing slightly smarter is usually safer than slightly more casual.

The traditional etiquette

Every wedding is different, but some guidelines are still widely followed in the UK:

• Avoid white, ivory and cream, which are traditionally kept for the couple.
• Check whether there is a colour scheme the couple would like guests to wear or avoid.
• Think about the setting. A church or other religious ceremony may call for covered shoulders. A shawl or jacket can solve that.
• Plan for the shoes. Grass, gravel and cobbles are hard work in thin heels. Block heels or smart flats can help.

Choose for the season

Spring and summer

Light fabrics such as cotton, linen blends, chiffon, crepe and lightweight silk or satin. Brighter colours and florals suit daytime weddings. Bring a layer for the evening, because British summer evenings cool down fast.

Autumn and winter

Richer fabrics such as velvet, heavier satin, wool crepe and tailoring in deeper shades. A smart coat that works with the outfit matters, as you may be standing outside for photos.

What to check on a second-hand occasion outfit

Occasion wear is often in good condition, but delicate fabrics need a close look. Check the listing photos, or ask:

• Underarms and neckline, for marks from deodorant or make-up.
• The hem, for dirt or fraying, especially on long dresses.
• Seams and zips, especially on fitted pieces.
• Beading, sequins and embellishments, for missing or loose pieces.
• Delicate fabrics such as chiffon and silk, for snags and pulls.
• The lining, for tears. Our guide to checking seams and linings shows what to look for.

Our guide to second-hand Christmas party outfits covers delicate fabrics such as sequins and velvet in more detail.

Get the fit right

Fitted occasion wear is less forgiving than everyday clothes, so measurements matter.

• Ask for the bust, waist, hip and length in cm, laid flat, using Message the seller on the listing. Measurements are optional on a listing, so not every piece has them.
• Compare them with a dress or suit that fits you well. Our guide to measuring clothes for buying online shows how.
• Check the length with your shoes in mind, especially for floor-length dresses.
• Look at the fabric. A dress with stretch is more forgiving than one in structured satin.

If you have found a piece elsewhere and have its measurements, our Will it fit? tool compares them with yours.

Buy with time to spare

Allow a few weeks before the wedding. That gives time for:

• delivery
• trying it on with your shoes and underwear
• steaming out creases from the post, which our guide to getting creases out without an iron explains
• a small alteration, such as taking up a hem
• finding something else if it does not work out

If a piece arrives and is not as described, message the seller through the app and open a problem report on the order within 14 days of delivery. Buyer protection does not cover a change of mind, so check the measurements before you buy. Our Terms explain the rest.

Accessories

Bags, shoes, hats, fascinators and jewellery are easy to find second-hand, and they can change the look of an outfit you already own. Rewearing a dress from another wedding with different accessories is a good way to save money.

After the wedding

If you are unlikely to wear it again, sell it on. Clean it as the care label says, steam it, and photograph it in daylight on a hanger or a model. Include the measurements in cm and any small marks. Occasion wear is often bought for a specific date, so list it when people are planning, in the months before the summer and the party season.

The short version

Follow the dress code, avoid white, and choose fabrics for the season. Check delicate fabrics and fit by measurements, buy a few weeks ahead, and sell it on afterwards for someone else's big day.