If you haven’t already, it’s time to start planning your winter wedding guest outfits.
Whether you’re looking for a new party dress or are partial to formal pants, we’re here to help you get the ball rolling on your search for what to wear to this season's nuptials. These festivities are a chance to play around with seasonal colors and dazzling fabrics — think velvet dresses and special-occasion jumpsuits for more formal affairs, or sequin numbers that embody that New Year vibe.
We’ve rounded up 25 winter wedding guest outfit ideas for every dress code, budget, and personal style. Ahead, find the best winter dresses, jumpsuits, and pantsuits from reader-favorite retailers like Free People, Reformation, Zara, and more that’ll get you on the best-dressed list for every party.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Formal winter weddings likely require black-tie dresses, which should probably be floor-length but certainly don’t have to be black. Look out for rich jewel tones in satin or iridescent fabrics. We’re eyeing holiday-appropriate ruffles for extra dimension and drama. Then, throw on a faux-fur shawl, slip into comfortable heels, and swipe on burgundy lipstick to complete your ensemble.
House of Harlow 1960 x Revolve Astra Gown, $, available at Revolve
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail attire is one of the most popular special-occasion dress codes. Somewhere in between formal and casual, it allows you (and the party) to move from day to night, and it opens you up to more silhouettes, hemline lengths, and fabrics. For the winter, we recommend midi dresses with delicate lace and mesh trims or elevated bows and pearl embellishments.
Lisa Says Gah Meg Dress, $, available at Lisa Says Gah
Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
For winter weddings with outdoor ceremonies or restaurant receptions with casual, cozy vibes, keep your comfort (and warmth) top of mind. Slip into long-sleeve mini or midi dresses, and pair them with sheer black tights and a pair of booties or closed-toe pumps. (You also can’t go wrong with a velvet maxi.) And don’t be afraid of prints — play with festive plaids and winter florals.
Madewell V-Neck Cuff-Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Madewell
Wedding Guest Jumpsuits
We love the idea of a jumpsuit for a winter wedding, because, let’s be honest: We don’t really want our legs exposed to the frigid winter air. To stay warm and comfortable while looking stylish, seek out long-sleeved, high-neck silhouettes in rich velvets and luxe jersey knits. Keep it sleek in black, or test out trendy burgundy, navy blue, or metallic silver styles.
Old Navy Fit & Flare Velvet Jumpsuit, $, available at Old Navy
Wedding Guest Pant Suits & Sets
These days, pantsuits for wedding guests are chicer than ever before, so we want to put these matching separates on your radar. Be playful with metallic, floral, or striped sets that can be worn on their own with a statement necklace, or with a blouse or vest underneath. When the party’s over, rewear the blazers, tops, and trousers together or separately for winter festivities and office days alike.
Veronica Beard Long and Lean Dickey Jacket, $, available at Veronica Beard
Veronica Beard Lebone Pant, $, available at Veronica Beard
Black-tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Formal winter weddings likely require black-tie dresses, which should probably be floor-length but certainly don’t have to be black. For the colder months, look out for long-sleeve gowns in luxe velvets or weightier sequins in rich jewel tones. Then throw on a faux fur shawl, slip into comfortable heels, and swipe on burgundy lipstick to complete your ensemble.
For winter weddings with outdoor ceremonies or restaurant receptions with casual, cozy vibes, keep your comfort (and warmth) top of mind. Slip into long-sleeve mini or midi dresses, and pair them with sheer black tights and a pair of booties or closed-toe pumps. (You also can’t go wrong with a velvet maxi.) And don’t be afraid of prints — play with festive plaids and winter florals.
Your upcoming formal winter weddings will likely require black-tie dress, which should probably be floor-length but certainly doesn’t have to be black. For the colder months, look out for long-sleeve gowns in luxe velvets or weightier sequins in rich jewel tones. Once you find your perfect dress, throw on a faux fur shawl, slip into comfortable heels, and swipe on burgundy lipstick to complete your ensemble.
Atsu Crystal-Embellished Bow Mini Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
For winter weddings with outdoor ceremonies and cocktail hours or with more casual, cozy vibes, keep your comfort (and warmth) top of mind. Slip into long-sleeve mini and midi dresses with matching scarves or velvet maxis, and pair them with sheer black tights and a pair of booties or closed-toe pumps.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy champagne toast or dancing into 2025 at an all-out bash, the New Year calls for dresses with major festive energy. Metallics, feathers, and razzle-dazzle details are the unofficial dress code, but we’re looking beyond single-use outfits. After all, the best NYE dresses are ones that’ll stay on rotation well past January 1 — perfect for weddings, birthdays, and any occasion that requires showing up and showing out.
This season’s standout trends make the search even easier. Sleek, shimmering sequins and liquid metallics bring the shine without feeling overkill. Luxurious velvet and lustrous satin lean into timeless elegance, while sculptural bows, playful bubble hems, and fringe deliver a touch of drama. Craving clean lines or modern allure? Graphic black-and-white colorblocking and delicate sheer lace nails that unexpected mix of bold and refined.
Ahead, the ultimate party dress guide — NYE-approved and ready to turn heads all year long.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Sequins
When in doubt, sparkle it out (and don’t shy away from unique colors, like Staud’s icey blue). These sequin stunners — whether short and slinky or ankle-grazing — are guaranteed to light up the room faster than the ball drop.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Bows
These aren’t your standard bows: Whether sculptural, oversized, or cascading with drama, they’re bigger, bolder, and far more festive.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Metallics
Muted, molten, and anything but obvious, these gold and silver dresses feel fresh, for NYE and beyond. From Ganni’s bubble hem mini to Damson Madder’s pewter bows and J.Crew’s liquid silver midi, they’re the metallic update we’ve been craving.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Embellished LBDs
The classic LBD gets a festive upgrade with embellishments for every vibe — minimal to mod to intricate to sweet. It’s all about striking the perfect balance of glimmer.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Velvet
Lush and undeniably festive, velvet delivers sumptuous luster for NYE. Black is timeless, but jewel tones like amber and raspberry bring something unexpected — especially with modern details like drop waists, puffed sleeves, and asymmetrical ruching at play.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Fanciful Fringe
Channeling the glamour of the Art Deco era, these fringe dresses are designed to dazzle with every step and a glass of champagne in hand.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Bubble Hems
Get your volume thrills with a bubble hem dress —a trend sticking around well into 2025 — from Lisa Says Gah’s bold poppy mini, A.L.C.’s scattered rhinestones, and more. These playful silhouettes bring a whimsical touch perfect for twirling into the new year.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Feathers
Feathers always feel festive — a little decadent, a lot glamorous. Whether it’s a tunic with a fluttering cuff or a plume-lined neck, these dresses practically demand a midnight martini in hand.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Burgundy
As one of 2024’s trendiest hues, burgundy is carrying its bold energy straight into 2025. If you haven’t gotten your fix by December’s end, this luxe tone is gorgeous for ringing in the new year.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Sheer Lace
Sheer lace combines bold transparency and delicate femininity into the ultimate midnight move. Choose a lined style for a subtle flicker of skin, or go full-on daring with bolder, barely-there designs.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Satin
Liquid luster is the name of the satin NYE game. Whether you choose a slinky slip or a structured silhouette, it’s a more tempered take on shine with timeless elegance.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Black & White Colorblock
Black-and-white colorblocking brings bold contrast with minimalist sleekness. These graphic designs exude captivating ease and offer versatility to carry you through many events in 2025.
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