Top Formal Dress Styles

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One-Shoulder

George Pimentel/Getty Image

An asymmetrical style showcases the upper body, while providing the perfect backdrop for statement earrings.

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One-Shoulder

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Diane Kruger in Valentino

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One-Shoulder

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Miley Cyrus in custom Max Azria

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Printed Strapless

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Patterns are a playful addition to an after-dark ensemble; keep the look formal by choosing luxurious fabrics embellished with ruffles and fringe details.

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Printed Strapless

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Eva Mendes in Bill Blass

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Printed Strapless

Jim Spellman/WireImage

Kerry Washington in Oscar de la Renta

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Column

Gilbert Carrasquillo/ Getty Images

Sleek and understated, the column silhouette subtly sets off the shoulders and decolletage.

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Column

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Joy Bryant in Missoni

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Column

SGP Italia srl/WireImage

Ashley Olsen in Calvin Klein Collection

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Rosettes

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Feminine flowers make for a romantic look that requires few extra accessories.

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Rosettes

Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

Vanessa Hudgens in Moschino

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Rosettes

Lester Cohen/WireImage

Zooey Deschanel in Luella

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Ethereal

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

For a fairy princess effect, nothing beats light-as-air layers of flowing chiffon.

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Ethereal

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Eva Mendes in Christian Dior

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Ethereal

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Freida Pinto in Marchesa

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Primary Colors

JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/ Getty Images

Gowns in bold hues of red, blue, and yellow pack a punch-choose a simple silhouette to let the shade shine.

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Primary Colors

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Taylor Momsen in Marchesa

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Primary Colors

Tsuni/Gamma

Malin Akerman in Jason Wu

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Embellished Necklines

Presley Ann/Getty Images

A dramatic neckline acts as a built-in necklace.

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Embellished Neckline

Todd Williamson/WireImage

Molly Sims in Monique Lhuillier

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Embellished Necklines

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Anne Hathaway in Azzaro

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Mini

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Got great legs? Show them off with a short hemline-choose a dress with couture-quality details for a formal effect.

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Mini

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Rihanna in Zac Posen

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Mini

Janet Gough/Celebrity Photo

Freida Pinto in Zac Posen

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Floral

Raymond Hall/Getty Images

Bring the outside in with blossom-bedecked prints that hint of spring.

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Floral

Mark Davis/Landov

Carrie Underwood in Naeem Khan

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Floral

Lester Cohen/WireImage

JoAnna Garcia in Blumarine

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Metallic Beads

Marc Piasecki/Getty Images

Double your sparkle with embellished gowns in gold, silver and bronze.

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Metallic Beads

Ciao Hollywood/SplashNewsOnline.com

Jessica Biel in Oscar de la Renta

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Metallic Beads

Jon Furniss/WireImage

Elizabeth Banks in Kaufman Franco

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Retro

Dan MacMedan/Getty Images

Channel '50s chic with a wasp-waist design in a cocktail length.

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Retro

Tony Barson/WireImage

Scarlett Johansson in Bill Blass

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Retro

Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Keira Knightley in Alexis Mabille

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Mermaid

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Play up your curves (or create them) with a fitted gown that flares out at the knee.

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Mermaid

Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images

Olga Kuylenko in Dolce & Gabbana

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Mermaid

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Molly Sims in J. Mendel

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Pink

Dave J Hogan

Nothing says pretty like rosy hues! To avoid the girly-girl associations, pick a dress with an avant-garde shape.

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Pink

Imagine Photography

Kerry Washington in Jason Wu

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Pink

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Katy Perry in Basil Soda

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Top Formal Dress Styles

1 of 40

One-Shoulder

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One-Shoulder

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One-Shoulder

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Printed Strapless

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Printed Strapless

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Printed Strapless

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Column

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Column

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Column

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Rosettes

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Rosettes

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Rosettes

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Ethereal

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Ethereal

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Ethereal

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Primary Colors

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Primary Colors

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Primary Colors

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Embellished Necklines

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Embellished Neckline

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Embellished Necklines

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Mini

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Mini

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Mini

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Floral

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Floral

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Floral

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Metallic Beads

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Metallic Beads

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Metallic Beads

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Retro

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Retro

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Retro

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Mermaid

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Mermaid

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Mermaid

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Pink

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Pink

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