"Wedding season” is often associated with summer, but the most popular months to say “I do” actually fall later in the year. Maybe it’s the foliage or the welcome relief from the heat, but fall weddings are definitely a thing. While the colorful leaves make for stunning wedding photos, finding fall wedding guest dresses can be tricky. The goal: something elevated, seasonally appropriate, and comfortable enough to carry you through hours of celebrating (and dancing).
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 24 statement-making fall wedding guest dresses that work for dipping temperatures (think: maxi lengths, long sleeves, and rich fabrics) and every kind of venue. Expect autumnal florals, sweet puff sleeves, and slinky satin picks. Whether you need an elegant gown for a black-tie affair or are craving a trendy plus-size dress for a casual ceremony, your perfect look is just a click away.
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While floor-length gowns are a common go-to for black-tie weddings, luxe fabrications, intricate detailing, and statement design elements can make an ankle-grazing or slightly shorter silhouette just as fitting — especially if a floor-length style falls short on taller frames. This season, look for one-shoulder sleeves, dramatic draping, and voluminous mesh overlays to stand out from the crowd and land on the best-dressed list.
Adrianna Papell Plus Size One Shoulder Jacquard Dress, $, available at Adrianna Papell
Lulus Plisse One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Lulus Plisse One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
TFNC Plus Shoulder Scarf Neck Maxi Dress
Tfnc Plus Shoulder Scarf Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Pomander Place Black Marisol Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck
Petal & Pup Selma One-Shoulder Satin Gown
Petal & Pup Selma One-Shoulder Satin Gown, $, available at Nordstrom
Hutch Iris Off-the-Shoulder Floral Maxi Dress
Hutch Iris Off-the-Shoulder Floral Maxi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
ASOS DESIGN Curve Cami Ruffle Detail Maxi Dress
ASOS DESIGN Curve Cami Ruffle Detail Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail attire hits that sweet spot between formal and casual, which is why it’s one of the most popular special-occasion dress codes. This opens up your options to plenty of silhouettes, fabrics, and embellishments. For the fall, try satin midi dresses, sleek slip dresses, or elevated minis, plus floral prints, lace trims, and scarf-like accents. These styles transition effortlessly from afternoon soirees to nighttime events with the right shoes and accessories.
Eloquii Plus Hardware Detail Cape Maxi Dress, $, available at Eloquii
Mare Mare Satin Scarf Mini Dress
Mare Mare Satin Scarf Mini Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Reformation Plus Frankie Silk Dress
Reformation Plus Frankie Silk Dress, $, available at Reformation
ASTR The Label Pleated Drop Waist Dress
ASTR The Label Pleated Drop Waist Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
The Occasion by Old Navy Flutter-Sleeve Satin Maxi Dress
The Occasion by Old Navy Flutter-Sleeve Satin Maxi Dress, $, available at Old Navy
Abercrombie & Fitch High-Neck Crinkle Satin Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Free People Botanical Maxi Dress
Free People Botanical Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People
Gap Satin Lace-Trim V-Neck Maxi Slip Dress
Gap Satin Lace-Trim V-Neck Maxi Slip Dress, $, available at Gap
Fall Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
For casual weddings — especially daytime ceremonies or laid-back venues like restaurants or breweries — you can keep things relaxed without losing the festive touch. Think cotton poplins, plaid or polka dots, smocked bodices, frilled sleeves, and even a milkmaid dress that you can rewear for other occasions (yes, even to the office).
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Tiered Maxi Dress, $, available at Quince
Hill House Home The Gia Mini Nap Dress
Hill House Home The Gia Mini Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home
Zara Polka Dot Midi Dress with Belt
Zara Polka Dot Midi Dress with Belt, $, available at Zara
Coach Outlet Short Dress With Puff Sleeves In Organic Cotton
Coach Outlet Short Dress With Puff Sleeves In Organic Cotton, $, available at Coach Outlet
Damson Madder Hazel Long Sleeve Midi Dress
Damson Madder Hazel Long Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Damson Madder
There’s really only one prerequisite for a dress to be appropriate for a black-tie wedding, and that’s simply that it’s floor-length. Luckily, there are tons of stunning floor-length gowns perfect for the cooler weather from Refinery29 reader-favorite retailers. Check out this trendy drop-waist dress from Free People, or scroll on to find gemstone-hued gowns from retailers like Nordstrom, Reformation, and more. Look out for interesting details like voluminous sleeves, drop waists, thigh-high slits, and matching scarves to stand out from the crowd and get you on the best-dressed list.
Birdy Grey Shiny Satin Kira Dress, $, available at Birdy Grey
Fall Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail attire is one of the most popular special-occasion dress codes, offering a balance between formal and casual style, and allowing you to effortlessly go from day to night. This opens up your options to more silhouettes, hemline lengths, fabrics, prints, and embellishments. For the fall, we recommend looking for tried-and-true midi dresses (but you can also seek more casual maxi dresses or more formal mini dresses). We’re personally eyeing midi cocktail dresses with skin-baring details like plunging necklines, statement cutouts, and dramatic slits.
Zara Wrinkled Satin Effect Halter Dress, $, available at Zara
Fall Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
If your upcoming fall weddings are on the casual end of the spectrum, you can likely pull a dress from your closet or find one at a non-astronomical price. For daytime nuptials or casual venues, like restaurants or breweries, reach for mini and midi dresses in unexpected fabrics like crepe de chine or poplin, and look out for playful details like stripes, puff sleeves, smocked bodices, and bows. Consider going for elevated tank dresses or milkmaid dresses that can be styled multiple ways for different celebrations (or even be worn to the office).
Quince Washable Stretch Silk Tank Midi Dress, $, available at Quince
Fall Outdoor Wedding Guest Dresses
You may have attended a beach wedding this summer, but outdoor fall weddings could instead take place at backyard gardens, lakeside forests, refurbished barns, or rooftop bars. For those, you’ll want to consider carting up a wedding guest dress that has a high neckline, long sleeves, and/or a maxi skirt to account for the cooler weather. You can also look for bold prints like snakeskin and florals, or unexpected fabrics like heavier linens and knitted mesh. Then pair your look with trusty ballet flats or cowboy boots for the outdoor terrain, and comfortably dance the night away.
Back-to-school season is nigh, but nothing brightens the end of the summer like a major discount from one of our favorite brands — especially when said brand only occasionally holds sales. We’re of course talking about Reformation — our go-to destination for modern, sustainably-sourced styles, top-quality denim, enviable wedding guest looks, linen basics, trendy plus-sized pieces, and more. (And we’re not alone — Ref has an impressive celebrity fanbase. Most recently, we’ve seen Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Zendaya, and Nicola Coughlan donning the brand.)
Whether you’re shopping for a late-summer getaway or looking ahead to fall, you’ll find plenty to add to your cart. The sale kicks off today with up to 30% off hundreds of styles and runs for a limited time only (or while supplies last). We recommend having your credit cards at the ready if you want to snag some of the best deals. Read on for our top picks.
Reformation Summer Sale: Dresses
Still looking to add a new dress to your wardrobe? You’re in luck — the Reformation sale is chock-full of options. Honestly, the choices are staggering, from lightweight linen minis and flowy maxis for last-minute getaways or destination weddings to slinky slips for date nights and versatile milkmaid styles for transitional dressing.
Reformation Summer Sale: Denim
If there’s one thing that Reformation has perfected, it’s denim. From your classic baby-blue jeans to the trend-forward styles (think relaxed jorts, corset tops, and slim-fit midi dresses), you’ll find them all at the Reformation end-of-summer sale.
Reformation Summer Sale: Plus Size
ICYMI, Reformation is one of the top destinations for chic, well-cut plus-size fashion. We’re very excited to see so many incredible pieces make it to the sale.
Reformation Summer Sale: Petite Size
Calling all our 5’3″ and under friends — Reformation also has you covered with specially tailored petite designs, many of which are also discounted right now.
Reformation Summer Sale: Tops & Sweaters
What better time to upgrade your transitional and early-fall wardrobe than with a standout top or cozy new knit? (Or two, or three, or four, or… The world is your Reformation-sale-shaped oyster!)
Reformation Summer Sale: Matching Sets
When in doubt, let a matching set do all the heavy fashion lifting for you. Reformation is well known for its stunning selection, including easy, breezy linen numbers, office-ready vest-and-pants combinations, and versatile skirt co-ords that can be dressed up or down.
Reformation Summer Sale: Coats & Jackets
It might feel strange to think about the colder months amid hot, humid August, but they’ll be here before you know it. Now’s the time to save on a gorgeous new coat or jacket in preparation.
Reformation Summer Sale: Shoes & Handbags
We’re also on the verge of boot and suede season. — Come fall and winter, you’ll be able to show off your favorites from the sale while bundling up. We’re taking this sale as an opportunity to upgrade our rotation.
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