Wedding Guest Dresses: What to Buy & Where

Finding the perfect wedding guest dress can feel overwhelming. Dress codes, seasons, wedding venues – all influence your choice. Yet, regardless of style, a great dress starts with one essential: knowing your correct size. Sizes vary widely between brands—even seemingly similar UK labels—so using a tool like Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading real-time sizing platform across 1,500+ brands, can revolutionise your shopping experience.

Here’s what to consider when buying a wedding guest dress:

1. Understand the Dress Code & Venue

Morning/Formal: Midi to tea‑length dresses in luxe fabrics—think chiffon, satin.
Outdoor/Garden: Floral prints, breezy styles, lighter fabrics. Midi skirt recommended for grass or cobblestones.
Black‑tie/Elegant Evening: Full‑length gowns, jewel tones, luxurious textures.

2. Fabric & Fit Must‑Haves

Stretch jersey / ponte – forgiving and comfortable, ideal for body‑con styles.
Structured fabrics (satin, jacquard) – elegant but fit‑specific.
Lightweight chiffon or crepe – flowy and forgiving; ideal for movement and seasonality.

3. Dress Shapes That Flatter

A‑line / fit‑and‑flare – classic, fits most figures well.
Wrap / bias-cut – adjusts to your shape, accentuates waist.
Body‑con / sheath – bold and sophisticated, needs spot‑on fit.
Maxi / column – elegant, ideal as long as length fits your height.

4. Why Sizing Is Everything

Size charts are often unreliable—brands frequently diverge even within the same retailer. For example, John Lewis’ Phase Eight dresses often run generous, whereas Whistles tends to run smaller

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. A one-size-fits-all chart is no longer enough.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk becomes essential:

You input your real bust, waist, hip measurements, or even a known brand/size.
The tool suggests your true size for each brand, accounting for their unique cut, stretch level, and garment specifics.

Ordering a potentially tight satin dress? Let Tellar guide you to prevent an ill fit on the big day.

🛍️ What to Buy & Where

Phase Eight & Coast (via John Lewis)

Favoured for elegant wedding guest styles—think structured midi dresses in luxe materials.

Phase Eight: Often runs generous, so many size down
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Coast: Structured cuts, may suit best with your bust or waist measurements in mind.

With Tellar, you'll get size recommendations like:

“You’re a UK 12 in Kin, but a UK 14 in Whistles. Size down for Phase Eight.”
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✅ Buy: Tailored midi dress in satin or crepe.

Debut London

A go-to for timeless occasionwear. Their gowns are generally true-to-size but structured bodices may feel tight

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Best For: Maxi dresses, embellished gowns, stylish wrap gowns.

Tellar helps you:

“Instant size recommendation based on cup, waist, and hip measurements.”
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✅ Buy: Empire-waist evening gowns, bridesmaid dresses.

Joanna Hope

Renowned for flattering silhouettes from UK 10–32. Wraps are generous—woven and embellished items may run tight

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Info includes full UK‑EU‑US conversion charts

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✅ Buy: Satin maxi, embellished midi, wrap‑front jersey dress.

Club L London

Statement bodycon designs using stretch fabrics. Satin or scuba styles can feel snug, so size carefully

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Best For: One‑shoulder maxi, structured midi gowns, jumpsuits.

Tellar insights advise:

“If your bust or waist is on upper end, go up a size—especially for non-stretch fabrics.”
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✅ Buy: Contouring asymmetric maxi.

FS Collection

Affordable glam dresses, but many styles run small—especially gift-of-stretch models, fitted panel cuts

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Fitted bodices and side zips benefit from size verification via Tellar.

✅ Buy: Bridesmaid maxi with lace trim, sequin cocktail mini, elegant jumpsuit.

Collection Brands like LoveShackFancy & Collective The Label

Romantic, detailed dresses with inconsistent sizing—some structured, some floaty

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You’ll often need different sizes top vs. bottom, especially in co-ords.

✅ Buy: Florals, puff sleeve maxis, structured minis—size tailored to bust/waist measurements.

🔍 How to Use Tellar.co.uk & Print Your Free Tape

Grab your free measuring tape from Tellar.co.uk.
Measure bust, waist, hip accurately—see their “How to Measure” guide.
Create your free profile:
- Input measurements or a known brand/size.
- Receive instant size suggestions for Debut, Joanna Hope, FS Collection, etc.
- No more guessing or endless returns.

Tellar also offers free body-profile lookup:

“Enter measurements once, get fit for 1,500+ brands”
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📚 Relevant Tellar.co.uk Posts You’ll Love

Raishma Sizing Guide – ideal if you’re choosing a modest or Eastern‑inspired wedding outfit; tells you when to size up
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Debut Sizing Guide – perfect for gowns and corseted styles; explains size variations
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Joanna Hope Guide – spotlights wrap and embellished dresses; includes full size conversion table
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Club L London Guide – for sculpted, body‑con occasionwear; advises on sizing up
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Collective The Label, LoveShackFancy, Hope & Ivy, FS Collection – all covered in brand‑specific sizing guides on Tellar
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🌟 Why Tellar.co.uk Is a Game-Changer

✅ No More Guessing

Stop estimating whether you're a size 10 or 12—Tellar tells you the exact size.

✅ Fits Across All Your Favourites

From high-street brands to premium occasionwear, one profile fits all.

✅ Save Money & Time

Prevent ill-fitting outfits, returns, and rushed alterations.

✅ Always Free & Unbiased

No hidden costs, no sponsored size suggestions—just honest fit help.

🔗 Quick Outro & Links

For wedding dress shopping confidence, Tellar.co.uk is a powerful ally. Use their free measuring tape, create your profile, and browse brands like Debut, Joanna Hope, Club L, FS Collection, Phase Eight, Coast, and more—without the sizing surprises.

Stay Connected with Tellar:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @Tellar100
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarUK

Start today—print your free tape, build your profile at Tellar.co.uk, and find the perfect wedding guest dress guaranteed to fit.

💌 Tellar Socials – Stay Stylin’ & Sized Right

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @Tellar100
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarUK

Let your wedding outfit be about celebrating the day—not worrying about the fit!

Wedding Guest Dresses: What to Buy & Where