With wedding season upon us, many of us are scrambling to find that perfect wedding guest dress, without blowing the budget. Between the save-the-dates, hen dos and endless group chats about accommodation and gifts, outfit planning can feel like a last-minute panic. Add in the cost of living and suddenly the idea of spending hundreds on a one-wear dress feels, well… wasteful.
But what if you could score a look worthy of even the most fancy celebrations without breaking the bank? To help take the stress out of the search, we challenged Zoe, our head of fashion, with an eye for finer fashion, to try on 27 high-street dresses – all under £50 – to find the ones actually worth buying.
From long-sleeve picks and bandeau fit and flares to plunging necklines and silky satin slips, Zoe leaves no cut, fabric or length unturned. And with maxi, midi and mini gowns from the likes of Marks & Spencer, F&F at Tesco, ASOS, Debenhams and Pretty Little Thing, she’s done a full dive into what the high street has to offer this season in the way of occasionwear.
Zoe says: “I’m usually a bit of a dress snob when it comes to dressing for weddings. My style tends to lean towards brands like RIXO, Reformation, or Rat & Boa – I love a slinky satin cut and stick to a pretty neutral palette. If I’m honest, I’ve always been a bit wary of high-street occasionwear dresses because I assumed they’d either look cheap or wouldn’t suit my shape, but trying on 27 dresses has pushed me out of my comfort zone – and I’m amazed by the £38 buy that has turned out to be my complete star find….”
Zoe says: “This dress is right up my street. It has a very Rat and Boa look to it, but at a fraction of the price. The fit of the gown is also excellent for a high-street dress, with a hidden zipper and a slim bodice. Extra points go to New Look for nailing this season’s trending print: zebra.”
Zoe says: “I chose the burgundy red shade for this slip dress, but you can also get it in a brown and cream cow print or a traditional black. I can’t fault the fabric – the satin feels soft and luxuriously thick – and the adjustable straps mean the cowl neck didn’t sit too low on my chest. The only reason I’m not giving it four stars is because I would have liked it to nip me in at the waist a little more, rather than fall so straight.”
Zoe says: “This dress really took me aback. I had low expectations because I wasn’t sure of the colour, and I thought the fit might create a boxy shape, but I was very wrong. The fabric has some stretch to it, which helped define my waist. The slash neckline and the double-lined material also give it a much more expensive look and feel.”
Zoe says: “I can’t actually fault the fit of this dress, but I just don’t think I’m brave enough to pull off such a bright colour. I think this is a great buy if you’re heading off somewhere tropical for a wedding, as it feels light to wear and the orange tones would look great in the sunshine. I do also really like the cowl back design and the leg split.”
Zoe says: “For years now, Boohoo has been my secret destination for occasionwear dresses. Not only are the prices always low, but the quality of its dresses is usually much higher than you might imagine. This one-shoulder maxi with ruffle detailing fit me like a glove, and I felt great in it. I’ll absolutely be wearing this to events over the summer.”
Zoe says: “It wouldn’t really occur to me to go to Wallis for occasionwear dresses, but I was pleasantly surprised by the high-quality, low-price dresses on offer if you shop the brand on Debenhams.com. This pretty butter yellow midi has so much detailing that makes it worth much more than £39, in my opinion. The little loop buttons down the top, the tulip-like neckline, the pretty puff sleeves and the satin fabric – it’s a Disney dress without all the drama.”
Zoe says: “If you thought you couldn’t get a Coast dress for under £50, think again. Once again, Debenhams is cutting the price of some of the dresses to a fraction of their original RRP, and this midi is a standout. I’ve awarded it three stars because it’s just not my style – I can’t get behind a high neck – but I know others will love it. It boasts rich colour, a luxurious fabric, lace detailing on the sleeves and a tiered skirt. The price is varying as it drops in and out of spring sales, and was bang on £50 at the time I ordered it.”
Zoe says: “I’ve seen this dress everywhere, and I knew I had to have it for this round-up. I actually first saw Scarlett Moffatt wearing it in the lilac colourway, but I think yellow is a great choice for spring/summer weddings. It really is as good as it looks. The top fits snugly while the skirt has a flattering flare. It’s one you’ll need to dress up with heels and accessories for a more formal event, but once you’ve done that, it’s my top pick for an outdoor wedding this season.”
Zoe: “When I unpacked this from the bag, I was fully prepared to dismiss it. The fabric has a scuba feel that I don’t really like, and it looked tiny. I’m happy I tried it on, though, because it made me feel very pretty. Though it’s a mini, the length of the skirt is long enough to save my dignity, and the off-the-shoulder bow neckline is much more flattering than I first thought it would be. It’s probably one I see fitting in better at the races, but still a nice option for someone looking for a shorter style of dress. “
Zoe says: “Okay bear with me on the white. I wanted to include an option for someone who had been tasked with wearing monochrome to a wedding, because white and black guest dresses are a top trend for 2025 weddings. This, however, probably wouldn’t be my top pick. The satin fabric, adjustable straps and midi cut are all very nice, but I felt a little drowned by this, and I didn’t love the floppy ruffling around the chest. I think it lends itself to someone with a bigger chest than mine.”
WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group.
Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in.
All you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group.
We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Zoe says: “There’s no denying that supermarkets have become the ‘it’ places to go to nab a trending item for less, but this isn’t the one I’d reach for, personally. There’s a pretty tie-back bow detail on the back of the neckline, which I did like, and the block orange shade is great for an outdoor summer event, but the fit was just too oversized, and the fabric was a bit thin (albeit very soft). I’d say this is better as a beach-to-bar holiday look.”
Zoe says: “This dress would get a full five stars if I were shopping for a winter wedding look, but it was a tad too thick for the summer weddings I have coming up. Saying that, if you’ve got an event this spring and the weather is looking a little bleak, this is a gorgeous buy. The silky fabric is thick, luxurious and flows when I walk. The double tie detailing at the waist is a nice feature, and the sleeve and skirt lengths were perfect. An absolute sale steal.”
Zoe says: “I think my face says it all, doesn’t it? I’m so impressed with F&F because this two-piece dress (or co-ord, I suppose), and I’d even go as far as to declare it my overall winner of the bunch. The volume of the sleeves paired with the flare of the skirt, the sweetheart neckline and the polka dot print make it a modern take on a vintage look – one that I felt great in. Though £38.50 feels steep in price for a supermarket two-piece, the fact that you can wear each item separately to get a range of different formal and informal looks will help justify the cost.”
Zoe says: “This is a dress from PLT’s rebranded range, and I loved how it looked on the model. The twisted drop-shoulder strap reminded me of designs from Kylie Jenner’s Khy collection, but for a lot less money. I was, unfortunately, left disappointed. I couldn’t get this dress on, even with the help of the zip. It bunched around my hips, and the inner fabric refused to budge all the way down, causing it to bunch in unflattering places. I would have sized up to a size 10, but because of how the dress was cut, I don’t think it would have helped.”
Zoe says: “A more casual take on a wedding guest dress, but this floral number is a top occasionwear seller for M&S, so I wanted to give it a go. You can absolutely dress it up with some heels and a clutch, or dress it down with some flat sandals and a sunhat. Either way, I can see why it’s a top website pick. The slip under the chiffon top dress makes sure there’s no show-through of underwear, and I really like the V-shaped neckline and angel sleeves.”
Zoe says: “As someone who shies away from bold patterns, this dress was a bit of a wild card for me, but I ended up really liking it. The fact that it’s crafted with a structured polyester fabric makes it feel more like an event dress than a daytime cotton one, and the cutout back detail adds a nice touch (low enough so you can still wear a bra).”
Zoe says: “Marks and Spencer really has nailed affordable occasionwear, haven’t they? This is the second polka dot dress I fell in love with, and it was very close to being my overall winner. I felt really great in this satin number, and I liked how it made my figure look. It has all the details I look for in an event dress: a silky fabric, a flattering neckline, a midi length and, most of all, some form of sleeve. It’s not easy to find a satin-y dress with the addition of sleeves, especially not lace ones like these.”
Zoe says: “The ASOS model on the product page wears this dress with a head scarf, and I thought it was a lovely piece for anyone who needs to shop something conservative. The sage green colour is really lovely, and the fabric is thick and not in the slightest bit see-through. The neckline is high, but doesn’t feel suffocating, and I really like the subtle check print on the fabric.”
Zoe says: “I’d like to point out this dress in the photo was four sizes bigger than I’d shop for myself, but as I was getting store samples, this was what I was able to try on. I do like it, and if you were to buy it in your exact size, it would fit nicely. The fabric is a little thin, but for under £25, it’s a good option if you don’t want to spend a fortune on a look but also want something pretty and floaty. You definitely won’t overheat in it.”
Zoe says: “Another brand I’m seriously impressed with is New Look. This is the second dress I tried on from the brand, and it also proved to be a hit. In fact, I like it so much, it’s hanging up in my wardrobe already. Would I wear it to a wedding? Perhaps an outdoor or garden one, but I’d really have to play around with my hair and accessories to make it fancy enough for a more formal event. With a tie-side detail, puff sleeves and a tiered skirt, and the very least it’ll be a dress you reach for time and time again during the warmer months.”
Zoe says: “While this dress isn’t to my personal taste, I can appreciate that others will like it. Because I verge on being top-heavy, the large puff sleeves paired with the A-line skirt accentuated that a bit, but if you have larger hips and a smaller bust, you’ll be fine. It’s a lovely blue colour though, and I like how the buttons come all the way down the front.”
Zoe says: “This is another supermarket dress that, if you hid the tag from me, would make me guess it was from a brand like Zara or Mango. I like the broderie detailing, the tie waist and the scallop sleeves. Plus, the cotton fabric feels thick and soft. With some heels, a statement headband and a nice bag, this could easily be styled to suit a summer wedding.”
Zoe says: “I put this on expecting it to make me look like a tent, but I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, it has pockets. Need I say more? Also, the fact that the neckline has a one-shoulder cut makes it look like a chic oversized dress rather than one that swamps my figure. I do think you have to be on the taller side to pull this off, so it’s definitely worth trying on in store before adding it to your trolley.”
Zoe says: “If this dress is now over £50, I can only apologise. I nabbed it during a Debenhams sale, so if it’s back up to full price, it may be worth waiting for it to come back down. It’s definitely worth the wait because it’s a real luxe find. The blue shade is so gorgeous, and the floral print gives it a romantic, wedding-appropriate feel. I also think it would flatter a range of figures, so it’s a safe pick if you don’t want anything with spaghetti straps.”
Zoe says: “This was the only dress of the 27 that I thought I’d have to omit from the roundup. I love the chocolate brown colour with the pattern – it’s a great shade pick that really taps into 2025 trends – but that’s all the positives I have. The leg slit came up almost to my naval, so I would be flashing everyone at a wedding. The straps were adjustable, but even on the tightest they could go, the front of the dress still draped down, giving another flashing incident opportunity. I don’t know who the fit model is at PLT, but unfortunately, it doesn’t suit my shape or size at all.”
Zoe says: “This is another win for Boohoo, and another dress that feels far more expensive than it is. My only niggle is the ruffling on the neckline, which I couldn’t get to sit flat. But the yellow print, the ruffled tiered skirt, the V-shaped back and the fluttery sleeves gave me a really romantic look. If yellow isn’t to your taste, this dress also comes in a pink colourway.”
Zoe says: “I loved this dress on the website, but I’m sad to report it didn’t live up to my expectations in person. While it does give me a nice silhouette in that photo, it took me about 10 minutes to get it on. The ruched detailing also sits at a strange place on my hips – not as flattering as I’d thought it would be. If you want to give it a go, I suggest sizing up by one or two sizes as the 8 was far too small for me.”
*For reference: Zoe wears a size 8 and her height is 5ft7. All prices were accurate at the time of ordering.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.
