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The 17 Best Wedding Guest Dresses for Fall Ceremonies
From black tie to tropical
Summer is winding down, which means—as you likely know all too well—a new season of weddings is just around the corner. Finding one of the best fall wedding guest dresses is now paramount—but it doesn’t have to be a time-sucking, headache-inducing ordeal.
“Opting for classic silhouettes and leaning into accessories to bring in seasonal colors and trends is the easiest way to transition dresses from season to season,” says Reformation senior director of design Jess Kotal. Deep burgundies and vibrant emeralds, along with classic navy, bring the warmth while still looking exceptionally sleek, whether you’re wearing them as the main piece or a finishing touch. Now is also the perfect time to play with texture—think soft knits and delicate appliqués, says Kotal: “Regardless of the time of year, look for dainty feminine details like bows and self-covered buttons to create an extra special, elevated effect.”
Below, we’ve curated 17 of the best fall wedding guest dresses to shop right now, from colorful shifts to floor-length, minimalist knits. Elegant and unique, they take the pressure off of looking good, so you can focus on holding back the tears as you celebrate one of the most important days of your loved one’s life.
A sight to behold (and suitcase-friendly), this semi-sheer knit maxi dress features built-in layering to keep the chills and unwanted nip slips at bay.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: 75% viscose, 25% polyamide
This dainty floral dress is perfect for getting lost in whimsical countryside fantasies as you make your way across the sprawling field to your seat—then promptly bawling your eyes out, once your best friend steps down the aisle.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: 55% organic cotton, 45% viscose
Now that the ceremony is over, it’s time to dance. The Ellie, a brightly colored swing shift topped off with purple feather trim, was made for shimmying the night away.
Sizes: 2XS–4XL
Materials: 100% polyester outer; 97% polyester, 3% spandex
Make your mark on the dance floor wearing this fringy dress. It will wave and swirl as you join in on the festivities.
Sizes: XS–XL
Colors: Brown
Materials: 95% viscose, 5% polyamide
Whether you’re heading to a centuries-old cathedral or a cosmopolitan banquet hall, a strapless silk dress is never one to disappoint.
Sizes: XS–XL
Colors: Black bean, lipstick, macadamia, navy
Materials: 100% silk
If you thought strapless dresses were only for summer, think again. This body-skimming dress from Matteau is made from a woollen crepe to keep you comfortably warm and features a subtle slit along the side to show some leg when the DJ comes out.
Sizes: 2–10
Materials: 98% wool, 2% elastane
Brandon Maxwell Frida Midi Dress
The only dress that might come close to matching the red-hot passion of the soon-to-be newlyweds also looks great on the lucky person sitting front row.
Sizes: 0–10
Materials: 100% silk
A little serious, very playful, this shimmery checkered dress features an elegant high neck, nicely contrasted by a wide, drop waist skirt. Perfect for nuptials that are bound to be full of cheeky fun.
Sizes: 0–14
Colors: Lemon icing, sky captain
Materials: 100% organic cotton
Go ahead, show a little skin. The LBD remains the most important dress in your arsenal, and for a formal wedding, this is just the style.
Sizes: XS–XL
Colors: Black
Materials: 80% viscose, 20% nylon
With its mock-neck top crafted from smooth stretch cotton and attached to a breezy poplin skirt, this is a wedding dress you’ll definitely wear after the ceremony time and time again.
Sizes: 2XS–3XL
Colors: Dark fudge, natural, black
Materials: 92% cotton, 8% elastane
Sheer silk with draping across the bust and floral print along the side, this dress is a walking piece of art. Fitting for an occasion that will be immortalized in photos, revisited for years to come.
Sizes: XS–2XL
Materials: 90% silk, 10% viscose
If the wedding requires a more modest approach to dressing, this elegant VB gown is sure to not disappoint. Made from a silky smooth jersey, it features extended sleeves, full-length skirt in additional to a sculptural appliqué across the chest.
Sizes: 0–10
Materials: 96% viscose, 4% elastane
A slinky off-the-shoulder gown that will be a hit at the reception and on a night out with the new wifey a week later.
Sizes: 2–14
Colors: Black, white
Materials: 94% cotton, 6% elastane
The luxuriousness of silk, minus the aftercare.
Sizes: 0–10
Colors: Black, old green, fresh pink, lilac purple
Materials: 100% acetate
With it's deep v-neck and cream colored trim, this body-hugging gown is equal parts demure and flirty.
Sizes: 2-8
Materials: 50% Viscose, 47% acetate, 3% elastane
Featuring delicate floral appliqué along the front, this vibrant slip-on shift is at once minimalist and a statement piece.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: Cotton
An uptown gown for the bow-obsessed.
Sizes: 0–8
Materials: Silk
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.
Aemilia Madden is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s written for publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle,The Cut, and The Wall Street Journal.
She also writes a newsletter called Taeste Bud, that covers stuff we buy, places we go, and the people we want to be. Previously, she held roles at The Zoe Report, WhoWhatWear and Popsuagar. Aemilia attended the University of California, Berkeley where she majored in Political Economics. In her time away from the internet, Aemilia is probably out on a hike.
You can follow her on Instagram here.
Michella Oré is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's Bazaar. Previously, she was the style commerce writer at GQ and associate producer at Vogue. Her writing has been published in i-D, 10 Magazine, and WWD.
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