Just a list of dresses that no one would judge you for wearing on their big day and then every day after.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1.
A flowy spaghetti-strap dress with pockets and a deep V-neck so you can ditch your purse, look effortlessly flawless, and feel extremely comfortable.
Promising review: “I was worried about ordering this dress because some of the reviews stated that the sizing is weird. I’m 5’4″ and around 112 lbs, so I ordered an XS and it’s PERFECT! I wore it to my brother’s wedding and got so many compliments. The straps being adjustable helped to make it a perfect fit. This is my new go-to dress for weddings and other events. For those asking about what bra to wear, I just wore the silicone petal covers and they worked great with the dress.” —Kelsey
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in sizes 0–20 and 29 colors).
StarbeeINC / Etsy
Starbee Inc. is a New Jersey–based Etsy shop that sells dresses and accessories.
Promising review: “Wow wow wow what an amazing process this has been! The dress is absolutely perfect and the seller couldn’t have been more kind in helping me along the way. Not see-through, breathable material, I highly encourage EVERYONE to get a dress from here. It’s so obvious how much the seller cares about the items and their customers. I will 100% be shopping here again, excellent job.” —SOPHIA DUFFY
Get it from Starbee Inc. on Etsy for $34.99+ (available in sizes S–2X and two colors).
3.
A ruffled backless flowy dress which you’ll wear so often, it’ll become your signature look. Thankfully it comes in 30 different colors so you can switch it up.
Promising review: “Bought this dress for my cousin’s wedding and it was PERFECT. I ordered a size small—I am 5’8” and 135 lbs. It fit so perfectly and didn’t show too much, even with the low cut! I’ll take 10 more please.” —Scarlett Haney
Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in sizes S–XL and 30 colors and patterns).
4.
A sleeveless flowy gown that proves you never have to sacrifice comfort for style. This light and airy number will have you begging for a gust of wind so you can finally strike that famous Marilyn Monroe pose.
Promising review: “Bought this dress for a summer wedding. It fits perfectly! Just a little long, but with heels, it will be fine. I like the material — soft, light, and comfortable. You can wear it casual or dressy with jewelry. I am adding sandals with a mid-heel for the length. I am 5’9″ so if you are shorter, you may need to have it hemmed. It is worth it!” —DLF
Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in sizes XS–4XL and 22 colors).
5.
A short-sleeve tie-waist dress — *I* swore that I’d never wear pleats again after my Catholic school graduation until I saw this. Plus, it looks like something out of a high-fashion boutique but for a fraction of the cost.
Promising review: “I love this dress! I wore it to a wedding and got several compliments. It is super comfortable, soft and fun to wear. I wore it straight out of the package and it didn’t gain wrinkles throughout the night. I am 5′ and 135 lbs and I was worried about the fit, but it was great. I will be buying another color.” —Dana Shaun
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and in six colors).
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “This fit like it was tailored just for me. Beautiful and also comfortable. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments. Cute with flats, sandals, and ankle boots, and easy to dress up or make casual.” —jeanine coleman
Get it from Amazon for $38.98+ (available in three colors and in sizes S–XL).
7.
A floral green midi dress with a slit that’s perfect for absolutely any occasion from weddings and dates to picnics and vacations.
Blanco And Barley / Etsy
Blanco And Barley is a US-based Etsy shop filled with dresses, knitwear, and a bunch of other cute things.
Promising review: “This dress was the perfect length and looks absolutely beautiful! I got a bunch of compliments as well while wearing it.” —Mckayla
Get it from Blanco And Barley on Etsy for $49.32 (available in sizes S–L and in two colors).
8.
A bell-sleeve embroidered tunic dress for a comfortable day look that you can take into the nighttime. Pair it with flats or heels to instantly change your ensemble without switching outfits.
Promising review: “I really do love this dress. (I got the black one with red floral embroidery.) I’ve worn it to dinner and on a cruise. I can probably wear it to a wedding or a beach party. You can dress it up with heels or wear flat sandals with it. I even wore it with my Chucks and it looked adorable. No accessorizing needed, but you can throw on a simple necklace and go. So easy! (Quality also seems good. Thick material = no bra necessary for me! Yay!!)” —Poupee Folle
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 11 styles).
9.
A striped rainbow midi dress with puffed sleeves that will ensure you get a barrage of compliments whenever you wear it.
Mr Water New York / Etsy
Mr Water New York is an Asian American woman–owned, New York–based Etsy shop filled with unique, stylish, and sometimes vintage-inspired pieces.
Promising review: “I absolutely love this dress!! I get so many compliments when I wear it and it’s truly one of a kind.” —Victoria Kennedy
Get it from Mr Water New York on Etsy for $89 (available in sizes S–XXL).
10.
A long backless flowy dress that will have kids at Disneyland thinking you’re one of the princesses. You’ll certainly look like royalty as you sashay through the summer breeze with this light and comfortable ensemble.
Promising review: “This dress is so comfortable and beautiful that the moment you put it on, you instantly feel like you’re on a tropical beach vacation. I ordered it in blue. The blue isn’t really as pictured, it’s more of a teal color, but I still really like it a lot. The material feels soft and natural. The dress just makes you feel so feminine and overall lovely. I may order it in different colors too. I wish it came in taupe or Army green.” —Fanny Burney
Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in 23 colors and sizes S–XL).
11.
A wrap dress with a relaxed fit, which is perfect for the person who wants to look stunning AND comfortably dance the night away.
Reformation
Get it from Reformation for $248 (available in sizes XS—XL and five colors).
12.
A sleeveless V-neck swing midi dress with pockets that will totally give you that cottagecore vibe you’ve been looking for. It’s perfect for a picnic or walk through a park.
Promising review: “For me, clothes pay for themselves based on the number of compliments that are received when an item is worn. I already liked the dress the moment I put it on, but all day long women commented about what a lovely and pretty dress it is (ooh, I like the color, ooh, it’s so pretty, ooh, that dress looks like the start of a whole new wardrobe). The compliments made the reasonable dress price feel like a bargain deal. I guess I’m a sucker for polka dots and the power of hearing something positive during the day. In summary, this dress fits well, looks good, makes you feel good wearing it, and even a 9-year-old boy can take a picture of his mom in this dress and this dress still look good…now I just need to decide what other color to buy.” —Isadelle Mercedes
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and in 13 colors and prints).
13.
An off-the-shoulder wrap midi dress to give you a killer silhouette and earn you the title of “best dressed.”
Boohoo
Get it from Boohoo for $20 (originally $50, available in sizes 4–20 and nine colors).
14.
A bell-sleeve pencil dress that will make people think you are a VIP guest. It fits like a glove and looks like it was custom made for anyone who wears it.
Promising review: “I wore this to one of my friends’ ‘formal’ weddings in November in Charleston. I had so many compliments! It was very comfortable throughout the entire night. It’s fitted, but not so tight that I couldn’t dance in it. Absolutely loved it! I’m 5’11” and weigh 155 and I got a medium, fits perfectly!” —Rachel Hollowell
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–3XL and 40 colors and patterns).
15.
A V-neck belted bodycon dress which is the most versatile piece of clothing I’ve ever seen. It’s work-, date-, dinner-, and wedding-approved so BRB, snatching these up in every single color!
Promising review: “I wore this dress for my son’s wedding and I was fabulous. The material was very nice, and there was plenty of arm room for my upper arm, which totally amazed me. Most companies don’t take into consideration the plus-size upper-arm size with the plus-size dress. The fit was perfect.” —Mz. Loretta
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in sizes L–5XL).
Check out BuzzFeed’s full write-up on this dress.
Promising review: “I’m one of those people who never writes reviews. I found this dress through a BuzzFeed article and couldn’t resist the white sunflower one. The material is stretchy and just fits your body so well. I didn’t have any problems with it being see-through while I was wearing light-gray underwear. The length is cute. The buttons are fake, so they stay uniform all the way down. It’s stretchy across the back of the bodice, so bigger-chested women would love this. My mom and I have completely different body types and the size large fits us both amazingly! I’m definitely going to try to order as many prints as I can!” —Courtney Clark
Get it from Amazon for $12.74+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 35 colors and prints).
17.
An orange tie-waist shirt dress that you should only wear if you want to upstage the bride. This citrus-colored ensemble is light, cozy, and simply stunning.
Beginning Boutique
Beginning Boutique is a woman-owned small business based in Brisbane, Australia.
Get it from Beginning Boutique for $29.99 (originally $59.99; available in sizes 0–12).
18.
A floral wrap dress which is perfect for anyone who is obsessed with flowers but refuses to wear pastel colors.
Promising review: “I searched through about 300 ‘cocktail dress with long sleeves’ options before finding this gem! The material is great — it stands up to wrinkles/long car rides and doesn’t cling at all. The cut is (really) low so I got some skin/fabric tape to close it up. This is a large; a medium would probably have been too short. I love it!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in sizes S–3XL and in 16 prints).
19.
A sleeveless deep-V-neck maxi dress that looks like a formal outfit but feels like a casual one. Basically, you can attend a three-hour-long wedding in this cozy number and still feel as snug as a bug.
Promising review: “The material of this dress is so light, airy, and super soft! Great dress for everyday wear or easily dressed up for a special occasion. Fits true to size and just as described. I absolutely love that this dress has pockets! I paired it with a denim jacket for work. I received tons of compliments on the dress. I’m obsessed with the pockets. I will be ordering additional dresses in other colors.” —Heather
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in sizes S–3XL and 13 colors).
20.
A retro rockabilly dress which will make you look like a modern day Audrey Hepburn. Guess that means you’ll be having breakfast at Tiffany’s with some hot aspiring writer, huh?
Over 4,000 vintage vixens have given this baby positive reviews, and some say they especially like to rock it with a petticoat underneath for extra poof. Check out BuzzFeed’s full write-up on this dress.
Promising review: “This dress exceeded my expectations! It’s so pretty. The belt is removable, so it can be worn however you want — tied in the front, back, or even the side. The top fits so nicely and I’m very happy!” —Harmony A.
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in sizes XS–3XL and in 45 colors and prints).
21.
A vintage floral long-sleeved midi dress that’s perfect for fall and winter weddings and special occasions. You’ll be able to keep yourself warm while still looking elegant.
Promising review: “I purchased this as a last-minute dress for a wedding. It was snug above the waist, but not snug enough where I was uncomfortable or have no movement. It fit perfectly!! I’m 5’3” and weigh 160 lbs. The medium was perfect for me! The material is not cheap, it’s a nice, soft material, and you can have confidence it won’t fall apart in the washer or anything! Love it. I’ll probably buy another one in a different pattern.” —Liz Garcia
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 14 patterns).
22.
A skater dress that will allow you to follow the dress code but still add a little bit of your own personal flair.
Promising review: “This dress is so nice for the price, it’s kind of a steal. Fits so well, soft, nice material. Beautiful and classy. As one reviewer mentioned it can look a little broad in the shoulders, but it’s also part of the vintage flutter-sleeve style. Such a bargain.” —Kaela
Get it from Amazon for $21.88+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and 21 colors).
23.
A velvet off-the-shoulder dress so swanky, you’ll feel like a party guest from The Great Gatsby. The stretchy velvet material will turn heads faster than a new contestant entering Love Island midway through the season.
Promising review: “I absolutely love love love this dress! The color (blue) is so vivid and bright. The velvet-like material is very soft and has stretch to it (spandex). It is definitely worth the price, because this dress looks very expensive. Even though this dress hits well below my knees, I actually don’t mind the length. I wore this dress to an evening wedding in February 2020. My last event before we went into lockdown. I recieved SO SO SO many compliments! It paired well with silver/gray velvet sandal heels. All the wrinkles were gone after being hung up for a couple days. No ironing necessary. Don’t hesitate with purchasing this dress. It’s so worth it.” —Ebonnie Fisher
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and six colors).
Promising review: “I always get nervous when purchasing clothing on Amazon, but was very happy with this purchase. The material is a decent weight and the cut outs at the bottom of the dress are done nicely. I’m 5’5″ and the dress hits just above my knees, which is a perfect length. I don’t like my clothes tight, so purchased a 3X. It’s loose and flowy and hangs just right. Overall, I’m very happy with the dress. I would go a size up depending on your shape and how you like your clothes to hang.” —Kathryn Mathewson
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes 0X–4X and 17 colors/styles).
25.
A showstopping one-shoulder ruffle bodycon cocktail dress because it looks absolutely marvelous for day or night. This bold garment will definitely keep all eyes on you.
Promising review: “Got so many compliments on this dress. Wore it to a wedding and it was perfect! Very snug-fitting (like the product pictures shows). The sleeve part covers the chest part of the dress, so I didn’t even need to wear a bra.” —Erica C.
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and nine colors).
26.
A stunning wrap dress with a casual fit that will make your impeccable sense of style seem effortless.
Whimsy + Row
Whimsy + Row is a woman-founded sustainable clothing brand that produces limited-run designs in Los Angeles. They use upcycled and eco-friendly fabrics and ensure that all of their workers are paid a fair wage.
Promising review: “I wore this dress for my engagement photos. The color was perfect for the timing of our photos and wedding (both in September), and the lightness and cut of the fabric moved beautifully in the breeze. We took our photos along the cliffs/shoreline in San Diego, and the color and movement were stunning against the backdrop. The cut of this dress, with the deep V-neck, tie waist, and open back, are particularly attractive, and I have received so many compliments on our photos.” —Meaghan Roach
Get it from Whimsy + Row for $228 (available in sizes XXS–XL and in five colors).
27.
An off-the-shoulder ruffled maxi dress that’s guaranteed to make you look like a celebrity. This piece will make you feel like you’re walking down a runway no matter where you happen to be.
Promising review: “I LOVE THIS DRESS! I’m a 14 and an XL was plenty big (possibly too big)! It has awesome stretch, pockets were not bulky, and the length was juuuuust right for me as 5’5” (maybe slightly an inch too short, but still worked!). It fit my DDD chest, and stayed up just fine. I cinched it with a brown belt and got compliments on it all night at a wedding I was at. The best part? It wasn’t clingy on the body. Meaning I didn’t have to wear shapewear. It was GREAT! Highly recommended dress!!” —Julie Therese
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and 17 colors and patterns).
28.
A surprisingly elegant tube top dress with a high slit that’ll inspire you to do your best Angelina Jolie right-leg Oscar awards pose.
Reformation
Get it from Reformation for $248 (available in sizes 0—12 and three colors).
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
BuzzFeed
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Need A Shopping Buddy?
Get great products – from pros in the fine art of buying stuff online – delivered to your inbox!