These Fall Wedding Guest Dresses for Women Over 50 Are Affordable and Cute

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Nature’s autumnal colors are the perfect inspiration for fall wedding guest dresses for women over 50. While the mustard, ruby, and light brown hues of the changing leaves serve as a great starting point when shopping, there’s a bit more that goes into finding the perfect outfit.

The best summer dresses for women over 50 focus on the colors and materials of the season: mainly linen and cotton in bright, light, and pastel hues. As a transitional time, fall offers a bit more room to experiment with your look. From textured fabrics like velvet, satin, and corduroy to classic cotton, there’s so much to choose from. And the colors of the time of year truly take center stage, with deep jewel tones, soft nature-inspired hues, and more as the color palette.

As a wedding guest, there are a few important aspects to take into consideration when shopping. Mainly, the dress code and locale. Whether you’re headed to a destination wedding in the completely opposite climate of your home or you’re headed down the street, it’s important to find the right level of fancy—this is where the dress code comes into play. Luckily, we’re sharing black tie gowns, cocktail dresses, casual options, and more that are perfect for the season.

Ahead, you’re sure to find the perfect fall wedding guest dress. Now just add comfortable heels (or the most comfortable flats!) a coordinating clutch or purse, and you’ll be ready to hit the dance floor!

Satin High/Low Gown

This dress was made for dancing, with its high-low design. The V-neckline hits just right and the lack of sleeves means you can show off your arms. Plus, it has pockets!

What reviewers say: “I’ve been looking for a dress to wear to my oldest granddaughter’s wedding. This one appealed to me on a number of levels. I liked the high/low silhouette...I want to be careful not to trip over a long hem in front. The V-neck is just right. The princess seams make me look very trim. I’ve always been a fan of pleats, and these lay just right. And, it may sound frivolous, but I love the pockets!”

A-Line Tiered Maxi Dress

Looking for something you can wear beyond the event? This affordable find comes in a slew of colors (we particularly like this dark green emerald hue) and falls at a lovely tea length. Add strappy heels and statement jewelry to dress it up, or go simple and wear ballet flats and minimal bling for a daytime wedding.

What reviewers say: “This dress was a perfect Mother of the Bride dress for my daughter’s wedding. It’s lacy on the outer layer, but the inner layer is solid and not see-through, so no slip is needed. It’s also very soft and comfortable, very easy to move around in. I highly recommend it. I actually bought two of them, this navy and also the watermelon color.”

Cape Sleeve Evening Dress

For those wanting to cover their arms while showing off their legs, this is the dress for you. Ideal for a cocktail attire wedding (or semi-formal), this option has a built-in asymmetrical cape that beautifully drapes over the shoulders. With over 14,000 ratings on Amazon and 4.2 stars, it’s safe to say shoppers love the dress.

What reviewers say: “Comfy and stylish. Wore to my son’s wedding and got lots of compliments.”

Swiss Dots Maxi Dress

Few things say autumn more like yellow leaves—and this dress to match. Complement the fall setting with a mustard-yellow dress. The Swiss-dot texture adds intrigue to this otherwise simple option. A flattering A-line silhouette, V-neckline, and long sleeves make it flattering for any body type.

What reviewers say: “I wore this dress to my son’s wedding. The dress looks much better on and it fit perfectly! The v-neck is flattering and the snap was in the perfect spot so that there was no cleavage showing. Definitely a great choice for their wedding.”

Velvet Wrap Dress

As the weather cools, it’s time to break out the heavier fabrics. If you’re headed to a late fall wedding or somewhere chilly, this velvet A-line wrap dress fits the bill. We love that it comes in plus-size and long-sleeve options as well. Did we mention it comes in over 12 colors? We’re partial to this chocolate brown hue.

What reviewers say: “First off, I never do reviews because I am just lazy. Lol. But this dress was everything! As a plus sized woman, dressing up and being comfortable can be tricky. I got the the Earthy Orange one. The material was great! Not too thick but not too thin. It was soooo soft and comfortable. Felt like I was just wearing a robe the whole night. It was true to size and I had a lot of compliments on it.”

Vintage Tea Dress

With over 9,000 ratings and 4.2 stars, this vintage-inspired tea dress is perfect for a fall wedding. Available in 41 colors (though, a few of which are white-adjacent, so we do not recommend wearing those), many are gorgeous autumnal hues like dark green, navy, and burgundy. It features a zipper closure for easy on and off, and you can snag it in a glittery color for black-tie optional attire.

What reviewers say: “I love this dress design so much that I own a few of the colors and patterns and am waiting to purchase more. The fabric is comfortable, and the style is very flattering. The dress is also modest and very classy. This can be hard to find in this day and age, but this dress features a high neckline and midi length.”

Criss-Cross V-Neck Floral Flare Midi Dress

For a casual fall affair, this criss-cross V-neck floral dress is a great option. And it’s super affordable too (under $35!). There are 25 colors and patterns to choose from, which means you’re sure to find the perfect dress. And it’s so versatile. Wear it on date night with a leather jacket, throw a chunky sweater on top for brunch with the girls—the scenarios are endless.

What reviewers say: “I’m 5’6 and 130 lbs., 32F. It’s hard to find dresses that fit me well, especially in the chest, but I ordered a M and this is a great size. It’s got a modest but flattering neckline - doesn’t really show cleavage but creates a flattering V. Nice stretch, flattering cut. Comes in nice at the waist but hides little lumps pretty well (I have a patterned one) I’m pleased with the purchase so far.”

Anastasia Smocked High Neck Maxi Dress

Another dark green pick, this maxi dress is perfect for those headed to a church wedding. It offers full-coverage and comfy bell sleeves. The tiers give it shape, and the mocked bodice adds some intrigue.

What reviewers say: “I received a lot of compliments! Length was perfect for me and I’m 5’0 height!! I think it’s meant to be a length dress but on my short frame, it was a perfect long dress! Quality was great!”

Faux Wrap Ruffle Trim Dress

From Sofia Vérgara’s line for Walmart, this faux wrap ruffle trim offers the perfect amount of hot. We love that the faux wrap means you can dance the night away without worrying about the closure of the dress. A satin-like sheen and flirty ruffle trim are the perfect finishing touches.

What reviewers say: “Pretty dress!” one person wrote. “This dress has a nice shape and flow. I’m 5’7” and 210 lbs and the XL fit well on my body,” wrote another.

Lace Trim Midi Dress With Flutter Sleeves

A subtle lace trim adds a bit of hot to this classic midi dress in a beautiful olive green. The V-neckline adds to its appeal, while the satin-like material and flutter sleeves are perfect for the season. It also comes in black, if you’re looking for a LBD!

What reviewers say: “Bought this dress in the olive color. It is so lovely! The little bit of lace at the bottom and one side of the neckline add a nice touch, and the material is satiny and comfortable. The cut is very flattering. For the price point, this is a fantastic dress! It is classic and chic. If you’re in between sizes, size down, it is generously cut.”

Linen Fit & Flare Midi Dress

I have this in white (which you obviously do not want to wear to a wedding, of course), and love it! It’s a European linen material, so it’ll work wonders for summer and early fall weddings. The square-neckline and A-line silhouette look great on just about any body type. Meanwhile, the adjustable straps and smocked-back detail make for a super comfy fit.

What reviewers say: “I absolutely love this dress! The adjustable straps are handy and I was worried the extra length would be bulky sitting inside the back of the dress but that doesn’t seem to be an issue.”

Cotton Ruched Midi Dress

Midi dresses continue to reign supreme in the wedding guest dress world, and this classic square-neckling option works nearly year-round. It’s made of breathable cotton and features a smocked elastic back and puff sleeves for comfort. Pair it with mustard yellow shoes for a truly wow-worthy look.

What reviewers say: “This dress is perfect for tall women. The waist hits just at the right place, low enough to give you a defined waist and high enough to still give you a bohemian fit. The crisp poplin material is light, soft, and comfortable. The top is structured enough to not need a bra (score!) and snatches your body into a nice shape.”

Hope Floral Embroidered Cocktail Dress

Florals never go out of style—no matter the season. This dress (which works well for fall into winter) features embroidered flowers and an illusion neckline for the perfect romantic wedding guest dress. Short sleeves and a mid-calf length offer some coverage, while a peek-a-boo cutout back yields a sweet surprise.

What reviewers say: “Perfect dress for indoor wedding as a guest! I had to make a few alterations to make it fit just right on top as I am larger on my bottom. The design was perfect for my figure and really looked great in pictures! I got so many compliments!! paired it with gold chandelier earrings and bone open-toe pumps. Love this dress and can’t wait to wear it again. It’s so nice to find a dress with style that has sleeves and is tea length.”

One-Shoulder Trumpet Gown

If you’re headed to a formal wedding and are looking for something that shows off your hourglass shape, this gown is just the thing. We love the one-shoulder design and uber-flattering trumpet style. Ruching in the bodice adds intrigue while the asymmetrical back wows.

What the reviewers say: “Gorgeous dress, I wore this to my son’s wedding and it was classy and comfortable. I liked the full coverage and the little bit of shoulder showing made it feel less matronly! Nicely lined and gives a little hold to an older figure!”

Rhinestone Yoke Column Gown

The beautiful bateau neckline is complemented by the illusion top with a bit of bling making this perfect for a black-tie wedding. Three-quarter sleeves and lining offer a bit of coverage.

What reviewers say: “I love this dress. It fits perfectly. Only needs shortening., the color is perfect.”

Francesca High-Neck Stretch Satin Midi Dress

The cowl neckline and side ruching details really steal the show on this satin midi dress. We love the brown hue for fall, but there are 10 other colors to choose from (including forest, navy, sage, and rose) for the season.

What reviewers say: “This dress is so comfy and flattering! I ordered the dress in navy blue and it’s much nicer in person. I do have a large bust and it fits perfectly. If you have a smaller bust, the top half of the dress may be a bit baggy. Perfect mix of sophisticated and hot.”

Sleeveless Brocade Midi Dress

Pair this with a wrap and you’re ready for a fall wedding! Brocade is a thicker fabric (think: a fashion take on French-style drapes) that is harder to wrinkle and offers a heavier weight. The thick straps of this dress make it easy to wear with a bra, and the midi length makes it work for a number of dress codes. It comes in a magenta shade if you’re inclined—both are gorgeous.

What reviewers say: “Got this dress to wear to a wedding this fall. I’m pear-shaped, 5’6. The material looks heavy but is actually light and really good quality. It is by far one of the most flattering dresses I have ever worn and worth the price!”

Sleeveless V Neck Split Evening Cocktail Long Dress

Another trumpet-style dress, it comes in eight other colors, each a deep jewel tone and perfect for fall. Flattering pleating, a V-neckline, and a high slit come together for a gorgeous gown. With over 14,000 ratings and 4.2 stars, shoppers like the dress.

What reviewers say: “Great dress for the price! I wore it to a wedding and received compliments. Comfortable, stylish, fit perfectly, but not shiny as shown in the photos.”

Thriving Poise Black 3D Floral Embroidered Tie-Strap Maxi Dress

Another year-round option, this dress 3D floral embroidered gown is perfect for black tie and black-tie optional dress codes. We love that it’s not too pricey and that the tie-straps level up the romance factor.

What reviewers say: ‘I loved this dress. So many compliments, truly felt so beautiful the whole time... I wear a true size 10, and I bought the L and the XL. The L looked a little snug on my hips, but the XL was perffff, especially after I tightened the straps at the top.”

The Ophelia Dress

For a floral patterned dress, there’s nowhere I’d rather look than Hill House. The Ophelia Dress features bursts of colors reminiscent of spring flowers against a navy backdrop perfect for fall. The sweetheart neckline can be customized thanks to the tie top and the smocked back allows for a forgiving fit. Meanwhile, the tea length makes this dress ideal for a variety of dress codes, including cocktail attire, semi-formal, and even casual.

What reviewers say: “Simply gorgeous!! hot but still modest enough! Fits like a glove—very true to size.”

How to choose fall wedding guest dresses for women over 50

While we are firm believers that women can wear whatever they want and should reach for whatever makes them feel most confident, we know that sometimes means highlighting (and camouflaging) certain areas. Take the below into consideration when shopping for a fall wedding guest dress for mature women:

• Dress code

• Location of the event

• Coverage (if this is of interest to you)

How we chose fall wedding guest dresses for women over 50

We sifted through hundreds of online reviews, tried a few dresses ourselves, and scoured the internet to find the best fall wedding guest dresses for women over 50. We chose based on factors like sizing, ratings, fabric, price, and more.

Why trust us

Emily Goldman spent four years as a bridal editor, first at Bridal Guide and then at Martha Stewart Weddings. Now, as Deputy Editor at Prevention, she relishes in flexing her wedding content coverage.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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