What to Wear to a Fall Wedding: The Best Wedding Guest Dresses for Women Over 40

Fall weddings are my favorite to dress for, and seeing as I got married in the fall, I think I can safely say it’s my favorite wedding season. The colors are more vibrant, you can wear shoes without worrying about your feet swelling in 90-degree heat, and there’s something about a fall wedding that makes getting dressed feel a little more fun knowing you’re not going to wither away in the heat and can play around a bit more with fabrics, patterns and color.

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That being said, finding a fall wedding guest dress when you’re over 40 can be… well, annoying. So much of what’s out there is body con dresses or silk that doesn’t do any perimenopause or menopause body any favors. I, personally, don’t necessarily want the same dress I would have worn at 25, but I also have absolutely no interest in looking matronly. I want something current and flattering that I can actually move around in, sit through dinner in and, ideally, wear again.

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So I pulled together some of the prettiest fall wedding guest dresses I’m seeing right now, along with a few things I look for when deciding whether a dress is actually worth buying.

What to Look for in a Fall Wedding Guest Dress

For fall, I usually start with fabric and color. This is the time of year when richer fabrics finally make sense again. Satin, crepe, chiffon, velvet and heavier knits all feel appropriate, especially as you get later into October and November.

Color is an easy way to make a dress feel seasonal without going too literal. Burgundy, chocolate brown, olive and forest green are beautiful for fall, but so are navy, deep plum, rust and darker floral prints. And you certainly don’t have to avoid lighter colors altogether. A soft blue or muted pink can still work beautifully for fall if the fabric and styling feel right.

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The other thing I pay attention to is how much is going on. I generally think a simple dress with one really good detail looks more expensive than a dress trying to do five things at once. An interesting neckline, a beautiful drape, a slightly dramatic sleeve or a great print is usually enough.

The Most Flattering Dress Styles

There really isn’t one magical dress shape that works on every woman, but there are a few silhouettes that tend to be particularly forgiving.

Wrap and faux-wrap dresses are always a good place to start. The V-neckline is flattering, the waist has some definition and you can usually adjust the fit a little more than you can with a structured dress.

A-line dresses are another easy option, especially if you like something fitted through the upper body but don’t want anything clinging through the hips or stomach.

I also love a bias-cut midi dress for a wedding. The fabric follows the body rather than squeezing it, which gives you shape without feeling overly fitted. Just look for one with enough weight to the fabric. Very thin satin can be considerably less forgiving. And don’t overlook draping and ruching. Strategic ruching through the waist or a dress that drapes slightly across the stomach can be incredibly flattering without looking like it’s trying to hide anything.

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For women who don’t love showing their arms (like me!!!), I’d skip the little cap sleeve, which I don’t find particularly helpful on anyone, and look for a flutter sleeve, sheer sleeve, elbow-length sleeve or a true long sleeve instead. My entire life I’ve not liked wearing strapless or spaghetti strap. We all have our hang-ups about our bodies, I suppose and that’s one of mine. I even had a little bolero jacket made for my own strapless wedding dress. I loved the dress so much but refused to wear strapless. So, if you’re like me, I’ve got you covered with some options with wedding guest dresses that provide a bit more arm coverage.

Pro Tip? Before you buy, be sure to check out Rent the Runway or Nuuly. Renting a dress is such a great economical way to get a look you love if you know you’re just going to wear it once. I have rented several wedding guest dresses from Rent the Runway and have been extremely happy with them. However, if you’re looking to buy, here are some of my favorites this season for every budget!

Fall Wedding Guest Dresses Under $100

Fall Wedding Guest Dresses For Women Over 40 Under $200

Fall Wedding Guest Dresses Over $200

A Few Things I’d Skip

This is entirely personal, but I’m generally passing on anything that requires constant adjusting. If I have to keep pulling the neckline up, tugging the skirt down or worrying about what kind of bra I’m wearing all night, it’s probably not coming home with me. Gone are the days where I sacrafice comfort for style. There’s plenty out there that do both. Heck, I even try to avoid any looks where I have to throw on Spanx, but sometimes it’s just a necessary evil.

I’d also be careful with overly complicated cutouts, extremely high slits and dresses that are very body-conscious. Not because women over 40 can’t wear them. Of course we can. I just think there’s a difference between sexy and trying too hard, and the dresses I tend to love most fall somewhere in that first category. And comfort matters. You are potentially wearing this thing for eight hours. There will be dinner. There will hopefully be cake and no one wants a wardrobe malfunction on the dance floor.

The nice thing about dressing for a fall wedding is that you don’t really need to overthink it. Find a shape you feel good in, choose a beautiful seasonal color or print, add a great pair of shoes and earrings and call it a day.

Because ultimately, the best wedding guest dress isn’t the one that’s supposedly the most flattering for your age or body type. It’s the one you put on and immediately stop thinking about what you’re wearing.

Other Posts You Might Like:

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A Guide To Fall Beauty Must-Haves

Things I Buy On Repeat As A Woman Over 40

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