By Malina Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Dress Code

The best By Malina wedding guest dresses are the satin maxis for black tie, the fitted midis and minis for cocktail, the chiffon and cotton blend midis for daytime, and the halterneck and wrap maxis for a beach wedding. Match the dress to the dress code on the invitation first, then choose colour, because By Malina cuts each length in several shades.

By Malina began as a wedding guest label in all but name. Founder Malin Ek Andrén started out making her own pieces for weddings and parties, and the collection is still built around the question every guest asks: what can I wear that looks right in the photographs and is comfortable for eight hours? This guide answers it by dress code.

A quick guide to the dress codes

One rule applies across all four: leave the ivory, pearl and cream colourways for the bride. By Malina makes several dresses in pearl, and they are beautiful, but they read as bridal in photographs. If you are the bride, our By Malina wedding dresses guide is the one to read.

Black tie

Black tie asks for a floor-length dress and a fabric with some weight. By Malina’s satin maxis do this well, and each one has a detail that gives it presence without needing jewellery.

• Cassia Maxi Dress in Dark Brown, from $1,160: a satin maxi with a draped one shoulder neckline and a detachable cape, fitted at bust, waist and hip. Wear the cape for the ceremony and take it off for dinner.
• Lilou Maxi Dress in Mango, from $1,570: a fitted corset bodice with seam detail and a voluminous skirt with a ruffled hem, in a silk blend. It comes with a detachable skirt, so the volume is optional once the dancing starts.
• Donia Maxi Dress in Pale Gold, from $740: a sleeveless maxi with a cowl draped neckline, a detachable scarf and a side slit, in a viscose with metallic yarn. The price is lower than most black tie options in the collection.

Also consider the Louise Maxi Dress in Teal, from $1,160, which has a round neck at the front and a draped open back, and the Vida Maxi Dress in Steel Blue, a fitted maxi with a draped cowl neckline and scarf detail.

Styling: keep the shoe simple and the bag small. A satin maxi with a strong neckline does not need a statement earring as well.

Cocktail

Cocktail means knee to midi length, a dressier fabric than daywear, and room to be a little more fitted. This is where By Malina’s sculpted cuts are strongest.

• Zindy Fitted Pouf Sleeve Midi Dress in Black, from $840: a fitted midi in heavy satin with a pouf sleeve, a back slit and a hidden zip. Black at a wedding is accepted for an evening reception in most places, and this one is formal enough to carry it.
• Ninni Mini Dress in Black, from $740: a structured hourglass mini with a deep V, structured shoulders with cut-outs and long sleeves. It is also cut in camel and ruby.

The Vilja Mini Dress in Ruby, from $840, is a relaxed satin mini with a high neck and tie detail, which suits a guest who prefers a looser shape. The Lexie Midi Dress in Black has a fitted bodice, long sleeves with a slit and a draped balloon skirt. For colour, the Sabrina Midi Dress, covered below, also works at an evening reception.

Styling: a sculpted dress wants a clean shoe. A pointed pump and a small top-handle bag keep the line sharp.

Daytime and garden weddings

For a ceremony in daylight, choose lighter fabrics and softer colour, and keep the hem at midi length so it clears the grass.

• Ingrid Midi Dress in Moss Green, from $910: a satin midi with a V-neck, gathered detail at the bust, a fitted waist and a detachable scarf. Wear the scarf at the neck for church, then tie it on your bag at the reception.
• Loana Maxi Dress in Coral, from $910: a draped chiffon maxi with a high neckline, cape sleeves, a ruched bodice and a slit. Chiffon moves in a breeze and photographs well outdoors.

The Leontine Midi Dress in Taupe, from $910, is a relaxed midi with voluminous pouf sleeves, an elastic waist and a ruffled hem, in a Tencel, cotton and linen blend. It is the most comfortable option here for a long day. The Linhe Maxi Dress in Moss Green, a satin blouson maxi with cape sleeves, is another good daytime choice.

Styling: a block heel instead of a stiletto on grass, and a straw bag for a country wedding. The Large Monogram Straw Bag in Cognac works with every dress in this section.

Beach and destination weddings

Heat and travel change the brief. You need a dress that is light to travel with, moves in the wind and does not need a structured shoe.

• Sabrina Midi Dress in Teal, from $840: a halterneck dress that ties at the back, with an open back and a flowy ruffled hemline. It is also cut in black.
• Lola Maxi Dress in Sage, from $650: a maxi wrap dress in a soft stretch fabric with 184 cm adjustable straps and an elastic waistband. The straps can be wrapped in different ways, so one dress gives you several looks across a wedding weekend. It also comes in dark blue, blush and dark brown.
• Joseline Maxi Kaftan in Burnt Leaf, from $840: a sheer lyocell and linen kaftan with a deep V-neckline, adjustable drawstrings at the sides and side slits. This is the welcome drinks look, and the “by malina kaftan” search usually leads here.

The Janna Maxi Kaftan in Pearl is a knitted kaftan for the beach day before, but keep it away from the ceremony itself.

Styling: flat sandals with a little shine, and a raffia tote for the day. The Jina Raffia Tote Bag in Natural has layered fringe panels and contrast leather handles.

Sizing for a long day

Most By Malina dresses fit true to size, and the EU 36 converts to a UK 8. If you are between sizes in a fitted satin style, size up: you will be sitting through a dinner. Read the By Malina size guide for the full table and the styles that run small.

Editor’s note: if you only buy one By Malina dress for wedding season, I would choose a satin midi in a deep colour. It covers cocktail, evening receptions and most daytime ceremonies with a change of shoe.

Browse the full dress edit on the By Malina brand page, and see more maxi dresses and midi dresses across Coveti.

Frequently asked questions

What By Malina dress should I wear to a black tie wedding?

Choose a floor-length satin maxi such as the Cassia, with its one shoulder neckline and detachable cape, the Lilou with its corset bodice, and the Donia in pale gold for a lower price.

Can I wear By Malina pearl and cream dresses as a wedding guest?

We advise against it. Pearl, ivory and cream colourways read as bridal in photographs, so choose a colour such as teal, moss green, coral and dark brown instead.

Does By Malina make a kaftan?

Yes. The Joseline Maxi Kaftan in Burnt Leaf is a sheer lyocell and linen kaftan with drawstrings, and the Janna Maxi Kaftan in Pearl is a knitted V-neck kaftan.

Which By Malina dress is best for a beach wedding?

The Sabrina halterneck with its open back and ruffled hem and the Lola wrap maxi with adjustable straps are both light, unstructured shapes that suit the heat.

Do By Malina wedding guest dresses fit true to size?

Most do. A few satin styles run small, and the product page says when to take the next size up.