by Sarah Morrison

The bite in the midnight air says it all: the dog days of summer are indeed in short supply.

Blink and you might miss it: ever so slightly the shift begins, as the late summer breeze picks up speed—evermore so by the day—tempered only briefly by still-pleasant conditions in the midafternoon sun. As the sun descends, the crisp air drifts right on in and we find ourselves parting with barely-there numbers and reaching for the nearest knit instead. And, naturally, as we transition from the thick of summer to the cusp of its cooler counterpart around the corner, so too does the nature of our social calendar activities. And if hazy days spent traipsing from beach to barbeque and al fresco dinners is the cornerstone of July and August, than outdoor weddings are what September is truly made of.

If you ask me, a September wedding simply can’t be beat. With only a trace left of the humidity from months prior, we revel in delightful afternoons that warm us but don’t overwhelm. The stretch of extended daylight, albeit smaller, is still substantial enough for the expected outdoor wedding activities: bridal photo shoots, a garden or seaside ceremony, cocktails at sunset and the like fit right in without issue. And with the bulk of summer now behind us, calendars are greatly freed up, leaving guests feeling a bit more relaxed and primed for the off-season excitement that September weddings usher in.

Another trademark of a September wedding? Fickle temperatures and increasingly breezy nights. With temperatures flirting between balmy in late afternoon and downright brisk by dusk, selecting a dress airy enough for the day and insulated enough for keeping evening chills at bay is a delicate dance.

Where fabrication is concerned, aim for styles in crêpe, georgette or silk chiffon for effortless refinement that’s breathable and also ideal for cooler nights. Try a sleeveless plissé number that can be styled on its own for the afternoon and coordinated with a gauzy wrap for a more practical look by sundown. Or, perhaps pick up a long-sleeved fluid silk style that’s streamlined and sensible for when the evening breeze creeps in.

With a little forward thinking, any way you slice it, you’ll earn major points towards best dressed for the weekend. So, without further ado, take your pick of these 9 exceptionally chic wedding guest dresses and be on your merry way.