Get On The Best-Dressed List With These 26 Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses

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Get On The Best-Dressed List With These 26 Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses

When a wedding invitation requests “black tie” attire, guests are expected to dress to impress. Often this translates into luxurious floor-length gowns in rich fabrics like satin, silk, chiffon, and lace. While this may seem over-the-top for some, it’s your chance to look like a full-blown celebrity, about to walk a red carpet. But while many of us likely have cocktail dresses knocking around our closets, it’s rarer to find a ball gown just waiting to be dusted off for your next black tie event. Not to worry: We’ve scoured the internet for floor-sweeping gowns from R29 reader-favorite retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Shopbop, and more to help find a black tie dress fit for the lavish affair.

While you’ll find several timeless all-black gowns for those who prefer the more traditional route, we also pulled modern black-tie dresses in vibrant colors, bold prints, and chunky sequins, as well as a few special-occasion midis for the “black tie optional” nuptials. So look through our favorite black-tie wedding guest dresses for your summer weddings (or upcoming fall nuptials). Then, slip on your favorite summer jewelry, grab a trendy clutch, and step into comfortable party shoes. You will surely find yourself a spot on the best-dressed list. 

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

Free People Katie May Pixie Gown

Shop Free People

Free People Katie May Pixie Gown, $, available at Free People

Hutch Simi Plissé Ruffle Strapless Gown

Shop Nordstrom

Hutch Simi Plissé Ruffle Strapless Gown, $, available at Nordstrom

Abercrombie & Fitch Plunge Cowl Back Maxi Dress

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Plunge Cowl Back Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

V. Chapman June Printed Corset Front-Slit Satin Gown

Shop Anthropologie

V. Chapman June Printed Corset Front-Slit Satin Gown, $, available at Anthropologie

Petal & Pup Glow One-Shoulder Midi Dress

Shop Petal & Pup

Petal & Pup Glow One Shoulder Midi Dress, $, available at Petal & Pup

Asos Design Curve Floral Ruffle Off The Shoulder Midi Dress

Shop Asos

ASOS DESIGN Curve Floral Ruffle Off The Shoulder Midi Dress, $, available at ASOS

LPA Abriana Dress

Shop Revolve

LPA Abriana Dress, $, available at Revolve

Badgley Mischka Rosette Scuba Strapless Gown

Shop Rent The Runway

Badgley Mischka Rosette Scuba Strapless Gown, $, available at Rent The Runway

Lulus Prime Poise Abstract Satin Halter Maxi Dress

Shop Lulus

Lulus Prime Poise Abstract Satin Halter Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus

Birdy Grey Shiny Satin Mia Convertible Dress

Shop Birdy Grey

Birdy Grey Shiny Satin Mia Convertible Dress, $, available at Birdy Grey

Mango Asymmetrical Pleated Dress

Shop Mango

Mango Asymmetrical Pleated Dress, $, available at Mango

Reformation Anaiis Silk Dress

Shop Reformation

Reformation Anaiis Silk Dress, $, available at Reformation

H&M Jersey One-shoulder Dress

Shop H&M

H&M Jersey One-shoulder Dress, $, available at H&M

Staud Cadence Dress

Shop Staud

Staud Cadence Dress, $, available at Staud

Eloquii Plus Strappy Paillette Column Dress

Shop Eloquii

Eloquii Plus Strappy Paillette Column Dress, $, available at Eloquii

Sézane Layla Dress

Shop Sézane

Sézane Layla Dress, $, available at Sézane

PrettyLittleThing Plus Shoulder Ruffle Hem Corsage Maxi Dress

Shop PrettyLittleThing

PrettyLittleThing Plus Lilac Shoulder Ruffle Hem Corsage Maxi Dress, $, available at PrettyLittleThing

Quince 100% Washable Silk Strapless Midi Dress

Shop Quince

Quince 100% Washable Silk Strapless Midi Dress, $, available at Quince

Zara Satin Slip Dress

Shop Zara

Zara Satin Slip Dress, $, available at Zara

J.Crew Collection Tiered Ruffle Dress

Shop J.Crew

J.Crew Collection Tiered Ruffle Dress, $, available at J.Crew

Misha Terersa Dress

Shop Shopbop

MISHA Terersa Dress, $, available at Shopbop

Bec + Bridge Pink Ren Split Maxi Dress

Shop Ssense

Bec & Bridge Pink Ren Split Maxi Dress, $, available at SSENSE

Skims Summer Mesh Deep Plunge Long Dress

Shop Skims

Skims Summer Mesh Deep Plunge Long Dress, $, available at Skims

Farm Rio Banana Forest Organic Cotton Maxi Dress

Shop Farm Rio

Farm Rio Lilac Banana Forest Organic Cotton Maxi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio

Adrianna Papell Illusion Mermaid Gown

Shop Bloomingdale’s

Adrianna Papell Illusion Mermaid Gown, $, available at Bloomingdale’s

BHLDN Ruby Twist Halter Satin Gown

Shop Anthropologie

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BHLDN Ruby Twist Halter Satin Gown, $, available at Anthropologie

Modern Black Tie Wedding Guest Dresses

Unless you’re a minimalist who lives in black and navy, don’t feel like you have to constrict yourself to dark-hued numbers. Modern takes on black tie often feature the same full-length gowns, just in bolder colors and statement-making fashions. Glow in radiant hues such as emerald green and icy blue, with silhouettes that bring the perfect amount of drama and elegance without overshadowing the bride.

Shop Alice + Olivia At Nordstrom Rack

Alice + Olivia Samia Halter Neck Fishtail Gown, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Shop Alamour The Label

Alamour The Label Jennifer — Emerald, $, available at Alamour The Label

Shop Reformation

Reformation Annabelle Silk Dress Es, $, available at Reformation

Shop Norma Kamali At Saks Fifth Avenue

Norma Kamali Bias-Cut Satin Halter Gown, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Black Tie Optional Wedding Guest Dresses

“Black tie optional” may bring on more confusion than clarity, but it typically indicates that guests can opt for formal or black tie attire and that the wedding party will be in black tie. To straddle the two attires, a longer dress (rather than a gown) is always a good option. Gowns that have embellishments and unexpected silhouettes can also be a perfect in-between option that feels striking but not overdressed.

Shop Lulus

Lulus Moriah Sage Green Satin Wrap Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus

Shop Sachin & Babi

Sachin + Babi Kayla Gown – Pastel Sunset Hydrangea, $, available at Sachin & Babi

Shop Atsu At Anthropologie

Atsu Bow Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Shop Banana Republic

Banana Republic Ella Maxi Dress, $, available at Banana Republic

Shop Marchesa Notte At Verishop

Marchesa Notte Briar Rose Gown, $, available at Verishop

Shop Maya Plus At ASOS

Maya Plus One Shoulder Sequin Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS

Shop Lauren at Ralph Lauren

Lauren Ralph Lauren Floral Georgette One-Shoulder Gown, $, available at Ralph Lauren

Shop Karen Millen

Karen Millen Crystal Embellished Halter Woven Maxi Dress, $, available at KAREN MILLEN

Shop Vince Camuto

Vince Camuto Off-The-Shoulder Gown, $, available at Vince Camuto

Shop NBD At Revolve
Shop JJ’s House

JJ’s House A-Line V-Neck Asymmetrical Satin Evening Dress, $, available at JJ’s House

Shop Mac Duggal at Saks Fifth Avenue

Mac Duggal Fabulouss Sequin One Shoulder Side Cutout Gown, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Eloquii

Eloquii Satin Maxi Dress, $, available at Eloquii

Shop ASTR The Label At Nordstrom Rack

ASTR The Label Farida Midi Slipdress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle Pleated Cutout Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie

Shop Ramy Brook

Ramy Brook Ashlyne Plunging Maxi Dress, $, available at Ramy Brook

Shop & Other Stories

& Other Stories V-Neck Wrap Dress, $, available at & Other Stories

Shop Free People

Free People Look Into The Sun Gown, $, available at Free People

Shop Norma Kamali at Revolve

Norma Kamali Diana Gown, $, available at Revolve

Shop Eliza J At Nordstrom

Eliza J. Embellished High/Low Chiffon Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Shop Hill House Home

Hill House Home The Lace Ellie Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home

Shop Asos Edition Curve At Asos

ASOS Edition Curve Long Sleeve Tie Waist Midi Dress In Blurred Floral Prin, $, available at ASOS

Shop Lulus

Lulus Broadway Show Navy Blue High-Low Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus

Shop Bronx and Banco at Bergdorf Goodman

Bronx and Banco Florence Strapless A-Line Bustier Gown, $, available at Bergdorf Goodman

Shop Reformation

Reformation Veria Silk Dress, $, available at Reformation

Shop Farm Rio

Farm Rio Red Guipure Cut Out Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio

Shop Karen Millen

Karen Millen Slinky Knit Mirrored Jacquard Geo Chain Strap Maxi Dres, $, available at KAREN MILLEN

Shop Michael Lo Sordo at Net-A-Porter

Michael Lo Sordo Crystal-Embellished Silk-Satin Gown, $, available at Net-A-Porter

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