Wedding Guest Dresses for Grown Women: 40+ Stylish Options for Fall and Winter

The seasons are changing, if your social calendar in the coming months includes any weddings, reunions, or other dressy occasions, you may be looking for what to wear. I've been looking at what was on the runways and how it has been translated into what is available this season at retailers… and things look good for us grown women. We're going to have success this season finding stylish wedding guest dresses and other appropriate outfits that we may actually enjoy wearing than we have in a very long time.

This post was originally published in 2021; it was updated to feature current offerings and the latest trends in wedding guest dresses and cocktail/formal attire in general.

Wedding Guest Dresses for Grown Women

Women of all ages can wear whatever the heck they want to a wedding, as long as they're not trying to upstage the couple. But we grown women have fewer f*cks to give while still giving a sh*t what we look like. We desire comfort with our chicness, to not overheat, get gas pains, struggle to walk in our shoes, and have to sit and stand weirdly to keep things under wraps. All of this is possible; you can be true to your personal style and beliefs, and have clothes that work with not against your body, while being stylish and appropriate for a wedding.

Shop the collage, left to right
Top row: one (4-16) | two (0-18) | three (14-28) | four (0-16) | five (custom)
Bottom row: six top (0-18) & bottom (0-20 w/ petite & tall) | seven (10-32) | eight top (XS-XL) & bottom (36-44) | nine (custom) | ten vest (0-12) & pant (0-12)

Just because you're old enough to be the parent of the bride or groom doesn't mean you have to dress in a cliche manner of one. It is possible to look tasteful, sophisticated, and festive without a single bit of mauve chiffon or dove gray polyester crepe.

What is In Style for Wedding Guest Dresses This Season?

This season, whatever your favorite color, you are likely to find it. From icy pastels to rich jewel tones, color is impactful and often the most interesting detail in the ensemble. No matter your personal taste in occasionwear, you are likely to be able to find it in more than just black.

Shop the collage, left to right
Top row: one (0-16) | two (0-14) | three (0-16) | four (2-16) | five (4-18)
Bottom row: six (1X-4X) | seven (00-18) | eight (XS-XXL & petite/tall) | nine (2-24) | ten (S-XXXL)

There is far more sparkle and lace this season than we've had in a while. As an overlay, it offers higher necklines, sleeves, and the idea of coverage without bulk. Classic looks like shirtdresses, fit and flare, sheaths, shifts, and columns will become formal with the choice of a shimmery fabric.

Shop the collage, left to right
Top row: one (4-16) | two (4-16) | three (0-12) | four (2-16) | five (2-14)
Bottom row: six (XXS-L) | seven (2-26) | eight (0-14) | nine (0-16) | ten (14-32)

While sparkle and lace are back, it's not the only stylish after-five option. Suiting is still a strong look, whether it's an actual pantsuit or a blazer-inspired dress. Gorgeous colors will be seen in scuba, silk, and crepe using silhouette and draping for interest.

Shop the collage, left to right
Top row: one (S-L) | two (XS-3XL & lengths) | three (XXS-XXL) | four (XS-XL) | five (XXS-XXL)
Bottom row: six (14-32) | seven (XS-3XL & lengths) | eight (XXS-XL) | nine (made to order) | ten (XS-XXL)

You will find far more looks that can be worn with the underpinnings of your choice. Necklines and arm openings that work with a standard bra, waistlines that permit undies of any cut and fabric, silhouettes that don't show every bump and line. And this year, I am seeing a LOT more sleeves.

Shop the collage, left to right
Top row: one (2-16) | two (0-16) | three (S-XL) | four (4-18) | five (14-24; link to misses)
Bottom row: six (4-18) | seven (4-26) | eight (XS-3X) | nine (6-18) | ten (2-20)

Since dressy fabrics are popular this season, the formalwear niche is seeing a greater variety of colors, silhouettes, and types of garments. From tailored lady tuxes to voluminous caftans; two-piece sets to versatile dresses you can dress up and down three seasons of the year, you may have greater success in 2024 than any previous year in finding stylish eveningwear that fits your body and personality.

Shop the collage, left to right
Top row: one | two (2-16) | three (2-18) | four (0-12) | five (0-12)
Bottom row: six (2-16) | seven (0-18) | eight (2-16) | nine (4-16) | ten (14-22)

Don't feel you need a specific hem length to be a stylish wedding guest this season. Wear what feels best to you, but don't be afraid of alterations. There is no must-wear hemline, silhouette, or fabric. Spend less on the actual dress to leave funds for a tailor to achieve maximum style impact.

Shop the collage, left to right
Top row: one (XXS-XL) | two (2-24) | three (XS-XL) | four (12-24) | five (2-22)
Bottom row: six (10-32) | seven (2-14) | eight (14-22) | nine (XS-XL) | ten (XS-XXL)

Florals for fall? Actually it is pretty groundbreaking as flower prints are usually associated with spring. Autumnal shades, jacquard, chiffon and lace overlay, embroidery, jewel tones… floral prints are strong this season and quite versatile. For a day event, wear with leather shoes or even boots and matching hoisery. Come evening, a dressier shoe with or without sheer hoisery.

Style Advice for Wedding Guests

I can't understand this dress code. What in the world should I wear?

These days, wedding invites can have some pretty creative dress codes. Specific colors, themes, even costumes may be requested. If in doubt, reach out to a member of the wedding party or parents of the betrothed. But if you're not able to do that, here is a general overview:

• Daytime Wedding: Wear something similar to what you'd wear to a house of worship on a special day. A nice dress, a blouse and skirt with dressy pants, a jumpsuit, or a suit. To keep it from looking corporate, switch out your work shoes for something in a lighter or festive color, or with more foot/skin showing and switch our your handbag for a clutch or smaller purse. If it is an outdoor ceremony and/or reception choose flats, wedges, or block heels that won't sink into grass.
• Semi-Formal: This is very similar to a daytime wedding. For evening, choose darker and richer colors and for daytime go with brighter and lighter.
• Beach or Destination Wedding: Go breezy! Floral prints, flowing fabrics, midi- and maxi-lengths that offer coverage during a bay breeze, and flat sandals or wedges that are easy to slip off in sand and wear on docks and onto boats.
• Cocktail: Cocktail is the most popular dress code for evening weddings and late-afternoon weddings at historic mansions, hotel ballrooms, and museums. Choose dressy fabrics in dresses that are not floor length. Cocktail pantsuits and separates in formal fabrics are also appropriate. If the ceremony is in a house of worship, be sure to have some sort of covering if your dress has an exposed back or shoulders.
• Festive: Very similar to cocktail in formality, but this is an opportunity to have some fun. Wear a statement shoe, a bold lip, a silk flower in your hair, you can even choose to coordinate with your date!
• Formal: You can get away with cocktail attire, but you can also choose a dress or skirt that goes down to the ground. Shoes and bag shouldn't be leather unless it's metallic and a formal style; instead choose a metallic or a dressy fabric like satin.
• Black Tie Optional: Essentially, this is the same as formal.
• Black Tie: This is when you can go all out. Folks will be wearing everything from a cocktail dress to a full-on evening gown. I recommend choosing a fabric that immediately reads dressy. If you could switch out accessories and wear this dress to work, a local restaurant, or a night club, it's not Black Tie.

Can I wear red to a wedding? How about black? What about a print on a white ground?

If the couple is of a religion that frowns on wearing red or black, then don't wear it. Otherwise, both colors have become more acceptable. Black is appropriate for most weddings in this decade, no matter the time of day. Red may still be seen as inappropriate by guests at the wedding; if you love red, I recommend choosing a red that is more orange, pink, or burgundy so it doesn't look like you're trying to steal the show.

I don't recommend wearing white to a wedding unless the dress code requests it. Dresses with a white ground can work for day and destination weddings as long as a minimum of 60% of the print is a color that contrasts with white (i.e., don't wear a white and blush or white and beige printed dress or a dress with a delicate print that from farther away just looks white or off-white).

What if I don't like showing my arms? Can I wear a shawl/shrug/bolero/jacket?

Instead of finding some layering piece you'll end up wearing the whole night, look for a dress with sleeves. As you can see from the collages above, there are plenty of sleeved dresses in a range of formalities. And there is nothing wrong with wearing suit; a suit can be pants, a skirt, or a dress with a coordinating jacket/duster.

What if I don't like wearing dresses?

If you don't like wearing dresses, this is your season! There are so many retailers carrying suits and dressy pants-based looks for in misses, plus, and nonbinary sizing. Look for cocktail pantsuits, cocktail jumpsuits, and suiting in dressier fabrics like satin, taffeta, dupioni, velvet, crepe, silk, and cupro.

What color shoes should I get? Should my shoes match my dress?

Unless you're a serious fashionista, don't attempt to match your shoes to your dress. Instead, look for a low-contrast shoe appropriate to the formality of the occasion or since it is the colder months of the year, you can go with black.

A smart purchase is a formal shoe in a metallic. Whether it's a subtle rose gold or a high-shine silver chrome, this is the kind of shoe that can be worn year-round with most any dressy look in your closet.

Do I have to wear heels?

Absolutely not, but you do want your shoes to feel dressy. Beading and crystals, dressy fabrics like silk and velvet, details like rhinestone buckles and satin bows, delicate metallic straps… these details will elevate your shoes and make them feel evening. Just make sure to take these shoes with you to the tailor if you need to have your garment shortened.

If you have fussy feet and can't find “dressy” shoes that are comfortable, take time to polish up your shoes so they look their best. Consider shoe clips, which can easily be added to simple flats and pumps and give a dressier vibe.

What dressy bags are in style?

If you haven't updated your dressy bag collection in a while or are looking to buy a dressy bag this season, you're going to find a great selection of bags that are creative, fun, versatile, and functional. Bags big enough for more than your lipstick and credit card, bags that tuck into your armpit, the crook of your elbow, bags that dangle off your wrist and leave your hands free.

Shop the collage: bird print frame bag | black clutch with gold flower | sequin with black handle | beige acrylic | beige with flowers | green satin | green woven velvet | black embroidered | light green with snake | silver sequin | black with crystal handle | black feather

I think shoes and bags make an outfit and as a grown-ass woman, it's time for us to upgrade from the black pleather clutch touched up with Sharpie. While black is a safe bet, you may find a metallic or color be more versatile, matching nothing so complementing everything. This is a place to show your personality.

Get one that will fit your phone, lip product, reading glasses, medication, face mask, hand sanitizer… whatever you need to carry and feel comfortable for an event. Do not be dependent on another to carry your essentials; now more than ever we women should be prepared and in control, even when we're all glammed up as a wedding guest.

I hope this guide assists you as you seek looks to wear to your next wedding, cocktail reception, or formal event. If you have any brands you recommend for this kind of fashion that is not mentioned in this article, do share in the comments! It may be exactly what another reader is looking for!