The 30 Best New Year's Eve Wedding Guest Dresses of 2021

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sequin embellished dress — Courtesy of BHLDN

Few occasions call for all-out glamour, but the number one on our list is, without a doubt, a New Year's Eve wedding. As a guest, this is your red-carpet moment — an occasion to pull out all the stops. Sure, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't want to steal attention from the couple of honor. But on January 31, it's safe to assume the soon-to-be-wed selected the date for the increased merriment, making a dialed-up dress more than appropriate.

When deciding upon a New Year's Eve wedding guest dress, color, and style are big considerations. Dazzling numbers are indeed encouraged — think metallic hues, sequin-decked designs, and luxe fabrics with sheen. Jewel-tones, vibrant colors, playful prints, and muted shades work, too — you'll look party-perfect in a shimmering slate, gleaming indigo, or sparkling sandstone.

Ahead, keep scrolling to discover the best New Year's Eve wedding guest dresses. From cocktail hour to midnight, you'll be ready to usher in the new year and newlyweds in style.

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Mango Short Sequin Dress

The only way to make all-over sequins more daring? With pretty puff sleeves and a leg-baring hem.

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Self Portrait Leaf Sequin Ruffle Maxi Dress

We love the ease of this sequin embellished slip dress that is at once glamorous and effortless.

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Badgley Mischka Sequin Faux Wrap Midi Dress

Where better to wear head-to-toe sequins than a New Year's Eve wedding? This wrap silhouette is universally flattering, not to mention the elegant midi length.

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ASOS DESIGN Shirred Midi Tea Dress

Equal parts trendy and festive, we love the voluminous sleeves and shirred design of this dress for a fashion-forward moment. Even better is the affordable, under-$70 price tag.

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Jonathan Simkhai Fluid Satin Front Slit Dress

Just because it's New Year's Eve doesn't mean you have to wear sequins to feel festive. Case in point: this beautiful blue dress with a subtle sheen and lace detailing guaranteed to "wow."

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Dolce & Gabban Polka-Dot-Flocked Tulle Gown

For the ultimate black-tie wedding look, you can't go wrong with this exquisite polka-dot flocked frock featuring an elegant ruched boned bodice and a gathered hem.

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IRO Revert Pleated Dress

silver dress — Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

With a tiered skirt and plunging neckline, this metallic mini is destined for an occasion like New Year's Eve. We love the three-quarter sleeve as an elegant offset to the dress's otherwise striking design.

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Eloquii Sequin Maxi Dress with Wrap Skirt

Like with jewelry, some prefer gold over silver. If this is you, look no further than this gilded dress, featuring long sleeves and a wrap skirt.

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Míe Zanzi Dress Black

bow shoulder tie dress — Courtesy of Míe Zanzi

For a New Year's Eve bash on the beach, this long linen number is perfection. The bow-tie straps add a touch of whimsy we love for witnessing, "I do's."

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ASOS EDITION Curve Sequin Kimono Midi Pencil Dress

This sparkling kimono dress strikes a chord, though the clean lines ensure total elegance. Accent yours with heels and jewelry in polished silver for added shine.

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Babaton Bello Dress

A tuxedo dress is achingly chic for New Year's Eve, especially in lustrous noir. This fluid silhouette drapes so beautifully, requiring a simple heel and nothing more.

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Reformation Butterfly Dress

off-the-shoulder dress — Courtesy of Reformation

This black dress is simple yet feminine, with a sweetheart off-the-shoulder neckline and flutter sleeves. To give it a New Year's Eve wedding guest spin, add in a glimmering accessory or two — we're thinking a beaded mini bag and drop earrings.

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Lapointe Stretch Sequins Dolman Dress

black sequin dress — Courtesy of 11Honore

Channel '70s-era glamour in this sequinned black dress — an elegant alternative to silver or gold. To keep the paillettes as the focal point, opt for minimal accessories as the finishing touch.

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Maje Bicolor Sequin Dress

What's bolder than all-over sequins? Two tones, in silver and black. Even more alluring is the cut-out back — a statement-making look from all angles.

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BHLDN Dover Velvet Dress

When it comes to a cold-weather New Year's Eve wedding, you can never go wrong with a sumptuous velvet dress. This impossibly chic style from BHLDN would pair beautifully with gold accessories.

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Rebecca Taylor Short Sleeve Safari Dress

A subtle animal print adds an edge to this frilled black dress in lightweight chiffon. It's both demure and daring for a New Year's Eve wedding, especially in a warmer locale.

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ASOS DESIGN Batwing Bias Cut Maxi Dress

Though the silhouette is demure, liquid metallic fabric makes this dress a festive option for New Year's Eve. For extra razzle-dazzle, finish with diamond or rhinestone earrings.

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Marchesa Notte One-Shoulder Metallic Lamé Gown

metallic purple dress — Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

Metallic fabrics are spot-on for New Year's Eve, and more distinctive is a dress in an unexpected hue like pink lamé. The one-shoulder neckline will beautifully enhance your neckline with a side split on the skirt for added allure.

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Autumn Adeigbo Serena Long Dress

floral dress — Courtesy of Autumn Adeigbo

This floral-trimmed dress is the perfect splash of color for those inherently drawn to black. Voluminous sleeves and tiered ruffles amount to a showstopping moment, whether with sandals, pumps, or heeled boots.

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Retrofête Gabrielle Mini Dress

You'll make a wedding-guest statement in this sequin-decked mini with long sleeves and a wrap silhouette. The powder blue hue might feel innately spring, but with black heels and a metallic bag, it's entirely festive for New Year's Eve.

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ML Monique Lhuillier One-Shoulder Metallic Dress

citron sparkle dress — Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

We love a little black dress, but for more distinction, this shimmering citron is so unexpected. Keep the rest of you look simple with minimal jewelry and a simple heel.

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Mac Duggal Sequin Long Sleeve Gown

If you've RSVP'd "yes" to a black-tie New Year's Eve wedding, this scintillating gown is absolute perfection. The V-neckline and drawn-in waist are stunning, yes. But it's the soaring slit that makes this number thoroughly scene-stealing.

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Brandon Maxwell Off-The-Shoulder Silk Maxi Dress

black off-the-shoulder dress — Courtesy of Moda Operandi

Channel classic Hollywood glamour in this off-the-shoulder silk gown by Brandon Maxwell. The décolletage-revealing off-the-shoulder neckline calls for dazzling earrings, while the fitted silhouette beautifully defines the waist.

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Amsale Draped Bodice Gown

This fluid satin dress is stunning for a black-tie wedding, featuring an off-one-shoulder silhouette and bias column skirt. The pale green sheen is plenty festive with a pared-back design to suit minimalist tastes.

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Fe Noel Mace Half Sleeve Tie Dress

Volume! Cut-outs! Shimmering red fabric! This dress pulls out all the stops. So, when better to wear than on New Year's Eve?

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Valentine Avoh Lena Dress

open back dress — Courtesy of Valentine Avoh

This golden brocade dress features flutter sleeves and an open back, exuding modern romance just right for a wedding. For a wink of New Year's Eve shine, style yours with glittering heels and jewelry.

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16ARLINGTON Cynthia Dress

black mini dress — Courtesy of Matchesfashion

Nothing screams it's time to celebrate quite like a leg-baring mini. Wear yours with metallic accessories to complete the festive look.

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Needle & Thread Ruffled Sequined Tulle Midi Dress

blush sparkle dress — Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

No one does sophisticated sparkle quite like Needle & Thread. This shimmering number is perfect for a warm-weather New Year's Eve wedding.

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NBD Codi Embellished Mini Dress

This fun fringe mini is exactly what you need to take you from the reception to the dancefloor, to the afterparty.

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Blumarine Sequin Embellished Dress

If you're stuck on what to wear to a formal New Year's Eve wedding, a safe bet will always be a sequin embellished dress. Wear yours with a bright lip and shoulder-grazing earrings.

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