Wedding season is upon us, which means the hunt for the perfect wedding guest dress has officially begun. But if only figuring out what to wear to all the celebrations on your calendar wasn’t such a chore or so time-consuming — and it seems to only get harder with age. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! We turned to celebrity stylists for the best wedding guest dresses for women over 50 that will make you look and feel your absolute best. And while you might feel like a lot of the options available look matronly, we can assure you that we gathered up the most modern and figure-flattering options. Keep scrolling to see for yourself!
Which dress styles look best on different body shapes?
If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that dresses are absolutely not “one size fits all.” You might fall in love with a dress on the hanger, then try it on and realize it just doesn’t flatter your shape, or vice versa. Different styles will look different on everybody. That’s why it’s key to be open to trying different shapes, styles and cuts, as some dresses you may surprise you!
To make the dress hunt easier, it can help to pinpoint one thing you want to highlight. “Women of all ages should look for dresses that feel comfortable and appropriately highlight their favorite body parts,” advises celebrity stylist Samantha Brown. “I always advise my clients to pick one area of their body to show off, rather than wear something plunging and very short. Be strategic about what to show off and what to downplay.”
The best dress style for curvy women
A “mermaid cut embraces the beauty of curves, drawing less attention to the bust and more to the hips and back figure,” says stylist Catherine Bibeau. This makes “it an ideal choice for those wanting to showcase their natural shape with elegance.”
The best dress styles for “straight” figures
“Less curvy women can create the illusion of curves with V-necks, A-lines, defined waistlines, wrap styles and stronger shoulders,” suggests Brown.
The best dress necklines
Your bust size can also make a difference when deciding which dress suits you best. “Women with larger busts look best in lower scoops or V-necklines as a V-neck can help elongate your frame,” explains Brown. “Smaller-chested women can experiment with corset style tops, ruffles or embellishment around the neckline.” This helps add flattering volume to the chest area.
Related: Bra Pro Reveals the Best Shaping Bras To Lift, Smooth and Sculpt Breasts
For more tips on choosing the best type of dress for you, watch the below video from @shoppingonchampagne on YouTube.
How to accessorize a wedding guest dress
When it comes to accessorizing for a wedding, it’s best not to overdo it — especially if your dress is patterned or “busy.” However, don’t be afraid to add a touch of glam with a pair of sparkly earrings, a clutch or a stack of bracelets.
“It’s best to keep the jewelry chic and small to maintain the precious wedding spirit,” affirms Bibeau. “For example, a pair of elegant studs will complement your hair and makeup without detracting focus from the outfit.”
The best wedding guest dresses for women over 50
We put together the below guide to finding the perfect wedding guest dress for women over 50, based on the wedding dress code. Read on to find the one that’s best for you.
Best backyard/casual wedding guest dresses for women over 50
A backyard wedding is the perfect opportunity to have fun with bright colors, especially in the summertime! A casual midi or maxi dress work perfectly for this type of wedding.
Lane Bryant Lena V-Neck High-Low Midi Dress
This midi dress features a tie belt to accentuate the waist and delicate flutter sleeves that conceal upper arms. And the gorgeous pink shade draws attention for all the right reasons.
LOFT Poplin Tie Back Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
Blue is the color of the season (as you will see as you continue scrolling!). This beautiful blue midi dress features puff sleeves for extra coverage and a flattering V-neckline.
Julia Jordan Sleeveless Floral Mini Dress With Flounce Hem
If you’re wondering what to wear for a summer wedding, go for a vibrant, fun pattern like this one! What’s great about this dress style is that it’s straight/fitted through the bodice, which can accentuate curves, but then turns into a peplum style at the bottom for added feminine flair.
Lane Bryant Satin Halter-Neck Maxi Dress
This satin maxi dress has a vertical pattern running down the sides, which optically helps to elongate and slim the figure. And its halter neck shows off gorgeous shoulders and a tasteful amount of skin.
Adrianna Papell Bright Floral Print Midi Dress with Flutter Sleeves
Adrianna Papell is known for her wedding guest dresses, and for good reason. This design has a beautiful mix of bright florals and different patterns that add interest to the look.
Dalia Macphee Printed Eyelet Ruffle Sleeve Midi Dress
Eyelet is the trend of the summer, and this dress does the colorful eyelet frock make a stunning statement. It’s fully lined with nude fabric so you don’t need to worry about it being see-through. Plus, the high neckline works particularly well for those with smaller chests.
Striking in stripes! This option is a great casual wedding guest dress because it’s so versatile and can be worn all year. Pair it with white sandals and a white bag for spring and summer, and for fall or winter, pair it with black or brown closed-toe heels and a matching clutch (tights are optional too).
Banana Republic Factory Poplin Halter Midi Dress
This coral midi dress features vertical pleating at the waist to optically elongate the figure. Plus, the poplin material feels ultra-lightweight and breezy, while the tropical floral print is perfect for a backyard or beach wedding.
Another eyelet style, we love this fit-and-flare wedding guest dress. It features a small slit toward the bottom in front to show off a little leg (and for extra mobility!), and has great coverage on the arms.
For a shorter dress option, we like this fun, bright green, patterned dress that features a tie belt. It’s so easy to slip on and head out the door, and is another extra lightweight option for a soiree that’s happening on a hot day.
Express Floral Square Neck Puff Sleeve Tiered Poplin Maxi Dress
A square neckline is flattering for all bust sizes and paired with puff sleeves, both draw focus upward and away from any lower half body worries. Best of all, the movement of the oversize floral pattern also keeps attention off of trouble spots.
Express Floral Pleated V-Neck Ruched Sleeve Tiered Maxi Dress
Draping along the chest and arms takes a maxi dress from basic to beautiful. What’s more, a fitted band at the waist carves out curves so the body’s feminine shape takes center stage.
Best semi-formal wedding guest dresses for women over 50
Need something a little dressier than backyard but not as dressy as co*cktail attire? We call this “semi-formal.” And most of the below picks can be dressed up or down, depending on the specifics of a wedding’s dress code.
LOFT Satin Double V Bias Midi Dress
A satin dress will always look classy and timeless for a wedding. We love how this one is fitted at the waist and then elegantly flows down and slightly ruffles at the bottom. Plus, it comes in the most gorgeous green shade. Dress it up with a pair of pumps or down with a pair of wedges or sandals.
Nanette Lepore Fanciful Lace Scallop Hem Dress
Look and feel pretty in lace with this coral high-neck dress. And its sheer panels up top and bottom show a sexy slivers of skin without looking risqué.
Banana Republic Factory Chiffon Pleated Midi Dress
The vertical pleats of this semi-formal wedding guest dress make the figure look taller and leaner. Even better? We love the extra arm coverage, and the fact that the sleeves are loose to prevent uncomfortable clinging.
Birdy Grey Hannah Empire Dress
This is another versatile wedding guest dress option. The chiffon material makes it easy to dress down with sandals and also easy to dress up with heels and some sparkly jewelry.
Banana Republic Factory One-Shoulder Pleated Midi Dress
A one-shoulder design is a fun way to spice up the typical dress. And the pleats on this dress go toward the side, gathering in a sunburst-like point that accentuates the waist.
White House Black Market Sleeveless Satin Slip Dress
If you’re looking for something hassle-free that you can just slip on and head out the door, this dress is for you. Its super simple design creates the perfect base for accessories. Just pair with a pair of statement heels, a fun clutch and wow-worthy earrings.
Boohoo Pleated Chiffon Wrap Maxi Dress
Another pleated option but in a maxi style. And the striking chartreuse shade is sure to bring on the compliments. To enhance the warmth of the yellow-green hue, toss on some gold accessories.
Best co*cktail wedding guest dresses for women over 50
co*cktail attire — we hear this term thrown around all the time, but what exactly is it? For a co*cktail attire wedding, you’ll want to look for more luxurious-looking, thicker fabrics and sheath style or tea-length dresses.
Related: co*cktail Attire for Women: Dos and Don’ts That Ensure You Turn Heads In a Good Way
Zara Tailored Waist Midi Dress
There’s nothing like a tailored, well-fitted dress, like this one from Zara. The side-ruching of this co*cktail wedding guest dress flatters the waist and adds dimension to the style. The best part? It looks luxe and expensive, but costs just under $50!
Mango Asymmetrical Dress with Side Slit
If you’re looking for a wedding guest dress with a wow factor, look no further than this fiery red number. It also has side ruching to emphasize the figure’s feminine shape. To accessorize, toss on pumps or strappy sandals and simple jewelry so the dress stays the star of the look.
Mango Asymmetrical Dress with Slit
A classic black co*cktail dress is a must-have, and we may have found the best one for women over 50. Its long sleeves provide extra arm coverage, but the asymmetrical neckline shows off a touch of skin, creating the perfect balance.
Rachel Roy Halter Sheath Dress
We love a dress that has an interesting neckline, and this twist halter neck is no exception. And its bold orange hue stands out for all the right reasons.
Petal + Pup Santiago Off-Shoulder Midi Dress
This co*cktail dress’ fabric has a hint of shimmer, which instantly dresses it up. And a tie detail at the waist helps highlight an hourglass silhouette.
Banana Republic Factory Satin Halter-Neck Midi Dress
A cowl neckline is another flattering option that works for small- and large- chested women. We also like how the neckline on this satin dress doesn’t scoop too low to sit too high.
XSCAPE Ruffled One-Shoudler Midi Dress
The ruffle hem of this one-shoulder co*cktail dress is oh-so-feminine and chic. And the bright magenta color flatters all skin tones to boot.
Best formal/black tie wedding guest dresses for women over 50
Black tie weddings are where you’ll want to bring out the long or floor-length dresses and gowns. Stick to satin, chiffon or crepe fabric (with a few exceptions). Feel free to be a bit more extravagant with your accessories, too, for a formal/black tie wedding.
Lulus Classic Elegance Blush Satin Sleeveless Mock Neck Maxi Dress
This elegant, satin, floor-length dress is gorgeous on it’s own, but if you want to elevate it a tad, add on a thin, sparkly belt around the waistline hem and a pair of sparkly statement earrings. Bonus: This dress goes up to a size 3X.
JJ’s House Sheath/Column Scoop Floor-Length Chiffon Evening Dress With Cascading Ruffles
A cascading ruffle down the side adds flirty pizzazz and texture that looks pleasing to the eye. This gown gets bonus points for its flattering keyhole opening at the neckline — and it’s available in a whopping 59 colors!
Lulus Infinite Invites Powder Blue Satin Backless Boat Neck Maxi Dress
Again, you can never go wrong with satin. If you like the first option above in our “formal” section, but wish it had sleeves and was longer, then this is for you. And simply dress it up with silver jewelry and heels.
JJ’s House Trumpet/Mermaid V-Neck Asymmetrical Stretch Crepe Evening Dress With Beading
A high-low style is a good option for those on the shorter side, as it not only looks flattering but can potentially save you some money on alterations. The cape sleeves on this black tie wedding guest dress really pulls the whole look together and instantly elevates the ensemble.
Vince Camuto Off Shoulder Mermaid Gown
This off-the-shoulder gown is so classy for a black tie wedding or any other formal event. The blue is striking, and the fabric is thick and durable. We like how wide the off-shoulder portion is, adding extra coverage and dimension.
JJ’s House Sheath/Column Boat Neck Floor-Length Chiffon Lace Evening Dress With Sequins
It doesn’t get classier than a black and white color combo, and when you add lace appliqué to the look, it looks that much better. And even though long sleeves and equal sweating, these are made of mesh so you won’t overheat.
Long cape sleeves add dramatic flair and make for a stunning statement dress. And the dress’ tailored fit ensures curves don’t get lost.
Best wedding guest jumpsuits for women over 50
Dresses not for you? Not a problem! Jumpsuits can just as easily be worn to a wedding. And just like dresses, there are many variations of jumpsuits for different occasions/levels or formality.
Adrianna Papell Jersey Wrap Jumpsuit With Beaded Detail At Waist
Despite being a jumpsuit, this still looks formal and dressy, and could definitely be worn to a co*cktail or formal wedding (depending on the dress code). The beaded piece at the side ties the whole look together and dresses it up. Just pair it with matching jewelry and silver shoes.
Adrianna Papell Bow Front Wide Leg Jumpsuit
This jumpsuit is truly versatile and could be worn for a variety of different wedding dress codes. Throw on some wedge sandals a white bag for a backyard wedding or add pumps and a clutch for a semi-formal or co*cktail wedding.
JJ’s House Jumpsuit/Pantsuit V-Neck Floor-Length Chiffon With Appliques Lace
The lace appliqué and sheer draping and sleeves make this a gorgeous jumpsuit option for a formal or black tie wedding. To complete the look, toss on gold heels, a gold clutch and a dainty necklace.
Mango Off-the-Shoulder Jumpsuit with Gathered Detail
A great semi-formal or co*cktail jumpsuit, this all-black one piece won’t steer you wrong. And we love the ruching across the chest with the off-shoulder straps keeps the jumpsuit from looking blah.
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