Fall Wedding Guest Dresses for Over 50
Finding the perfect outfit for an autumn wedding can be a bit tricky. You want to look stylish, feel comfortable, and avoid anything that feels too frumpy or matronly. It can be tough to balance showing off your personal style while still fitting in with the wedding’s dress code, but don’t worry—it’s totally doable! I’ve put together a selection of beautiful fall wedding guest dresses that are perfect for women over 50, so you can look and feel your best.
I’m updating this post with new suggestions for 2024
What to Wear to a Fall Wedding 2024
While it’s always important to embrace your personal style, don’t forget to consider the wedding’s setting, theme, and formality. Opt for timeless silhouettes that flatter your figure. I recommend finding colors that complement your complexion, leaning towards sophisticated hues and luxurious fabrics. Rich jewel tones are always a great choice for fall. Don’t hesitate to accessorize thoughtfully, adding a touch of glamour with jewelry, a stylish clutch, and comfortable yet stylish footwear.
If you need more advice on what is appropriate to wear to a wedding, as well as my personal recommendations, please consider checking out these other posts:
Fall Wedding Guest Dresses with Sleeves
Alex Evenings Lace and Chiffon Gown
If you can’t or don’t want to wear heels of any kind, a full-length dress covers your footwear so you can be comfy and stylish. Plus, a dress with a higher neck like this one also means you can get away with less jewelry and accessories. I found this dress very comfortable to wear, and the soft fabric moved beautifully with each step. I’m wearing a 10 petite, and it fits true to size.
Adrianna Papell Velvet Twist Front Tuxedo Dress
I lean towards rich hues and color palettes in the fall and winter months, and deep burgundies like the one on this tuxedo dress are forecasted to be trending this season. I love the soft nap of velvet and touch of glamour it gives everything, which makes it a great fabric for weddings!
Grace Karin Two Piece Knee Length Dress
Fall weather can be unpredictable and rather mild in certain parts of the country. This dress from Grace Karin will fit the bill for any temperature since it has a matching jacket that you can remove if you get warm and put back on for chilly evening temperatures. If this color is not your fav, it comes in 23 more!
Chico’s Travelers Bell Sleeve Boat Neck Dress
This dress has no frills like sequins or lace, making it a versatile addition to your closet that you can wear again and again for date nights, funerals, class reunions, etc. It’s in a rich chocolate brown that I find to be much softer than black. My favorite feature about this dress is that it’s from Chico’s Travelers line, which means you won’t have to pack your steamer or worry about wrinkles when you pull it out of your suitcase.
Alex Evenings 3/4 Sleeve Scoop Neck 2-Piece Jacket Dress
Many women like a bit more coverage than a knee-length dress offers, which makes a midi dress a perfect choice. Hitting at mid-calf, it’s long enough to cover things like crepey knees or spider veins but not so long that you’ll trip on the dance floor. This midi-length dress has a matching jacket and a beaded neckline so you can skip out on purchasing a new necklace!
Fall Wedding Guest Dresses with Short Sleeves
Somerset Maxi Dress
Anthropologie always has fun and unique wedding dress options. This best-selling maxi dress has a flattering smocked waistline, pin-tucked hem, and pockets that are perfect for holding a tissue or lipstick. It’s available in lots of beautiful patterns, in petite, regular and plus. P.S. If you’re petite you may enjoy this post about petite fashion tips for choosing the best print.
Pisarro Nights Beaded Mesh Midi Cocktail Dress
If you’re heading to a formal event, consider a longer dress with some extra embellishments, like this one. The delicate overlay, sparkly beading, and unlined sleeves give it a romantic and graceful vibe. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a sophisticated mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom dress. It comes in 6 colors, sizes 2-18.
Alex Evenings Tea Length Cap Sleeve Dress
This dress is all about simple, timeless beauty with its cap sleeves and flattering A-line shape. It’s a lovely choice for a wedding guest who loves classic elegance. The rosette details and tea-length hem make it perfect for just about any wedding setting. It comes in 5 colors, reg and petite sizes 6-16.
Nic+Zoe Watercolor Vines Jeni Tie Waist Dress
This jewel neck dress is perfect for a more laid-back wedding. Its soft, artistic vine print lets you express a touch of personality without being too flashy, and the removable tie waist ensures a flattering and comfy fit. You can also find it in plus sizes here.
Sleeveless Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
If you live in an area with a milder climate or are attending a wedding in a location with warm fall weather, a sleeveless dress can be a wonderful option if you’re comfortable showing your arms. You could also bring a wrap, blazer, or dressier jacket in case of a chilly night or if the venue has their air conditioner blasting.
Eileen Fisher Tiered Pleated Silk Midi Dress
Frequent readers of AWSL are probably aware of my love for this dress. I’m a big fan of its crushed silk, pleated fabric. It skims the body but doesn’t cling, is a modest length, and can be dressed way up or down. I prefer arm coverage, so I added this little linen and cotton cardigan, which matches the color perfectly. EF makes this dress in new colors every year.
Adrianna Papell Floral Embroidered Metallic Sheath Dress
This dress has it all—a sleek sheath silhouette, a stunning floral design, a rich jewel tone perfect for fall and winter, and plenty of texture with the inset lace detailing. Just add a gold clutch and a black shawl to complete the look.
Pleated Swing Dress
If you are looking for a dress you can wear again, this dress effortlessly transitions from day to evening which makes it a chic and reliable choice for any occasion. It’s also available in green, red, black, and navy.
Shop More Fall Wedding Guest Dresses for Over 50:
Do you have any fall weddings to attend this year?
We are the same age and I have a 50th class reunion to attend in September. Not a formal event to be sure, but do you have any thoughts on how to look stylish and casual at the same time?
Depending on the venue, I would aim for polished casual. Be sure to add an accessorry or two that make a statement about you.
What a wonderful array of dresses! I love that you’re showing so many different styles.
Unfortunately, no weddings or events this fall!
I’m attending a wedding this Friday night. I find special occasion dresses “difficult”. Everything I tried looked too cheap, too casual, or too mother of the bride. I decided to go for a tuxedo look with pieces I already own; silk blouse, black pants and great heels.
That’s a fabulous look Lily!
I really love the Chico’s Travelers dress. I’m looking for a dress just like that but wondering if I could find it in a petite 2. They are all beautiful dresses!
Love the Nic & Zoe watercolor dresses. I don’t have a formal event on my calendar, but it’s good to know about so many lovely options should I need to get a dress.
Not a wedding question but…Do you think those little short sleeve bolero type sweaters are frumpy or aging? I have sleeveless maxi dresses that I’d like to wear into September.
Interesting question. I prefer ones with a straight front rather than curved in a bolero shape, which can look a bit dated.
I wore that Eileen Fisher dress in geranium to my niece’s wedding in Charlotte this past June. Perfect for travel – tie it up in a knot and throw it in the bag. No wrinkles, no worries. It was amazing in the hot weather and the power outage that had us out on the patio of the inn for the reception. Very light and comfortable.
I agree, it’s a perfect dress. I wore my blue one to my sons wedding and was comfy outdoors in temps hovering around the low 90s!
I’ve loved the look of the EF crushed silk dress and skirt but have been hesitant to buy it because some of the reviews say that after time the “crushed” effect softens out and by the end of the night they feel like they are in a big bag. I’d love to hear from you on this.
Anne
That has never happened with mine and I’ve worn it a ton!