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Love is in the air.
By Jake Henry Smith and Kelsey Clark
Wedding season is officially upon us. You know what that means: bachelorette parties and busy weekends, all with the best summer wedding guest dresses in tow. Yes, the ceremony is mostly about celebrating someone else’s special day, but it’s also an excuse to serve looks. (Your Instagram grid needs cute summer dress pics, after all.)
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Reformation Frankie Silk Dress, $298
- Best Value: Square-Neck Ruffle Dress, $42
- Best for Formal Weddings: Bl-nk Slip Dress, $120
- Best for Casual Weddings: Staud Wells Dress, $285
- Best for Beach Weddings: Anrabess One-Shoulder Maxidress, $44
- Best Long-Sleeve Dress: Eloquii Tiered Puff-Sleeve Dress, $160
First, let’s bust some myths: While bright colors and floral prints are always welcome for beach or garden parties (especially this year, when all things pink and Barbiecore are taking over), you can totally wear a black dress to a summer wedding. Outdoor events might be well suited to shorter hemlines, cutouts, and strapless tops (don't forget the boob tape), but long slip dresses (one of the hottest styles), midis, and sleeves are very much on trend. Really, it just comes down to picking forgiving materials that breathe, airy silhouettes, and numbers that are a little more elegant than your average cover-up.
Whether you're shopping for a unique mother-of-the-bride dress, a maternity wedding guest dress, or something affordable from Amazon that'll come in time if you procrastinated, the most popular styles are all right here, Plus, you’ll be able to restyle them for plenty more outfits to come (just pop on a moto jacket and you’ll have an entirely different look). Grab a wedding gift, pick up a pair of comfortable sandals you can dance in, and shop the best summer wedding guest dresses for 2023 below.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1/29
Reformation Juliette Dress
Oh look, another perfect Reformation gown! The slim number features adjustable straps for just the right fit, plus a sexy slit that doubles as great ventilation. Consider summer occasion dressing handled.
Sizes: 0–12
Colors: 6 options
2/29
Square-Neck Ruffle Dress
An Amazon highlight, this strappy option looks so much more expensive than it actually is. Reviewers praise its “Reformation vibes” and say that it’s an ideal length for petite people. Better yet, those bows are the stuff of our balletcore dreams.
Sizes: S–XL
Colors: 9 options
3/29
Bl-nk Painterly Off-Shoulder Slip Dress
Although the flutter sleeves and long hemline on this dress might look like liabilities, a roomy cut and light fabric ensure you’ll get enough airflow to make it through the ceremony without breaking a sweat. And don’t even get us started on that gorgeous print.
Sizes: XXS–XL, standard and petite; 1X–3X, plus
Colors: 1 option
Save on the best summer wedding guest dresses with these Anthropologie promo codes.
4/29
Elliatt Capra Mesh Maxi Dress
If you have multiple weddings this summer, we highly recommend going the dress rental route. With a Nuuly subscription, you can get 6 styles every month for $98. We're partial to this mermaid skirt maxi dress that'll have you living your best Barbie. Its fishtail skirt is perfect for dancing the night away and posing for your next #OOTD selfie, but there are countless other options to suit every vibe.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: 1
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5/29
Staud Wells Dress
Here’s a not-so-well-kept secret: Lavender is about to be everywhere. Hop on the summer trend (and look your absolute best) in this A-line number from Staud, which makes a convincing case for simplicity over scene-stealing patterns. It also comes in pink, white, khaki, black, and blue.
Sizes: 00–12
Colors: 9 options
Save on the best summer wedding guest dresses with these Shopbop promo codes.
6/29
Exlura Square-Neck Dress
Again, plenty of great minidresses are up for grabs at the ’zon—if you know where to look. This slightly stretchy, puff-sleeve number comes in a wide variety of colors and dresses up nicely, especially if you opt for statement heels and dainty jewelry. And after the big day, it’ll be another cute sundress to add to your collection.
Sizes: XS–XXL
Colors: 16 options
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7/29
Johnny Was Sandalwood Dress
In a sea of slip dresses, you'll stand out in this stunning silk dress that offers a touch of stretch thanks to a bit of spandex. The pretty earth tone pattern will turn heads. It's also the perfect transitional dress to wear in shoulder season with a light fall jacket.
Sizes: XS–XXL
Color: 1
8/29
Anthropologie The Peregrine Midi Dress
This romantic, flowy frock is an Anthropologie bestseller for a reason. It's ultra comfortable and machine-washable, has pockets and pretty covered buttons, and combines two of our favorite style trends: smocking and flutter sleeves. While this print is extra wedding appropriate, don't sleep on the gingham.
Colors: 4
Sizes: XXS–XL
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9/29
Farm Rio Macaw Ruffled Wrap Dress
When it comes to bold prints, Farm Rio is one of the best in class and this cotton dress (which is also machine washable) is begging for its turn on the dance floor. Pro tip: It runs a bit small so size up.
Colors: 1
Sizes: XXS - XXL
10/29
Hutch Bow-Tie Maxi Dress
Sweet yet sophisticated this dress with an oversized bow will get you all the compliments. Plus, the cotton blend will ensure you don't sweat through co*cktail hour, and it has enough coverage that you can wear a strapless bra. You can also rent it at Nuuly.
Sizes: 00–16
Colors: 4
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11/29
Reformation Baela Ruffle Off the Shoulder Linen Dress
The universally flattering off-the-shoulder neckline combined with the pretty ruffles and the cherry red hue makes this one of our favorite linen dresses from the beloved brand Reformation. Oh, and it's machine-washable.
Colors: 5 (from Reformation)
Sizes: 0–12
12/29
Dress the Population Tiffany One-Shoulder Midi-Dress
Offering a chic asymmetric silhouette and a midi length that works for in- and outdoor ceremonies, this fiery pick will pop (in the right way). Not into orange? Worry not—there are plenty of other bold shades, from aqua to fuchsia, to choose from.
Sizes: XXS–XXL
Colors: 12 options
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13/29
Boden Ruched Jersey Midi Tea Dress
With puffy sleeves and a closure that turns from V-neck to a crewneck with a cutout, this flowery Boden dress is perfect for cool summer nights spent dancing with loved ones. Better yet, it would look right at home at brunch the next day too.
Sizes: 2–22, regular; 2–12, petite
Colors: 3 options
Save on the best summer wedding guest dresses with these Boden promo codes.
14/29
For Love & Lemons Lisa Maxidress
Want to try your hand at the sheer trend that’s currently taking over red carpets and runways? Wear this sleeveless, layered beauty as your next wedding guest outfit. It’s just as sweet as a traditional floral dress, but details like a tie-up back and an asymmetrical slip give it just the right amount of edge for a casual ceremony. Worried you won't get a ton of repeat use out of this showstopper? You can also rent it at Nuuly.
Sizes: XXS–XL
Colors: 1 option
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15/29
Charles Henry Off the Shoulder Dress
You'll get endless wear out of this little black dress that has arm coverage if you run cold, while still accentuating your shoulders.
16/29
Norma Kamali Diana Dress
Just as ideal for a black-tie wedding as it is for a backyard ceremony, Norma Kamali’s ruched one-shoulder dress exudes understated elegance. Worn iconically by Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City reboot (and the first iteration of the show), like the series, the color and hem, have also been given an update. Sarah Jessica Parker wears it in powder blue, but this body-con beauty is great in black too.
Sizes: XXS–XL
Colors: 5 options
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17/29
J.Crew Collection Bow-Front Cutout Midi-Dress
All we want to do this season is cover everything in bows and Barbiecore—and J.Crew understood the assignment. Somehow the oversized bow, pink fabric, and cutouts don’t read too sweet or girlish; together, they feel sophisticated and fun, just like the best weddings should.
Sizes: 00–24
Colors: 2 options
18/29
Torrid Maxi Chiffon Strapless Ruffle Dress
Buy this Torrid dress for a wedding (or three), then wear it for the rest of the summer. It’s basically perfection, from the strapless neckline and tiered design to the gorgeous pink-on-yellow print.
Sizes: M–6X
Colors: 3 options
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19/29
Reformation Jayde Dress
Again, Reformation is basically synonymous with wedding guest dresses at this point—and the popular Jayde dress is one of the best. That rosy, pastel print is classic without being boring, and the corset-like cut plays nice with strapless bras. Win-win.
Sizes: 0–12
Colors: 4 options
20/29
Intimately Remind Me Maxi Slip
If you’ve got a coastal destination wedding on the horizon, snag this maxi slip before the rest of your friend group does. The breezy fabric brings the beachy vibes in a retro floral print—and looks just as cute beneath your date’s blazer.
Sizes: XS–XL
Colors: 3 options
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21/29
Reformation Frankie Silk Dress
Reformation’s unique, playful patterns are the stuff of dreams, and the faded one on this delicate floor-length dress is no exception. Between the retro floral print and the sweetheart neckline, we’re sold—and ready to catch that bouquet.
Sizes: 0–12
Colors: 4 options
22/29
Allina Liu Soba Dress
Can’t decide whether to go with a casual dress or an elevated gown? Split the difference with this cobalt number from emerging label Allina Liu. The strappy design is perfect for celebrating outdoors—and the flowy, ruffled material that looks almost pleated will move beautifully when you’re cutting it up on the dancefloor.
Sizes: XS–XL
Colors: 1 option
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23/29
Retrofête Khloe Dress
Behold the event dress to end all event dresses. It’s certainly an investment, but the pure drama of this slinky gown is more than worth it. Breeze through the next black-tie or co*cktail wedding on your calendar, then pull out this number any time you need to make an impact down the line.
Sizes: XXS–XL
Colors: 1 option
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24/29
Artfree Ribbed Knit Summer Maxi Dresses
This soft ribbed knit maxi with delicate bow tie straps (hey, we said we were into bows) is a fab under-$50 dress to add to your rotation. It has plenty of stretch to keep you comfortable when the pigs in a blanket are flowing; plus, it's versatile enough to wear to less formal events.
Sizes: S–XL
Colors: 15
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25/29
Madewell Layton Midi Slip Dress
While the chic print and flattering V-neckline are key selling points of this slip dress, we especially love that it's machine-washable, so you don't have to factor in extra dry cleaning fees between wears.
Sizes: 0–14
Color: 1
26/29
J.Crew V-Neck Poplin Floral Dress
Made from airy 100% cotton, this popular J.Crew dress has a comfortable elastic waist and a lined bodice, but what makes it a sneaky showstopper is the delicate eyelet.
Sizes: 00–24
Colors: 4
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27/29
Maggy London Illusion Yoke Crepe co*cktail Dress
Sheer mesh elevates an otherwise simple dress that works as well for summer as it does for any other season. Reviewers rave about how flattering it is thanks to smart tailoring and a V in the back.
Sizes: 0–16
Colors: 1
28/29
Lilly Pulitzer Hiedi Maxidress
Add some shimmer to your look with this hot pink maxi, which includes reflective silver patches woven into the airy material. You don’t have to guess why it’s a bestseller—it’s comfy, great for nearly any ceremony, and even more stunning in person.
Sizes: 00–16
Colors: 1 option
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29/29
Mac Duggal Pleated Halter Neck Gown
This striking pleated halter-neck satin gown is a little bit Studio 54 and a lot bit gorgeous.
Sizes: 0–16
Colors: 1
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