Best Formal Dresses of 2025

Mary Hopper Avatar
Mary Hopper
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025

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Formal dresses are elegant and sophisticated garments designed for special occasions such as weddings, proms, and black-tie events. These dresses come in a variety of styles, colors, and lengths to suit different body types and personal preferences. From long flowing gowns to short cocktail dresses, formal dresses are made with high-quality fabrics such as silk, chiffon, and lace, and often feature intricate embellishments like beading and embroidery. Whether you're attending a glamorous gala or a romantic evening wedding, a formal dress is the perfect way to look and feel your best.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Amazon Essentials Wrap Dress Cover #TOP 1
Amazon Essentials Wrap Dress
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Memoriesea One Shoulder Maxi Dress Cover #TOP 2
Memoriesea One Shoulder Maxi Dress
ftb score rating icon 9.8
REORIA Off Shoulder Formal Dress Cover #TOP 3
REORIA Off Shoulder Formal Dress
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Formal Dresses

Amazon Essentials Wrap Dress

Amazon Essentials
AEW30130SS22
Burgundy
X-Large
Amazon Essentials Wrap Dress Cover
Amazon Essentials Women's Long Sleeve Classic Wrap Dress (Available in Plus Size), Burgundy, X-Large

The Amazon Wrap Dress offers a comfortable yet stylish fit, allowing you to move freely throughout your day. Made from soft, midweight jersey, this dress ensures you stay cool and polished, no matter the season. Its classic design makes it a versatile choice for any occasion, whether you're at work or enjoying a night out with friends. The adjustable wrap closure and hidden button secure the fit, while the pleated waist detail enhances your silhouette for a flattering look. With long fitted sleeves and a deep v-neck, this dress combines elegance with ease.

What We Like
Flattering drape and fit
Stylish and versatile
Comfortable materials
Good quality fabric
Well-constructed and durable
What We Don't Like
Slightly heavy fabric
Revealing neckline
#TOP 2

Memoriesea One Shoulder Maxi Dress

ME039-black-M
Black
Medium
Memoriesea One Shoulder Maxi Dress Cover
Memoriesea Women's Sexy One Shoulder High Split Cocktail Wedding Party Maxi Dress Black

The Memoriesea Maxi Dress is designed with your comfort and style in mind. Made from lightweight and soft fabric, this dress ensures you feel elegant and fashionable all day long. Its one-shoulder design and draped detailing add a touch of sophistication, while the high split allows for ease of movement—perfect for dancing or walking at any event. The adjustable back strap ensures a snug fit, so you can enjoy your time without worrying about adjustments. Whether you're attending a wedding or going on a romantic date, this dress is a versatile choice that can be dressed up or down with ease.

What We Like
Flattering fit
Comfortable fabric
Good quality
Wrinkle resistant
Great value
What We Don't Like
May require tailoring
Some sizing inconsistencies

REORIA Off Shoulder Formal Dress

Black
Medium
REORIA Off Shoulder Formal Dress Cover
REORIA Women Long Sleeve Off Shoulder Formal Dress Elegant Stretch Mesh Double Lined Bodycon Long Party Wedding Guest Dresses Fall Winter 2024(Black Medium)

The REORIA Off Shoulder Dress is designed for comfort and style. It features a soft lining and a sheer mesh overlay, ensuring you feel great while looking elegant. The stretchy fabric hugs your curves, providing a flattering fit that enhances your silhouette. With its chic off-shoulder design and flowing skirt, this dress strikes the perfect balance between sexy and sophisticated. Whether you're heading to a wedding, a night out, or any special occasion, this dress allows you to express your personal style effortlessly.

What We Like
Soft, stretchy fabric
Flattering fit for various body types
Versatile styling options
High-quality material
Durable after multiple washes
What We Don't Like
Potential for minor fit issues
Thin material in some cases

Popilush Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

Black
Large
Popilush Long Sleeve Maxi Dress Cover
Popilush Long Sleeve Formal Dress for Women Bodycon Maxi Dresses Shapewear Tummy Control Fall Cocktail Dress Built-in Bra Black

The Popilush Maxi Dress offers a unique blend of style and support. Its 8-in-1 design features a non-compressive butt lift to enhance your figure, while the adjustable straps ensure a perfect fit tailored just for you. The soft modal fabric provides comfort and elasticity, making it easy to wear throughout the day. Plus, the built-in shapewear smooths your abdomen, allowing you to achieve a flattering hourglass silhouette without needing extra layers. This dress is designed for those who want to look great while feeling comfortable.

What We Like
Comfortable fit
Flattering silhouette
Good quality material
Versatile for various occasions
Great color options
What We Don't Like
Some noise from shapewear
Struggles getting it on

BTFBM Women's Mock Neck Satin Dress

Solid Black
Large
BTFBM Women's Mock Neck Satin Dress Cover
BTFBM Women's Mock Neck Satin Dress Elegant Long Sleeve Elastic High Waist Formal Wedding Cocktail Party Maxi Dresses(Solid Black, Large)

BTFBM Satin Dress is an elegant and versatile formal dress for women. Made from lightweight and soft satin material, this dress offers exceptional comfort. The classic solid color adds a touch of elegance, while also preventing see-through problems. The lantern long sleeves and mock neck create an elegant look for any evening party. With its pleated detail at the front chest and elastic high waist, this dress flatters your body proportions. Whether you're attending an evening party, cocktail event, wedding, or graduation, this dress will make you shine. Pair it with delicate jewelry, heels, and a chic clutch bag to complete your elegant style.

What We Like
Beautiful design
Great fit
Comfortable material
Versatile styling options
Good value for money
What We Don't Like
Cheaply made details
Not suitable for plus sizes

The Drop Kimi Ruffled Midi Dress

SS22-19
Black
Medium
The Drop Kimi Ruffled Midi Dress Cover
The Drop Women's Kimi Ruffled Shoulder Smocked Midi Dress, Black, M

The Drop Kimi Dress is a versatile addition to your wardrobe that can effortlessly transition from day to night. This dress enhances your basic styles with its timeless design, making it perfect for any occasion. With its flattering ruffled shoulders, you can dress it up for formal events or keep it casual for everyday wear. The length options cater to different body types, ensuring a great fit for everyone. Whether you're heading to a brunch or an evening gathering, this dress offers both comfort and style.

What We Like
High-quality material
Flattering fit
Pockets included
Easy to wash
Versatile for occasions
What We Don't Like
Shoulder straps may slip
Fit not ideal for petite sizes

BTFBM Bodycon Maxi Dress

BT492
Solid Black
X-Large
BTFBM Bodycon Maxi Dress Cover
BTFBM Women Bodycon Maxi Dress Long Sleeve Back Slit Ruched Elegant Party Cocktail Formal Fall Wedding Guest Dresses(Solid Black, X-Large)

The BTFBM Maxi Dress is designed to enhance your figure while providing comfort. With its slim fit and stretchy, lightweight fabric, this dress allows you to move freely and feel at ease throughout your events. The mock neck and long sleeves add a touch of elegance, making it suitable for various occasions. The ruched details beautifully flatter your silhouette, while the back slit brings a hint of allure to your look. Whether you're headed to a wedding, cocktail party, or formal event, this dress ensures you feel confident and stylish.

What We Like
Elegant and flattering design
Comfortable and stretchy material
Great color options
True to size fit
Good quality fabric
What We Don't Like
Material quality varies
Neck area may be uncomfortable

PRETTYGARDEN Women's Tulle Midi Dress

Navy
Large
PRETTYGARDEN Women's Tulle Midi Dress Cover
PRETTYGARDEN Women's Smocked Midi Tulle Dress 2025 Summer Puffy Short Sleeve Square Neck Ruffle Wedding Guest Party Dresses (Navy,Large)

The PRETTYGARDEN Tulle Midi Dress is designed for comfort and style during the summer months. Made from lightweight tulle fabric, this dress allows for easy movement, keeping you cool in warm weather. The chic short sleeves and flattering square neckline enhance your feminine look, making it perfect for various occasions. You can easily dress it up with heels for a formal event or keep it casual with sandals for a day out. Its tiered skirt adds a dreamy flow, ensuring you feel graceful whether at a garden party or a beach vacation.

What We Like
Beautiful color options
Flattering fit
Versatile styling
Good quality fabric
No wrinkles upon arrival
What We Don't Like
May not suit all body types
Potential sleeve comfort issue

MEROKEETY 2024 Satin Maxi Dress

Wedding guest dress
Black
Small
MEROKEETY 2024 Satin Maxi Dress Cover
MEROKEETY Women 2024 Summer Strapless Satin Tube Bodycon Backless Wedding Guest Maxi Dress Black Small

The MEROKEETY Satin Maxi Dress is designed for comfort and style, featuring a lightweight fabric made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex. This strapless, backless dress has a supportive design with an elastic band around the chest, ensuring a fit that flatters your figure. The hidden side zipper adds convenience, making it easy to wear. With its silky texture and elegant look, this dress is perfect for formal occasions such as weddings, proms, and anniversaries, allowing you to feel confident and classy no matter the event.

What We Like
Great quality fabric
Flattering fit
Comfortable to wear
True to size
Lightweight and breathable
What We Don't Like
Cheap fabric feel
Possible sizing issues

Ever-Pretty Lace Sequin Maxi Dress US12

EP07886DN12B
Haze Blue
Ever-Pretty Lace Sequin Maxi Dress US12 Cover
Ever-Pretty Women's Formal Dress Sequin Double V-Neck Sleeveless Mermaid Long Evening Dress Dusty Navy US12

Looking for a stunning dress for your next formal occasion? The Ever-Pretty Maxi Dress is perfect for you! This dress features delicate embroidery with a flattering mermaid design, making it feminine and elegant. The double V-neck and sleeveless, bodycon sheath design are perfect for showing off your curves, while the floor-length maxi dress adds a touch of glamour. The dress is not padded but comes with lining to ensure you feel comfortable all night long. Whether you're attending an evening party, prom, wedding, military ball, or cocktail party, this dress is perfect for you. Ever-Pretty gives you stylish and affordable dresses with unique designs, so you can enjoy this gorgeous mermaid dress for almost all semi-formal or formal occasions.

What We Like
Comfortable for dancing
Beautiful design and colors
Good customer service
Lightweight and well-made
Flattering silhouette
What We Don't Like
May require alterations
Sequins may fall off
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is formal dress for ladies?

Formal wear being the most formal dress code, it is followed by semi-formal wear, equivalently based around daytime black lounge suit, and evening black tie (dinner suit/tuxedo), and evening gown for women.

2. What is formal dress for ladies in India?

Viva N DivaPRICE (RS)
Van Heusen Woman Grey Solid Single-Breasted Formal BlazerRs. 3599
Marks & Spencer Women Blue Slim Fit Self Design Single-Breasted Formal BlazerRs. 2449
Moda Rapido Women Navy & Red Checked Shirt-Style TopRs. 719
Van Heusen Woman Pink Solid Single-Breasted Casual BlazerRs. 1724

3. Is Kurti a formal wear?

Hence, just like kurtis, choosing the appropriate style of salwar is key, when wearing to office as part of formal wear. You can pair up salwars with Kurtis, especially with those of knee or slightly shorter length. To ensure its formal enough, you can choose tapered ones that are not very loose and has lesser pleats.

4. Are all formal dresses long?

Dresses for formals are typically long and have elegant detailing such as beading, embroidery, or flowing material. PromGirl has put together a large assortment of formal gowns that are fit for every formal event.

Editor's Notes

During our formal dress research, we found 50 formal dress products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 37,191 customer reviews through our big data system to write the formal dresses list. We found that most customers choose formal dresses with an average price of $51.17.

The formal dresses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of formal dresses, including Memoriesea, REORIA, Popilush, BTFBM, The Drop. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mary Hopper Avatar

Mary Hopper is an Italian fashion designer with 10 years of extensive working experience in the fashion industry. She can design clothing and fashion accessories, such as handbags, backpacks, shoes, and jewelry. She is also a professionally trained content writer specializing in managing various fashion and beauty blogs.

Formal Dresses Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand Amazon Essentials Memoriesea REORIA Popilush BTFBM The Drop BTFBM PRETTYGARDEN MEROKEETY Ever-Pretty
Department womens womens womens womens womens womens womens womens womens womens
Fabric type 95% Polyester, 5% Elastane 100% Polyester 77%Polyester/23%Spandex Modal 97% Polyester, 3% Elastane Lining: 100% Cotton; Pocket: 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton 93% Viscose, 7% Elastane Shell: 100% Polyester; Lining: 95% Polyester, 5% Elastane 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex Sequin&Tulle
Care instructions Machine Wash Warm, Tumble Dry Hand Wash Only Machine Wash Machine Wash Machine Wash Machine Wash Machine Wash Machine Wash Machine Wash Machine wash on gentle cycle, tumble dry on low heat
Closure type Wrap Zipper Pull On Pull On Button Pull On Pull On Pull On Zipper Zipper
Origin Imported Imported - Imported Imported Imported Imported Imported Imported Imported
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 9.0
ftb score rating icon 9.0
ftb score rating icon 8.8
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