34 Best Long-Sleeve Wedding Guest Dresses of 2021

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Commerce Photo Composite — Brides / Chloe Jeong

From watching the happy couple tie the knot to dancing to your favorite party anthems – there's so much to look forward to at a wedding. But before you can sip champagne with friends or showcase your moves on the dance floor, you need to secure the perfect wedding guest outfit. Enter: long sleeve dresses.

Timeless and stylish, long sleeve dresses run the gamut from formal and adorned to casual and pared-back, and are appropriate for every season (yes, even summer!). As a wedding guest, you'll want to look your absolute best while still honoring the dress code. For black-tie weddings, gowns with sheer or beaded sleeves are endlessly elegant for a formal affair. Floor-length dresses cut from lightweight fabrics, with barely-there sleeves, are stunning for the guest who wants coverage at a warm-weather wedding. For bold tastes, there's no shortage of statement-making options from gowns with voluminous cuffs to sparkly mini dresses. And if you're attending a winter wedding, you'll find scores of long sleeve dresses in thick fabrics, like velvet, that are equal parts warm and fashionable.

Whether you've been invited to a wedding that calls for conservative attire or you're a fan of dresses with statement sleeves, we've rounded up 34 long sleeve wedding guest dresses for every style and budget.

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For a Formal Wedding: David Koma Crystal-Embellished Satin Midi Dress

A little black dress is always a good idea for a formal wedding, especially if that LBD boasts crystal-studded fabric and feather-trimmed sleeves. This gorgeous option pairs beautifully with black, gold, and silver accessories.

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Most Flattering Color: H&M Light Purple A-Line Gown

You heard it here first: lilac is the hot new color for spring. Not only is it soft and pretty, it's also flattering on all skin tones. We love this perfectly purple H&M dress for the guest with a modern aesthetic.

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Best Short Style: Reformation Floral Mini Dress

Let’s keep it short and sweet: you can't go wrong with a floral mini dress for a warm-weather wedding. We love this style for its dreamy blue hue and petite posy pattern.

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Best Under $100: Zara Knotted Neckline Dress

This shimmering blush dress is so supremely elegant, you'd never guess that it retails for under $100. A knotted and plunging-v neckline makes this style all the more alluring.

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For a New Year's Eve Wedding: H&M Sequin Dress

If you're attending a New Year's Eve wedding, then donning a sparkly dress is a must. This dazzling silver midi is undeniably fun for a wedding dress code that calls for festive attire.

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Best Pastel: Dolce & Gabbana Cotton-Blend Corded Lace Midi Dress

Mint is a decidedly fresh (see what we did there?) color for a spring wedding. We love this pleasing pastel dress for its beautiful sheer sleeves and eyelash lace.

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For a Fall Wedding: Jenny Yoo Velvet Maxi Dress

For cold-weather weddings, a sumptuous and warm velvet dress is a must-have. This long-sleeve style in a rich rust hue would look particularly striking set against a fall foliage backdrop.

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Best Wrap Silhouette: Zimmermann Silk Wrap Midi Dress

No matter your shape or body type, a wrap dress looks great on everyone. This Zimmerman style features a ruffled and asymmetrical hem, and a waist-cinching tie for a style that's equal parts fashionable and flattering.

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Best Jewel-Tone: Fame and Partners Green Dress

A jewel tone, like deep green, is a gorgeous option for fall and winter weddings. This versatile hue can easily be worn with gold or silver accessories and is always the perfect complement to a moody color palette.

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Best Mini: Acler Bow-Accented Cotton-Blend Mini Dress

Whether you're attending a wedding in Palm Springs or Palm Beach, this gorgeous mini crafted from lightweight cotton is warm-weather-ready. Wear yours with barely-there strappy sandals or a pair of laidback wedges.

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Best Floral Print: Reformation Flower Dress

You can never go wrong with a floral pattern for spring or summer nuptials. Cascading flowers, slightly puffed sleeves, and a sexy high slit sets this dress apart from the rest.

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Best Bright Color: Emilia Wickstead Off-the-Shoulder Cloqué Midi Dress

It doesn't get more elegant than this off-the-shoulder midi dress in vibrant and eye-catching green. If your personal style is all about bold and bright colors, then you can't go wrong with this striking frock.

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For a Daytime Wedding: ASOS DESIGN Petite Long Sleeve Dress

Lace sleeves are a great option for guests looking for light coverage. This pretty pastel dress is our pick for a daytime wedding in the spring.

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Most Romantic: Misa Floral Dress

Light, breezy, and feminine, this floral dress is sure to please those with romantic tastes. Style yours with skin-tone shoes, dewy make-up, and a petal pink lip for a fresh and springy look.

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Most Unique: Bernadette One-Shoulder Taffeta Mini Dress

If you're opting for a one-shoulder dress, make sure it's this one-shoulder dress. From the exaggerated bow and puff sleeve to the punchy pink hue, we can't get enough of this statement-making number.

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Most Dramatic: H&M Short Velvet Dress

We love a statement sleeve moment and this short velvet dress, featuring voluminous cuffs, is no exception. Slick your hair back and add shoulder-grazing earrings to complete this dramatic ensemble.

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Best Embellishments: Needle & Thread Sequin-Embellished Tulle Mini Dress

There's something that feels particularly enchanting about this beaded mini dress. From the embellished tulle sleeves to the sequin-encrusted floral motifs, this style feels utterly romantic for a formal garden wedding.

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Guest Attire

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Best Cold-Shoulder: Dolce & Gabbana Ruched One-Shoulder Jersey Dress

This one-shoulder dress is as sophisticated as ever for a formal wedding. A cold-shoulder neckline meets a ruched and knotted waist to form a flattering and timeless silhouette.

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Best Sheer Sleeves: Lulus Hunter Green Long Sleeve Backless Maxi Dress

In forever classic hunter green, this long-sleeve dress is a divine choice for a late summer or fall wedding. Dress it up with statement-making accessories or keep it simple for a pared-back look.

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For a Beach Wedding: Rococo Sand Floral Maxi Dress

If the couple is exchanging vows on the beach or at a tropical locale, this multi-colored dress is the perfect complement to a warm-weather or destination wedding. Style with accessories in natural fabrics like a raffia clutch and woven jute sandals.

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Most Demure: Zimmermann Paneled Cotton-Blend Lace Midi Dress

A mixture of Victorian-era-inspired and prairie-chic, this lilac dress is equal parts romantic and demure. If you're looking for a modest dress full of pretty details, this style is a smart and stylish pick.

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Best Maternity: ASOS DESIGN Shirred Satin Maxi Dress

For the pregnant wedding guest, this lustrous dress is a no-brainer. It features a smocked bodice, an empire waist, and a flowing skirt for a stylish look and comfortable fit.

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Most Glamorous: Needle & Thread Embellished Gown

This pale blue dress is an endlessly glamorous choice for a winter wedding. Let the details like the sheer sleeves, allover silver sequins, and flouncy hem, do all the talking–and pair yours with minimal accessories.

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For a Black-Tie Wedding: Ahluwalia Black and White Gown

This unique black and white gown is giving us Old Hollywood glamour at its finest. If you're attending a black-tie wedding, your search for the perfect outfit stops here.

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Most Movement: Sabina Musayev Tiered Shimmer Midi Dress

metallic thread dress — Courtesy of Bloomingdales

If you're looking for a dress that's full of movement and will dazzle on the dance floor, this tiered and shimmering dress is as party-ready as they come.

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Most Boho: Lulus Floral Print Chiffon Wrap Maxi Dress

For the boho guest with retro tastes, this 70s-inspired floral gown is sure to please your laid-back vibe. Pair with delicate personal jewelry and wear your hair down for an effortless look.

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Best Allover Sparkle: Dima Ayad Studded Wrap Midi Dress

Bring on the glitz and glamour with a sparkly dress, fit for a formal celebration. Match your accessories with the silver bow for a flawless ensemble.

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Most Comfortable: Bardot Long Sleeve Metallic Chiffon Midi Dress

There's nothing worse than wearing an uncomfortable dress to a wedding. This gold speckled style features stunning sheer sleeves and is designed with a flattering smocked waist for added comfort.

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Most Unexpected: Bronx and Banco Puff-Sleeve Mini Ruffle Dress

short dress — Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Long balloon sleeves give way to a cinched waist and fit and flare skirt, for a mini dress that feels both unique and whimsical. Wear yours with metallic accessories to complement the subtle silver sheen of the fabric.

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Most Party-Ready: ASOS EDITION Sequin Wrap Mini Dress

If you're usually the first person out on the dance floor, then you need this sparkly pink mini dress. Our favorite detail? The voluminous sleeves that give this style some 70s-inspired flare.

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Most 80s-Inspired: Acler Puff-Sleeve Satin Mini Dress

Channel the 80s in this divine green mini dress complete with exaggerated and puffed sleeves. Style with matching green shoes for a monochromatic look, or opt for gold sandals for a fun metallic accent.

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For a Festive Wedding: Rotate Sequin Long Sleeve Midi Dress

If you're attending a wedding around the holidays and are looking for a festive dress, allow us to introduce you to this glittering dress from Rotate. It's fun, dress code appropriate, and bound to land you tons of compliments.

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For the Welcome Party: LoveShackFancy Patterned Dress

Leave it to LoveShackFancy to create the technicolored dress of our dreams. We love this bright and mixed pattern dress for a fun rehearsal dinner or welcome party look.

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Most Classic: BHLDN Metallic Dress

For guests with a traditional aesthetic, a tried and true black dress will never fail you. This style is made all the more special when paired with classic pearl earrings and a berry lip.

FAQ

What long sleeve dresses are best for a summer wedding?

For warm-weather weddings, opt for dresses cut from breathable and lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton. Dresses with sheer sleeves will also keep you cool at a summer wedding.
What should I wear to a wedding that requires modest attire?

Floor-length dresses, with long sleeves and high necklines, are most appropriate for a wedding that requires conservative attire.
What should I wear to a winter wedding?

Long sleeve gowns cut from thick fabrics, like velvet, will look stylish while keeping you warm.