Your Guide to Formal Wedding Attire: Black Tie Wedding Guest Dress Ideas
Have an upcoming formal wedding or black-tie event to attend this year? In this post, we’re sharing a few elegant and classy maxi dresses (and one stunning pantsuit) that you will absolutely love! And, surprisingly every dress is under $100!
The dresses I’m about to share are perfect for weddings, charity balls and galas, award ceremonies, engagement parties, event openings, New Year’s Eve parties and more. All of these formal dresses can be worn year round when styled with the appropriate outerwear, shoes, and accessories.
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Black Strapless Maxi Dress
This black strapless maxi dress is a Lulus new arrival. I just got it in the other week and WOW. It’s absolutely stunning and so flattering on. It features a high slit on one side, silicone lining around the top and is made of thick, quality fabric. You can definitely get away with not wearing a bra with this dress.
The dress fits true to size, I’m in an XS. But, it does fit a bit tighter than other XS’s I wear. I prefer that though! Since the dress is strapless, with a tighter fit it stays in place better.
Strapless Bow Column Maxi Dress
Another strapless option that’s just beautiful! The floor length white bow is the real star of the show here. It adds so much detail to this simple, classic black maxi dress. The dress is fitted with thick, stretchy fabric. However, I would consider sizing up.
I always order an XS from Lulus, which I’m wearing here and it was a little tough to get into at first. But once zipped, it’s a great fit that stays in place. I do think I could’ve ordered a small and it would’ve given me a little more room and still been a good fit!
Satin Plisse Strapless Maxi Dress
I received so many compliments when I wore this satin black maxi dress to a formal wedding last September. It’s definitely one of my favorites. It’s strapless and has silicone lining along the top so the dress feels secure and stays in place.
I also love that the body of the dress is loose and flowy, not skin-tight because I didn’t have to worry about it feeling snug after eating haha! I’m 5’6″ and I was able to wear flats with it without needing it hemmed. I love the dress in black, I think it’s so classy and elegant. But, it also comes in a gorgeous emerald green, dark purple and marigold yellow as well.
I went with my true to size and it fits really well!
Black One Shoulder Cutout Maxi Dress
My husband and I had a formal wedding in Chicago where I wore this one shoulder cutout floor-length dress. This is one of my all-time favorite black dresses. It’s classy and elegant, but still fun and unique. The side cutouts are so cute!!
The dress is also really comfortable. The fabric has a bit of stretch to it. So, even though it hugs your body, it still has some give to it too. I’d say it looks best with a pair of heels. The dress length is a little too long for me to wear flats.
Black Strapless Jumpsuit
This dressy pantsuit is under $70! It’s such a flattering outfit and always gives me a confident boost. I’ve worn it multiple times to different formal events and it holds up great over time. It’s definitely a versatile piece that you can wear to weddings, engagement parties, work events, etc.
I’m wearing an XS and it has a perfect fit with silicone lining along the top so it doesn’t slip.
Cap Sleeve Bodycon Maxi Dress
This cap sleeve bodycon maxi is the perfect option for any Fall or winter weddings with a black tie dress code. The fabric is thicker and more durable, you’ll find it really holds you in. You can add a faux fur coat or stole for some added warmth too!
I’m wearing my true to size, which fits great, but there is little stretch to the dress, so keep that in mind. There’s a cute slit in the back too! On the website, it says the dress is midi-length, however I’m 5’6″ and it’s a full maxi on me.
More Black Tie Dresses & Formal Gowns
Here are a few more floor-length gowns you can choose from. I tried to provide a few different options when it comes to fabric, necklines, and stretch.
Where to Shop for Formal Dresses & Black-Tie Wedding Attire
My favorite retailers to shop for black-tie attire are Lulus, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Azazie and Dessy. All of the dresses I shared in this post are from Lulus because I find them to be the most affordable (for the most part), the dresses come in a variety of different colors and prints, and Lulus is really good about re-stocking sizes.
So, Lulus is typically the first retailer I check, and then Nordstrom and Anthro. These two can get a bit pricy, but they do have some great formal options.
Azazie and Dessy also have some excellent options for formal wear and full-length gowns. I’ve ordered bridesmaids dresses from both of these online retailers, but they also sell wedding guest dresses too. And, the dresses are stunning!
Shop all Black Tie Wedding Guest Attire Below:
Other posts you may like:
- Stunning Mismatched Green Bridesmaid Dresses under $300
- Shades of Dusty Blue Bridesmaids Dresses for a Summer Wedding
- Your Guide to the Garden Party Dress Code for Weddings
This post shared Formal Black Tie Wedding Guest Dress Ideas.
