Style Guide: Best Evening Jackets for Dresses
Congratulations on your new dress! But your styling journey isn’t over. Whether you’re going to a lovely garden wedding, a fancy winter gala, or anywhere in between, you’ll want to find your perfect match. As a stylist, I’ve seen a lot of customers struggle with the dilemma of either being warm or showing their dress. You won’t have to hide your shape with a big coat; there are options that will help you more than hurt you. In the end, finding the right balance between warm and polished evening wear will be the challenge with evening dresses, whether they be lace, or have structured crepe.
The Art of Layering: Why You Need an Evening Jacket
Most bridesmaids I work with have the same kinds of questions: How do I stay warm, and how do I do it without sacrificing my look? For these occasions, an evening jacket can do the trick, and as a bonus, styling dresses with jackets adds a warm touch for those whose sleeveless gown feels a bit too bare for the formal event. It not only helps you avoid a too-revealing gown situation, but it gives your look some balance as well. When it comes to church weddings that are more on the traditional side with a modest look, it’ll be a great small touch. It can easily be taken off after the church, and it will save you the discomfort of having a large coat that clashes with your look.
When deciding on your outfit, think about what you want to get the most out of it. Would you want the drama of a stylish wrap, or the freedom of a flowing piece? Would you want a slick tailored jacket to secure and structure you so you can feel comfortable mingling? A jacket that is clean and straight lined will help your outfit not feel embellished if your dress has a lot of decorations. A simple sheath dress with a jacket that has simple lace or beadwork will be the main focus and statement piece of the outfit.
Chic Evening Jackets for Cocktail Dresses
When you wear a dress with a hem length that is short, be careful with proportion. I recommend customers to get evening jackets that are designed to be shorter than the natural waist when it comes to formal cocktail dresses. This makes your legs appear longer and stops the jacket from slicing your body. A structured bolero, or a shortened blazer will bring a more modern look to the whole outfit while longer cardigans will bring down sophistication.
Picking the right materials can also help with the overall look of your outfit. If the material of your cocktail dress is shiny, then a matte and stretchy jacket like crepe will look good. If your dress is made with a matte fabric, then you may want a jacket With decoration with lace or metallic threads to help it out. You want to make the jacket feel like part of the outfit intentionally and not look like a last minute grab.
The Delicate Charm of a Shrug for Evening Dress
Evening dress shrugs offer practicality for shoppers, helping them keep coverage on their shoulders without the bulk of a full coat. These are designed for arms and shoulders, allowing the rest of the dress to show. This is a great option for gowns that you want to show off the intricate detail of the bodices or want to highlight plunging necklines. Evening dress shrugs are designed differently depending on the style. For example, some may have sheer chiffon sleeves, while others may have intricate bead work, and the mesh looks like jewelry.
Stylist Tips
If you want to wear a dress with a high neckline or a lot of detail around the neck, choose a collarless shrug to avoid the neck area being too bulky in the photographs.
When it comes to shrug selection, there is a balance between boldness and versatility. For example, a beaded shrug is a lot of glam, but is often only going to work with one specific dress. Conversely, a plain chiffon shrug in some neutral color such as champagne or silver will offer more possibilities and can be used with a larger variety of items in your wardrobe. For dress codes that are more formal and require shoulder coverage, a sheer shrug is the most elegant option to stay within the guidelines while still feeling modern and airy.
Fabric Harmony: Pairing Textures with Your Gown
A custom fit design can create a great wow factor when you create a dress jacket combination the same fabric as the custom fit jacket. For example, chiffon wraps and jackets create an ethereal feel and look great paired with flowing A-line dresses. Additionally, the chiffon will keep you cool, which is a plus when you will be indoors with a lot of people. Jackets made with stretch crepe or satin will create a sleek dress look with mermaid & sheath structured dresses, and will create a nice balanced look.
- Velvet jackets will keep you warm and make your winter formal dresses feel more luxurious.
- Satin wraps look shiny and work well with formal evening gala type dresses.
- Lace layers can make gowns more simplistic and offer a vintage feminine touch.
- Stretch crepe is a wonderful option as it is medium weight and works well for multiple seasons.
Dresses, jackets and coats can have great texture and when you combine a satin slip dress and a velvet jacket, it can feel great. This combination also looks great in professional photographs. No matter the season, if you want to work with one colour, contrasting textures will keep it elegant and intentional.
Seasonal Styling: From Summer Breezes to Winter Galas
Consider the location and weather of the wedding to help decide what layers to bring. For summer garden weddings, it’s best to steer clear of heavier layers like thick jackets. Look instead for lightweight lace or mesh options with built-in sun protection and breathability. These types of layers are also easy to pack without much worry about them being wrinkled from folding to fit in a bag. Another benefit is that they offer protection from the cold after the sun sets.
Colder weather calls for much warmer layers like evening wraps and shawls, or chic velvet jackets that will also give you the ability to have hands-free cocktails. For those tricky spring and autumn months with transitional weather, mid-weight materials will do the job, so opt for layers made from stretch crepe that are lightweight enough to be comfortable for the duration of the reception without overheating but warm enough to be cozy for cool evenings.
Finding the Perfect Fit and Color Coordination
Your overall look comes from the coordination among all your pieces. For bridesmaid dresses, Dusty Rose, Sage, Emerald, and Cabernet are timeless colors that enhance all skin tones and suit varied lighting. To ensure the best match with the brides gown and the wedding color palette, I suggest ordering swatches to best match the color, as color may change from one fabric to another dustily.
Looking great with a jacket comes down to fit. Ill-fitting pieces may become a problem with regard to your shoulders, and the bust, especially if you’re petite. From size 0 to 30, you’re sure to find a layer that fits your body with Azazie. Azazie offers a greater level of fit than off-the-rack options because most pieces are made to order, allowing for more fitting adjustments. A jacket should allow for arm lifting unrestricted and should be smooth and wrinkle-free across your back and shoulders.
Willing to finish your formal look? Azazie evening jackets, wraps, and shrugs are available in a range of colors and styles to match your formal dresses!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the evening jacket have to be the same color as my dress?
It’s your choice! A solid color will achieve a more sophisticated look, while a different color that complements the wedding color palette will create a fun element.
How do I determine the size of the formal shrug I’m ordering?
The most important measures to consider are your shoulder and bust sizes. Azazie’s sizing runs from 0-30, and the sleeve width measurement is especially important, so make sure to check the chart.
Can a jacket be worn with a gown that reaches the floor?
Absolutely! When wearing floor-length gowns, a cropped jacket or waist-length wrap is most appropriate so that your natural waistline is kept, and you don’t create a boxy silhouette. For long gowns, steer clear of hip-length jackets, as these will disrupt the graceful vertical line of the dress.