19 best black tie wedding guest dresses that'll almost outshine the bride
Getting invited to a wedding – especially a particularly fancy one – is always going to be well received. Until you realise you need the best black tie wedding guest dresses for it.
As the dressiest wedding ceremony – over a countryside or beach wedding – it’s one where the dress code reads: more is more. When it's all about being extra for this type of event, there’s no such thing as being overdressed. But, considering it’s a summer soirée where there’ll be tuxedos in attendance, there is such a thing as being underdressed.
Save your mini dresses and floral linen styles for the beach this summer, because if you’re heading to a black tie wedding, then you’ll want to embrace the reason to wear an extravagant gown, or failing that, at least a very, very stunning maxi or midi dress.
But what makes a dress black tie-ready? We hear you ask. It’s all about the attention to detail. Does it have a cut-out that looks slightly sexy but smart? A high neck that adds interest to an otherwise simple yet sleek style? Or is it one of those cocktail dresses that has a trending neck scarf, frills upon more frills or a sprinkling of sequins and feathers? This is your time to shine –quite literally if you opt for over-the-top (remember, there’s actually no such thing for a black tie event) sparkles and embellishment. And we're so here pretending we're an A-list celeb for the day.
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So, now you may have an idea about what kind of dress style you want, what about colours? If it’s a summer wedding, expect to see pastel dresses – sage green and blush pink are firm favourites this year – but in dress silhouettes that look put together and stylish enough to be spotted at a black tie event.
If it's autumn/winter, though, or you want to stick more to the brief, a long black dress like this Huishan Zhang feather-embellished tulle ruffle style tulle will never ever let you down. Glossy rich shades of burgundy, navy, red (this Rixo midi dress has stolen our hearts), and emerald green, such as this Reiss cape detail maxi dress, will work across the year too, so you’re guaranteed to wear it way beyond the big day.
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Now is seemingly the time to bag the best black tie wedding guest dresses, too, with influencer-led shopping platform LTK telling us searches for said dresses are up by 500% this month, you better be quick to shop the chicest styles. Luckily, we've found 19 guest dresses that are so good, they'll almost outshine the bride!
Scroll to see the 19 best black tie wedding guest dresses you've probably ever seen.
For just over £500, you could feel like you deserve to be on the red carpet. Aje's ruffle, halterneck chiffon floor-length gown is a thing of beauty. Layers upon layers of frothy frill pastel lilac fabric will have you wafting around the place looking for that best-dressed wedding guest award. You deserve it!
Save when you shop for the best black tie wedding guest dresses with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.
Yes, you can wear a monochrome dress to a black tie – or any – wedding you attend. Black and white will never fail to look effortless, and the colour pairing manages to elevate this linen-mix dress – also keeping you cool during a summer ceremony without looking casual.
When it comes to black tie wedding guest dresses, more is more. So take the brief and go wild – think beading, embellishment and even, a cape. This Karen Millen plus size dress is doing it all, and the rich red shade is one that'll work across all seasons so you're bound to dig it out come party season, too.
Save when you shop for the best black tie wedding guest dresses with these Karen Millen discount codes at checkout.
Firstly, & Other Stories dress, how are you so pretty? And secondly, how do you cost under £200? Proof that not all fancy dresses need to cost a month's rent, this perfectly pink tiered ruffle frock (we can't describe it any other way) is just so fun! We love the shiny material, big bow straps and can see it paired with the sparkliest of earrings and the most OTT bag to complete the vibe.
Save when you shop for the best black tie wedding guest dresses with these & Other Stories discount codes at checkout.
In case you hadn't heard, polka dots are taking over this season. While you may end up with a few spotty dress pals at the wedding, they're a nice alternative to floral dresses. The shape of this A-line strapless midi dress (it comes with straps, if you don't want to wear it as a bandeau, FYI) makes it fun to dance around in when it gets to the good bit!
When it comes to looking for a dress for a wedding – be it bridesmaids dresses, bridal dresses or in this case, black tie guest dresses – Reformation is the destination. This glossy green chiffon dress (that sits somewhere between a midi and a maxi with its asymmetric hemline) is too good to miss. The bow drape detail and low back sells it for us. Not into green? It comes in navy and blush pink, too.
With this all-over sequin dress, you will no doubt be entering the location with full confidence that you look incredible. The cutout style with sheer underlay is very 2025, and the high neckline keeps the sparkly material looking expensive. Keep the look elevated with matching, but minimal, silver accessories.
Save when you shop for the best black tie wedding guest dresses with these ASOS discount codes at checkout.
While red used to be on the black list as a wedding guest (you can Google the reason why), we don't give in to superstitions when the dress is this good. The halterneck v neck midi by Rixo with its cutout back detail and golden hardware is the perfect amount of sexy and stylish that you want from one of the best black tie wedding guest dresses.
Glossy jewel tones will always look expensive, and this romantic satin short sleeve gown with lace detail makes this bardot off the shoulder style a strong contendor for any black tie event. Try adding matching berry tone shoes and bag, clash with dusty pink or go for gold to keep it luxe.
Save when you shop for the best black tie wedding guest dresses with these Anthropologie discount codes at checkout.
While pastels aren't typically black tie attire, there are some dress styles that'll allow you to embrace the sugary sweet shades for summer. This sleek maxi dress, for example, has cutout back details and very sleek long neck tie that adds a bit of drama to an otherwise simple dress.
One word: “Wow”. The high neck neckline, organza fabric, sheer detailing and those long sleeves are all part of the dream package. Add to this the golden goddess shade and this Taller Marmo dress will pretty much make you a walking piece of art. Stun–ning!
Sometimes, a dress is giving from every possible angle, and this Reiss Atelier style is doing just that. The front cutout, lace at the side, spaghetti straps and ruched detailing at the back is quite literally 360-degree perfection. We would go for gold accessories to accentuate the rich orange shade.
Save when you shop for the best black tie wedding guest dresses with these Reiss discount codes at checkout.
If it's a cutout style you're looking for, of course, Christopher Esber has multiple to choose from. The beaded detail and sage colour of this strapless dress still looks summery, but the sleek fit and ruched neckline elevate the gown so it's ready for its black tie appearance.
It's not that surprising that as soon as this wowzer of a sequin midi dress from Asos' new Arrange line landed on site, it sold out *sob. But you can imagine our excitement when we just got an email to say it's back in all sizes in main line and plus size (UK 6-30). The square neckline, ombre butter yellow sequins and swish factor are all part of the appeal. No wonder it's a bestseller!
There's no doubt about it; a black dress never ever fails. Neck scarves are a mini trend when it comes to dresses this year, so expect to see a lot of them at upcoming summer soirées. This one-shoulder maxi dress with corsage detail neckline (the scarf is removable, by the way) is such a pretty way to update the LBD (that's, long black dress).
Chic, chic, chic! The ruffle, pleated tulle material makes it one of those cocktail dresses that actually looks interesting as well as smart. The capped sleeves keep it in line with black tie dressing and that bow detail just finishes off the whole look with minimal effort. Simply add heeled courts or sandals to complete your outfit.
What do black-tie guests wear to weddings?
While there are so many different types of weddings – from laid-back beach weddings to a romantic countryside setting – a black tie wedding is by far the most formal you can attend. And with this very exciting invite comes the excuse to dust off that dress you always save for best, rent a statement designer wedding guest dress you may not usually go for or treat yourself to a new style that's sure to impress. The rule of thumb is; this isn't the occasion to wear a short dress. Instead, opt for a midi, maxi or floor-sweeping gown in a luxurious fabric – think silk or chiffon instead of jersey or linen. And when it comes to accessories, it's all about chic heels, perfectly formed clutch and hand-held bags (leave the tote at home!) and premium jewellery to suit the black tie wedding.
What are the best colours to wear to a black-tie wedding?
There are no real ‘rules’ to follow with colours for a black tie wedding, but of course, there are some hues that tend to be better-suited to a fancier affair. For example, rich jewel tones including emerald green, burgundy and navy will always be classic. A long gown in black is always going to look sophisticated (especially when paired with diamonds or refined gold jewellery) and metallic shades of silver, bronze and gold will look exceptional in the right fabrics. And if it's a summer black tie event, a lot of lighter pastel dresses will also work if they fit well and have an expensive-looking cut. Like any wedding, though, avoid white, ivory and cream – unless the bride has requested this as the dress code, of course. If you're still unsure which colour to go for, and you don't want to risk making the faux pas of unintentionally matching with the bridesmaid, speak to the bride before the big day.
Is it okay to wear a knee-length dress to a black-tie wedding?
Unlike mini dresses, knee-length dresses are more acceptable at a black tie wedding. But there are some guidelines that may be worth taking note of before you find ‘the one’. It's best to keep to a style that sits below your knee, or more of a midi. Instead of casual flowy silhouettes you may see at a summer brunch, go for a slinky cami style, one with structure or a style that looks so premium in way of detail. And to avoid a knee-length style looking dated, think wisely about your shoe choice – a heeled mule, sandal or slingback should elevate (quite literally) the shorter dress style worn among the gowns and tuxedos.
Check out the best summer wedding guest dresses, autumn wedding guest dresses and winter wedding guest dresses while you're here.
