34 Winter Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Type of Dress Code

Best Overall

The unique bodice, half off-the-shoulder neckline, deep emerald green hue and slightly poofy skirt all have us obsessing over this pick. It's complementary to all body types and is overall just stunning. (It also comes in a few other neutral colors if emerald isn't your style.)

Best Strapless Dress

Giant bows fall in and out of fashion year after year, but we're happy to report that this year, they're totally in. We love this cute trend paired with a rich velvet bodice for winter. The fitted silhouette is boned to keep your midsection supported and offer structure.

Most Budget-Friendly

An elegant, one-shoulder dress for under $40 is a total steal. This silhouette is a classic one that will stay stylish for years to come, and the emerald color is a winter dream for all skin tones.

Best Pleated Dress

This pleated style has been a rising trend through 2022 into '23, and it's a sleek way to add some texture and dimension to a basic silhouette. This midi has an empire waist and puffy long sleeves for a fun yet covered-up look.

Best Classic Silhouette

An A-line maxi dress with a high slit and deep V-neckline is a fabulous silhouette on so many body types. This gorgeous burgundy shade is great for winter months and the material is breathable to keep you cooled off while you're on the dance floor.

Best for a Black Tie Wedding

Looking for a more unique take on "black tie?" This tux dress is sexy and incredibly chic. Pair it with some perfect black pumps and you have yourself a total stunner look. It has satin lapels and a tie waist, too.

Best Jacquard Dress

The jacquard pattern and texture on this midi makes this navy dress look very elegant. It features sheer long sleeves and a wrap waist, which is great for highlighting your shape.

Best Splurge Dress

If you're down to spend a pretty penny, this Zimmermann pick is one of our top choices. The lavish silk is very soft and the petal pink color is so subtly beautiful. It has a thick tie at the waist to accentuate your shape and the pleated zip cuffs are very elegant.

Best Maternity Option

Looking for something bump-friendly? This velvet beauty has optimal stretch in the midsection to show off your belly without feeling constricted.

Best Petite Option

Like the strapless pick up top, the large bow detail on this dress is feminine and bold. This dress is designed to reach a mid-calf length at about 46-inches from the shoulders. The skirt has a slight sheen to it to feed off the glitz of the bow's sequins for a dressier wedding.

Best Keyhole Dress

Black velvet, while wonderfully luxe looking, can sometimes overwhelm your figure if not properly tailored. The ruched skirt on this mini adds definition and interest, while also helping to smooth your hips, and that keyhole at the neck is both trendy and a fun way to show some skin without giving away the whole farm.

Best High Slit

This velvet stunner can be dressed up or down to fit just about any dress code and is a true wrap dress, so you can tie the waist in exactly the right place for maximum style and comfort. Just note, the material has no stretch, so if you’re between sizes you might want to go for the larger.

Best Satin Dress

This gorgeous satin maxi is classy, elegant and sexy. It comes in 14 different colors and has a sultry plunging neckline to complement the billowy draped bodice.

Best One-Shoulder Dress

This silhouette is one of ASTR the Label’s best sellers and it comes in a wide range of colors and prints. But for winter we adore this dainty black and beige floral, which pairs beautifully with gold accessories. As for sizing, the dress tends to run a little small in the hips and the material has very little stretch, so take that into consideration when ordering.

Best Tulle Dress

We’re getting major ballerina vibes from this tulle beauty (which also comes in black) and a strong urge to take a literal spin around the dance floor. The crumb-catcher neckline is also surprisingly flattering on both smaller and larger chests, making this a total no-brainer in our opinion.

Best Mini Dress

If you’re more of a minidress kind of gal, try this floral brocade number by Alice + Olivia. The flounce of the skirt is flirty without being too short, and the minimalist bodice looks incredibly elegant. Note: The fabric has no stretch (although there is a stretchy panel at the back of the bodice to accommodate larger busts), so when in doubt size up.

Most Unique Neckline

It’s the incredible attention to detail that really sold us on this gown. The unique neckline is just so elegant, and the textured material adds depth and interest to an otherwise simple silhouette. We also love that it is bra-friendly for extra comfort.

Best Ruched Dress

This chic midi is wonderfully flattering thanks to fixed ruching at the bodice and the long sleeves. The leg slit also adds a touch of sex-appeal, but doesn’t go so high that it will scandalize the other guests.

Best Embellished Dress

Perfect for a winter wedding, this structured mini has a Mod ‘60s vibe we can’t get enough of. Plus, with all that embellishment you can keep your jewelry, shoes and accessories simple and stress-free and just allow all that glitter to steal the show.

Best Stretchy Dress

The stretchy material of this dress allows you to adjust the neckline to either lay off both shoulders, off one shoulder or sit up higher to hide your bra straps. It’s also incredibly comfortable, so you can boogie the night away without any pinching or pulling to throw off your groove.

Most Seasonally Versatile Dress

This timeless silhouette will never go out of style and works for just about any dress code (and season). The straps are also adjustable for those who don’t want to show quite so much cleavage, and it’s fully lined for extra comfort. If you have to travel from ceremony to reception, we recommend adding a faux fur wrap to drape over your bare shoulders. Plus, there are a ton of chic color options for you to choose from.

Best Sheer Dress

We’re fully head-over-heels in love with the floral applique detailing on this tulle midi dress. We will admit, the neckline is pretty low—as is the back—so going braless and/or wearing a sticky bra/pasties is definitely the way to go here. Because of the flowy skirt, we’d advise picking your size based on your bust to ensure a snug fit and minimize the risk of anything popping out.

Best Red Dress

We love a good tent dress for those days when you just don’t want to be bothered with a tight waistband or clingy skirt. The embroidery along the wrists and hem adds a romantic touch, plus it has pockets so you can covertly stow, say, a snack or two for the ceremony.

Best Cut-Out Dress

So, you want to show a little skin but you don’t want to freeze your bum off walking from the car? Opt for cutouts along the waist. They add a sexy touch without exposing too much, especially when paired with long sleeves and a maxi-length. Plus, we are kind of obsessed with this polka dot print, which looks like a classic metallic from a distance but it actually mini dots up close.

Best for a Tropical Winter Wedding

Farm Rio is swiftly becoming one of the most popular brands among fashion insiders for its unique Brazilian prints and comfy, flattering silhouettes. Case in point, this vibrant maxi with bell sleeves and a flirty low neck.

Most Sustainably Made Dress

Oh Reformation, how we adore thee. The sustainability-focused brand has a ton of fabulous wedding guest dress options to choose from, but we’re partial to this deep green maxi for both the universally flattering color and the subtly sexy fit. Just note, the fabric does not stretch, so if you are between sizes you’ll likely be more comfortable in the larger.

Best Cowl Neck Dress

The rich red hue is what really sold us on this minimalistic gown. It perfectly straddles the line between full-on glam and boring matte and has a distinctly festive vibe that will work great for any cold-weather weddings you have coming up.

Best Ruffled Dress

This chiffon gown is modest without feeling frumpy (a particular specialty of the brand), and is both bra-friendly and incredibly comfortable, according to reviewer Liz H., who wore this frock to a gala in October. “I loved that I didn’t have to bother with a necklace, just some statement earrings, and that I could wear whatever underwear/bra I wanted instead of restrictive shapewear and annoying strapless bras.”

Best Color Block Dress

Wearing white to a wedding is a major no-no, but one diagonal shock on a black cocktail dress is unlikely to cause a stir. In fact, we think this beauty is more likely to earn you a wave of compliments. To play it safe, keep your jewelry, shoes and accessories on the simpler side and add a black cardigan or pashmina to provide extra coverage if you get cold.

Best Floral Gown

Despite its long sleeves and maxi length, this dress is surprisingly sexy thanks to a low neckline, high leg slit and sheer skirt. (The lining of the bottom goes only to about mid-thigh, so your stems will be visible beneath that autumnal floral print.) The brand tends to run true to size and the material has a bit of stretch, so we say stick with your usual size when ordering.

Best Tiered Dress

This best-seller by Lulus is supremely flattering on a wide range of body types, as evidenced by more than 500 reviews and a 4.3-star rating. As one shopper writes, “This dress fit comfortably and was very flattering. I wore it to a black-tie wedding and I received so many compliments on the dress. I have a smaller chest, so the top definitely needed some fashion tape but overall it was easy maintenance throughout the night. Would definitely recommend!” It also appears the dress runs on the larger side, so you might want to go one down for a snugger fit.

Best Tent Dress

Another easy, breezy tent silhouette, this Lilly Pulitzer number is a great cocktail option. The metallic threading adds a touch of glam, and we love the sheer sleeves that are still bra-friendly. Wear it with tights and black pumps now, then add gold sandals come spring and summer.

Best Jumpsuit

At first glance this jumpsuit might look like a traditional gown, but once you start dancing, you’ll really notice the fabulous ‘70s-inspired cut. The straps are adjustable and the waist is elastic, so if you’re between sizes you might want to opt for the smaller.

Best Shirt Dress

Simple, comfy and always in style, this blazer-inspired mini can be dressed up or down to fit the venue and will leave you feeling comfortable and chic long into the night. It also comes in black, but for an unexpected twist we highly suggest trying this chocolate brown hue to help you stand out from the crowd.