Dress to Impress in These Fall Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Style

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

It's officially fall wedding season, which means out with the light, summer florals and in with the deep jewel tones. For many, this means cooler outdoor ceremonies against a background of vibrant turning leaves. While there are many upsides to this change of season, some fall wedding guests may struggle with what to wear. We spoke to expert wedding stylist and founder of The Stylish Bride, Julie Sabatino, about the best fall wedding guest dresses to sport this season.

“I always like to put out there that it's an honor to be invited to someone's wedding,” says Sabatino. “And as a sign of respect, I believe in really putting in the effort to look your best, whether it's for a casual wedding, a black tie wedding, [or something] in between.”

To help you choose appropriate attire and look your best as a guest at any fall wedding, she's sharing her best fall fashion tips, including key features to look for when shopping, how to style a dress to be weather-appropriate, and even a few of her favorite brands to shop.

Check out our picks for the best fall wedding guest dresses below, so you can feel confident, stylish, and comfortable at any autumn wedding ceremony or reception.

Alessia One Shoulder Dress

This Significant Other dress ticks a lot of Sabatino's fall wedding guest dress boxes. It's in a warm, fall color made of classy satin material that can be easily layered under a wrap or stole.

Margaux Gown

Sabatino's favorite place to find fall wedding guest dresses is Sachin & Babi. "They have a really great selection of guest dresses," she says. At that price point, "I think you get a bit of a better quality" and "something that's fashion-forward." This green, patterned option is great for a garden ceremony.

Petite Colette Sleeveless Maxi Dress

If your height skews on the shorter side, finding a well-fitting maxi dress can feel like a chore. Reviewers say this Alex Marie dress is perfect for pairing with small heels.

RELATED: The 20 Most Comfortable Heels for Style and Support

Long Sleeve Satin Formal Dress

The satiny material and flowing silhouette of this elegant dress make it the perfect outfit for any formal fall wedding. The affordable pick comes in this burnt orange hue as well as a ton of other seasonally appropriate colors, including emerald green, olive green, brown, and burgundy.

Elegant Double V-Neck Velvet Dress with Sleeves

This velvet dress is perfect for a November ceremony. It will help you stay warm while still looking elegant with its deep hue and maxi length.

Molinetto Navy Blue Tiered Maxi Dress

This floral number from Lulus has a beautiful, subtle print that adds intrigue without capturing too much attention. Reviewers note the dress runs rather large, so consider sizing down.

Leila Deep-V Flutter-Sleeve Satin Gown

If you're looking for a simple silhouette in a rich fall color, this BHLDN dress is the one for you. However, if you're large chested, you will definitely need body tape to avoid slips.

RELATED: These Are the Best Boob Tapes, According to Experts and Reviews

Manon Linen-Blend Maxi Dress

Embrace the fall season while staying cool at the beach in this linen-blend, spaghetti strap dress. The rich, brown hue matches the aesthetic of fall while the cutouts coincide with beachwear.

Women's Boho One Shoulder Maxi Dress

For any last-minute shoppers, this pleated, one shoulder dress from Amazon is the perfect pick. Because of the wide range of colors and patterns available, this dress can suit spring and summer weddings as well.

RELATED: Best Dresses Under $50 on Amazon

Cap Sleeve Ruffle Detail Dress

Mature and simple, the style of this dress exudes elegance while the body-con fit helps to flatter your figure. Wear it to a fall wedding, work, or date night.

Aniya Dress

One reviewer notes, "I have never put on a dress that feels [s0] effortlessly beautiful." The faux wrap style accentuates the wearer's waist and flatters the figure.

Zendaya Women's African Print Maxi Dress

Sleeves are a smart way to accommodate changes in weather. "It's always a great idea to have some coverage, in case it cools, especially in the evening," Sabatino says. Push the sleeves up during the day, and pull them down at night for added warmth.

Plus-Size V-Neck Lace Evening Dress

The all-over lace detailing adds texture and interest to this solid colored dress that's available is a wide range of deep, jewel tones — perfect for fall!

Smocked Halter Maxi Dress

The great thing about this dress is its versatility. "I am a fan of buying pieces that you can wear in different ways and over the years," says Sabatino. You can tuck in the halter straps for a full off-the-shoulder look, or dress it up with heels and statement jewelry for a formal ensemble.

September Sunsets Wrap Maxi Dress

A light, floral print adds interest to this classic wrap dress available in two fall colors: dark teal and burgundy. Pair it with sandals for a casual look or dress it up with heels.

RELATED: The Most Comfortable Women's Dress Shoes

Goals Long-Sleeve Tie-Waist Blazer Dress

This bold, bright orange ensemble comes in a sophisticated silhouette, and lets the color do all the talking. It's a great choice for those interested in skipping straight to the reception.

Asymmetric Single Long-Sleeve Gown

Channel your inner Bond girl in this black, asymmetric gown. One reviewer writes, "It is a stretchy material, but it’s lined so its got a tad bit of structure. It’s flowy and hugs all at once. I personally think it’s a great dress."

Umy Abstract Print Convertible Jumpsuit

If a jumpsuit is more your style, try this option from DIARRABLU that can be tied and worn in many different ways. Wear it as a one-shoulder, short-sleeved, open back jumpsuit, and more.

Sweet Harmony Chiffon Midi Dress

If you're lucky enough to be in the bridal party, you may be on the hunt for two dresses: one for the ceremony and another for the rehearsal dinner. This solid, midi-length dress fits a rehearsal to a T. It's more casual than a full-length gown but still elegant.

Women's Cap Sleeve Flowy Pleated Dress

Not every wedding is a floor length gown affair. If you're attending a casual wedding, opt for this cap sleeve option that you can wear throughout summer and fall. "I think with accessories and a really fun shoe, maybe something metallic, you can take a basic piece and make it look a lot more formal," Sabatino says.

What to look for when shopping for dresses to wear to a fall wedding

✔️ Heavier Fabrics: One of the great hallmarks of fall is the cooling weather, which typically begins in September. That means breathable, summer fabrics may leave you chilly. Sabatino says, "You want to stay away from light fabrics like cotton and linens, and lean more into silks, velvets, wools, cashmere — things like that."

✔️ Deep Colors: Arguably, the best part of fall fashion is the colors. Deep jewel tones, such as burnt orange, mustard yellow, burgundy red, and emerald green are all seasonably appropriate and easy to find come fall.

✔️ Ratios: If you are looking to sport a pattern, particularly of the white, cream, or beige variety, be sure to consider the ratio. "It's fine if it's more [color] than white," says Sabatino. "If it's a white background with a sparse pattern on it, I'd say no. If it's more than 50% white, don't do it."

✔️ Texture: Fall clothing tends to have fewer print and patterns than spring and summer dresses, so one way to achieve interest in a solid colored dress is with texture. Pleats, velvet, and ruching are perfect examples of added intrigue.

FAQ

• What should you pair with a fall dress to stay warm?
  The battle of a fall wedding is the changing temperature from the ceremony to the reception, so it's important to come prepared with an item to throw over your dress. "That could be a cashmere wrap or a little fur stole," says Sabatino. "Layer up because a lot of times, you end up with a warmer day and then cooler evening. It depends on where you'll be, but layering is the key."

• What should you avoid wearing to a fall wedding?
  The most obvious answer is white. "If you have a pattern that has a lot of white in it, you're going to want to think about that before wearing it," Sabatino says. "And I really, really think in this arena, that means don't." She also recommends avoiding anything that is too fancy or too short. "You want to be respectful, and honor the
  couple. It's not the moment to show off, right? It's the bride's day, so you want to be respectful in that way."
  

You Might Also Like

• Oprah’s Favorite Things Of 2022 Is Here—Gift These 20 Amazing Finds This Year

• 40 Best Sentimental Gift Ideas for Loved Ones

• Jennifer Aniston‘s Secret to Glowy Skin On-Screen