Formal Dress Trends to Watch for This Year

2026 is officially ticking over into the holiday season, and that means one thing: holiday events. Soon we’ll be celebrating the turning of the seasons; the end-of-year holidays will be upon us, and gatherings with friends, family, and coworkers will start to fill your calendar. What better time to lean into some of the year’s best formal dress trends?

Whether it’s black tie dresses or formal full-length dresses you’re after, today we’re rounding up some of the very best formal dress trends in 2026. Show up and show out in a dress guaranteed to have you looking your best.

Sculpted, architectural silhouettes.

One of the strongest and most persistent formal dress trends we’re seeing in 2026 is architecture's influence on silhouettes. Last year, flowing dresses and ethereal silhouettes truly took the stage, dominating red carpets and formal events. This year, it’s less about the surface embellishment and more about how gravity-defying the shape of a dress can be.

We’re seeing structured bodices, framed skirts, corsets and boning, and even architectural impossibilities make their way into modern formal dress trends. You might have seen examples on the red carpet or this year’s Met Gala, with some parts of the body exaggerated through structure to create an artful, eye-catching piece. Column gowns with structured shoulders, sculpted bodices that create dramatic lines at the waist, and asymmetric cuts that draw the eye deliberately across the body are all having a real moment.

Above all, a sculpted dress rewards confidence. In a way, it can create that confidence, too. These dresses aren't designed to blend into the crowd or twinkle with surface embellishment; the structure itself is the showstopper, carried off by the wearer's confidence. So, if you’re looking to step out in a gown that has a bit of modern drama this year, you can’t go wrong with structure.

Liquid look and drape fabrics.

As a sharp counterpoint to the structured formal dress trends of 2026, liquid dresses are also drawing the eye at recent events. It’s not hard to see why: charmeuse, silk satin, and fluid jersey all move with the body, catch the light, create elegant illusions in shapes and colours that feel fairly timeless.

Gowns cut on the bias are a natural choice here, skimming the figure rather than clinging to it. Trends are fairly cyclical, so you might notice an old-Hollywood influence to this kind of shape that’s really gained momentum. Liquid and drape dresses are especially good for evening events, as they are some of the most striking formal full-length dresses you can wear.

The goal of the shape is an ethereal illusion; while jewel tones are beautiful for this silhouette, deep neutral tones that hint at your own complexion are extremely on-trend.

Scarves and dramatic ties are having a moment. 

Scarves are making their way back into occasionwear, adding a sense of movement and drama without needing lots of embellishment. From soft fabric draped around the neckline to long ties that flow from the shoulders or waist, this trend brings an effortless sense of occasion to a dress.

The appeal is in the movement. A beautifully draped scarf or dramatic tie can create an interesting silhouette while adding another layer of texture to your look. It also gives a simpler dress a little more personality without taking away from its overall shape.

Look for styles where the fabric feels like a natural part of the design, rather than an added extra. Draped details can work beautifully with sleek silhouettes, while softer, flowing dresses can make the most of movement and fluidity. The Ramona Dress, Audrey Dress, Drape Maxi Dress, Ivy Dress and Venus Dress all offer different takes on this trend, from subtle draping to more dramatic details.

Deep, rich colours.

You might have noticed a slow shift in formal dress trends over the past few years, sliding steadily away from the minimal neutrals of yesteryear to a far bolder, richer palette. Colours that tug at the heartstrings are back, with deep burgundies, oxbloods, and forest greens gaining significant traction in events.

These colours are designed to highlight the wearer’s complexion and natural features, and to photograph beautifully. While stripped-back neutrals were intended to distract as little as possible from someone’s natural beauty, these deep colours call it out wholesale.

If black has been your default for years, this trend might be yours to try. The deeper tones make this a more approachable choice if you’re used to colours on the darker end of the spectrum, but allow you to try on a few different hues to see what suits you best. As a formal dress trend, this one is approachable and very flexible.

Any of these formal dress trends will serve you well if you want to walk into a room looking put-together effortlessly. Even better, you can try out each one in a new dress with the cost-effective, wide range of formal full-length dresses available in Stylestarter’s rental range.

Stay on-trend with formal full-length dresses from Stylestarter.

Show up and show out with the latest black tie dresses and formal full-length dresses from Stylestarter. Rent a gorgeous gown for the evening at a cost-effective price, enjoy the night, and return with ease. We make it easy to stay stylish year-round.

Browse our range of beautiful dresses today.