The 15 Best Wedding Guest Dresses to Wear This Season and Beyond (2024)

We’d be remiss not to mention Reformation's fashion — it's the quintessential brand for finding wedding guest attire. As NYC-based fashion stylist Audree Kate López puts it, the dainty slip-inspired silhouettes never go out of style and can easily be accessorized up or down — and with how versatile they tend to be, we wouldn’t blame you for wearing them to more than one event. We specifically love the Frankie Silk Dress, which features a fitted silhouette with a square neckline outlined by ultra-thin straps. The smocked back ensures a more comfortable fit, while the high slit on the skirt gives your legs more freedom (for dancing, we assume). The dress comes in nine different colors, too, but López recommends picking one that can be worn year-round — rather than the ditsy florals that belong in the warmer seasons.

Material: Silk | Colors: 10 | Size: 0–12

With how much money people already spend to attend a wedding, we can’t blame you for wanting to save a bit on your outfit. That’s where Lulus comes in. We’re fond of this midi dress because of the flirty patterns it comes in, but it also looks stunning on lots of different body types, thanks to the neckline, fitted bodice, and gathered waist that flows in a midi skirt with a front slit. While it may be made of polyester, its sheen makes it look quite similar to the cult-favorite silk dresses Reformation offers, albeit for a quarter of the price. Those who wear a larger cup size might need to size up because the bodice does fit snugly, though. But once you find the right size, you’ll love how it fits.

Material: Polyester | Colors: 5 | Size: XS–XL

When Sofia Richie married Elliott Grainge in April at what many consider to be the wedding of the year, the couple’s nuptials — and Sofia’s style and that of her guests — dominated headlines for months, and continue to inspire fashion trends. As such, López says that if you’re looking to splurge on your wedding guest dress, the Taller Marmo One-Shoulder Dress is a show-stopping option.

“This is my dream wedding guest dress — Marianna Hewitt wore this dress in a pale lavender to Sophia Richie’s wedding and I can’t stop thinking about it,” she said. “This is fun for a fashion-forward couple and black-tie dress code.”

The dress itself is made of crepe and designed to fit loosely, so it’s a particularly comfortable option. Meanwhile, the feathers and one-shoulder details give it a romantic flair. “Romantic dresses are amongst must-have styles for summer occasions with a modern take on feminine frills in long lengths and ethereal materials,” Bellman points out.

Material: Crepe | Colors: 8 | Size: 0-16

NYC-based fashion expert Michelle Blashka calls this bow-tie dress from Hutch “the ultimate strapless black dress,” adding, “It’s so versatile — it can easily be dressed up for black tie formals with a touch of bling, or dressed-down as needed.” Made of cotton, the dress will feel breathable, yet it looks particularly high-end and “fashion-forward,” as López puts it, thanks to the bow accent and ruffle hem that will work well for co*cktail, beach, formal, and black-tie weddings alike. Plus, it even has pockets.

We appreciate that it comes in an inclusive size range, with options for straight, plus, and petite sizes. But it does run a bit small, especially on top, so pay attention to the size guide before choosing what would fit you best.

Material: Cotton | Colors: 4 | Size Range: 00-26W (plus petite sizes up to 16)

Sticking to the romantic dress trend, allow us to turn your attention to the Maeve The Florecita Ruffled Dress. This beautiful cotton A-line dress — which is sold in petite and standard sizes — features a pleated bodice and a smocked upper back, plus a rayon lining to ensure it doesn’t stick or look see-through in any type of light. Logistics aside, what makes this silhouette really stand out is the exaggerated off-the-shoulder ruffled neckline. Shoppers do say that the dress runs a bit large, especially for those with a smaller chest size, so keep that in mind as you go to purchase.

Material: Cotton | Colors: 5 | Size Range: Standard and petite sizes XXS to XL

While many of the best wedding guest dresses are a bit of an investment, there are plenty of highly-rated, more-affordable styles out there, like this form-fitting piece we found on Amazon. Made of polyester, this dress may not feel like the most luxe garment in the world (and it may not last the longest), but its chic cutout detailing on the shoulder strap and flattering gathered waist and front slit make it a shoe-in style wise — especially if you’re on a budget or time crunch. Speaking of the latter, if you find that you’ve waited a long time to actually find a wedding guest dress, you’ll be glad to know that this beauty takes just a few days to ship.

Material: Polyester | Colors: 17 | Size Range: S-XL

This strapless dress from Bec + Bridge might look familiar; that’s because Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid wore it while bridesmaids in Lauren Perez’s wedding in November 2021. The sleek viscose dress has a fitted-yet-relaxed silhouette of a slip dress that’s minimalist and undeniably chic. While it’s been worn in many weddings, the silhouette — which is sold in nearly two dozen colors — can just as easily be worn by guests (so long as you don’t opt for one of the paler, whiter shades). It’s dry clean only, which means it will require extra TLC to keep it looking its best, especially if you plan to wear it in the dead of summer. And on that note, while viscose is breathable, satiny finishes can show even the slightest bit of sweat, so López doesn’t recommend the fabric for extremely hot outdoor destinations.

We will warn you, though, the dress cannot be worn with a bra underneath because of the clingy material and drapey back. But secure some good boob tape or nipple covers and you’ll be good to go without a worry.

Material: Viscose | Colors: 20 | Size Range: 2-14

Fall weddings tend to be a bit chillier but not necessarily cold, so it’s nice to have a breathable, long-sleeve dress to bridge the gap — and this dress is just that. The wrap nature of the dress gives it a deep V neckline and high slit depending on how you tie it. What’s more, it has flowy, balloon sleeves and it’s sold in the prettiest floral print perfect for fall. As much as we love the warm color palette the print is sold in, we’d love to see more than two colors offered. Still, we say it’s a great, more-affordable pick to consider.

Material: Polyester | Colors: 2 | Size Range: XS-XL

While you could absolutely wear a long-sleeve dress to a winter wedding, may we suggest opting for a velvet off-the-shoulder silhouette instead? The heavier fabric on this Jenny Yoo dress will keep you warm, but in the event that you do catch a chill easily, it pairs beautifully with faux fur shawls, as López recommends, which look even more fitting during winter. This dress is more fitted in nature, making it easier to layer, and features only slight stretch. It has a side slit, invisible back zipper, and a sheer polyester lining to ensure it doesn’t cling. Additionally, it’s sold in standard and plus sizes.

Material: Velvet polyester | Colors: 4 | Size Range: 0-26

“This summer season, we're seeing a returned emphasis on the waistline so look for modern fit and flares that cinch or nip the waist,” Bellman says, which is why she points us to this dress at Anthropologie. “This easy cotton dress can be dressed up or down and would look amazing at a garden or daytime wedding,” Blashka says. And we agree. She calls out the lace details and pockets as two stand-out features, but we’re most impressed by its breathable cotton material that works particularly well for casual, summer, and co*cktail weddings. “I’d style her with a strappy sandal and a statement bag for a pop,” Blashka adds. You probably won’t be able to wear this at a formal wedding, but you’ll be able to rewear it at work, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

Material: Cotton | Colors: 7 | Size Range: XXS-3X (including petite sizes)

“Oversized florals and tropical prints work perfectly for both garden parties and beach weddings alike,” Bellman says. And López agrees that there’s no better way to dress for a beach wedding than to fully lean into the tropical theme. “Farm Rio is my go-to brand for a destination dress,” she says. “Their silhouettes are so fun and you will definitely re-wear them.”

While she especially loves the FARM Rio Yellow Macaw Bloom Maxi Dress — which features a halter neckline, flower applique accent, and flowy silhouette — she’s quick to point out that the brand has many to choose from. And since many of them are made with viscose or cotton, they’re perfectly breathable for beach and summer weddings. Most of their pieces need to be hand-washed, including this one, so keep it in mind as you care for it.

Material: Viscose | Colors: 1 | Size Range: XXS-XL

While many dresses can be accessorized to work for a black-tie wedding, López says that opting for nicer fabrics like chiffon, silk, and satin is a great place to start. To make it even easier on us, she suggests the Mac Duggal Indy A-Line Ruffled Back-Lace Chiffon Gown. From the lace-up back and built-in bust support to the ruffle-hemmed straps and hem, it's a romantic dream of a dress — and sold in a bunch of colors, no less.

While the price tag on this dress is admittedly steep on top of being dry clean only, it’s important to keep in mind that black-tie weddings are higher end, so investing in a dress that you can wear to many formal events to come can certainly be seen as a good investment. Just be sure to choose a color you’ll like for years on end.

Material: Polyester | Colors: 7 | Size Range: 0-16

Just because a wedding is casual doesn’t mean that you should show up in any old dress. Instead, it means sticking to more laid-back materials — cotton or linen dresses, for example — but still embracing wedding-worthy silhouettes. With this in mind, we love the look of the Dissh Harper Black Linen Midi Dress. The classic A-line silhouette is paired with a subtle cutout under the bust and adjustable straps.

Since it’s only sold in black (and white, but we’d never recommend that for a wedding) — and because it’s pretty simple in design — we suggest accessorizing the dress with pops of color or interesting accessories in general. Think: lace-up espadrille sandals, gemstone or metallic accents (such as on the Kurt Geiger London Orson Crystal Slide Sandal), a padded headband (like the Lele Sadoughi Lagoon Sea Life Crystal Headband), and so on.

Material: Linen | Colors: 2 | Size Range: 2-12

co*cktail wedding attire is especially fun because it calls for shorter lengths and more head-turning accents, such as feathers, gemstones, sequins, and more. So, if you’re looking for a co*cktail dress, don’t be afraid to go bold — after all, López says bright colors and metallic accents are in. With that in mind, check out the Sabina Musayev x Revolve Hermione Mini Dress. The mid-thigh, long-sleeve dress features a deep V-neckline, cinched waist, and tiered skirt, all of which make for a head-turning wedding guest dress option. And that Very Berry color? It’s the perfect Barbie pink!

If you choose to buy this dress, just know that, while it’s high-end and well-made, it’s delicate and hand wash only.

Material: Polyester | Colors: 3 | Size Range: XS-XL

Floral prints may not be groundbreaking but they’re a constant trend for wedding guest dresses. Because of this, many, many floral dresses exist. That said, we love the vast variety of floral prints at ASTR The Label. Particularly, the Victoriana One Shoulder Floral Midi Dress stands out, with its flutter sleeve and zig-zag ruffle skirt accent. Plus, it's more modest in nature, so it will work well for a variety of dress codes, as well as brunch, bridal showers, and other events. Unfortunately, though, it’s only sold in two colors — but thankfully, they’re both gorgeous hues.

Material: Polyester | Colors: 2 | Size Range: XS-XL