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Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes fall wedding season. Weddings are a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the love of friends and family. They’re also a great opportunity to get dressed up and dance the night away! No matter the dress code or your personal style, there’s a perfect dress out there for you to wear this fall wedding season. And here’s some good news for you – I’ve rounded up a range of options for you to make it easier to find the perfect dress. Read on for 25 chic dresses to wear to a fall wedding as a guest.
Something Blue
1. Rich jewel tones are a great option to wear for an autumn wedding. A deep, saturated shade of navy is the ideal “something blue” for a semi-formal wedding. This first dress from Tuckernuck is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a chic cocktail dress. The high, ruffled neckline balances out the shorter length for a classic look. Plus, there’s a beautiful bow in the back for a dramatic detail that elevates this dress and will have everyone asking where you found it.
2. This next dress gives you the same appearance of luxurious fabrics at a fraction of the cost. If you prefer longer sleeves for formal attire, this piece will be right up your alley. The midi length of its skirt also provides a bit more coverage so you can dance the night away without worrying about a faux pas. The smocked detailing around the waist will help to smooth out your midsection and add an interesting element to the classic silhouette. There is also an open back for another unique detail.
3. Here’s another option if you like a midi length when it comes to your formal dress. This simple but classic dress features a side slit, square neck and adjustable tie straps to ensure the perfect fit. Style this dress for a more casual fall wedding.
4. Teal is another perfect color for autumn nuptials. The draping on this elegant satin dress is gorgeous, with the asymmetric neckline offering a stunning detail that will set this piece apart from the rest. Style it with nude or black heels and a pair of your favorite earrings and you’re ready to go.
Try the High-Low Road
5. If the wedding theme leans toward a formal evening wedding, a maxi dress is the way to go. However, depending on the formality of the event it may also be appropriate to style a high-low dress, like the one above. This is a fun take for formal affairs with its ruching and ruffle down the center of the dress, which is also a flattering style if you are looking to elongate your body and draw attention away from your midsection.
Related: The Best Dress Styles for Hiding Your Tummy and Feeling Your Best
6. If you love vintage-inspired, classic pieces, this midi-length dress is for you. The classic sateen look is inspired by the full-skirted silhouettes of the 1950s. Pair it with sleek heels, and an elegant hairstyle for timeless wedding guest attire.
7. Have some fun with fall wedding fashion in this asymmetric tiered dress. The deep navy shade is an elegant choice for autumn. Plus, the bow at the waist helps to accentuate your figure for a flattering look.
Pretty and Patterned
8. Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you have to give up on floral prints for the year. Look for styles in saturated colors for an autumn-approved look, like the color palette of this piece. Floral wedding guest dresses are perfect for a dressy casual event. Plus, this is a great choice for a warmer climate in the fall.
9. Speaking of fun patterns for fall wedding guests, switch out your little black dress for this polka-dot piece with retro charm. It’s close to being a maxi dress, with a deep vee and adjustable tie straps. The tiered skirt is one of my favorite things about this dress!
10. Floor-length gowns are an easy style to up your wedding guest dress game this year. If you’re attending a ceremony somewhere that may call for your shoulders to be covered, this is a great option. The dress is partially lined, but the deeper color and patterns help to maintain the modesty of your silhouette. Plus, velvet is one of those luxurious fabrics that is ideal for the best fall wedding guest dresses.
11. Florals for fall? Groundbreaking! By now, you know the drill. Navy and red is a great color combination for the new season. The lace overlay elevates this shift-style dress that’s perfect for a look that embodies casual elegance and is the ideal look for an event that requires cocktail attire.
Shades of Green
12. A bold color is the perfect choice to look your best in an overwise typically muted fall color palette. All-over pleats give this dress beautiful movement and shape, the perfect ensemble for celebrating on the dance floor.
13. If you’re looking for styles fit for more casual weddings, shorter dresses and more understated fabrics are the way to go. If you’re celebrating in a warm climate, this sleeveless option is a great choice. Plus, if you happen to have to travel to the event, choosing a dress with some texture (like this pre-crinkled style) is always a good idea.
14. Earth tones are a beautiful choice when it comes to dresses to wear to a fall wedding for a guest. Plus, olive green is predicted to be a trending tone this season. You can’t go wrong with the sleek, elegant look of this satin dress with cutaway shoulders and a halter neckline.
15. Speaking of sleek elegance, this pleated style from Banana Republic fits the bill. It features a crew neckline and a sleeveless silhouette. This would be a great choice if you need something appropriate for either fall or winter weddings.
16. Do your fall wedding invitations call for formal attire? A sheath dress with long sleeves in elegant forest green is the perfect solution. Plus, this is a practical choice as well. If your fall weather gets chilly, you’ll appreciate the long length.
Warm Jewel Tones
17. Not only is this one-shoulder dress classy and comfortable, but it’s also flattering. The ruching on the front and back of the dress helps to smooth the appearance of your midsection for a slimming effect. Plus, the longer length makes it fitting for dressier affairs as a formal gown.
18. If you love a cold shoulder moment, then you’re in luck with this next dress as well. This is a slightly more relaxed look, with a shorter hem and a cutout on the back of the ribs. It still achieves a flattering appearance just like the last dress, thanks to the pleating and billowy long sleeve.
19. The pleated look was everywhere in Paris this year, and so it makes sense that this next dress was designed by a French brand. A flowy, pleated dress in gorgeous terracotta is the perfect way to tastefully show some skin with the low back.
20. There are various styles of one-shoulder dresses in this list, but this may be one that’s most appropriate for a black tie wedding. The classic crepe-style piece features a tie at one shoulder and a long length that features a split on the skirt for ease of movement (and dancing).
21. Chic wedding guest attire doesn’t have to be limited to dresses. Are you more comfortable in pants than a skirt? Try a long jumpsuit! They are also a safe bet for semi-formal events if you choose the right style. The high halter neckline and classic silhouette of this piece would pair well with slingback black heels.
Neutrals
22. Structured cap sleeves elevate this understated but chic midi dress for semi-formal events. Plus, this color and ribbed texture make it perfect for packing. Depending on how you style it, you could easily dress this piece up or down.
23. Looking to add a little black dress to your closet for the upcoming fall wedding season? The cowl neck and hammered satin material are the little delicate details that will make this piece an instant fall wardrobe staple.
Looking for more ideas for fall wardrobe staples to add to your closet this season? Check out MCO’s free resource and shopping guide here.
24. Looking for dresses to wear for a fall wedding as a guest that are as trendy as they are timeless? This crepe sleeve cape sheath dress is perfect. Capes were everywhere on the runways this year, and you can take the runways to fall wedding season in this classic style.
Short & Sweet
25. This next dress is one that could take you all the way from spring to fall. A dusty lilac is the ideal transition color that looks great in all four seasons. Plus, the short a-line style with the bow detail at the neck is the perfect style for a casual but chic wedding look.
Shopping for Dresses to Wear for a Fall Wedding for a Guest
This time of year is full of fall weddings, and what better time to shop for a chic fall style to help you feel your most chic this event season? The best part is that the versatile styles in this list can be worn for a variety of occasions – everything from date night to cocktail hour.
Investing in a classic style that you love will save you from scrambling for a last-minute look for years to come – so it’s worth taking your time to browse and consider your own personal style!
Looking for more essentials to help you master fall fashion? Up next: How to Build the Perfect Fall Capsule Wardrobe (With 100 Outfit Ideas)
