We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's.
1. A velvet mermaid dress with some much-needed clearance in the front so you don't trip over yourself in a rush to the dessert buffet.
2. A backless long-sleeve column dress so good one reviewer says it's fit for the Oscars!
Promising review: "What a gorgeous, classic dress with some dramatic flair (hello, bell sleeves and no back!!). The dress is comfortable, fits like a glove in my normal size, and hits right around the ankles, allowing for heels or flats. I received SO many compliments wearing it, and the gold/bronze color is beautiful and easy to match. I love this dress." —Lala914
Get it from Anthropologie for $286 (available in sizes 2–12 and in six colors).
3. A puff sleeve ruched bodycon you can wear to all future formal events if you're looking for a piece that's not just wedding appropriate but also homecoming/graduation/cruise ready.
Promising review: "I bought this for a special event, and it didn't disappoint! It is well-made, the fabric is stretchy, not see-through, and feels super comfortable. It is perfect! I want this dress in every color now." —FireOpal
Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 12 colors).
4. A satin midi dress that's semi-adjustable thanks to a tie-front design, so if you're in between sizes, you don't have to worry about the time you absolutely don't have for tailoring.
Promising review: "Really liked this dress! Wore it to my friend’s wedding. The color is vibrant, the material has a satin finish, and it doesn’t feel too heavy or too light. I was able to wear a bra underneath and safety pinned it under the bow I tied in the front. Highly recommend!" —Savitha Racha
Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and in 19 colors).
5. A flare-sleeved midi shift dress with an extremely comfy high-stretch textured fabric so you can actually *enjoy* sitting down for dinner and not spend it counting down the seconds until you can stand up.
6. A show-stopping cut-out midi in which you can really get down to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" — an absolute wedding banger.
Get it from Showpo for $79.95 (available in sizes 0–16 and in two colors).
7. A plunging metallic maxi sure to have you shining like a disco ball when you take to the dance floor.
J Lux Label is a woman-owned small business based in LA.
Get it from J Lux Label for $96.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and in three colors).
8. An A-line number with Swiss dot detailing outfitted with long but lightweight sleeves and dreamy pleats that'll have you twirling your way to your designated reception table.
Promising review: "I LOVE this dress! It’s lightweight, but not see-through or cheap feeling. It fits really well (I am top-heavy, making it hard to shop). I’m going to buy another in a different color for a January wedding I’m attending." —Jac
Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and in 22 colors/prints).
9. A tiered cocktail dress you can absolutely dress up with heels but also use post-wedding by pairing it with your chunkiest platform sneakers or Chelsea boots for a more casual look.
Promising review: "As someone who doesn't fit well into dresses (I have larger hips but a small chest), I always dread needing to wear dresses to any event. I am attending a wedding and bought this dress for that purpose, and the dress is amazing! It fits me very nicely and doesn't cling. I will be buying more to have as Shabbat dresses and for other nice occasions." —cassie gallo
Get it from Amazon for $48.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and in 26 colors/prints).
10. A funnel neck midi with some much-appreciated stretch so you won't have to wrestle your way out of it at the end of the night.
Get it from Eloquii for $49.97 (originally $99.95; available in sizes 14–28 and in two colors).
11. A fitted A-line dress that won't one-up the bride but will earn you endless compliments all the same.
Get it from Reformation for $278 (available in sizes 0–12 and in three colors).
12. An empire waist satin maxi so easy to wear, one reviewer bought it in multiple colors for future events! If you're chronically online like I am, you probably have a certain TikTok sound — "If I like it, I'll just grab it in another color. If I like it and they have it in another color... I'll just grab it." — playing in your head right now.
Promising review: "I bought this dress to wear it for my sister-in-law's wedding ceremony in Vegas. It was perfect for the occasion. I needed a long-sleeve dress as it was cold, and it ended up being perfect for the weather. I found it fits true to size. It looks elegant. Will be buying again in the future in another color." —Paola
Get it from Amazon for $52.49 (available in sizes XS–XL and in 22 colors).
13. A bias cut maxi with a stunning ombre print if you're looking for an excuse to go wild with a color or pattern you aren't brave enough to wear in your everyday life.
Get it from Asos for $199.
14. A smocked long-sleeve dress that comes in an array of arresting prints and — the real clincher — you don't even have to shave your pits! (Not that you have to anyway... but you know, if you're self-conscious about that type of thing.)
15. A backless one-sleeve maxi dress so simple but stunning, all of the other guests with 10+ winter wedding invites *will* be asking where you got it so they can order one ASAP.
Promising review: "If you need a dress for a black-tie event, look no further. At first, I was a bit worried…the price was too good to be true. And I was worried I’d need to get it fitted or it would look cheap in person. At first, it didn’t seem to fit around my chest, but you need to play with the sleeve a bit, and it will fit you WONDERFULLY. I had no alterations done. I received SO many compliments! And it’s actually lined super well. You could wear this for a winter wedding or winter event and be very comfortable and warm. I’m ready to buy it in all the colors!" —Meg
Get it from Amazon for $41.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 10 colors and styles).
16. A short puff-sleeve dress sure to have you feeling like a Disney princess with its Jasmine-esque bodice and sleeves.
Promising review: "I bought this as a last-minute dress to wear to a wedding, and it was perfect! I liked that it wasn’t see-through or sheer by any means because I often find that dresses I buy online are super thin. The quality was pretty good, and I was overall very satisfied." —Brooke
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and in 30 colors).
17. A vintage-inspired sateen dress with an effortless, elegant silhouette so you can accessorize to the moon and back.
18. A V-neck body-con with BUILT-IN SHAPEWEAR so you don't have to babysit your boobs or undergarments all night, and isn't that what we're all after??
Promising review: "Bought this dress for an outdoor wedding in the fall. It looks AMAZING. Hugs everything I need. I like that it already has some padding in the bra area, so I just need a little coverage. It’s very elegant looking, and the material is warm. It’s also stretchy, which is great for me. I have a slim waist and big hips, so it’s hard to find a dress that isn’t baggy in the back. This dress is IT!!! Buying more." —Karly Kamin
Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in sizes XS–3X and in two colors).
19. An off-the-shoulder mermaid dress with scalloped lace detailing that'll draw eyes straight to your meticulously highlighted collarbone.
If you haven't jumped on the highlighting your collarbone trend just yet, here's an affordable body illuminator!
Promising review: "I received SO many compliments in this dress!! Wore it to a wedding, and it was comfy all night long! Danced the night away and felt like the most beautiful girl on the dance floor (minus the bride, of course, LOL). I have NO complaints about this dress! I did purchase a trumpet slip to enhance the bottom, which turned out PERFECTLY! If you are considering this dress, BUY IT NOW!! You won't regret it! Stunning dress!!" —Brittany
Get it from Amazon for $36.54+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 10 colors and styles).
20. A floral A-line dress featuring a big ol' bow at the neckline if you often find yourself jealous of babies who get to wear those [comically] large bow headbands.
Loud Bodies is a woman-founded, sustainable, ethical, and size-inclusive clothing brand from Patricia Luiza Blaj. Her three-person team designs and sews every piece, so if you're looking for a size that isn't listed (or you're super tall or very petite), they can custom-make it for you.
Get it from Loud Bodies for $150 (originally $230; available in sizes XXS–10XL and with or without pockets).
21. A mock neck mini dress with a big, loud pattern that'll match your big, loud presence on the dance floor.
Promising review: "Got this for an October wedding — super cute. Perfect length and COMFY! I hate being uncomfortable at long events, so this worked out great. I ordered my normal size, and it was just right. I have a long torso, so I was also happy that the dress wasn’t too short!" —Maggie Smith
Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in sizes XS–4X and in 25 colors/prints).
22. A velvet off-the-shoulder dress so good you *might* grow impatient waiting for the day you can wear it.
Promising review: "I absolutely love, love, love this dress! The color (blue) is so vivid and bright. The velvet-like material is very soft and has stretch to it. It is definitely worth the price because this dress looks very expensive. Even though this dress hits well below my knees, I actually don't mind the length. I wore this dress to an evening wedding in February of 2020. My last event before we went into lockdown. I received SO, SO, SO many compliments! It paired well with silver/gray velvet sandal heels. All the wrinkles were gone after being hung up for a couple of days. No ironing is necessary. Don't hesitate to purchase this dress. It's so worth it." —Ebonnie Fisher
Get it from Amazon for $36.50+ (available in sizes S–XXL and seven colors).
23. A high-neck dress with a flowy skirt that'll have you feeling blissfully unencumbered as you do the Macarena and then start a conga line.
Promising review: "I bought this to wear to a wedding, and I got lots of compliments! I love how it's made; it feels beautiful and comfortable, too. Can't wait to wear it again!" —Rebecca F.
Get it from Lulus for $72 (available in sizes XXS–3X and in five colors/prints).
24. A long-sleeved velvet maxi dress whose bra-friendly silhouette means you don't have to worry about searching high and low for specialized undergarments.
Promising review: "I love this as a winter-weight dress. It's formal — great for a winter wedding! The fit is wonderful, the material is a nice thick velvet, and it's not too heavy but not too lightweight either. I love the colors — I bought green and wine/burgundy; they're like beautiful velvet jewels! Love them!" —Andrea
Get it from Amazon for $29.98+ (available in sizes S-XXL and seven colors).
25. A high-neck maxi dress outfitted with a built-in cape that will have you walking around with the confidence of a runway model.
26. A head-turning open-back midi dress in a fun olive and zebra print if you're not one for solids — especially when you have an excuse to dress up.
Whimsy + Row is a woman-founded sustainable clothing brand that produces their limited-run designs in Los Angeles. They use up-cycled and eco-friendly fabrics and ensure that all of their workers are paid a fair wage.
Get it from Whimsy + Row for $118 (originally $198; available in sizes XS–XL and in two colors/prints).
27. A vintage-inspired, lace-sleeved maxi dress with a crossover V-neck and *faux* wrap design so it won't unexpectedly come undone — even when you're dropping it low. (Well, as low as your elder millennial body can handle.)
Promising review: "Super cute. Perfect for a winter wedding. The lace long sleeves allow you to have some warmth while not being too hot. I love this dress, and I can’t wait to wear it again." —Jennifer V
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes XS–3X and seven colors).
28. A reversible wrap dress you can style with a scoop neck or V-neck, depending on your mood. That also means you can get away with wearing it to multiple weddings and no one will be the wiser!
Hackwith Design House is a small, woman-owned business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS to 4X. On Mondays, they also release limited-edition designs so you can be 1 of only 25 people to own a piece!
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $250 (available in sizes XS/S–3X/4X and in five colors).
29. And a lightweight chiffon dress with a freakin' cape and ruffled sleeves that lend themselves quite well to twirling around on the dance floor or even just enthusiastically bobbing around in your seat.
Promising review: "I’m not a dress person, but I love this one! It’s true to size. Nice and flowy; hugs you where you need it, flows where you want it. The back zips, and the scrunched part at the waist has a little give but not too much. 5/5 would recommend!" —Vickie
Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in sizes 16–24 and in five colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.