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Formal Dresses

Shop Australia's latest trends in formal dresses, gowns, and cocktail styles! Find your perfect formal dress by exploring our dedicated Black Formal Dresses and Wedding Guest edits

Beginning Boutique Renesmee Satin Summer Print Maxi Dress white satin scoop neck bodycon maxi dress with colourful abstract print and spaghetti straps
Beginning Boutique Novalie White Lace Halter Maxi Dress white lace halter maxi dress with deep V-neck tie-front and ruched bodycon fit
Beginning Boutique Ashley Orange Floral Formal Maxi Dress orange floral strapless maxi dress with a twisted bust and fitted silhouette
Beginning Boutique Valletta Pink Print Halter Neck Maxi Dress pink orange purple abstract print satin halter neck maxi dress with black lace trim
Beginning Boutique Kendrick White Sequin Knit Long Sleeve Maxi Dress white sequin knit long sleeve maxi dress with a low scoop back and bell sleeves
Beginning Boutique The Moment Pink Maxi Skirt pink crinkled maxi skirt with a flowy fit and elasticated waist
Beginning Boutique The Moment Pink Cami Top pink crinkled cami top with spaghetti straps and gathered bust
Beginning Boutique Honey Pink Maxi Dress honey pink satin maxi with ruched sweetheart neckline and side slit
Beginning Boutique Beverley Black Mesh Maxi Dress black sleeveless bodycon maxi with side cutouts and tie-back
Beginning Boutique Monni Black Maxi Dress black deep V-neck bodycon maxi dress with criss-cross detail and sheer long mesh sleeves with thumbholes
Beginning Boutique Maiah White Maxi Dress white strapless bandeau maxi dress with a fitted bodice and flowy skirt
Beginning Boutique Scarlette Brown Maxi Dress dark brown satin maxi dress with sweetheart lace trim neckline and thin spaghet
Beginning Boutique Skye Cream Knit Midi Dress cream knit strapless midi dress with a tie-back and waist cutout
Beginning Boutique Cynthia Green Maxi Dress light green ribbed knit bodycon maxi dress with square neckline and contrast pink trim
Beginning Boutique Ella Light Yellow Off Shoulder Formal Maxi Dress light yellow satin off-shoulder maxi dress with twisted bust detail
Beginning Boutique Tina Yellow Formal Maxi Dress pale yellow satin one-shoulder maxi dress with ruched bodice and thin strap
Beginning Boutique Ella Black Off Shoulder Formal Maxi Dress black satin off-shoulder straight neckline fitted maxi dress with draped sleeves
Beginning Boutique Beverley Pink Mesh Maxi Dress pink mesh ruched bodice bodycon maxi dress with low scoop back and criss-cross tie detail
$109.99$49.99
Beginning Boutique Tamara Black Maxi Dress black ribbed knit bodycon maxi dress with sweetheart neckline and side cutouts
$109.99$35.00
Beginning Boutique Taylor White Tie Back Mini Dress white textured mini dress with square neckline thick straps and lace trim
Beginning Boutique Kylie Black Maxi Dress black ribbed knit scoop neck bodycon maxi dress with long sleeves and thumbholes
$89.99$64.99
Beginning Boutique The Exclusive White Floral Lace Maxi Dress white floral print maxi with lace trim V-neck and spaghetti straps
Beginning Boutique Verlaine Beige Maxi Dress beige and brown geometric print satin-look cowl V-neck sleeveless maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Genevieve Sage Top sage green strapless crop top with pleated bust detail
$59.99$30.00
Flowy sage satin maxi skirt with a high side slit
Beginning Boutique Kori Purple Maxi Dress lavender ribbed knit maxi dress with square neckline, sleeveless design, and side cutouts
$89.99$35.00
Beginning Boutique So Lovely Pink Mesh Maxi Dress pink mesh cowl neck maxi dress with spaghetti straps and ruched side
Beginning Boutique Romie White Maxi Dress white crochet knit bodycon maxi dress with scoop neck spaghetti straps and high side slit
$109.99$49.99
Beginning Boutique Lissandra Blue Formal Maxi Dress light blue satin V-neck maxi dress with spaghetti straps and a side slit
Beginning Boutique Ocean Blue Midi Dress light blue satin sweetheart neckline midi dress with thin straps and a side slit
$89.99$39.99
Beginning Boutique Abbie White Maxi Formal Dress white satin strapless twisted bust bodycon maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Ella Light Blue Off Shoulder Formal Dress light blue satin off-shoulder maxi dress with draped bodice
Beginning Boutique Kenna Sage Maxi Dress sage green satin strapless maxi dress with twisted bust and midriff cutout
Beginning Boutique Veronica Pink Mesh Ruched Maxi Dress pink mesh bodycon maxi with ruched bodice sheer lower skirt and spaghetti straps
Beginning Boutique Maiah Lilac Maxi Dress lilac satin strapless maxi dress with a folded bust band
Beginning Boutique Beverley Lilac Mesh Maxi Dress lilac mesh bodycon maxi with low scoop back and criss-cross tie straps
Beginning Boutique Maiah Sage Maxi Dress sage strapless satin maxi dress with pleated bust detail
Beginning Boutique Ella Pink Off Shoulder Formal Dress pink satin off-shoulder draped neckline maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Kenza Beige Maxi Dress light beige knit strapless maxi with waist cutout and high side slit
$99.99$30.00
Beginning Boutique Mariana Yellow Lace Bust Midi Dress yellow satin midi dress with lace trim underwire bust and thin spaghet
corset formal satin maxi dress styled on Leah Halton
Beginning Boutique Masie Lilac Mesh Maxi Dress lilac mesh maxi with side cutouts and criss-cross tie-back straps
Beginning Boutique Elysium Yellow Maxi Dress yellow sweetheart ruched bust spaghetti strap maxi dress with sheer overlay
Beginning Boutique Ezra Yellow Maxi Dress yellow textured knit scoop neck spaghetti strap bodycon maxi dress
$99.99$34.99
Light blue crinkled maxi skirt with a straight, fitted silhouette
Purple lilac strapless satin maxi formal dress on Em Venz.
Beginning Boutique Isobel Blue Midi Dress light blue ribbed knit strapless bodycon midi dress with white trim and waist cutout
$79.99$39.99
Beginning Boutique Ashley Blue Floral Formal Maxi Dress white blue floral print strapless ruched bust fitted maxi dress
Beginning Boutique Mariana Cream Lace Bust Midi Dress cream satin midi dress with lace-trimmed bustier bodice and thin spaghetti straps
Beginning Boutique Lene Pink Maxi Dress pink textured maxi dress with straight neckline, halter straps, side cutouts, and a fitted bodice
$99.99$40.00

Formal Dresses Australia — 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.
  • The Slip Formal Dress. A full-length style with a thigh-high leg slit for that extra dose of glam.
  • 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 AU sizes 4 to 22, ensuring every style preference and silhouette is beautifully catered for.

Brisbane Girls — Come Visit Our Showroom! Pop into our Lytton showroom to try on formal dresses in person and get styled by our team. Book an appointment online now.

Buying Your Formal Dress Online at Beginning Boutique

Shop your perfect formal dress online now at Beginning Boutique. We offer express shipping Australia-wide so you'll have your look sorted well before the big night. Your cart prices are in AUD 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.