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So you’ve been invited to a black-tie wedding. Before descending into a formalwear-induced anxiety spiral, consider the benefits—this is your chance to go all-out with a statement evening look you’d never otherwise get the chance to wear. (Plus, the people-watching is guaranteed to be incredible.) The main thing to keep in mind is the definition of the dress code—effectively, “black tie” is code for floor-length hemlines, so leave the midi dress at home in favor of something ankle-sweeping. From there, you’ll find there’s a lot of variation within the black-tie wedding guest dress options.
Vogue’s Favorite Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses:
If you’re stuck on where to start, consider the setting. A black-tie event in an upscale city venue requires a different sort of formal dress than a black-tie event in a bucolic setting. Think about fabrics and the season, as well as the as well as silhouette: Do you go light and dreamy, with layers of tulle and pleated chiffon? Or moody and sophisticated with luxe silk or liquid paillates? When in doubt, a classic A-line or halterneck style offers just enough formality. And for fall weddings, anything in rich earth tones, from golden saffron to oxblood to inky navy, is a safe bet.
From simple black dresses to shimmering sequins, shop our edit of best black-tie wedding guest dresses ahead.
Sleek Silk
You can’t go wrong with a satin dress. Elegant and polished, these slinky gowns feel like the ideal canvas for all sorts of accessorizing. Victoria Beckham’s short-sleeve rosewater dress calls for minimalism with sculptural gold jewelry; something sleeker, like Tom Ford’s backless design, is an opportunity to play with a semi-precious gemstone jewelry (like amethyst, citrines, tourmalines, and aquamarines) to enhance the richness of the fabric.
