The 20 Best Wedding Guest Dresses for Fall Ceremonies

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Congratulations, you’ve made it through peak wedding season. Now, with summer nearing its end, picking out the best fall wedding guest dress should feel like less of a race to find something! anything! and more of an opportunity to get creative with the dress code. No matter how many summer weddings you dressed up for this year, fall’s cooler temperatures mean a whole new realm of possibilities: long sleeves, soft-to-the-touch fabrics, and even some creative layering. (Boleros, anyone?)

Personally, this was the first year I prepared to attend a handful of weddings back to back. I didn’t want to wear one dress over and over, but I was also hesitant to splurge on a dozen dresses purchased specifically for other people’s parties throughout various seasons. I set out to find a few options that could easily transition from “tropical cocktail” rehearsal dinners to formal vows, and from a villa in France to a friend’s backyard in Colorado. Even with the constant churn of locations and hyper-specific dress codes to consider, I found I could make it work with only three or four dresses in my rotation.

Dresses that meet several dress codes have a few qualities in common. “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,” Reformation senior director of design Jess Kotal recommends. She suggests black or metallic if you want an especially versatile dress. Then, “regardless of the time of year, look for dainty feminine details like bows and self-covered buttons to create an extra special, elevated effect.”

Ahead, I’ve pulled together 20 of the best fall wedding guest dresses to wear for ceremonies this season (and any time of year).

There's No Place Like Home Dress

As soon as a hint of cooler weather rolls in, I jump at the chance to wear dresses with a more structured, formal feel. The ruffled hem and high neck give this dress a particularly dressy vibe.

Sizes: UK 6-18

Color: Red

Material: Poplin

Diane Dress

Rosettes were all over the runways for fall, but I love Rouje's subtle take. It's a nod to the early aughts, with a French-girl lean.

Sizes: FR34-44

Color: Jacquard double pois noir

Materials: 80% rayon, 20% polyester

Marlene Dress

Doen is usually the brand that I reach for when I'm having a cottagecore moment, mostly because of the flattering cuts and fabrics. I love that this dress has a slightly dressier feel to it.

Sizes: XS-XL

Color: Multi

Material: 100% silk

Neena Midi Dress

Don't retire bolder colors once summer comes to an end. Something zesty like tangerine orange can be seasonal for fall, especially early on in the season before it starts to get too chilly.

Sizes: 00-14

Color: Cherry Tomato

Material: 100% polyamide

What reviewers are saying: "Fantastic and versatile dress. Holds up great for lively dancing and the cut allows for a regular strapless bra. I'm 5'2" so the length was not typical 'midi' on me but not floor length either."

Gilia Dress

Strike the balance between showing off your legs and covering up enough to keep yourself warm with a long-sleeve minidress.

Sizes: XXS-XL

Color: Oat

Material: 100% linen

Off Shoulder Knit Dress Black

Slinky, sultry, shoulder-baring. This black dress is my top choice for a city wedding where you plan beeline to the bar for a martini once you're at the reception.

Sizes: XXS-XL

Color: Black

Materials: 72% viscose, 28% polyester

Amina Dress

Green goddess. That will be you in this floaty floral dress with a low neckline, and mid-length sleeves. Style with a wrap-up strappy heel to lean into the goddess of fall aesthetic.

Sizes: XXS-XXL

Color: Marais floral green

Material: 100% viscose

Lali Ruffled Maxi Dress

Ruching and ruffles are classic additions to fanciful wedding dresses that won't read as all too stuffy or dowdy. The sky blue color makes this the sort of dress I'd consider wearing for an outdoor soiree.

Sizes: 0-12

Color: Blue

Materials: 68% viscose, 32% polyester

Louie Patchwork Puff Sleeve Smocked Dress

If the vibe you desire skews more quaint (for a farm wedding perhaps), then a quilt-inspired patchwork design is just the thing.

Sizes: XS-L

Color: Multicolor

Material: 100% Cotton

Shaina Dress

When you're considering a new wedding guest dress to buy, the hope is to settle on something that you'll ideally envision wearing again, maybe in a totally different way. This piece's versatility makes it a worthy purchase.

Sizes: XXS-3XL

Color: Black

Material: 100% organic cotton

What reviewers are saying: "The shape is so flattering, like a modern princess, the fabric is light and airy. You can dress it up or down, I wore this dress to the red carpet but could also imagine wearing it to the beach."

Crepe Jersey Ruched Dress

First it was tomato girl summer, soon it will be fire engine fall—the red color trend isn't going anywhere. This drapey, jersey dress is elegant without feeling overly fancy.

Sizes: 00-12

Color: Red

Material: Crepe jersey

Collection Leafy Floral

A tiered dress with a botanical motif is classic wedding guest fodder. What I love about this take is that even with all the material on the bottom half, it isn't overly floofy.

Sizes: 00-24

Color: Green

Materials: 55% cotton, 45% viscose

What reviewers are saying: "This dress is stunning! The print is not overwhelming, the neckline was actually perfect… and I’m over 60."

Lyddy Dress

I'm a sucker for tie-dye, but know that it doesn't always make the cut for more formal dress codes. This long-sleeve maxi is polished enough for dress codes that call for cocktail attire. I suggest styling with a thick belt around the middle.

Sizes: FR 34-46

Color: Red

Materials: 58% linen, 42% cupro

Pia Dress

Cabo San Lucas! Portofino! Wherever warm-weather your fall destination wedding may be taking you, I love the idea of a mini silhouette that has a sophisticated feel.

Sizes: 0-14

Color: Brown

Material: 100% cotton

Jacinta Maxi Dress

Make your mark on the dance floor by wearing this fringy dress. It will wave and swirl as you join in on the festivities.

Sizes: XS-XL

Color: Brown

Materials: 5% polyamide, 95% viscose

Reya Dress

Romantic draping is Kotal's callout for fall, and the Reya dress is among her favorites. "Pinks and purples are popping as Barbiecore dominates the zeitgeist," she says, so don't expect the color to go anywhere next season.

Sizes: 0-12

Color: Rose

Material: 100% viscose

Spiral Nebulas Dress

Opt for something a little outside of the usual prints you may consider as a wedding guest. Abstract birds and artful palms show that you're open to creative chit chat during cocktail hour.

Sizes: 0-12

Color: Green

Materials: Viscose, elastane

Denis Dress

Romantic silhouettes were a top callout for Kotal, and this dreamy, lightweight style will make you feel like the star of your own rom-com. Your upcoming wedding is now a meet cute.

Sizes: 34-40

Color: Yellow

Material: 100% polyester

Salacia Dress

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

Color: Black

Materials: 20% nylon, 80% viscose

Maddi Knit Dress

If you art school friend is finally marrying her pastry chef boyfriend, she's going to love seeing you arrive in this dress.

Sizes: XS-L

Color: Brown

Materials: 92% viscose, 8% elastane

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