Thursday, July 11, 2024

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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