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Formal Dresses

Shop formal dresses, gowns, and cocktail styles! Find your perfect formal dress by exploring our dedicated Black Formal Dresses and Wedding Guest edits

Beginning Boutique Imogen Blue Floral Strapless Maxi Dress white blue and green floral print strapless ruched bodycon maxi dress
Pink floral print maxi skirt with a sheer overlay, featuring large pink and red flowers
Beginning Boutique Ivy Black Maxi Dress black satin maxi dress with ruffled square neckline and ruffled spaghetti straps
£79.99£39.99
Beginning Boutique Airdrie Pink Knit Maxi Dress pink sparkle knit V-neck bodycon maxi dress with thin straps and high side slit
Beginning Boutique Taleah Lilac Cut Out Maxi Dress lilac satin cowl neck maxi dress with spaghetti straps and side cutouts
Beginning Boutique Manhattan Blue Sequin Slip Maxi Formal Dress iridescent blue sequin square neck maxi dress with spaghetti straps
Beginning Boutique Karmic Yellow Chiffon Maxi Dress yellow straight neck thin strap fitted bodice flowy sheer skirt with high split
Beginning Boutique Lyra Yellow Halter Neck Maxi Dress yellow and white tie-dye satin halter neck deep V-neck maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Luca Black Maxi Dress black bodycon maxi dress with sheer mesh high neck and ruched sides
Beginning Boutique Adelaide White Maxi Dress white textured maxi dress with ruffled square neckline thin straps and high side slit
£69.99£15.00
Beginning Boutique Jacqulin Black Maxi Skirt black satin-look high-waisted maxi skirt with a fluid drape
Full-length view of a chocolate satin maxi dress with a sweetheart neckline, ruched bust, spaghetti straps, and a high side slit
Beginning Boutique Bellflower Pink Chiffon Maxi Dress pink chiffon off-shoulder maxi dress with ruffled neckline and side ruching
Beginning Boutique Carnation Yellow Satin Maxi Dress carnation yellow satin sleeveless maxi dress with a low scoop back and tie detail
Beginning Boutique Raymi Blue Floral Chiffon Maxi Dress white blue yellow floral print sweetheart neckline flutter sleeve side cutout
Beginning Boutique Genevieve Floral Print Maxi Skirt multi-colour floral print high-waisted silky maxi skirt
Beginning Boutique Genevieve Floral Print Top back view strapless floral print top with shirred elastic back and open draped detail
Beginning Boutique Laufry Yellow Floral Print Maxi Dress yellow floral print cowl neck spaghetti strap fitted maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Feelin' 22 Cream Sequin Mini Dress cream sequin strapless bodycon mini dress
Beginning Boutique Lilie Pink Satin Print Maxi Dress pink abstract print satin V-neck maxi dress with spaghetti straps and side slit
Beginning Boutique Kamie Black Satin Bow Mini Dress black satin strapless mini dress with a large front bow
Beginning Boutique Flossie Pink Maxi Sleeveless Dress pink square neck ruched maxi dress with spaghetti straps and tie-side waist
Full length front view of a light pink satin off-shoulder maxi dress with a draped neckline and fitted bodice
Full-length front view of a pink lace maxi dress with a V-neckline and textured floral lace overlay
Strapless white maxi dress with yellow centre bust bow.
Beginning Boutique Imogen Pink Print Strapless Maxi Dress pink and white tie-dye strapless bodycon maxi dress with side ruching
Beginning Boutique Xander Blue Satin Maxi Dress blue satin strapless twisted bust cutout bodycon maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Kata Pink Lace Maxi Dress pink floral lace bodycon maxi dress with white lace trim scoop neck and spaghetti straps
£79.99£39.99
Beginning Boutique Imogen Black Print Maxi Dress black strapless maxi with pink floral print and ruched detailing
£69.99£34.99
Beginning Boutique Abbie White Floral Maxi Formal Dress white floral strapless sweetheart neckline bodycon maxi dress with ruched bust
Beginning Boutique Tamara Red Maxi Dress red ribbed knit cupped bust maxi dress with thin straps and side waist cutouts
£69.99£20.00
Beginning Boutique Monni Yellow Maxi Dress yellow fitted deep V-neck long sheer sleeve maxi dress with front cutout and criss-cross straps
£69.99£15.00
Beginning Boutique Maiah Yellow Maxi Dress pale yellow satin strapless maxi dress with a pleated bandeau bust
Beginning Boutique Manhattan White Sequin Slip Maxi Formal Dress white sequin square neck maxi slip dress with thin spaghetti straps and a fitted silhouette
Beginning Boutique Kenna Yellow Satin Strapless Maxi Dress yellow satin strapless maxi with twisted bust and cutout detail
Beginning Boutique Beverley Cream Mesh Maxi Dress cream square neck ruched bust bodycon maxi with open back criss-cross straps and mesh overlay
Beginning Boutique Attina Pink Satin Maxi Dress pink satin V-neck sleeveless maxi dress with a bow detail and cutout at the bust
Beginning Boutique Hunta Black Maxi Dress black satin V-neck maxi with lace trim under bust and thin criss-cross straps
Beginning Boutique Beverley Baby Blue Mesh Maxi Dress baby blue mesh maxi dress with a low scoop back and criss-cross tie-up straps
Beginning Boutique Honey Yellow Mini Dress honey yellow satin mini dress with ruched sweetheart neckline and spaghetti straps
Beginning Boutique Wendy Blue Maxi Dress light blue satin V-neck maxi dress with ruffled cap sleeves and a high side slit
£59.99
Beginning Boutique Casie White Knit Maxi Dress white halter neck deep V-neck bodycon knit maxi dress with horizontal textured pattern
Beginning Boutique Jacqulin Yellow Maxi Skirt yellow fitted bodycon maxi skirt
£59.99£25.00
Beginning Boutique Ferris Yellow Maxi Dress yellow one-shoulder maxi dress with a choker neckline and high thigh split
£69.99£20.00
Beginning Boutique Maiah Blue Formal Maxi Dress light blue satin strapless maxi with draped bodice
Side view of a yellow maxi dress with ruffles along the V-neckline and down the side seam
£139.99£30.00
Beginning Boutique Renesmee Pink Floral Chiffon Maxi Dress pink floral print chiffon maxi dress with scoop neck spaghetti straps and ruched waist
Beginning Boutique Ella Sage Off Shoulder Formal Maxi Dress sage green satin off-shoulder draped neckline fitted maxi dress
Close-up of the side cutout detail on a yellow long sleeve knit maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Ella Teal Off Shoulder Formal Maxi Dress teal satin off-shoulder maxi dress with a fitted bodice and drape

Formal Dresses UK — Beginning Boutique

Get dressed up for your next big occasion with one of our stunning formal dresses from Beginning Boutique. Take your pick from our exclusive range of formal wear so hot you'll have everyone asking where you got your dress from! New arrivals drop weekly, so you'll always find the latest trends, styles, and fits — with so many styles to choose from, you'll be absolutely spoilt for choice.

What Colour to Wear to Formal?

Choose a colour that highlights your personality. Go bold with a red formal dress, radiate elegance in a strapless black formal dress, or opt for full glam in yellow or pink. We have a rainbow of choices, each designed to make you feel confident and completely yourself.

Recommended Formal Dresses for Weddings and Black Tie Events

Beginning Boutique has you sorted for every special occasion — from formals and weddings to cocktail parties and black tie events. Our ruched maxi dresses are perfect for a summer wedding guest look, and our flowy wrap dresses are absolutely stunning for bridesmaids. For black tie, choose a classic off-the-shoulder black maxi or a sleek long-sleeved bodycon. Or make a statement in a head-turning red formal dress — guaranteed to get you noticed!

Slip, Draped, or Belted — The Choice Is Yours

Whether you're drawn to a sexy slip style with a thigh-high leg slit, hot long-sleeve designs, or the perfect silhouette of a belted dress, our formal dresses are made from the best range of luxury fabrics — silky soft, with a natural sheen that hugs your curves perfectly.

What to Wear to a Formal Event

Your dress should reflect your unique style! Opt for a sophisticated evening gown, a sleek LBD, or a playful pink formal. Our collection ranges from timeless maxi dresses to trendy slip and wrap styles, perfect for any mood or theme. Our three most popular styles right now:

     
  • The Slip Midi Dress. A bestseller that's so chic — you'll look amazing as you dance the night away.
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  • The Slip Formal Dress. A full-length style with a thigh-high leg slit for that extra dose of glam.
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  • The Maxi Dress. A flawless, flowing piece that never goes out of fashion — a perfect choice for any ball.

From Flowy Gowns to Midi Dresses and Everything In Between

Feel like a princess in our flowy formal dresses, a style icon in a trend-setting one-shoulder design, or steal the show in our best-selling midi or a cute A-line. With so many effortless options in a wide selection of colours and fabrics, we have a dress to complement every confident babe.

Luxe Fabrics with the Ultimate Wow Factor

When only the best will do! Our formal dresses and cocktail gowns are designed in luxury fabrics — soft, smooth, and with a natural sheen and lustre that adds a sophisticated finish to every look. Once your dress is sorted, browse our heels to complete the outfit. Classic black strappy heels or stilettos go with everything, or go for wedges if you're in a summery mood.

Tips for Accessorising Your New Dress

We have a gorgeous assortment of fine jewellery to elevate your formal look. Pair your cocktail or formal dress with pieces from our accessories range — gold rings, zirconia stones, and gems — for a polished, head-to-toe finish.

Finding the Right Design and Size for You

We offer formal dresses and ball gowns in a full range of UK sizes 4 to 22, ensuring every style preference and silhouette is beautifully catered for.

Buying Your Formal Dress Online at Beginning Boutique

Shop your perfect formal dress online now at Beginning Boutique. We offer express shipping so you'll have your look sorted well before the big night. Your cart prices are in GBP for a smooth shopping experience, and with Afterpay you can wear it now and pay over 8 weeks — interest-free. Set up your account today to add items to your wishlist so you never miss a new drop!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "formal" mean as a dress code?

Formal attire means a full-length or midi-length dress in an elevated fabric — think satin, chiffon, lace or velvet. It's the dress code for events like galas, awards nights, black-tie dinners and school or university formals. The expectation is polished and put-together — not just dressed up. As a general rule, formal means floor-length or midi in a refined silhouette, paired with heels and minimal but considered accessories. Jeans, casual fabrics and short dresses typically fall outside what formal events expect.

What's the difference between black tie and formal attire?

Black tie is the strictest level of formal dress code. For women, it traditionally means a floor-length gown, though a sophisticated midi in an elevated fabric is now widely accepted. Formal attire is slightly more flexible — a midi or tea-length dress works alongside floor-length options, and the fabric and silhouette requirements are a little less rigid. If the invitation says black tie, err on the side of floor-length and elevated fabrics. If it says formal, you have more room to work with length and style.

Can you wear a short dress to a formal event?

It depends on the event. For strictly formal or black-tie occasions, a short dress generally falls outside the dress code and risks looking underdressed. For a school formal, semi-formal dinner or a less traditional event, a knee-length dress in a dressy fabric can work. If you're unsure, check the invitation for specific dress code guidance. When in doubt, a midi is almost always the safest middle ground — it reads as formal without committing to a full floor-length gown.

What fabric is best for a formal dress?

Satin is the most popular choice for formal wear — it photographs beautifully, drapes well and looks expensive without needing much embellishment. Chiffon and georgette are strong options for more flowy or layered silhouettes and tend to be more comfortable over a long event. Lace adds texture and detail and works well for evening events. Velvet is a strong choice for winter formal events. As a general rule, avoid very casual fabrics like jersey, cotton or linen for formal occasions — the fabric is a significant part of what makes an outfit read as formal.

What's the difference between formal and semi-formal?

Semi-formal sits between smart casual and full formal. For semi-formal events, a knee-length to midi dress in an elevated fabric is appropriate — you don't need a full gown. Formal requires a higher level of dressing — typically a floor-length or structured midi in a more refined fabric, with accessories and shoes to match. If the invitation says semi-formal, a cocktail-length dress or a polished midi is the right call. If it says formal, treat it like a step up from that and go longer and more considered with the fabric and silhouette.