Bloomingdale's has the easiest, most wearable options in this range. The Reformation Everett Linen Dress at $149 is relaxed linen with no shine, which keeps it firmly in shower territory. The FRENCH CONNECTION Trini Eyelet Maxi Dress at $104.16 uses eyelet texture to break up the white without adding a pattern, and the Theory Eyelet Embroidered Midi Dress at $124.60 is more tailored for a dressier code. All three are easy to care for, which matters for a daytime party with food around.

Saks Fifth Avenue is where I would go if the shower is more formal luncheon than backyard party. The Toteme Slouch Waist Midi Dress at $850 has a relaxed, unstructured cut that avoids looking bridal despite the clean white, and the SACHIN BABI Allison Embroidered Satin Fit and Flare Midi Dress at $717 uses embroidery for texture without any train. I would steer clear of the Valentino Garavani Crepe Couture Short Dress at $2400 for this occasion, since its clean formality reads closer to bridal than guest, even though it is lovely on its own terms.

The mistake I keep seeing is guests picking the most expensive white dress they can find and assuming price signals appropriateness. It does not. A costly dress with a clean silhouette and no texture can look more bridal than a cheap eyelet sundress, so judge by cut and detail, not cost. I would also check with the host before wearing all white, since some families still consider it off limits. If you take one thing away, choose texture over a smooth finish when you wear white to someone else's event, since texture separates a guest dress from a gown. Comfort for hours of standing matters more than most people plan for.