It's no secret that Refinery29 readers and editors love any excuse to stock up on summer dresses, whether it's for a happy hour, picnic, or fancier event. And when it comes to summer, one fancy event reigns supreme: The wedding. If your fridge is filled with save the dates, you might be thinking about what you're going to wear. There's a lot to consider, like comfort, weather, and, of course, dress code.
Don't leave it to the last minute to peruse for summer-ready wedding guest dresses. We've compiled a list of dresses for destination beach weddings, cocktail parties, casual summer nuptials, and black tie events. It never hurts to be party-ready — especially when your comfy dancing shoes have been begging for use.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Embrace your whimsical side for summer beach weddings. Glide into sandals, wedges, or espadrilles and feel airy and cool in a tropical-colored frock. Lightweight maxis or midis with a flowing skirt not only look dramatic in the summer breeze, they can also protect you from, ahem, wardrobe malfunctions that can happen with a sudden gust of sea wind.
& Other Stories Babydoll Tied Sleeve Detail Dress, $, available at & Other Stories
Summer Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Get ready to dance all night long with a cool drink in hand in a vibrant cocktail dress. Pick a style with eye-catching details like fringe, shimmering sequins, or unique necklines for a bit of pizzazz.
Karen Millen Metallic Iridescent Halter Column Midi Dress, $, available at KAREN MILLEN
Casual Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
The styling opportunities are endless when it comes to a casual wedding. You can opt for a mini, midi, or maxi in a simple one-tone shade with subtle touches or choose a cheerful pattern. The perk with these designs is that you can wear them to plenty of other non-wedding events.
ASTR The Label Jelena Side Cutout Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Black Tie Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
Dress to impress for black-tie weddings. The formal affair calls for cascading gowns in satin, tulle, and silk fabrics. Feel free to dive into your red carpet dreams of rich gem tone, or opt for a light pastel-hued silhouette with a thigh-high slit.
The arrival of spring and everything that it entails — longer days, rising temps, melting snow — inevitably invites the sartorial conundrum we face every year: What do I wear?
Mastering the winter-to-spring wardrobe transition usually, obviously means the swapping of thick sweaters for lightweight cardigans, wool dresses for sundresses, puffers for trench coats and denim jackets. But there’s a key element to any outfit that requires a little more thought: shoes. Warm-weather footwear tends to be synonymous with sandals, but those won't always be the most practical option for every situation you'll find ourselves outside (and based on personal experience, we strongly recommend against kitten heel mules for a day at the farmers' market).
That’s why we partnered with SHOE DEPT. to narrow down the best shoes to wear for some of spring’s most popular outdoor activities, like attending a whimsical outdoor wedding or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, getting our hands dirty in our own backyard gardens. Your complete guide to spring footwear, ahead.
The Activity: Garden Party Nuptials The Shoe: A Strappy Platform Sandal
I.D. Required Quinn, $, available at SHOE DEPTThe Activity: Breezy Morning Jogs The Shoe: A Practical Running Shoe
Thanks to spring’s typically mild temperament (read: neither too cold nor too hot), it’s the perfect time to swap the treadmill for an outdoor running routine — and what better way to kick off the day with a dopamine boost than a morning jog around the neighborhood? Throw on an activewear set that makes you feel your best, like cute leggings and a light sweatshirt or windbreaker, and couple it with a pair of pastel-hued running sneakers that are not only practical, but match your blooming surroundings.
New Balance WARISEP4, $, available at SHOE DEPTThe Activity: Beachside Line-Dancing Lessons The Shoe: A Heeled Cowboy Boot
Move over, coastal grandma — there’s a new buzzy TikTok aesthetic in town. Meet #coastalcowgirl, the latest trend to gain traction that, as the name implies, blends a traditional Western aesthetic with a laid-back, beachy air. With this newly trending hashtag, we’ve also seen an uptick in yeehaw-inspired activities like line dancing. If you’re one of many opting to give lessons a try this spring (or would at least like to dress like you are), cowboy boots are pretty much a non-negotiable. Choose a pair that leans more trend-forward than traditional, like a white boot with Western embroidery and a stacked high heel. To keep things in line with the coastal feel, pair yours with a breezy sundress or a bikini top and denim maxi skirt.
Mia Frankie, $, available at SHOE DEPTThe Activity: Day Trips To The Farmers' Market The Shoe: A Comfortable, Casual Sneaker
Paying a trip to the farmers' market is wonderfully unique in that it sits at the intersection of partaking in a social activity and running errands (you're buying groceries — but it's fun!). And during the spring, you're buying organic veggies and fruits, fresh-baked breads, homemade jams, and other edible odds and ends while spending time in the sun. But now's not the time for fancy footwear (the priority is hauling home your goods, not stressing about sore feet). Hop from produce stand to bread bin to food truck with practical-yet-stylish footwear, like this vibrant, comfortable pair of platform sneakers.
PUMA Karmen Rebelle, $, available at SHOE DEPTThe Activity: Weekend Music Festivals The Shoe: A Chunky, Lug-Sole Sandal
Festival season is upon us, with plenty of outdoor concert plans on the horizon to fill our calendars through the end of summer. This means it’s time to start planning outfits, or more specifically, footwear. Shoes will dictate how good of a time you'll have (i.e., they must be comfortable, breathable, easy to walk and dance in, and, most of all, look cute). A chunky, lug-sole sandal with a bit of height will be your saving grace. Ideal for navigating all sorts of terrains and easy to dance in (and run from stage to stage), they’ll greatly reduce the risk of sore, achy feet so you can actually enjoy the music.
Timberland London Vibe, $, available at SHOE DEPTThe Activity: Gardening-Filled Afternoons The Shoe: Sensible (& Fun) Clogs
Will 2023 be the year you pick up gardening? Yes. Yes, it will be. Turn your backyard into an oasis by planting all the things, like beets, carrots, parsnips, leafy greens, and various flowers. Wear shoes that are both comfortable and waterproof, and — why not — on-trend. As chunky clogs continue to trend, have some fun with your horticulture-ready ensembles: Reach for a pair that's practical design-wise in a dopamine-boosting shade of blue.
Now, more than ever, the sneaker is our friend. With a weekly routine that could consist of any mixture of working out, commuting to the office, and then walking the same six-block neighborhood radius, comfort and ease rule just about every sartorial decision we make — and sneakers check off each of those boxes (with added bonus points for personal-style expression, too). But when it comes to sustainability, our favorite supportive shoe isn't always as eco-friendly.
Many sneakers can be heavy on non-biodegradable synthetics, which ultimately contributes to the pile-up of plastic that’s seeping into every surface on the planet (even the atmosphere). Luckily, there's a growing host of footwear brands working to come up with a more sustainable solution: styles with all the bounce, comfort, and swag that we look for in the perfect white tennis shoe or comfortable running shoe, without all of the waste and environmental degradation that's commonly associated with sneakers. Think instead: sustainable sneakers with recycled and vegan materials, and sustainable sneaker brands with planet-friendly and circularity initiatives.
If you're in the market for a new pair of sustainable sneakers, then you've come to the right page. Do the planet (and your feet) a favor by shopping trendy sneaker styles from one of our favorite eco-conscious-kick creators ahead — from Nisolo and Veja to Saye and Reformation.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
With a serious focus on social and environmental responsibility, Nisolo has become the No. 1-ranked Re/Make brand. You can even find a scorecard for each of its products, showing its global impact. Scoring an A- for people and an A for the planet, Nisolo’s minimalist walking shoe is made with vegetable-tanned leather that's carbon-neutral and made by fairly paid workers.
The elder states-shoe of sport is upping its eco-friendly cred with the recent relaunch of its classic tennis sneakers. The new iteration is free of virgin polyester, and its upper is constructed from the brand’s proprietary recycled fabric Primegreen.
VEJA Condor Low-Top Running Sneakers, $, available at Farfetch
Thousand Fell Women's Court Stone Sneakers
These zero-waste sneakers saved 4,820 hours of light energy, avoided 10.5 miles of driving emissions, and used nearly six recycled bottles. This skater-esque sneaker is also 100% vegan and uses food waste like coconut husk and sugar cane instead of plastic. Thousand Fell even claims its recycled rubber insoles and aloe vera-coated liners are so comfortable that you can wear the shoes sockless.
Thousand Fell Women's Court Stone Sneakers, $, available at Thousand Fell
Everlane The ReLeather Tennis Shoe
Everlane's sustainable mini-line, ReLeather Sneakers, consists of two classic styles: the Trainer and the Court, a skate-inspired shoe designed for daily wear. With a Leather Working Group-approved hide constituting the shoe's upper and a sole made from a blend of natural and recycled rubber that's 94.6% free of virgin plastic, it's a chic, environmentally friendly choice.
Everlane The ReLeather® Tennis Shoe, $, available at Everlane
Converse Renew Chuck 70 Canvas Sneakers
Through its Renew imprint, this forever-cool sneaker brand has experimented with a host of fabrications. It uses cotton-canvas scraps from its own manufacturing excess and repurposed denim sourced from European vintage purveyor Beyond Retro to make these patch-worked, earth-hued classic Chuck Taylors.
Converse Chuck 70 Canvas Sneakers, $, available at Converse
Outdoor Voices Women's Salomon Aero Glide
Outdoor Voices has a longstanding focus on sustainability. Though it's best known for its activewear, the brand also makes eco-friendly shoes. These sneakers are plush, comfortable, and breathable for long runs, partly thanks to the recycled-EVA sock liner and mesh upper. They’ve even been compared to cult-favorite Hoka sneakers by customers.
Outdoor Voices Women's Salomon Aero Glide Running Sneakers, $, available at Outdoor Voices
Saye Vegan Modelo '89 Sneakers
For every pair of Saye sneakers sold, the brand plants two trees. But the sustainability efforts don’t end there. Using sustainable materials for its shoes, this pair of retro-style sneakers is made from vegan corn leather and 100% bamboo. The insole is also a recycled material, and the laces are created from organic cotton.
Saye Vegan Modelo '89 Sneakers, $, available at Madewell
Toms Alpargata Resident Slip-On Sneaker
Since day one, Toms has been dedicated to using vegan and sustainable materials like recycled polyester, natural hemp, and organic cotton for its shoes. While people recognize the brand for its effortless slip-ons, it also makes easy-to-wear sneakers. This knit style is a prime example. It matches any attire and is sustainable. (The shoe is partially made out of a recycled polyester-blend fabric made from plastic bottles.)
TOMS Alpargata Resident Slip-On Sneaker, $, available at Nordstrom
Reebok [Ree]cycled Zig Dynamica 4 Women's Shoes
Check out Reebok’s [Ree]cycled (cute) landing page for activewear made from recycled fabrics — the assortment includes these throwback trainers reminiscent of the brand’s ’80s heyday. Not only do the sneakers boast vintage appeal, but they’re made from leather and textiles with a minimum of 50% recycled content. It’s a running start for the behemoth exercise brand — we hope it's in it for the marathon.
Reebok Zig Dynamica 4 Women's Shoes, $, available at Reebok
Reformation Harlow Leather Sneaker
Everyone is stepping into the eco-conscious space, and it's about time. Reformation is one of the brands leading the pack, as the label has put sustainable practices at the forefront of its business model. The Harlows are created from past Reformation products and are crafted in Brazil from soft cow leather that's tanned without using harmful materials. After a year of releasing its fully recyclable sneaker, the shoe is still a must-have item as colorways and sizes consistently sell out.
Reformation Harlow Leather Sneaker, $, available at Reformation
On Running Cloudrunner Sneakers
On Running is a super-innovative brand that’s created the likes of a not-yet-buyable sneaker made from carbon emissions and a subscription-only zero-waste sneaker. But if you’re looking for an already-available pair of sneakers, we suggest the Cloudrunners, which are created from 35% recycled materials, including polyester and polyurethane.
On Running Cloudrunner Sneakers, $, available at On Running
Good News Juice High Top Sneaker
This London-based brand is known for its cheerful collection of chunky-soled street sneakers, all of which feature a recycled rubber outsole and an insole made from recycled rubber and castor bean oil. The fabrics used in its eye-catching uppers are made from organic cotton and biodegradable wool. Although this high-top style is a different take on the brand's usual cotton variations, the shoe is still sustainable.
Good News Juice High Top Sneaker, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Greats The Royale Knit Sneaker
This direct-to-consumer shoe imprint turns out just a few impeccably designed styles — one of which, the Royale, is available with a knit upper woven from discarded plastic bottles. (Seven of them, to be exact.)
GREATS The Royale Knit Sneaker, $, available at GREATS
Sorel Women's Kinetic Breakthru Day Lace Sneaker
Another sustainable running sneaker to keep your eyes on are Sorel’s Breakthru style. Each part of the sneaker is made from eco-friendly materials, including on the upper, footbed, and midsole. The midsole is partly composed of Bloom — an algae-biomass material.
SOREL Women's Kinetic Breakthru Day Lace Sneaker, $, available at SOREL
Allbirds Women's Tree Dasher 2 Running Shoe
Every material that goes into an Allbirds shoe — whether it’s the brand’s lightweight Runner, polished Tree Breezer, or high-impact Dasher — is sustainable, renewable, and/or recycled. Natural materials like merino wool (from humanely raised sheep), tree-based Tencel lyocell, and rainwater-fed sugarcane co-exist with recycled synthetics like plastic and nylon to create a shoe that’s sublimely comfortable and eco-friendly.
Allbirds Women's Tree Dasher 2 Running Shoe, $, available at Allbirds
Nike Air Force 1 '07 Next Nature
Introducing your staple Nike shoe, but with an eco-friendly revamp. It's made with at least 20% recycled material from post-consumer and post-manufactured waste, so you can freely buy more. And it doesn't comprise the crisp white aesthetic, durability, and support it's known for.
Nike Nike Air Force 1 '07 Next Nature, $, available at Nike
Axel Arigato Clean 360 Laceless Sneaker
If you absolutely despise laces, you'll get a kick out of this. (No pun intended.) Axel Arigato's Clean 360 Laceless is a reinvention of the classic Clean 360. Everything from the shoe to the dust bag is made from recycled materials like rubber and polyester — the packaging is also FSC-certified. On top of that, the Swedish brand has a product footprint section for each shoe where you can follow the supply chain.
Axel Arigato Clean 360 Laceless Sneaker, $, available at Axel Arigato
Saucony Jazz Court RFG
Earlier this year, the heritage sneaker brand introduced a low-impact version of its iconic Jazz Court tennis shoe, manufactured with renewable fabrics like cotton, jute, wool, rubber, wood, gardenia, and beet. (It also made sure to use wool that was humanely harvested.) Even better, it ships in an ink-free, 100% recycled shoebox without excess interior stuffing.
This Brazilian sneaker brand was founded in 2018 by two friends who wanted to create stylish footwear without the needless waste they’d witnessed working in the accessories industry. Cariuma's street-friendly kicks are available in cotton canvas or a breathable knit made from super-renewable bamboo and come with cushy insoles made from cork and mamona oil.
