Whether you’re shopping for a stylish plus-size cocktail dress for your cousin’s formal wedding, a trendy dress that won’t break the bank for your BFF’s casual backyard affair, or a slip dress that’s versatile enough for any wedding dress code, we’ve got you covered.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 18 best summer dresses on the market for everything from beach to black-tie weddings, spanning a wide range of sizes, styles, and price points. All you have left to do is pick out that perfect mani colour, strap on your trusty pair of dancing shoes, and raise your glass to the happy couple.
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Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Dress to impress for black-tie weddings. The formal dress code calls for cascading and column gowns in satin, silk, tulle, and lace fabrics. Feel free to dive into your red carpet dreams of rich gem tones, or opt for lighter, pastel-hued shades. No matter your vibe, there’s a range of summer wedding guest dresses perfect for your upcoming formal affairs.
Shop Reformation
Reformation Twila Dress, $, available at Reformation
Mango Asymmetrical Bow Neck Dress
Black-tie attire doesn’t necessarily require black dresses, so don’t be afraid to step out in a vibrant colour, like an on-trend citron zest gown.
Shop Mango
Mango Asymmetrical Bow Neck Dress, $, available at Mango
Skims Summer Mesh Deep Plunge Long Dress
Yes, Skims has wedding guest dress options, like this black maxi dress with a halter neckline that can be adjusted for different party looks.
Shop Skims
Skims Deep Plunge Long Dress, $, available at Skims
Lulus Glitter Sleeveless Tulle Maxi Dress
According to our shopping data, this dress is a reader-favourite wedding guest style, so take their lead and glimmer in it at your next formal wedding.
Shop Lulus
Lulus Sleeveless Tulle Gown, $, available at Lulus
Staud Cadence Dress
An ombre print is another easy way to implement colour without going for an out-of-the-box pattern.
Shop Staud
Staud Cadence Dress, $, available at Staud
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Get ready to dance all night long, cool drink in hand, while wearing a sleek, tried-and-true cocktail dress. Pick a midi-length style with eye-catching details, like a one-shoulder neckline, textured overlay, or side cutouts. Or opt for a maxi dress with elevated bustier-style tops or thigh-high slits.
Shop Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie Giselle Pleated Cutout Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Free People Ciella Printed Maxi Dress
Yes, cocktail dresses can be floor-length, and our eyes are on this rich-toned floral, smocked Free People dress.
Shop Free People
FP One Ciella Printed Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People
Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown
This particular cocktail dress has been an R29 reader-favorite style for a while, and we understand why. The ruched fabric, one-shoulder neckline, asymmetric hemline, and sweet periwinkle hue make a winning summer dress formula.
Shop Revolve
Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown, $, available at Revolve
Live Unlimited Tiered Midi Dress
If your upcoming cocktail-attire wedding is being held during the daytime, consider opting for an elevated shirt dress.
Shop Live Unlimited
Live Unlimited London V-Neck Tiered Midi Dress, $, available at Marks & Spencer
Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
The styling opportunities are endless when it comes to a casual wedding. You can opt for a mini, midi, or maxi dress in a simple one-tone shade with subtle touches, or you can choose a cheerful pattern. The perk with these wedding guest dress designs is that you can actually wear them to plenty of other events, too.
Shop Anthropologie
Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
L’Agence Jodie Silk Slip Dress
A slip dress can easily be dressed up or down, so it’s one of the most versatile wedding guest dress styles. But for more casual affairs, you can pick playful prints, like florals and butterflies.
Shop L’Agence
L’Agence Jodie Silk Slip Dress, $, available at L’Agence
Sister Jane Paper Rose Organza Dress
A backyard wedding calls for a mini dress, and we’re all about this black textured style.
Shop Sister Jane
Sister Jane Paper Rose Organza Dress, $, available at Sister Jane
Zara Linen Slip Dress
Casual summer parties also call for breezy linen dresses. You’ll feel cool and comfortable while looking chic in this number.
Shop Zara
Zara Zara Linen Slip Dress, $, available at Zara
H&M Ramie Bandeau Dress
H&M’s Summer 2024 collection is filled with elegant, airy dresses to choose from. This bandeau style with a dramatic bow-tied back has caught our eye.
Shop H&M
H&M Ramie Bandeau Dress, $, available at H&M
Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
Embrace your whimsical side for summer beach weddings. Slide into sandals, espadrilles, or wedges and feel airy and cool in a vibrant-colored or tropical-patterned frock, especially for destination weddings. Lightweight maxis or midis with a flowing skirt not only look dramatic in the summer breeze, but they can also protect you from — ahem — wardrobe malfunctions.
Shop Farm Rio
Farm Rio Orange Fresh Macaws Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
Madewell Empire-Waist Tiered Maxi Dress in Stripe
And depending on just how casual a wedding is, you can get away with pops of white. A pattern, like a subtle strip, is a great option.
Shop Madewell
Madewell Empire-Waist Tiered Maxi Dress in Stripe, $, available at Madewell
Never Fully Dressed Plus Maxi Dress
We can’t help but recommend this flowy maxi dress because of its effortlessly elegant silhouette and (thankfully) washable material.
Shop Never Fully Dressed
Never Fully Dressed Plus Metallic Fleck Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Omnes Iris Maxi Dress
Swish along the seaside in a drapey silk slip dress that doesn’t cling too tight to the body, like this Omnes number.
Shop Omnes
Omnes Iris Maxi Dress in Yellow, $, available at Omnes
Petal & Pup Vienna Strapless Midi Dress
Look like a literal summer rose in this frilly and dainty berry-pink strapless dress.
Shop Petal & Pup
Petal & Pup Vienna Strapless Midi Dress, $, available at Petal & Pup
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress
We can’t help but recommend this Quince bestseller because of its effortlessly elegant silhouette and (thankfully) washable material.
Shop Quince
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress, $, available at Quince
Show Me Your Mumu Stella Smocked Dress
While airy, voluminous dresses are prime for beach weddings, smocked bodycon dresses are equally summer-y, especially when they’re worn in cheery colors.
Shop Show Me Your Mumu
Show Me Your Mumu Stella Smocked Dress, $, available at Show Me Your Mumu
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