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 bandage halter dress — it's so elegant, all you need is the perfect strapless bra (if you wear one at all), some really gorgeous earrings, and a pair of comfy, yet fabulous pumps. Just make sure you don't upstage the bride!
Promising review: "This dress is PERFECT! I got compliments on the dress all night. I already knew it would be snug, but with the length and fishtail detail, it was very classy for a wedding. The material and zipper are sturdy and thick. I always buy dresses from this seller, and they never disappoint!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $68.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and 22 colors).
2. A satin asymmetrical A-line gown designed with a corseted bodice and serious leg split that is just ready for being seated front row at NYFW, but will still look great sitting (or standing) at your BFF's nuptials.
Promising review: "UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! This is truly the most gorgeous, well-made, perfect quality, stunning gown we could have EVER purchased. Compliments for my daughter all night...BRAVO to the dress maker and the company for excellent customer service! Couldn’t be happier! :)" —Kelly Brock
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in sizes 0–26 Plus and 35 colors)
3. An off-the-shoulder smocked dress that has a bodycon silhouette with a LOT of stretch, so you can be comfortable through all the festivities and still look incredible. Plus, the ruffled mermaid hem is perfect for spring!
Promising review: "Looks great! Simple but sexy. Got this to wear to a wedding and it looked great!...I wore some light shape wear under it so I would have any underwear lines. Was super comfy has a lot of stretch for dancing and eating." —Cady Holmes
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in sizes S–4X and in 28 colors/patterns).
4. An embroidered tulle dress just ideal for all those weddings your friends and family have packed your spring schedule with, and it's lightweight, so you can wear it comfortably all day long: from your reception seat to the dance floor.
Promising review: "I don’t ever write reviews but had to because this dress is literally EVERYTHING!! It’s so pretty and the fabric is high quality. I just wish for more occasions to wear it!!" —Norah Barnes
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in sizes 0–28 Plus and in 13 colors).
5. A halter maxi dress in case your next spring event is taking place beachside or your favorite aesthetic screams tropical. This seamless piece offers a sleek and sophisticated look when paired with a fashionable espadrille wedge or sandal.
Get it from Rebdolls for $59.90 (available in sizes S–5X).
Rebdolls is a Latine and woman-owned small business creating vibrant, must-have apparel and essentials in inclusive sizes.
6. A puff-sleeve mini dress because it delivers a super chic style with a square neckline and adjustable sleeves that can be worn on or off the shoulder. If the occasion calls for a new dress, but your budget has barely any room to spare, this will do the trick without spending lots of your hard-earned cash!
Promising review: "It’s super cute, comfortable, and I received a ton of compliments on it. I ordered a medium but could have gone with a small. Ordering another color, because I liked it so much." —Amber Nelson
Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 23 colors and patterns).
And get a VERY similar version in plus sizes (L–4X) for $39.99 (available in seven colors).
7. A walkthrough maxi dress, which is designed with a built-in romper, so you can look as fabulous as ever without worrying about a breeze leading to a Marilyn Monroe moment.
Promising review: "I love this romper dress. I could wear it every day. I get so many compliments on it. I'm 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds with big boobs. An extra large fit me and was actually big enough for my torso without giving me camel toe! My friends have all been begging for one of these dresses. It does come wrinkly, but you can just iron it and then enjoy feeling like a goddess!" —Catherine Watkins
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes S–3X and 26 prints).
8. A lace cocktail dress featuring a high neck that makes for a very sophisticated black-tie look, even though the hemline is above or just at your knees. 🤭
Promising review: "This dress was PERFECT for my friend's wedding. I saw a similar dress on another site at almost double the price, and I decided to take a chance on this. I am SO glad I did! It fit perfectly — it wasn't too tight or uncomfortable. I love that it's classy but still fitted and has the slit in the back for flair. I may even buy it in another color!" —Lauren Pearman
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes 4–12 and in two colors).
9. A must-have halter dress to keep you photo-ready whether networking at a community brunch, celebrating a baby or bridal shower, or simply enjoying happy hour on the patio. It comes in so many color and print options, you can't possibly go wrong!
10. A chiffon maxi dress that's basically runway — I mean, event-ready with a versatile two-in-one design, so you can wear it open and flowy or belted for a more fitted style. Either way, you're bound to turn heads at the function!
It comes with a removable belt of the same material!
Promising review: "This dress is so incredibly gorgeous. I can wear it with flats or heels without worrying about it getting dirty. I love that it comes with a little matching string to tie at the waist for a more fitted look. It's so comfortable and flowy. It's exactly what I was looking for and the colors are gorgeous. :)" —Paisley
Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in sizes M–XXL, S–L petite, and L–XXL tall and 29 styles).
11. A wrap dress just in case the most important part of your event outfit is literally how much leg you can show. It's giving wealthy and Hamptons day party vibes.
BTW, you can try out this dress before buying if you have Amazon Prime Wardrobe!
Promising review: "This dress is SO PRETTY!!! The minute I walked out I had so many people compliment on this dress I bought my regular size and absolutely love it!!! The quality is amazing...extremely soft cotton." —Sarah Arshad
Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in sizes S–2XL and 28 styles).
12. A handmade chiffon midi dress that's both lightweight and gorgeous, so you can look your absolute best in complete comfort all day or night.
Promising review: "One of the prettiest dresses I’ve ever worn! Received tons of compliments! The dress fit perfectly, and shipping was fast, right on time for my big event. So happy I bought this." —Sign in with Apple user
Get it from Mr. Water New York on Etsy for $109 (available in sizes 0–14).
Mr. Water New York is a small business specializing in unique, vintage-inspired apparel.
13. A floor-length gown designed with a ruffled off-shoulder neckline and high slit, so all you have to worry about is which pair of pumps to choose and show off!
Promising review: "LOVE this dress. Wore this to my sister’s wedding in the Dominican Republic. I received many compliments and I didn’t feel squished... it was perfect with heels, a little long without. I had room to dance, it felt airy, I loved how it fit. Really happy with this one!" —Kathryn Tamondong
Get it from Amazon for $57.98+ (available in sizes 0–30 and in 31 colors)
14. A black organza dress just perfect for making a big statement — huge. You could pair it with a plain black slip underneath or take it a sexy step further with a neon bodysuit!
Promising review: "I use this with a simple silk undergarment of the same color...From being a beach coverup for a casual and refreshing dress for the hotter days. Size up if you have bigger arms or large breasts as it doesn’t have any stretch to it at all." —Joan Espinoza-Gonzalez
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in sizes XS–3XL and four styles).
15. An elegant and versatile satin A-line dress with chic three-quarter puff sleeves and a cutout along the waist, offering a fitted look. If the wedding invitation specifically requests formal or cocktail attire, you've got the perfect dress to make it from ceremony to reception and beyond!
Promising review: "This dress can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. It would be appropriate for wearing to work when paired with sensible shoes and jewelry, or you could dress it up with heels and jewelry with a little bit of flashiness to it. The fabric is silky to your skin, hangs nicely and it comes in a great selection of colors. It is also very reasonably priced. You could buy two or three in different colors to fill out your wardrobe without breaking the bank!" —Linneaann
Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in sizes S–XL and 15 colors).
16. A drawstring bodycon dress that expertly combines style with comfort thanks to a sophisticated high neckline and adjustable ruching on the sides, so you can take the length from short to MINI.
Promising reviews: "I purchased this dress last minute for my birthday and absolutely loved it... I received a lot of compliments and felt confident wearing this dress. It wasn’t sheer at all, and the material is very soft. It hugged all my curves and showed my shape. Definitely will purchase in other colors!" —laniya
"This dress is A-mazing! The fabric is so soft and silky but also has structure and because the sides are ruched, I can adjust it to the perfect length, which means a lot when you're only 5'1. The ruching allows me to control the amount of fabric gathered in the tummy and behind areas... To sum it all up, I LOVE the dress and plan on purchasing at least two more in the army green and the brown because this style dress can also be worn in the fall and spring months with a basic or colored denim jacket and a cute pair of boots or booties!" —Tonya
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 28 colors and styles).
17. A lightweight floral cutout A-line dress featuring a bubble hem for a show-stopping look that works for every daytime event, including celebratory brunches or sunset weddings.
Get it from Anthropologie for $258 (available in sizes XXS–3X).
18. A tie-neck cocktail dress with ruffles on the sides, sleeves, and hem — in this, you will definitely be the life of the party!
Promising review: "This is a very beautiful, fashion-forward dress. It looks just like the picture. I wore it to a wedding and received many compliments. Please note, the dress is not a stretchy material. Although I ordered a size up, I would suggest ordering one or two sizes up if you would like the dress to fit loose or fall closer to your knees because it’s very short." —Quinna LaMark-Smith
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and in four colors).
19. A strapless satin dress, which makes a perfect gown if you need to gussy up for a *very* special occasion, without stealing the show from the bride or birthday person.
Promising reviews: "Ordered this last minute for a formal event and let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised! It runs true to size... a MUST BUY!" —Ryan
"My new FAVORITE wedding guest dress. This dress was soooo perfect for our friend's summer wedding...The material is so thick and beautiful. I received sooo many compliments in this dress." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $51.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and in 24 colors).
20. A long-sleeve satin dress created with a belted surplice bodice for a can't-stop-won't-stop silhouette that combines elegance and comfort. Seriously, you'll be showered with compliments all evening — no plus-one required!
Promising review: "Buy. The. Dress. 😍 I bought this for a wedding...and it was AMAZING. It had shoulder pads which I removed, but it fit beautifully and I received compliments on it all night! Beautiful and comfortable, it is everything you could want in a dress!! Just buy it!!" —Mjogan
Get it from Eloquii for $74.97+ (originally $149.95; available in sizes 14–32 and in four colors).
21. A one-shouldered faux wrap dress just perfect for any springtime function where you need to look sophisticated *and* chic, but also there's a selfie station calling your name.
22. A halter maxi dress — it's versatile enough to wear to a wedding reception, date night, birthday party, or even to a sophisticated night on the town like an art gallery or charity event.
Promising review: "This purchase completely exceeded my expectations. Dress is well made and SOFT. It also has a slip underneath, which is awesome — no fear of undies showing! Waist is elastic. Comes with a detachable belt so it can be worn with or without." —MsMGR
Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and 28 colors).
23. A long-sleeve mini dress with a chic square neckline and ruffled hem, so you can look fantastic in semi-formalwear for your next springtime function.
24. A linen baby doll dress custom-made just for you, so you can worry not about if you can actually go braless (yep, you can!). Instead, enjoy the dozens of compliments you'll get stepping out in this lightweight number that'll still be comfortable even when those mild spring days morph into blazing hot summer ones.
25. A must-have evening gown that boasts an asymmetrical shoulder design and ruched bust, which means you don't need to wear a bra unless you want! Not to mention the over the shoulder flowy train that's giving major red carpet energy!
Promising review: "I bought this dress and four others for the inaugural balls. This one fit like a dream! I had it hemmed but otherwise, it fit well and I had compliments all evening. The dress is so classy and elegant. I can't wait to get a different color and have it on hand for other events. Definitely a go-to option for black tie affairs! I got the size based on the bust and it fit great!" —Destiny Decker
Get it from Amazon for $86.99 (available in sizes 0–30 and in 28 colors).
26. A show-stopping mini dress decorated with elegant ruffles and boasting a pearl-strap halter neck because you deserve to look like a literal celebrity-slash-runway icon, even if you're just one of the dozens of guests. I bet $20 that your outfit will be what everyone is talking about, all night long.
Get it from Eloquii for $118.96 (originally $169.95; available in sizes 14–28).
27. A floral button-front maxi dress in case you want to look like you belong at a wedding reception on the Saltburn estate, but don't have a Saltburn budget. We've got you covered in impeccable style.
Promising review: "I bought this dress on a whim and was a little skeptical about it. I have never received so many compliments on a dress before. I wore it on a trip to the Biltmore Estate with my husband and in-laws and we honestly couldn't get through the day without someone stopping me every few minutes to ask where I got my dress or to tell me how gorgeous it was. It flowed beautifully on that windy day. I'm obsessed with it, I even bought two more in different colors. I highly recommend!!!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and 28 colors).
28. A convertible floral dress that you can wear on- or off-the shoulders for a piece that will certainly give you lots of bang for it's buck considering how often you'll step out in it this spring!
29. A sleek bodycon dress featuring a sophisticated windowpane pattern that doesn't have to be reserved just for the work week. Make quick work of an outfit by pairing this needs-no-accessories dress with your favorite heels, booties, and moto jacket, and you're going to be turning heads all over.
Promising review: "This is one of my absolute favorite work dresses of all time! I feel like Joan from Mad Men every time I wear it. I get compliments every time. This dress looks even better with a skinny belt, and the mock-turtleneck collar is a classy detail that pulls it all together. The fabric is stretchy enough to hug your curves, but not cheap looking. It's thin enough to be comfortable, lightweight and breathable, while still being opaque and good quality. Oh, and it doesn't wrinkle!! I'm usually a size US 14/16, and the 2XL fits me like a glove." —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in sizes XS–5XL and in 10 colors and prints).
30. A tiered dress — this simple silhouette offers timeless style that can be dressed up or down, effortlessly with whatever jackets, shoes, and other accessories are just waiting to be worn in your closet. It's giving "linen-look" without the outrageous price tag of actual linen, and we should celebrate that!
Promising reviews: "This dress is perfect; so comfortable and cute. Can wear with sneakers or dress up with heels." —Paige Kim
"Very comfortable and cool (great in hot weather), cute enough to dress up for wine tastings, and it has pockets large enough to hold your phone, keys, snacks (shrimp? You do you). A stranger even complimented me on it, so 10/10 all around." —Mira
Get it from Amazon for $38.20+ (available in sizes XXS–5X and in 13 colors).
31. A slinky slip dress in case the name of the game is "layering" and you want to look your best even if the spring weather is chillier or more unpredictable than ever. There's a reason the slip silhouette will literally never go out of style.
Up above (on the right) is BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly, and she owns this dress in black. She loved it so much...she wore it over and over again until buying a SECOND ONE in Spiced Burgundy during Black Friday sales last year!
Get it from Aritzia for $118 (available in 15 colors and sizes 2XS–1X).
32. A floral wrap dress that's perfect for any spring event or occasion, with its colorful ditsy pattern! Plus, it's designed with hidden pockets, so you can carry your must-haves on you without needing to pull off a balancing trick in your hands.
Promising review: "This dress fits me amazingly; it’s adorable, and I will be wearing it to an upcoming wedding. Seriously so comfy as well, the material, the pockets, it’s breathable. Just love everything about this dress." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in sizes 14–26 and in 16 colors).
33. An under-$30 floral midi dress with a sweetheart neckline and bodycon design that makes it look like you put in a lot more effort than you actually did.
Promising review: "This dress!!! I got a medium and it was the perfect dress for dancing and looked amazing!" —Tiffany Hawkins
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and 14 styles).
34. A vintage-inspired A-line dress in case you want to embrace those '50s and '60s vibes by stepping out in a pleated skirt just perfect for twirling and two-stepping on the dance floor all night long.
Some reviewers rec wearing it with a petticoat underneath for extra poof. Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on this dress.
Promising review: "This dress exceeded my expectations! It's so pretty. The belt is removable, so it can be worn however you want — tied in the front, back, or even the side. The top fits so nicely and I'm very happy!" —Harmony A.
Get it from Amazon for $34.69+ (available in sizes XS–3XL and in 40 colors/patterns).
35. A satin cowl neck midi dress just perfect for whenever you need to gussy up for a special occasion, like a wedding, gala, or even a semi-formal event. Plus, reviewers rave about how comfortable and easy to move in it is!
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.