24 Summer Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses That Will Bring the Heat All Season
Hot girl summer, but make it formal.
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If you’re like us, every wedding invitation and special occasion (on the more formal end, that is) provides an excuse to buy a new summer black-tie dress and comfortable heels to match. Whether it’s an intimate ceremony or a blowout destination reception, the opportunity to dress up is a feeling unmatched. Donning a fancy formal ensemble is guaranteed to make you feel your best, even with sweet nostalgia creeping in at every corner. That said, finding the right black-tie wedding guest dress can be, well, a little stressful.
There’s a lot to consider when picking the right wedding guest dress, and the dress code is at the top of the list. When the invite says “black tie,” which is the second most formal specification (right after white tie), a floor-length dress will be what you’re looking for. But, after that, you can get creative. The summer season offers some flexibility with materials (linen, silk, and poplin are great options for warmer days), colors, and showing some skin, so feel free to have fun with it!
With that in mind, allow us to spare you the effort of endless scrolling. Below, find the best dresses to wear for the black-tie weddings on your summer schedule.
Hutch Lanza Strapless Tiered Ruffle Maxi Dress
Hutch offers a selection of fun and flirty formal gowns to meet all your black-tie needs. With all print designs done in-house, you’ll be one of a kind in any of its pieces. The Lanza features layered tiers of micro pleats in a color combination that embraces the fresh and vibrant nature of summer.
Sizes: US 00-22W
Colors: Turquoise
Material: Polyester
Customer review: N/A
Aje Shallows Strapless Gown
Butter yellow has been a standout color in this season’s fashion trends, and we’re absolutely loving it. This linen gown from Aje features a fitted, boned bodice and column skirt, complemented by a draped overlay at the neckline, offering a sweet and refreshing twist on formal attire.
Sizes: UK 4-16
Colors: Yellow
Materials: Linen, viscose
Customer review: N/A
A “less is more” silhouette paired with a bold color is a tried-and-true recipe for effortless style.
Sizes: US 00-14
Colors: Happy Carrot
Materials: Polyester
Customer review: N/A
In an eye-catching fiery print, this Halston halter gown exudes main character energy, even as a wedding guest. The luxurious chiffon fabric moves with you all night, and the airy silhouette keeps you cool even on the hottest summer days.
Sizes: US 0-14
Colors: Sunset Watercolor Print
Material: Polyester
Customer review: N/A
As a versatile and transitional color, red is always a good idea when shopping for a black-tie dress. The scuba crepe material on this Xscape style hugs your figure in all the right places and is complete with a one-shoulder ruffle for a flirty detail.
Sizes: US 14W-22W
Colors: Red
Materials: Polyester, Spandex
Customer review: “Dress fit perfectly!! Great material & great quality!”
Black-tie attire doesn’t always require dressing in black, but in this case, the color is perfectly fitting. The sheer, lacy bodice paired with cascading ruffles creates an A-line shape that is both sexy and sophisticated.
Sizes: US 0-16
Colors: Black, Orchid Petal, Diffused Orchid Combo, Pink
Material: Polyester
Customer review: “I wore this for a black tie wedding, and it was perfect! I received so many compliments on it! It was beautiful both in daylight and nightlight!”
With a design that withstands changing seasons and raving customer reviews, the Anabelle Halter dress from Petal + Pup is a no-brainer for the experienced wedding guest. Featuring an asymmetric, high neck, gathered pleats, and soft satin, this dress offers great value and guaranteed compliments.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: 11 options
Materials: Polyester, elastane
Customer review: “I wore this dress to my bridal shower and received SO many compliments. It is absolutely stunning in every way and I can’t wait to wear it again.”
This dreamy floral dress from Reformation features a form-fitting mermaid silhouette and lace trim details, elevating its romance and elegance.
Sizes: US 0-12
Colors: Neutral Motif
Material: Viscose
Customer review: “Stunning dress! The print and detail was gorgeous and despite being form fitting, was comfortable. I got endless compliments!”
If there’s one way to elevate a casual look to black-tie attire, it’s with sequins. Staud’s Casey Dress does just that in the chicest way possible, in a pastel moss color that embodies mermaid core at its finest.
Sizes: US 00-16
Colors: Moss, Bronze
Materials: Nylon, Spandex
Customer review: N/A
Etro Floral Print Draped Halter Gown
You can never go wrong with a floral print for a summer wedding. This Etro gown features a draped halterneck that beautifully frames the shoulders and a flattering gathered waist in a striking color combination and print that perfectly spices up your black-tie look.
Sizes: US 2-10
Colors: Print on Black Base
Materials: Viscose
Customer review: N/A
Favorite Daughter The Favorite Strapless Maxi Dress
Linen is undoubtedly the fabric of the summer months, feeling almost weightless and keeping you cool despite the heat. This season, we’re channeling that lightness into our formal attire. This style from Favorite Daughter transforms the typically casual fabric into a gown that’s perfect for black-tie events.
Sizes: US 0-16
Colors: Pastel lavender, Black, White
Materials: Lyocell, linen
Customer review: “Favorite, truly. Beautifully constructed, high-quality material. Comfortable, chic, flattering and a classic. I love wearing this dress.”
Elevate your LBD for your next black-tie event with the flirty addition of a contrast trumpet hem. Featuring a stretch knit material with a touch of poplin, Ronny Kobo’s strapless maxi offers a comfortable and summery twist on everyone’s favorite staple.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Black/Ecru
Materials: Viscose, polyester
Customer review: N/A
Black-tie attire invites the opportunity to embrace dramatic volume, and Mac Duggal’s high-low ruffle gown does so effortlessly. Boasting a ruffle hem, romantic strap details, and a luxurious taffeta fabric, this gown commands attention with every stride.
Sizes: US 14-20
Colors: Watermelon
Materials: Polyester
Customer review: N/A
LoveShackFancy Manota Feather Trim Dress
Save the drama for your dress at the next wedding in this tangerine-colored silk maxi, which has a deep V-neck and playful chiffon ruffles mixed with feather accents.
Sizes: US 00-14
Colors: Tangerine
Materials: Polyester
Customer review: N/A
Norma Kamali Strapless Diana Gown
This strapless Norma Kamali gown is ruched to perfection and effortlessly radiant in metallic gold stretch fabric, which will elongate your figure.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Gold
Materials: Polyester, spandex
Customer review: “Quick note: this product is actually the Norma Kamali Diana *gown*, not a midi dress. The Diana gown is the longest version of the Diana dresses, so be aware that this isn't a midi. I considered returning when I saw the label said "gown" and was super-long, but decided to keep it because of how stunning it is. And it's super-beautiful! The bodysuit inside is stretchy and not that hard to navigate, but requires putting it on feet-first. I'm 5'9 and it reaches my ankles, but is perfect with heels.”
Attending a beach wedding? This sequined Simkhai dress, with its relaxed silhouette, low back, and bold hue, will make you feel peachy in paradise.
Sizes: US 00-14
Colors: Grapefruit
Materials: Polyester, nylon
Customer review: N/A
Manifest an invitation to a destination wedding with this Alice + Olivia dress, which has a romantic Versailles print and delicate butterfly motifs.
Sizes: US 0-14
Colors: Versailles
Materials: Viscose, elastane
Customer review: N/A
Zimmermann Tranquillity Floral Strap Gown
Peak wedding season is in full bloom, and so is this floral gown. In silk linen organza, this dress will practically float with you. And as you move, the strands of 3D flowers will drape delicately behind you.
Sizes: US 2-12
Colors: Versailles
Materials: Viscose, elastane
Customer review: N/A
Bring the glamour to your next black-tie event with this lamé dress from Retrofête, which offers a sleek look with shimmer without the sparkle of a sequin dress. The strapless design, sharp sweetheart neckline, and thigh-high slit add a femme fatale-esque edge to its elegant A-line silhouette.
Sizes: XXS-2XL
Colors: Black, Coffee bean, Purple, Apricot
Materials: Polyester, spandex
Customer review: N/A
A rich royal blue lends the perfect summery hue to elevate the relaxed, bubbly silhouette of the Orire dress. Made with plissé satin and embellished with delicate spaghetti straps and two rows of pleated ruffles, it effortlessly transitions from casual to formal with versatile styling options.
Sizes: US 2-12
Colors: Blue
Materials: Polyester
Customer review: N/A
Meg (she/her) is the associate fashion commerce editor at ELLE.com, where she specializes in shopping stories spanning the fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. Over the past three years, she has devoted countless hours to researching brands, testing hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of products, and deep-diving into market and consumer trends. Her favorite job responsibilities consist of co-writing the monthly series Same Same But Different and curating the fashion market for ELLE Escapes. Meg graduated magna cum laude from the Missouri School of Journalism with an emphasis on magazine editing. In 2020, one of her feature stories in the service article category was recognized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The year prior, the Society of Professional Journalists named voxmagazine.com “Best Affiliated Magazine” in its Mark of Excellence Awards, when she was on staff. Meg’s stories have appeared on Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Harper’s Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping, among many other outlets. Her personal passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and gardening. You can find her in New York, where she lives, or on Instagram, where she also lives. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
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