Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon

Rickie Freeman grew up overseas watching her father, a tailor, fit and sew men's suits, and that is the first thing I think of when I look at a Teri Jon gown. She moved to New York at 17, studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, worked at Evan Picone from 1974 to 1976 and was lead designer at Elie Tahari from 1976 to 1978. Shortly after, she founded Teri Jon, where she is still founder, CEO and head designer in the Garment District. Her guiding line is that a woman's body is a gift and her clothing is the wrapping, and the dresses here are built like good wrapping. The Off-Shoulder Peplum Mikado Midi Dress and the Asymmetrical Stretch Mikado Off-The-Shoulder Gown give structure. The Sequin Floral Velvet Column Gown and Embellished Velvet Cocktail Midi Dress add depth, and the Cap-Sleeve Embroidered Tulle A-Line Gown is the soft romantic one. Taffeta-Trim Crepe Mermaid Gown and Draped Woven Taffeta Column Gown are the clean lines. For a formal invitation, see this black tie dress guide.

Metallic jacquard is where the label really shows its taste for fabrics. The Pleated Metallic Jacquard Column Gown, the Off-Shoulder Metallic Jacquard Mermaid Gown and the Metallic Jacquard One-Shoulder Gown each use shine as a texture rather than a spark. The Three-Quarter Sleeve Metallic Jacquard Shirt Waist Gown is a good way to cover the arms. For softer choices, the Draped One-Shoulder Bow Gown, Pleated Off-Shoulder Satin Column Gown and Velvet Jewel Collar Drape Gown are made for evening. The Strapless Floral-Embroidered Tulle Maxi Dress and the Sequined 3D Lace Off-the-Shoulder Gown are the romantic ones. Teri Jon has long made size inclusivity a priority in special occasion dressing, including sizes above 12, which is part of why the fit story feels real. What I would skip is wearing a metallic jacquard gown with a metallic shoe and bag; let the fabric be the shine. These are good for any mother of the bride look too.

The shirtdress is the surprise of this label. The Metallic Taffeta Jacquard Midi Shirtdress, the Two-Tone 3/4-Sleeve Taffeta Shirtdress and the Metallic Jacquard Belted Shirtdress bring the sharp collar of a daytime piece into an event setting. The Floral-Print Cotton Midi Shirtdress is the lighter one. On top of any of them, the Notch Lapel Jacquard Jacket and the Satin-Trim Sequin Blazer add tailoring, and the Jacquard Embossed Cropped Bolero Jacket and the Beaded Metallic Boucle Jacket suit a gown. The Striped Rosette-Appliqué Jacket is the most playful. This is where the tailor's daughter shows, since a good jacket changes how a dress is worn. For the early evening, these cocktail dresses go well with a jacket.

Four more shirtdresses finish the group: the Taffeta Faille Hazy Floral-Print Midi Shirtdress, the 3/4-Sleeve Belted Midi Shirtdress, the Rose-Print Cotton Collared Shirtdress and the Crinkled Metallic Jacquard Midi Shirtdress. They are the easiest way into the line, and for a daytime wedding, a semi-formal guide shows how to wear them. The cotton versions with floral and rose prints feel lighter, and the metallic jacquard one is the pick when the event moves into the evening. Add a belt, keep the shoes simple and let the collar do the work. Because the cut follows the same fit-first thinking as the gowns, you can treat these as the everyday end of the same wardrobe.

I would start with a mikado or jacquard gown, add a jacket for the ceremony and keep everything else plain. Teri Jon is a label Nikki Haley has worn since 2011, and its line for day and evening, Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon, is built around fit first. For a color idea, take a look at this brown wedding guest dress guide.