Formal Dresses
Windsor’s fall formal dresses are redefining what it means to dress up in 2026. Unexpected details take center stage, from sleek cutouts with hardware and sheer illusion panels to dramatic side and front draping. Plunging V-necklines, sculptural cowl necks, off-the-shoulder silhouettes, and corset bodices bring a confident edge, while intentionally ruched mesh adds texture and a distinctly modern touch. For classic black-tie plans, silky satin high-neck gowns deliver polished drama without feeling predictable. Made for weddings, galas, and every dressed-up moment on your calendar, these on-trend formal dresses are elevated, camera-ready, and impossible to overlook.
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STYLE SPOTLIGHT
Formal Dresses for Fall & Winter’s Biggest Moments
Windsor’s formal dresses bring elevated style to weddings, galas, military balls, homecoming, black-tie events, and other moments worth dressing up for. Discover elegant dresses in timeless black, romantic wine, rich jewel tones, metallic hues, and soft neutrals, with silhouettes ranging from classic A-lines and columns to fitted bodycons and mermaid gowns. New styles arrive every week with appliqués, draping, hardware, ties, and adjustable details that help you find a look that feels polished, current, and confidently yours.
Find a Formal Look That Fits the Occasion
The right dress starts with the event. Long formal dresses bring classic elegance to black-tie weddings, galas, military balls, and upscale evening celebrations, while polished midis and select short formal dresses can suit events with a less traditional dress code. For dressy occasions that call for something elevated without a full-length gown, explore formal cocktail dresses for another way to match your look to the invitation.
How Should I Dress for a Black-Tie or Formal Wedding?
Start by checking the invitation for the exact dress code. Black-tie events traditionally call for an elevated evening look, making floor-length gowns and refined silhouettes strong choices. Consider a column, A-line, or mermaid gown, then use color and details to make it your own. Black and navy offer timeless sophistication, while shades of red, green, purple, or gold can bring more personality to the occasion. Draping, appliqués, and polished necklines add another layer of interest without losing the formal feel.
What’s the Difference Between a Cocktail Dress and a Formal Dress?
The biggest differences are usually the dress code, overall level of polish, and length. Cocktail dresses commonly fall around the knee or midi length and work well for semi-formal parties, receptions, and dressy dinners. Formal dresses tend to feature longer hemlines, more structured silhouettes, or elevated details suited to galas, formal weddings, and black-tie occasions. If the invitation has you second-guessing your choice, The Windsor Edit’s guide to cocktail dresses vs. formal dresses breaks down the differences with styling examples.
Can Formal Dresses Be Short?
Sometimes—the invitation and venue should guide your choice. Short formal dresses with structured silhouettes, elevated fabrics, appliqués, or polished details can work for certain dressy events, but traditional black-tie occasions generally call for an ankle-length or floor-length gown. When the dress code feels somewhere between cocktail and formal, consider the event time, setting, and host guidance before choosing your hemline.
Which Formal Dress Fabrics Work Best for Fall and Winter?
Fabric can change both the look and feel of your dress. Richer, more substantial materials create a seasonally polished effect for cooler-weather occasions, while fluid fabrics add movement to long gowns and draped silhouettes. Your event setting, desired structure, and comfort preferences can all help narrow the choice. For a deeper look at how materials affect your outfit, explore Windsor’s guide to formal dress fabrics.
How Do I Find a Formal Dress That Feels Secure and Comfortable?
Look for design details that let you personalize the fit instead of spending the evening adjusting your dress. Lace-up backs can help fine-tune the bodice, corset construction adds structure, wrap designs offer flexibility, and adjustable or removable straps can change how a neckline fits and feels. Halter, cowl, off-the-shoulder, plunge, scoop, and square necklines also give you options depending on the coverage and support you prefer.
What Should I Wear to a Winter Formal?
Winter is your moment to lean into deeper color, shine, and elevated details. Explore Windsor's 2026 winter formal dresses in shades like plum, hunter green, chocolate, ruby, and copper, or make the night feel extra special with rose gold and other metallic finishes. Prefer a lighter palette? White and ivory can create a striking winter look, especially with appliqués, draping, or dimensional details. Finish with a silhouette you feel confident in, from fitted columns and mermaid gowns to flowing A-lines.
Make Your Formal Moment Your Own
Whether you’re shopping for special occasion dresses, an affordable bridal look, bridesmaid style, party gown, or military ball dress, Windsor gives you options that balance current trends with timeless silhouettes. New styles arrive every week online, in the Windsor app, and at more than 350 stores across North America, making it easier to find the dress that fits both your event and your personal style.
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Heather Formal Glitter Midi Dress
Special OccasionTake a bow as you make an encore worthy exit in our dazzling Heather dress! She features a sleeveless bodice, a high round neckline and princess seams. Her back will garner a double take with an open design and lovely bow accent. She is composed of a twinkling glitter knit fabric that offers a form hugging fit with a moderate stretch.
Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3931
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $34.87 $49.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Norah Formal Rhinestone Tulle Dress
Special Occasion
Reign on in rhinestones as you dazzle in our Norah dress! She features a sleeveless partially unlined bodice, a square neckline with racer bust, adjustable narrow straps, a small keyhole, and lined padded cups. Her lace bodice is adorned with gleaming rhinestones to make a glam statement. Her multi-tiered party-length skirt is perfect for those twirl-worthy moments and is accented with a frilly merrow edge hemline. The dress offers a relaxed fit with minimal stretch. Includes a hidden back zipper closure, skirt lining, and voluminous petticoat.Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3934
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $119.87 $169.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Mei Heat Up The Night Dress
Special OccasionHeat up the night in our burgundy Mei mini dress! She features a wide neckline, long fitted sleeves, an exposed back zipper closure, and a body-hugging silhouette. Heat stones vertically curve around Mei to create a sexy hourglass illusion. The dress is composed of a stretchy velvet fabric.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3884
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $19.97 $64.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Cheyenne Taffeta Skater Dress
Special OccasionCheyenne brings flirty and fun to a classic black skater dress! She features a deep V neckline, spaghetti straps, a sheer lace back panel with an exposed zipper closure, a banded waist, and a flared short skirt with knit and tulle layered underneath for extra volume. Cheyenne is composed of a taffeta fabric with no stretch.
Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3829
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $35.87 $54.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Molly Formal Halter Tulle Dress
Special OccasionMake a perfect picture night in our unforgettable Molly black dress! She features a sleeveless bodice, a plunging halter neck with a fish hook clasp closure at the nape of the neck, an unlined mesh inset and padded cups. Her lined bodice features a white hued embroidered design with gleaming rhinestones. Her open back features bar straps and a hidden zipper closure. Her slim fit bodice leads to a frilly party length tulle skirt. Dress offers a relaxed fit with minimal stretch.
Model is 5'8.5" with a 32 bust, 24 waist and 35" hips. She is wearing a size 3.Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3919
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $19.97 $189.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Elena Floral Applique Tulle Dress
Special OccasionMake a splash in florals for your next event in our Elena dress! She features an off the shoulder neckline with strap accents, a semi-sweetheart neckline, a built in no slip strip, padded cups and princess seams. The sides of the bodice feature unlined mesh details adorned with floral appliques and rhinestones. Her slim fit bodice leads to a frilly mint hued multi layered party length skirt that is adorned with a merrow edge hemline. Dress is composed of a combination crepe and tulle fabric that offers a relaxed fit with minimal stretch. Includes a back zipper closure, a smooth knit lining and petticoat.
Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3933
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $10.00 $159.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Katie Off The Shoulder Tulle Dress
Special OccasionBring the fun in our one of a kind Katie dress! She features an off the shoulder neckline with double strap accents, a pink hued bodice with semi-sweetheart neckline, built in boning for structure and princess seams. Her slim fit bodice leads to a multi tiered black hued party length tulle skirt that includes a voluminous petticoat. Dress offers a relaxed fit with minimal stretch. Garment includes a smooth knit lining and back zipper closure.
Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3889
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $51.87 $79.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Jaiden Sequin Chevron Dress
Special OccasionGet a hint of sparkle in our eggplant purple Jaiden party dress! She features a sleeveless bodice with a high round neckline, a large back cut out with an exposed silver zipper closure, a padded bust, and geometric sequins. A high waist seam leads to a short A-line skirt. Jaiden is composed of a lined mesh fabric and has minimal stretch.
Model is 5'7" with a 33 bust, 25 waist and 35" hips. She is wearing a size small.Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3862
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $29.97 $56.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Daniella Midnight Dreams Tulle Dress
Special OccasionDream up that perfect midnight kiss in our twinkling navy blue Daniella dress! She features a partially lined sleeveless bodice, a narrow square neckline with racer bust, lined padded cups and narrow straps. Her back features a large keyhole and lower back zipper closure. Her bodice features an all over floral applique pattern adorned with gleaming hollgraphic rhinestones. Her flaring party length skirt feature a multi layered tulle fabric, smooth knit lining and petticoat. Dress offers a relaxed fit with minimal stretch.
Model is 5'7" with a 32" bust, 25" waist and 36 hips. She is wearing a size 3.Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3921
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $10.00 $174.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Allison Crepe Ruffle Midi Dress
Special OccasionWow in classic red to get that va va voom reaction as you make a memorable impression in our Allison dress! She features a strapless neckline paired with a sweetheart front, a silicone no slip strip for a secure fit and padded cups to enhance curves. Her flattering princess seams lead to an hourglass silhouette that hugs curves as they lead to a flirty ruffled horsehair hem. She is composed of a crepe fabric that offers a moderate stretch. Includes back zipper closure. Dress is lined with a thin knit fabric.
Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3793
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $36.87 $49.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Janelle Winner's Circle Mesh Dress
Special OccasionYou're a true winner and anyone would be lucky to have you by their side! Our natural Janelle sheer mesh dress truly shines with a wide neckline, long fitted sleeves, an exposed back zipper closure, and a swirled pattern of iridescent heat stones all over. She is composed of a semi-sheer mesh fabric that offers plenty of stretch. Includes a partial skirt knit lining.
Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3984
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $29.97 $69.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Diana Formal Gemstone Party Dress
Special OccasionDazzle and light up the night with plenty of glitz in our breathing taking Diana dress! She features an all over black hue, a sleeveless bodice, a high round neckline with racer bust, padded cups and princess seams. Her waist features a daring mid drift with waist cut out to show off a hint of skin and is accented with a rhinestone and pearl accents. Her slim fit bodice leads to a flaring skater length skirt to show off your heel game! Dress is composed of a crepe fabric that offers a relaxed fit with moderate stretch. Dress is lined with a smooth knit fabric and includes a back zipper closure.
Model is 5'6" with a 32" bust, 25" waist and 36 hips. She is wearing a size small.Special Occasion products cannot be returned to any retail locations.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3874
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $29.31 $54.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Jana Rhinestone Glamour Satin Dress
Special Occasion
Make it a glamorous affair with glitzy gemstones in our luxe navy blue Jana dress! She features a sleeveless bodice, a plunging V neckline with wide shoulder straps, padded cups, and princess seams. Her bodice is adorned with a triple-row waistband accent adorned with rhinestones and gemstones for plenty of shine! Her slim fit bodice leads to a flaring party-length skirt complemented with a petticoat. The dress is composed of a rich satin fabric that offers a form hugging fit with minimal stretch. Includes smooth knit lining and hidden back zipper closure.Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3939
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $10.00 $159.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance
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Theresa Heat Of The Moment Dress
Special Occasion
You'll be too hot to handle in the stunningly chic Theresa dress! She features a wide round neckline, sheer long fitted sleeves, and a mini-length, curve-hugging silhouette. The all-over rhinestone embellishment creates a subtle party-perfect sparkle without being over the top! The dress is composed of a lined mesh fabric with a moderate stretch. Complete the look with sleek hoop earrings.
Fit & Features
- Wide round neckline
- Back zipper and hook and eye closure
- Sheer long fitted sleeves
- Mini-length, form-fitting silhouette
- All-over rhinestone embellishment
- Sheer mesh fabric, knit lining, moderate stretch
- Runs true to size
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3868
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $19.97 $79.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Sale
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Luciana Formal Glitter Halter Dress
Special OccasionLight up the night like the stars in the sky in our enchanting Luciana dress! She features a sleeveless lined bodice, a high round neckline with racer front, narrow adjustable straps, and a small keyhole. Her slim fit bodice leads to a multi-layered party-length tulle skirt accented with a ribbon belt. Her all-over metallic floral pattern is complemented with a mesh fabric that offers a relaxed fit with minimal stretch. The dress includes a smooth knit lining, petticoat, and back zipper closure.
Style Number/Barcode: 05001-3951
Category Name: Formal Dresses
Price: $70.87 $99.90
On Sale: Yes
Availability: Out of Stock
Product Badge:- Clearance