Get On The Best-Dressed List With These 26 Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses

When a wedding invitation requests "black tie" attire, guests are expected to dress to impress. Often this translates into luxurious floor-length gowns in rich fabrics like satin, silk, chiffon, and lace. While this may seem over-the-top for some, it's your chance to look like a full-blown celebrity, about to walk a red carpet. But while many of us likely have cocktail dresses knocking around our closets, it's rarer to find a ball gown just waiting to be dusted off for your next black tie event. Not to worry: We've scoured the internet for floor-sweeping gowns from R29 reader-favorite retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Shopbop, and more to help find a black tie dress fit for the lavish affair.

While you’ll find several timeless all-black gowns for those who prefer the more traditional route, we also pulled modern black-tie dresses in vibrant colors, bold prints, and chunky sequins, as well as a few special-occasion midis for the "black tie optional" nuptials. So look through our favorite black-tie wedding guest dresses for your summer weddings (or upcoming fall nuptials). Then, slip on your favorite summer jewelry, grab a trendy clutch, and step into comfortable party shoes. You will surely find yourself a spot on the best-dressed list.