32 Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses That Are Guaranteed to Impress
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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. For one, 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 beachy locale. 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 velvet and jacquard? When in doubt, a classic A-line or halter style offers just enough formality.
From simple black dresses to glitzy sequins, our edit of best black-tie wedding guest dresses are sure to make a splash.
Black Magic
It’s in the name: If you’re not sure what to wear for this dress code, black is generally a safe bet. Experiment with the shape, whether it’s Khaite’s strapless column dress or Acne Studios’s trailing fringe scarf. Since the palette is so restrained, use your accessories to bring a little personality to your look.
Shimmer and Shine
Go ahead and take inspiration from the champagne toast with your black-tie wedding guest dress. Lighter versions from the likes of Self-Portrait and Jenny Packham are better for earlier ceremonies, while the inky black sequins 16Arlington coated its floor-length piece in are perfect for after-hours glamour.
