There’s much to consider when shopping for a fall wedding guest dress, from the typical concerns of dress code and style to unique considerations like seasonality and weather.
The truth is, in autumn, anything goes. While you can impress in a strapless dress in September, by November you may be shivering in the same silhouette. It’s important to have options, especially since transitional weather can be a bit unpredictable.
We’ve rounded up the dresses we’re most excited to see this wedding season, from strapless gowns to long-sleeve options. (We’re even sharing some of the best wedding guest dresses we’ve worn to fall weddings.)
Ruffled black tulle makes this dress fitting for fall nuptials. The ethereal fabric is moody enough for the later fall months, though it’s still plenty playful for the transitional months, too. Wear it alone or with a shawl to extend its wear throughout the season.
Size Range: 0–16 | Colors: 1 | Material: 100% polyester
Editors Say
“I wore this dress to my cousin’s black tie wedding, and it was a hit. It creates the perfect hourglass silhouette, moves with you on the dancefloor, and is comfortable even with extended wear. I got so many compliments that I’m excited to bring it out for more weddings and black-tie events next year.”—Madison Yauger, shopping editor
This dress from Abercrombie has a super-soft fabric and comfortable fit, so you can take in the moment rather than worry about what you’re wearing. Don’t be fooled by the comfort factor — this dress is still so elegant, so you can keep it on-hand for many semi-formal weddings to come.
Size Range: XXS–XL, and petite, regular, and tall | Colors: 2 | Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Editors Say
“The boat neck and drop-waist silhouette elevates what would be a classic LBD into something wedding-worthy, and I can’t wait to keep this dress in rotation for all of the wedding festivities I have coming up for friends.”—Alyssa Brascia, shopping writer
PEOPLE associate shopping director Erin Johnson was first introduced to Hutch through the clothing subscription service Nuuly. This dress reminds her so much of one she rented for a wedding (which is still available). The fall-forward print, paired with a unique and modest silhouette, make this a fitting mini dress option for those who prefer shorter hemlines.
Size Range: XS–3X | Colors: 1 | Material: 100% shantung
You May Also Consider
Our editors frequently use clothing subscription services, like Nuuly and Rent the Runway, to order wedding guest dresses. We’ve tested both services, and we think they’re a great alternative to buying a dress for the occasion.
Shopping for a black-tie wedding can be tricky: You’ll want to play it safe with the dress code, while still showing off your personal style. This dress from Lulus does both.
Size Range: XXS–XL | Colors: 3 | Material: 94% polyester, 6% spandex
Editors Say
“This dress hugs and highlights your curves, but the ruching around the stomach offers a little camouflage where needed. It’s gorgeous and sexy, but also really comfortable for sitting, standing, and of course, lots of dancing!”—Madison Yauger
Velvet instantly elevates any silhouette, and we love this velvet gown from Anthropologie’s BHLDN line. The color options include the gorgeous jewel tones that we’re reaching for this fall.
Size Range: XXS–XXL | Colors: 5 | Material: Polyester, elastane
Stylists Say
“Just because you’re a wedding guest doesn’t mean you need to blend into the background. For photo-worthy moments, indulge in fabrics like velvet and silk.”—Cindy Conroy, celebrity stylist
Short sleeve dresses are a great pick for fall weather. They’ll keep your shoulders warm and fit well under jackets or a cardigan sweater for brisk fall days yet won’t be too hot once you’re indoors. If there were ever a dress pattern that was the epitome of fall, this would be it.
Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 2 | Material: 100% polyester
We love this airy dress from Reformation that cinches the waist and provides ample arm coverage. It has so many autumn colors and patterns to choose from, so it’s a no-brainer for fall nuptials.
Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 8 | Material: 100% viscose
This sleek sleeveless dress is one of our favorite wedding guest dresses, and its maxi length adds a bit of warmth for fall weather. It would pair well with a coat for chillier weather, but it also looks great as a standalone.
Size Range: S–XL | Colors: 12 | Material: 92% polyester, 8% spandex
Elegant and classic, you can rewear this dress for many occasions to come. The flutter sleeves offer a bit of arm coverage, while the A-line silhouette accentuates the waist. It comes in six fall-friendly hues such as forest and moss greens, plus navy.
Size Range: XXS-XL | Colors: 6 | Material: 100% polyester
There’s a lot that we love about this dress, and the maxi length is just one of them. We’re also fans of the style’s flirty sweetheart neckline, tight bodice, and sultry side slit.
Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 3 | Material: 100% polyester
Satin slip dresses are a go-to for any wedding guest dress, but we particularly love the flowery pattern on this one for the fall season. It reminds us of a beautiful fall-themed flower arrangement featuring some of the season’s best blooms.
Size Range: XS–XXL | Colors: 34 | Material: 100% acrylic
This dress will elongate any silhouette thanks to its lengthy maxi hemline and raised waistline. The color lineup includes so many fall-forward options like wine, olive, and black.
Size Range: X–3X | Colors: 6 | Material: 96% polyester, 4% spandex
Abercrombie and Fitch is known for its wide sizing selection and length variety for different heights, and this dress is no exception. We love that this dress is fitted at the upper body yet relaxed and tiered below the waistline for a little something extra.
Size Range: XXS–XXL, and petite, regular, and tall | Colors: 3 | Material: 97% polyester lining, 100% polyester body
This dress’s neckline puts a unique spin on what would otherwise be a classic LBD, drawing attention to your face and shoulders. It also boasts a sleek bodycon silhouette, a knitted fabric, and some ruched details.
Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 5 | Material: 88% Tencel lyocell, 12% spandex
If your legs are among your best assets, you’ll definitely love this satin midi dress for your next fall wedding. With this dress, you can show some skin while still keeping your arms warm with long sleeves and a high neckline. It also has a beautiful wrap detail at the bodice that helps to accentuate the waist.
Size Range: S–XXL | Colors: 27 | Material: 100% polyester
We love the way the tied bow straps and waist of this dress look with the ruffled hem for a flirty, feminine vibe. Perfect for any kind of fall wedding, this dress comes in several autumnal colors such as orange, green, and red.
Size Range: S–XL | Colors: 21 | Material: 100% polyester
This long-sleeve dress from Lulus is perfect for chilly weather. We love the emerald color that is seasonably appropriate for fall weddings, along with the leg slit and V-neck that add some edginess to an otherwise modest gown.
Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: 100% polyester
Thanks to its comfy, loose-fitting style and cute Boho vibe, this dress is our favorite casual dress for fall nuptials. With its short sleeves, smocked bodice, flared hem, and floral pattern, this dress would be great for a country setting or outdoor wedding venues throughout the fall season.
Size Range: S–XL | Colors: 13 | Material: 95% polyester, 5% elastane
Add to Cart
Stay warm during the occasion by adding another layer, like a shawl or a blazer.
What to Know About Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
Fit and Movement
The fit and movement of the dress will play a big role when it comes to selecting a dress. Though weddings are fun-filled, they’re also long events that typically require a lot of sitting, standing, and of course, dancing. Whether you’re a family member or close loved one who might be helping out behind the scenes or just a guest there to help celebrate the big day, you’ll want to make sure that your dress has a comfortable yet complimentary fit and that you’ll be able to dance the night away as soon as the music starts.
“Always accentuate your best features. If your legs are killer, opt for a dress with a slit,” celebrity stylist Kat Gosik tells PEOPLE. “If your arms aren’t your favorite body part, try a long sleeve dress this fall.”
Color and Texture
Depending on the wedding theme, you can wear almost any color dress to a wedding except one: white. And according to Gosik, “avoid anything with too much sequins or sequins at all. Leave the sparkle and glitz up to the bride and mother of the bride and/or groom.”
In regards to color, if you’re wanting to stay on trend with the fall theme, we’d recommend going with the fall classics: deep, rich colors that emulate the colors we see in nature during the season.
Stylists Say
“Earthy olive green, dark moody florals and mustard yellow are a celebratory alternative to navy and black dresses. Richly saturated jewel tones like burgundy and emerald green are winners too.”—Cindy Conroy
Location and Dress Code
Other big contenders to consider while shopping are the location and the dress code. If indicated on the invitation that the wedding is intended to be black tie, then you’ll definitely want to find a more formal gown. If there is no specified dress code, you can consider the location. If it’s a beach wedding, a more relaxed, Boho dress may be more appropriate. If it’s a country wedding, a flowy sundress may align with the theme better. If you’re at a total loss for what to wear, we recommend asking the bride or groom what they’d love to see their guests wearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What makes a good quality wedding guest dress?
Silhouette and fabric are the two biggest quality indicators when shopping for a wedding guest dress. You’ll want to ensure the silhouette flatters your best features and is also comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The fabric is also a big quality indicator as you want it to be comfortable on the skin, durable, and suitable for the weather of the day.
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How much should you spend on a good wedding guest dress?
The best thing about dresses is that you can find them in a wide range of pricing. We’ve found a few solid options for under $40, as well as a few above $200. It really depends on your budget and what style you’re looking for. If you’re wanting an investment dress that can be worn to multiple events, we recommend going a little bit higher price-wise so that you can ensure the dress is durable and will stick around for a long time. But if you know the dress is a one-and-done deal, a cheaper option will work just fine too — just make sure the fabric and stitching is high-quality and read past customer reviews to eliminate any red flags.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Olivia Hanson specializes in fashion and beauty writing and has bylines at several publications such as People, InStyle, Southern Living, Shape, Travel + Leisure, and more. She loves to spend her time shopping and scouring the internet to find the best products that will make the lives of readers better, easier, and help them to spend wisely.
For this article, Olivia drew on her own experience shopping for wedding guest dresses and interviewed celebrity stylist, Kat Gosik to get her take on what to look for as well as what will be trending this season. Olivia spent time searching the internet to find the best fall wedding guest dresses from your favorite retailers such as Lulus, Amazon, Nordstrom, Azazie, Reformation, Abercrombie and Fitch, Showpo, and more.
Genevieve Cepeda is a shopping writer at PEOPLE. She most recently updated this article to include 2024’s best offerings, as well as favorites from PEOPLE writers and editors.
Our Expert Panel
- Kat Gosik is a celebrity stylist who has styled stars like Sydney Sweeney and Christine Quinn.
- Cindy Conroy is a fashion expert, celebrity stylist, and on-air commentator who has appeared on E! News and more.
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