Oh, to sit on a beach and watch a happy couple say “I do” as the summer breeze tousles your hair and the sun kisses your skin. But wait, you need a dress for the occasion. To help you prepare for all your summer weddings, we’ve curated some of the best beach wedding guest dresses on the internet right now. Whether your wedding plans will take place at a beach on the Jersey Shore, alongside Caribbean landscapes, seaside in the Mediterranean, or under expansive palm trees in Hawaii, we’ve found wedding guest dresses appropriate for every kind of beach wedding — from casual barefoot vibes to super elevated resort wear — in a range of price points.
In our lineup, you’ll predominantly be graced by flowy midi and maxi dresses in bright blue hues and sunset color palettes. From satin halter neck sarongs to strapless ombre dresses, there’s a beach wedding guest dress for everybody who’s looking for one. So click on to find tons of cheerful and tropical dresses for beach weddings, including straight-size and plus-size wedding guest dresses. The stunning selection of summer dresses can also easily be styled multiple ways for other special occasions, too! Just throw on your favorite straw accessories, paint on a nude manicure, and get to celebrating.
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.
Summer is the time for letting loose and having fun — and that includes our fashion choices. When else can you dress like a coastal cowgirl or elevate a pair of basketball shorts into a must-have wardrobe staple? Still, navigating all of the buzziest summer fashion trends while figuring out what your own warm-weather style vibe is can be a major challenge.
We’ve got you covered. Today, July 20, R29’s Most Wanted is holding a live shopping stream on Refinery29’s Twitch channel at 5 p.m. EST covering all things related to summer fashion. Join us as R29 Entertainment Director and Twitch host Melissah Yang breaks down the biggest trends and most covetable pieces alongside R29 Fashion Writer Frances Solá-Santiago and Twitch streamer Krystalogy.
Celebrity stylist Lauren Jeworski, who has worked with stars like Michelle Williams, Patrick Dempsey, Tinx, and XO, Kitty’s Anna Cathcart, will also be offering pro tips when it comes to styling basic essentials. Best of all? You’ll be able to shop every product we talk about during the stream directly on our channel. Read on to discover what’s in store ahead of the live event.
Finding the trend that’s right for you
We don’t blame you if you get overwhelmed when considering 2023’s summer trends — there is a lot going on. If you look to the runways for inspo, this season is all about going bold with color, silhouettes, and proportion, which is why you may have been noticing way more maxi skirts, cargo pants, fit-and-flare dresses, semi-sheer looks, puff slides, metallic accessories, and pops of red around you lately. But what’s important to remember is that you don’t have to try all of these trends just because they’re, well, trending. Feel free to play around with what feels right until you land on what’s most comfortable for you.
When it comes to actually purchasing trends in the age of photoshop and social media, discerning the quality of a product can feel a bit like a high(ish)-stakes shopping game. How will the item fit? What will it feel like? Is that cool product you’ve had your eye on actually well made, or are you being duped by a pervasive ad that’s multiplied on your feed? Watch as Yang, Solá-Santiago, and Krystalogy try out some of this season’s top items and give you tips on what to look for.
Make use of your closet
Shopping and styling the latest trends is a great way to experiment with fashion and expressing yourself. But we’re also all on a budget and have closets stuffed with well loved pieces that we shouldn’t neglect just because they, say, don’t look like something Margot Robbie would wear in theBarbie movie. Make use of the amazing basics — we all have them — that you already own, adapting them for more current trends by adding different style elements, as suggested by Jeworski. During the stream, the stylist will be providing tips for styling a classic black dress and an always-chic white shirt.
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 us. 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, we may earn a commission.
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Welcome to Refinery29’s So, How Is It Really? where we take a look at all of the topics that have the internet talking. In studying them up close, we answer the question of what it’s really like to try out a puzzling trend, a viral product, or an unexpected TikTok hack.
Update: Skims’ viral TikTok dress, the Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress, has been restocked in a variety of colors and sizes. Shop it on skims.com and below — while you still can.
This story was originally published on August 11, 2021.
Amid a sea of frozen honey videos and tales of long-forgotten celebrity feuds (shoutout Tefi) lies a corner of TikTok dedicated to a single dress. Created by Skims, it has left thousands of shoppers in a rare state of shock and awe.
The dress in question is a $78 maxi-length bodycon with the supposed power to woo even the most adamant of Kim Kardashian skeptics. Available in eight sizes, from XXS to 3X, and seven colors — including taupe, gray, and sky blue — the curve-hugging best-seller, called the Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress, has garnered over 110 million views on TikTok, according to Skims. (For reference, #SKIMS is currently hovering around 4 billion views, according to the brand, and #skimsdress alone has captured over 600 million views.) That, and it’s tallied up an impressive 46,000-person waitlist and several sold-out drops. Curious if the internet-breaking dress’ reputation precedes itself? find out what seven R29 insiders have to say about the viral slip, below.
“Upon first opening up the package and pulling the dress out, it seemed so slim, so I was worried it’d hug my body in a way that made me feel uncomfortable and restricted,” Chichi Offor, R29’s former associate affiliate writer, says. She tried the black version of the dress in the brand’s largest size offering, a 3X. “It’s very common for some brands to carry clothing in what seems like extended sizing that doesn’t actually fit plus-size bodies, so I was worried that would be the case with Skims,” she explains. But, just as those on TikTok predicted, her worries were quelled when she slipped the ribbed bodycon over her head.
“It fell on my body beautifully! I feel like I’m a Skims convert,” Offor said in a Slack message following her try-on.
Lifestyle Writer Alexandra Polk likewise fell under the spell: “I’m uncultured in the realm of IG-baddie couture, but this dress has to be one of the best ones,” she says, having tested out the floor-length frock in taupe. Comparing it to “a sexy tube sock,” Polk reveled in the dress’s ability to create curves that, because of her narrow hips, she says don’t actually exist, as well as the way it manages to be both abnormally stretchy and completely opaque.
Fashion Director Irina Grechko loved the look and feel of the dress, but she had the opposite reaction when it came to the sheerness. “I think I now truly understand where the term ‘naked dress’ comes from,” she says. (Grechko tested out the same taupe version of the dress.) Despite the fact that her underwear drawer is “bursting with seamless options,” Grechko said that not a single undergarment piece went unseen under her SKIMS dress. “If you’re not comfortable going commando or your bust size doesn’t allow for that, the taupe color isn’t for you,” she warns.
I, a 32B cup size and proud bra rejecter, didn’t run into the same undergarment-induced issue, though I did find the taupe version to be sheerer than most dresses in the same color. Then again, with the nipple once again being en vogue, a slightly see-through dress isn’t exactly a faux pas. Plus, naked dresses are big right now (just ask Dua Lipa).
What bothered me more was that the dress puddled on the floor despite my taller-than-average stature at 5’8”. Grechko agrees: “The dress required wearing a fairly high heel — I am 5’6” — which instantly made this look only appropriate for nighttime in my book,” she says. Polk echoed her: “Beware, it really is as long as it looks, possibly longer. I’m 5’8″ and usually struggle to find pieces that will hit my ankles, but this one hits the floor.” At 5’2”, Senior Writer Karina Hoshikawa is the same height as Kardashian herself. Her take on the length? “It could probably be half the length it was.” As someone with has a soft spot for mini dresses my high school principal would’ve been happy to give me a citation for, I agree. Good thing then that the mini dress version is also ripe for a restock.
Like many of her colleagues, Hoshikawa was pleasantly surprised to discover that Skims held up. “Right off the bat, the fabric felt amazing — I kinda want all of my clothes to be made of this stuff now,” she says. “Not too tight, but definitely not sagging in places I didn’t want to sag — which is to say, nowhere?” For her, despite its lengthy hem, the style is an easy alternative to her typical WFH uniform, which consists of tank tops and leggings. “I definitely felt more chic — possibly more Kim-like? — wafting around my apartment with it on,” she says. All that’s to say, Hoshikawa is already planning on bribing her sister, a Parsons design student, to hem it for her.
Kate Spencer, senior affiliate strategist, and Frances Solá Santiago, fashion writer, weren’t quite so easily convinced. Though both understood why the dress has been making such waves on TikTok — crediting its soft, stretchy fabric and how versatile it is — neither was persuaded to add it to their usual sartorial repertoire. “I actually like the dress much more than I thought I would, but I likely won’t get much use out of it since I’m not a big dress person,” says Spencer, who plans to save the look, which she tested out in black, for more formal occasions.
Solá Santiago’s biggest protest? The fact that it’s a bodycon dress, which she’s an adamant opposer of. “The fabric is supersoft and hugs the body in a way that doesn’t cut off your circulation,” she says, “but it didn’t manage to change my perspective on bodycon dresses.” (Whether the forthcoming bandage dress comeback will change her mind is still TBD.) Still, Solá Santiago says that, with the right styling, she can see the dress making an appearance now and again in the future. For its debut, she paired her dusty blue dress with a white linen button-down, black kitten-heel sandals, and her go-to Mansur Gavriel tote. “I chose to layer a shirt over [my dress] because I usually prefer to have an oversized item layered over bodycon clothing,” she says.
Shop Skims’ most-tagged TikTok dress, the Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress in three new shades — Marble, Honeydew, Camel, and Cotton Candy (which is Barbiecore at its finest) — as well as its already beloved colorways on Thursday. And while you’re at it, maybe make a TikTok, too.
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. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Heading off on a trip and don’t know what to wear? Before you rummage for bottoms in the back of your closet, take a gander at these elevated travel pants you’ll soon grow to love. We understand whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, comfort is key. And while we love our trusty leggings and cozy sweats, some folks prefer looking a little more pulled together with stylish bottoms during their trips.
When it came to curating our list of best travel pants, we put in place a set of criteria to meet: They should look versatile enough to wear straight off the plane and for the next stop on a jam-packed schedule, be comfortable enough to withstand whatever weird contortions you end up in when trying to catch sleep on a long-haul flight, and coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe for mixing and matching. Along with those requirements are a handful of secondary concerns like wrinkle resistance, technical fabric, and, of course, pockets.
Say hello to our 23 top travel pant picks below. Once you learn the beauty of these sweat-wicking, breezy, and relaxed-fit bottoms, we promise you'll never go back.
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.
Who said you can't wear silk sleep pants as a travel outfit? Not me. Pair these with a white tank and some sneakers, and you're ready to go off, off, and away!
Opt for an edgy travel look with these jogger-style Billie Pants, which are available in eight colorways. They have the thoughtful touches of a delicate lace-up bottom hem, pleated front, and dramatic smocked waistband. If you're a lover of the little things, this pant has all the extra oomph you could ask for.
FP One | Free People Billie Pants, $, available at Free People
Anthropologie Utility Wide-Leg Pants
Traveling is a production: You have to get to the airport and your gate on time — all without misplacing your phone or ticket. Enter these utility wide-leg pants equipped with pockets to store essentials. They're made from a cozy cotton blend, so you can just enjoy the journey.
Daily Practice by Anthropologie Utility Wide-Leg Pants, $, available at Anthropologie
Lululemon City Sleek 5 Pocket Wide Leg Pant
In case you haven't picked up on it, we're big fans of the cropped trouser look. Aptly named City Pants, these bottoms were specifically created for all-day comfort.
Wit & Wisdom Sky Rise Wide Leg Pants, $, available at Nordstom
Summersalt The Softest French Terry Tie-Waist Pant
Summersalt's super-soft French terry pant is the perfect combination of comfort and style that is fit for a plane ride or a more dressed-up vacation fit.
Summersalt The Softest French Terry Tie-Waist Pant, $, available at Summersalt
Abercrombie & Fitch Linen-Blend Pull-On Wide Leg Pant
Maybe you're on your way to the beach, maybe you just want to look like you are. Either way, you'll feel like you're headed to a sandy paradise in these breezy linen pull-on pants.
Abercrombie & Fitch Linen-Blend Pull-On Wide Leg Pant, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Roark Layover Pants
Whether you're traveling on an outdoor adventure or to Erewhon, these pants have your behind with plenty of pocket space, a drawstring waist, and zip closures.
Who ever thought there could be comfortable yet professional pants with side panels? They not only offer some much-needed circulation for travel days but also add a bit of flair to your 'fit.
Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pant, $, available at Athleta
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Bootcut Pant
Quince has once again done the (seemingly) impossible. First washable silk, now an ultra-fashionable travel pant. It has the silky silhouette of dress pants with the comfort of your favorite yoga pants. Plus, its pull-on style and four-way stretch add to the beauty of this timeless bottom. You can run, squat, curl up for a mid-flight nap, and otherwise move with ease. We don't blame you if you decide to wear it to work, too.
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Bootcut Pant, $, available at Quince
Everlane The Dream Pant
Wrinkle-resistant and business-appropriate (there's pin-tuck detailing!), you'd never guess these cotton-blend pants are almost as comfortable as your favorite sweatpants. You'll look sleek and chic when you get to your destination in Everlane's tailored Dream Pant.
FP Movement Mesmerize Me Solid Pants, $, available at Free People
Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pant
If the people behind the athleisure powerhouse brand are brave enough to call these their most versatile pants, then we're game to believe them. The cropped, relaxed-fit bottoms are made with OV's special TerraStretch fabric (a fancy term for four-way stretch) and are weather-resistant (so spill however many in-flight cocktails you want on them).
Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pant, $, available at Outdoor Voices
J.Crew Factory Kelsey Flare Pant
There's always that one person who prefers dressing up for travel. If you've evolved to this higher plane of being, try out these flare pants — they're sleek yet still designed for comfort.
J.Crew Factory Kelsey Flare Pant, $, available at J.Crew Factory
Adidas Pull-On Ankle Pants
You could plane, train, or automobile in these slim-fit pants that do indeed include pockets. These durable bottoms have the comfort of sweats and the polished look of slacks — the best of both worlds. Plus, they are made with at least 60% recycled materials.
Adidas Pull-On Ankle Pants, $, available at Adidas
Alo Yoga Legend Snap Pant
It's your high school track pants with an elevated twist. The eye-catching snaps down the sides look stylish, not like you might start break-dancing mid-gym class.
Alo Yoga Legend Snap Pant, $, available at Alo Yoga
Bailey44 Fabina Wide Leg Pant
Wide-leg cuts are an underrated hero when it comes to good travel pants. These will keep you looking fab and feeling comfy as you go from the boarding line to the boardroom.
Cotidie Larissa Perfect Length Trousers, $, available at Cotidie
Eloquii Cropped Side Stripe Pant
Want to look cute while feeling just as comfortable as you would in your pajamas? We recommend a ribbed matching set, like this getup from Eloquii. The knit pants and elastic pull-on waist are just the cherry on top of looking extra chic as you turn the airplane's aisle into your own personal runway.
Eloquii Cropped Side Stripe Pant, $, available at Eloquii
Pact Denim Chambray Sailor Pant
Comfort is key when it comes to the best travel pants, and as far as we're concerned, this pair has it. The durable chambray denim and elastic waistband allow for the comfortable stretch you want when jet-setting but still looks polished enough to wear once you arrive at your destination. Plus, the pants are available in six different colors.
PACT Denim Chambray Sailor Pant, $, available at PACT
Summersalt The Palazzo Pant With Ties
UNHIDE WHEN AVAILALE
Once you reach your destination, you could straight to the pool to lounge in these breezy pants. The fabric is made from recycled charmeuse, so it's wrinkle-resistant, anti-microbial, and anti-static. (No one will know that you've been traveling for hours.) You can work in them, lounge in them, and they're perfect for throwing over your swimsuits.
Juicy Couture OG Big Bling Velour Track Pants, $, available at Juicy Couture
Dayoung Bootcut Yoga Pants
When wearing these fitted pants, you'll feel like you can confidently hand over your business card the next time you're hanging out in the airport lounge. They'll never have to know that your comfort level is on the same wavelength as your favorite worn-in yoga leggings.
Dayoung Bootcut Yoga Pants, $, available at Amazon
Ugg Ericka Relaxed Jogger
Sometimes you want a pair of effortless joggers to get you through the long commute. That's where Ugg's joggers come in. They have a relaxed fit with a drawstring waistband that gives off the homey, snug vibe of your beloved sweatpants. The no-fuss look is easy to style and pairs effortlessly with your go-to crewneck or hoodie.
As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just because we live in our cotton sweats at home doesn't mean we can't find a more suitable alternative for our travel excursions. Consider a pair of chambray joggers: The breathable fabric leaves you comfortable everywhere, and it's chic enough to wear throughout your vacation (especially if it's a trip near the beach).
Wide-legged cuts are an underrated hero when it comes to good travel pants. They offer some additional circulation for when you and your partner are fighting over the A/C knobs during a long-distance car drive, and they allow your legs to feel a little less restricted.
Remember what we said about wide legs being a smart choice? These side-split pants take it to the next level with slits on the inside that allow for better movement. And don't forget the naturally breathable cotton fleece fabric, which your legs will thank you for once that stuffy airplane air starts to feel overwhelmingly warm.
Open Edit Linen Blend Trousers, $, available at Nordstrom
Alo Yoga Courtside Tearaway Snap Pant
It's your high school track pants with an elevated twist. The eye-catching snaps down the sides look stylish, not like you might start break-dancing mid-gym class. It's also made of soft French terry instead of nylon, which is perfect for the cooler seasons — and they won't make any noise as you rush for your gate.
Alo Yoga Courtside Tearaway Snap Pant, $, available at Alo Yoga
Athleta Keys Intention Pant
Wide-legged cuts are an underrated hero when it comes to good travel pants. They offer some additional circulation for when you and your partner are fighting over the A/C knobs during a long-distance car drive, and they allow your legs to feel a little less restricted.
Athleta X Alicia Keys Keys Intention Pant, $, available at Athleta
Theory Slim Kick Crop Pants
There's always that one person who prefers dressing up for travel. If you've evolved to this higher plane of being, try out Theory's Kick Crop Pants — they're sleek yet still designed for comfort.
Theory Slim Kick Crop Pants, $, available at Nordstrom
Skims Outdoor Woven Pant
Not only does Skims make uber-comfortable loungewear, but it also makes these outdoor woven pants that will make you feel pretty in pink anywhere you go.
These side-split pants take wide-leg comfort to the next level with snappable buttons on the side to allow you to show as much (or as little) leg as you want.
Adidas Spacer Pants with Binding Details, $, available at Adidas
Adidas Future Icons Badge Of Sport Flare Pants
You could plane, train, or automobile in these slim-fit pants that do indeed include pockets. These flared bottoms have the comfort of sweats and the polished look of slacks — the best of both worlds.
Adidas Future Icons Badge Of Sport Flare Pants, $, available at Adidas
Pact Woven Twill Roll Up Pant
Comfort is key in searching for the best travel pants, and as far as we're concerned these pants got it. The durable organic cotton twill and elastic waistband allow for some stretch that's bound to happen with jet setting and rolled cuff adds some flair to your fit. Plus, the pants are available in nine different colors.
