New York Dress Logo Header
 
New York Dress Logo
(212) 594-3600
+Advance Search
spacer
spacer
 
Shop by Category
  • Ball Gowns
  • Bridesmaid Dresses
  • Christmas Dresses
  • Club Dresses
  • Cocktail Dresses
  • Evening Dresses
  • Formal Gowns
  • Graduation Dresses
  • Holiday Dresses
  • Homecoming Dresses
  • Mini Dresses
  • Mother of The Bride
  • New Years Eve Dresses
  • Pageant Dresses
  • Party Dresses
  • Print Dresses
  • Prom Dresses 2010
  • After Prom
  • Quinceanera Dresses
  • Special Occasions
  • Sweet 16
  • Summer 2010
  • Under $199
  • Shop by Designer
  • Aidan Mattox for Niteline
  • Alexia Admor
  • Allure Evening
  • Alyce Designs
  • Alyce BDazzle
  • Alyce Black Label
  • Alyce Cocktail
  • Alyce Evening
  • Alyce After Five Cocktail
  • Alyce Jean De Lys
  • Alyce Mother of the Bride
  • Alyce Prom 2010
  • Badgley Mischka
  • Basix
  • BG Haute
  • Boutique
  • Cassandra Stone
  • Cassandra Stone Caviar
  • Dave and Johnny
  • Ed Hardy
  • Fabulous
  • Faviana
  • Flip
  • GiGi
  • Hannah S
  • Interlude
  • Janique
  • Joli Prom
  • Jovani
  • Jovani Beyond
  • Jovani Cocktail
  • Jovani Evening and Prom
  • Jovani Homecoming
  • Jovani Mother of the Bride
  • La Femme
  • La Femme Dancing Stars
  • La Femme Cocktail
  • Landa
  • Lara
  • Mac Duggal Couture
  • Mac Duggal Prom
  • Mandalay
  • Mignon
  • Mon Cheri Montage
  • Mon Cheri Rina Di Montella
  • Mori Lee
  • Nicole Bakti
  • Nicole Miller
  • Night Moves by Allure
  • Panoply
  • Scala
  • Sean Collection
  • Sherri Hill
  • Studio 17
  • Terani
  • Terani Cocktail
  • Terani Evening
  • Tiffany Designs
  • Tiffany Print Dresses
  • Tiffany Quinceanera
  • Tony Bowls
  • Tony Bowls Cocktail
  • Tony Bowls Collection
  • Tony Bowls Evening
  • Tony Bowls LeGala
  • Tony Bowls Paris

  • spacer

    Formal Gowns

    Formal Gowns

    A formal occasion is a chance to dress up and put your best foot forward. Peruse our many formal dress selections for an experience that will leave you wanting many special events to attend! Choose from stunning gowns with intricate details and supreme finishing touches for a dress that you’ll want to wear forever. There are many styles of formal dresses to choose from, so browse and order from the comfort of your own home and see everything newyorkdres.com has to offer.

    Choosing the Perfect Formal Gown

    If an upcoming event warrants a formal gown, you should make sure you do thorough research about the event and the expectations of dress. Formal events often have a specific dress expectation for their guests, and you want to be the belle of the ball while still maintaining the proper decorum. Your first stop should always be to speak to someone who has attended the event or a similar event to see what people are wearing. Once you have a clear idea of the expectation, it’s time to shop!

    Many options for dress length

    Formal gowns are the attire women should wear to black tie events. Generally, formal gowns are full length. If you would like a less traditional hemline in your gown, you could look for dresses that are shorter in the front with a longer back hem. Formal gowns are also available with various train lengths. Another option is to choose a dress with a traditional floor-length hem that has a sexy high side slit to add a little flair. When shopping, keep in mind that a floor-length hemline distinguishes formal gowns from cocktail dresses or club dresses.

    Not all formal gowns are conservative

    An invitation to a black tie dinner doesn’t necessarily mean you are attending a conservative event. Luckily, there are so many formal gown designs available that you can choose a dress that fits in with your personal style and mood for the evening.

    To spice up your ensemble, consider choosing a dress with an interesting neckline. A high, jeweled neckline creates a striking effect and is a great showcase for brilliant earrings or a sophisticated up-do. A deep plunging neckline adds a touch of drama and sexiness to a formal dress. For a traditional, yet exciting, look, choose a sweetheart neckline that accentuates your figure and leaves room for an elegant necklace. Choosing a halter neck creates a breathtaking frame for your radiant face, and would be perfect if you’re attending a more conservative event. The neckline of your dress is perhaps the first thing people see, so choose something that reflects the image you want to portray.

    When choosing a formal gown, you should also consider what sleeve style will look best on you. Dresses with a bolero jacket add a touch of class and refinement to any dress while providing upper-body coverage. For a more flirtatious look, find a perfect-fitting strapless dress. More adventurous shoppers will find an asymmetrical or one-sleeved dress that will create the stand-out, all-eyes-on-you look that you desire.

    Choose a color and fabric to make yourself shine

    With so many designers and designs to choose from, you have the options you need to look your very best. Choose dresses in colors that bring out the glow in your skin and the sparkle in your eyes. For example, if you are very fair-skinned, avoid wearing all white as it may create a washed-out look. However, choosing pastel lavender or soft blue will make your complexion appear delicate and pretty. Yellow tones are usually less flattering on dark-skin, so if you have dark skin you may consider choosing rich colors such as blue, gray, or navy, or even a vibrant, shocking color like dramatic red or pink.

    Likewise, carefully consider the fabric and cut of your dress. An A-line dress flatters every figure, but other dress shapes and cuts will allow you to accentuate your best features. Hourglass-shaped dresses draw attention to a perfect figure and, paired with a mermaid-style skirt, can create a stunning ensemble.

    Also think carefully about the most flattering fabric for you. Soft fabrics are much less forgiving and tend to show every imperfection in your figure, while fabrics with structure allow you to highlight your figure’s best assets. A formal event is a time for you to show off your natural beauty, so choose a dress that accentuates your most beautiful features.

    Formal Gowns with Fun Accents

    Formal events don’t come around every day, and you should use this opportunity to have a little fun with your dress by looking for accents that appeal to your personality. Dresses flowing with ruffles craft an innocent, classy look. Fringe accents as a throwback to the Roaring Twenties allow you to mold your entire ensemble around that time of parties, jazz, and a carefree life. A strategically placed, elaborate bow makes a breathtaking accent to any dress.

    If the look you’re going for is all-out class, find dresses with a traditional ball gown style. With a ball gown you can turn yourself into anyone from a Victorian queen to Scarlet O’Hara, and all of the guests at the event will be sure to notice your elegant, refined taste in attire.

    So Many Events, So Many Choices

    Awards Ceremonies, black tie weddings and receptions, and even formal theater events call for you to wear a formal gown, and what fun it is to spend an evening enjoying good company and being beautiful. Choosing a perfect formal gown that is appropriate to the occasion ensures that you’ll be comfortable at the event when all eyes are on you.

    Jovani Evening and Prom 1552057250
    $500.00
    Bejeweled Glistening Chic Halter Evening Dress by Jovani Prom 1552057250
    Available in 4 colors
    Mon Cheri 110922
    $476.00
    Asymmetrical Draped Gown With Waist Wrap by Mon Cheri Montage 110922
    Available in 6 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE11044
    $398.00
    Back Drape Goddess Gown with Crystal Clusters by Tony Bowls TBE11044
    Available in 4 colors
    Alyce 8886
    $328.00
    Sweetheart Sheath Gown in Beaded Chiffon by Alyce Prom 8886
    Available in 4 colors
    Alyce 8887
    $316.00
    Beaded Column Gown with Strapless Neckline by Alyce Prom 8887
    Available in 3 colors
    Dave and Johnny 5012
    $188.00
    Opulent Party Strapless Evening Gown by Dave and Johnny 5012
    Available in 2 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE11056
    $398.00
    Sexy Mesh Fit & Flare Gown with Feather Appliques by tony Bowls TBE11056
    Color: Black/Multi
    Mac Duggal 5284D
    $396.00
    Draped A-Line Evening Gown with Ruffled Shoulder by Mac Duggal Couture 5284D
    Available in 3 colors
    Jovani Mother of the Bride 14916
    $500.00
    Larger Than Life Deep V-Neck Evening Gown 14916
    Available in 4 colors
    Mac Duggal 75679D
    $476.00
    One Shoulder A-Line Gown with Back Drape by Mac Duggal Couture 75679D
    Available in 2 colors
    Terani 642E
    $418.00
    Enchantress of the Night Strapless Evening Gown by Terani 642E
    Available in 2 colors
    Terani 95232P
    $296.00
    Chic Golden Rose Fit & Flare Gown by Terani 95232P
    Available in 3 colors
    Sherri Hill 2018
    $650.00
    Impressive Strapless Spectacular Hourglass Evening Dress 2018
    Available in 6 colors
    Alyce Designs 6415
    $296.00
    Bright Lily Strapless Evening Gown by Alyce Designs 6415
    Available in 6 colors
    Alyce 8889
    $348.00
    Sweetheart Shimmery Sheath in Beaded Chiffon by Alyce Prom 8889
    Available in 3 colors
    La Femme 15027
    $356.00
    Strapless Ruched Gown With Jewel Trim by La Femme 15027
    Available in 4 colors
    Terani Evening 6289E
    $748.00
    Lace Floral Strapless Pleated Detailed Evening Dress by Terani 6289E
    Available in 4 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE2918
    $398.00
    Collar Deep V-neck Short Sleeve Evening Gown by Tony Bowls TBE2918
    Color: Black
    Terani 533GL
    $848.00
    Showoff Beauty Strapless Evening Gown by Terani 533GL
    Color: Ivory
    Jovani 152658
    $570.00
    Strapless Floral Garland Mermaid Gown by Jovani 152658
    Available in 4 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE2924
    $590.00
    Spaghetti Strap Jeweled Ruched Evening Gown by Tony Bowls TBE2924
    Available in 2 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE2919
    $478.00
    Strapless Print Evening Gown with Full Skirt by Tony Bowls TBE2919
    Color: Black/White
    Jovani Mother of the Bride 8210
    $600.00
    Get Ready to Rhumba Strapless Evening Gown 8210
    Available in 4 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE2923
    $650.00
    Spaghetti Strap Jeweled Full Skirt Evening Gown by Tony Bowls TBE2923
    Color: Grey
    Terani 95230P
    $296.00
    Strapless Tiered Bow Mermaid Gown by Terani 95230P
    Available in 2 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE2915
    $850.00
    Strapless Sparkling Applique Evening Gown with Sash by Tony Bowls TBE2915
    Available in 3 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE2912
    $518.00
    Asymmetrical Jeweled Floral Evening Gown by Tony Bowls TBE2912
    Color: White/Multi
    Alyce Designs 29297
    $348.00
    Awakened Senses Strapless Evening Gown with Bolero Jacket by Alyce Designs 29297
    Available in 5 colors
    Alyce Designs 6399
    $388.00
    Sleek Vines of Love Strapless Evening Gown by Alyce Designs 6399
    Available in 4 colors
    Janique J038
    $556.00
    Off-the-Shoulder Petal Applique Evening Gown by Janique J038
    Available in 2 colors
    Terani 511J
    $588.00
    Next Please Long Sleeved Evening Gown by Terani 511J
    Color: Black/White
    Janique J040
    $376.00
    Spaghetti Strap Cutaway Back Evening Gown by Janique J040
    Color: Black
    Landa G501
    $456.00
    Round Neck Halter Dazzling Sequin Stunning Dress by Landa G501
    Color: Black
    Landa G506
    $356.00
    Sequined Crystal Neckline Electrifying Entirely Evening Dress by Landa G506
    Color: Platinum
    Studio 17 12181
    $348.00
    Strapless Print Evening Gown by Studio 17 12181
    Available in 2 colors
    Mignon REC-54
    $356.00
    Strapless Sheath with Accent Stones & Ruche by Mignon REC-54
    Available in 4 colors
    Terani Evening 1768E
    $548.00
    Bold Abstract Strapless Floral Printed Evening Dress by Terani 1768E
    Color: Black/White
    Alyce 5292
    $388.00
    Chiffon & Charmeuse Sheath with Strapless Neckline by Alyce Black Label 5292
    Available in 5 colors
    Terani Evening 1090E
    $588.00
    Lace Sateen Gorgeous Strapless Evening Dress by Terani 1090E
    Available in 2 colors
    Tony Bowls TBE2910
    $790.00
    Strapless Sparkling Evening Gown by Tony Bowls TBE2910
    Color: Black
    spacer