{"id":284090,"date":"2026-02-25T13:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/?p=284090"},"modified":"2026-02-25T13:46:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:46:01","slug":"formal-gala-dresses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/fashion\/formal-gala-dresses\/","title":{"rendered":"From Black Tie to White Tie: Everything You Need to Know About Dressing for a Gala"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_283954\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-283954\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-283954\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Sevinia-Olive-Green-Satin-Mock-Neck-Sleeveless-Maxi-Dress.jpg\" alt=\"green satin black tie dress\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-283954\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>Shop the Look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/products\/sevinia-olive-green-satin-mock-neck-sleeveless-maxi-dress\/2775211.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sevinia Olive Green Satin Mock Neck Sleeveless Maxi Dress<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Show of hands: Who hasn&#8217;t dreamed of the perfect enchanted evening gown? You know the one. Floor-sweeping and silky, the kind that catches the light with every step. Maybe it&#8217;s draped in stunning detail, or maybe it makes its statement through pure, refined minimalism. Either way, it&#8217;s the gown you get <em>swept away<\/em> in\u2014or the one that does the sweeping for you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Here&#8217;s the thing, though: the princess-gown dream doesn&#8217;t have to end at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/701_693\/prom-dresses.html\">prom<\/a>. For grown-ups, there are galas\u2014and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/13_17801\/gala-dresses.html?r=new\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gala dresses<\/span><\/a> are, quite simply, your adult invitation to finally live out every ballroom fantasy you&#8217;ve ever had. Think gorgeous formal silhouettes, elevated fabrics, and the kind of details that make people stop mid-conversation to ask, <em>&#8220;Where did you get that dress?&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">But before we get into the good stuff (and trust us, there&#8217;s a lot of it), we need to answer the most important question first: What exactly <em>is<\/em> a gala\u2014and what does that mean for what you wear?<\/p>\n<h2>What Is A Gala?<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_282635\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-282635\" style=\"width: 997px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-282635\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Look_06_0035-e1771519274348.jpg\" alt=\"bright blue bridesmaid dress\" width=\"997\" height=\"1072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Look_06_0035-e1771519274348.jpg 997w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Look_06_0035-e1771519274348-279x300.jpg 279w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Look_06_0035-e1771519274348-952x1024.jpg 952w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Look_06_0035-e1771519274348-140x150.jpg 140w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Look_06_0035-e1771519274348-768x826.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Look_06_0035-e1771519274348-150x161.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-282635\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>Shop the Look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/products\/novalie-blue-taffeta-pleated-strapless-a-line-maxi-dress\/2776491.html\">Novalie Blue Taffeta Pleated Strapless A-Line Maxi Dress<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A gala (and by the way, you can pronounce it gay-la <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gah-la, both are acceptable) is a formal evening event that\u2019s equal parts celebration and spectacle. It might be a charity fundraiser, an awards night, or a cultural event, but the common thread is sophisticated structure: a planned program, a fancy dinner, a dressed-up crowd, and plenty of photos. There will likely be entertainment, and that entertainment very well may include dancing. That\u2019s why gala dressing lives in that sweet spot between formal and statement-making. You want to look refined and elegant&#8211;but you also want to make sure you fit the dress code, which brings us to the most important gala dressing rule of all: context matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Where is this gala being held? Who&#8217;s hosting it? These details will shape everything about your outfit choice. Gala dress codes generally lean formal\u2014black tie is the standard, though the fanciest events will occasionally call for white tie. The golden rule? Read your invitation carefully. (And if the terminology still has you confused, don&#8217;t worry\u2014we&#8217;re breaking all of it down for you just ahead.)<\/p>\n<h2>Gala Dress Defined<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_283949\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-283949\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-283949\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2776171.jpg\" alt=\"green black tie formal dress\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2776171.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2776171-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2776171-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2776171-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2776171-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2776171-150x225.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-283949\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>Shop the Look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/products\/lauren-emerald-pleated-strapless-ruffled-maxi-dress\/2776171.html\">Lauren Emerald Pleated Strapless Ruffled Maxi Dress<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what makes a dress a gala dress? Length is your first consideration: gala dresses are almost always <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/43781_271\/maxi-dresses.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Think a floor-length gown or a structured midi that feels elevated. Shorter styles <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> work if they feel luxurious and appropriate, but at a formal occasion like this, a long dress is almost always going to be your most comfortable, confident choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lots of silhouettes work for gala dresses. Typically, a gala dress is structured: think princess or basque waists, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/13_12021\/corset-bustier-dresses.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">corset-style bodices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with boning, A-line or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/13_12901\/mermaid-dresses.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mermaid skirts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and other styles with a little architecture to them. Fabric choice is also important, and you have plenty of options. The guiding principle? <\/span>Luxury<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Lace, chiffon, tulle, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/2732_9701\/velvet-dresses.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">velvet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/3722_8321\/satin-dresses.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">satin<\/span><\/a> are all beautiful options that are inherently suited to evening wear. Whether you&#8217;re drawn to something fluid and romantic or sleek and dramatic, the fabric you choose goes a long way toward setting the tone of your entire look. Get these three elements right, and you&#8217;re already most of the way there.<\/p>\n<h2>Gala Dress Code Basics (Quick Guide)<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_284095\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-284095\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-284095\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351986_2785156.jpg\" alt=\"yellow gala dress\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351986_2785156.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351986_2785156-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351986_2785156-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351986_2785156-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351986_2785156-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351986_2785156-150x225.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-284095\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>Shop the Look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/products\/marilou-light-yellow-strapless-ruched-lace-up-maxi-dress\/2785156.html\">Marilou Light Yellow Strapless Ruched Lace-Up Maxi Dress<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So if the invitation says<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/2106_8241\/black-tie-wedding-guest-dresses.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> black tie<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, what does that mean? Black tie is formal (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/fashion\/black-tie-dresses-guidelines\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more information about what exactly that means here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!), <\/span>but it still leaves room for your own personal style to shine through. For dresses, that typically means a floor-length gown, though a very dressy midi can absolutely work if it reads unmistakably formal through its fabric and styling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">When in doubt, lean into embellishment. Sequins, beading, burnout accents\u2014anything that adds a little nighttime glow will instantly elevate your look. And don&#8217;t underestimate the power of accessories. Heels or dressy flats (yes, flats can work), a clutch rather than a crossbody, and refined jewelry\u2014think dainty pieces or well-chosen stones\u2014all work together to complete the picture. As for hair? Whether it&#8217;s up or down, it needs to be\u00a0<em>styled.<\/em> This is not a messy updo situation.<\/p>\n<h3>White Tie<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">White tie is rare, and it is ultra-formal. If black tie is formal, white tie is formal\u00a0<em>with rules<\/em>\u2014the kind of event where people are genuinely leaning into tradition, and your outfit needs to match that energy entirely. For dresses, white tie means a full-length gown, full stop. Nothing above the ankle. This is the occasion to bring out your most dramatic silhouette, your most luxurious fabric, and your most classic styling. Accessories skew traditional here too\u2014think formal jewelry and, yes, sometimes even opera-length gloves (yes, really). Hair and makeup tend toward the classic and structured rather than anything trendy or undone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">If your invitation says white tie, take it seriously. When in doubt, go longer, richer, and more formal than you think you need to. You genuinely cannot overdress for this one.<\/p>\n<h2>Gala Dress Essentials<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_284100\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-284100\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-284100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2712751.jpg\" alt=\"purple floral sleeveless maxi dress\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2712751.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2712751-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2712751-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2712751-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2712751-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2712751-150x225.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-284100\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>Shop the Look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/products\/remarkable-arrival-plum-purple-floral-sleeveless-maxi-dress\/2712751.html\">Remarkable Arrival Plum Purple Floral Sleeveless Maxi Dress<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A floor-length dress is lovely. A floor-length dress with artfully draped fabric or a subtle, well-placed slit? That&#8217;s a gala dress. Details are what close the gap between formal and truly memorable\u2014and they&#8217;re worth paying attention to when you shop. Color is part of that equation, too. Gala dresses tend to gravitate toward shades that feel inherently evening-appropriate: deep jewel tones, rich metallics, and classic black (always appropriate, never wrong). Pastels can absolutely work for a spring or summer black tie event if the silhouette and fabric feel formal enough. The goal is for your color choice to feel intentional, not accidental.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, you also need a dress that can move with you. You&#8217;ll be walking, mingling, dancing, and possibly standing through an entire cocktail hour. A gown that looks stunning but makes all of that difficult isn&#8217;t doing its job. Comfort and beauty are not mutually exclusive\u2014hold out for both. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fit, specifically, matters just as much as sparkle. A gown can look incredible on the hanger and genuinely frustrating in real life if it doesn&#8217;t sit right on your body. Pay close attention to the areas that do the most work: the bust, the waist, and the straps. A strapless dress should feel secure enough that you can eat, laugh, and dance without pulling it up every ten minutes. A low-back or thin-strap style needs either a comfortable bra solution or enough internal structure to support you on its own.<\/span>\u00a0This is where <a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/customer-reviews\">reviews<\/a> can really help you make your choice when you\u2019re finding dresses for gala events\u2013seek out reviewers who share their measurements <em>and<\/em> speak to how the whole dress fits\u2014not just one isolated detail. That kind of feedback is worth its weight in gold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Finally, don&#8217;t underestimate the power of polish. The difference between a pretty dress and a truly gala-ready look usually comes down to finishing touches: a clean hem that hits exactly the right spot, jewelry that complements rather than competes with your neckline, hair that works <em>with<\/em> your earrings rather than against them. You don&#8217;t need to go over the top to look expensive. You just need to look completely put together\u2014from head to toe.<\/p>\n<h2>Accessories &amp; Finishing Touches<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_284104\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-284104\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-284104\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2543531.jpg\" alt=\"gala clutch\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2543531.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2543531-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2543531-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2543531-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2543531-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2543531-150x225.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-284104\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>Shop the Look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/products\/pleat-perfection-black-satin-pleated-hard-clutch\/2543531.html\">Pleat Perfection Black Satin Pleated Hard Clutch<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Thoughtful accessorizing starts from the ground up\u2014literally. Gala shoes need to be formal, but here&#8217;s a word of advice: leave your most towering stilettos at home. You&#8217;re going to be on your feet for a significant portion of the night, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/179_42\/high-heels.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high heels<\/span><\/a> you can actually <em>move<\/em> in will serve you infinitely better than heels that have you counting down the minutes until you can sit down. Dressy flats are a completely valid option, and if you&#8217;re choosing between open and closed toes, know that closed-toe styles read as more formal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">A coordinating clutch is non-negotiable\u2014it adds a polished finishing touch to the overall look and gives you somewhere to put your phone. Even if your gala dress has pockets (a gift, truly), resist the temptation to use them. Anything in those pockets will interrupt your gown&#8217;s silhouette, and at an event this formal, that matters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Beyond the obvious pieces, it pays to think through the full logistics of your evening. Will you be holding a clutch <em>and<\/em> taking photos? Hugging people, navigating stairs, possibly stepping outside into the cold to catch a rideshare? Every single element of your outfit should be able to handle the reality of the night\u2014which is why the best gala looks function as a complete, considered system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">A small structured bag, shoes you can genuinely stand in for hours, and an outer layer that looks intentional\u2014a faux fur wrap, a sleek tailored coat\u2014will save you in ways you can&#8217;t fully appreciate until you need them. The goal is to never be the person shivering in a gorgeous gown with a random jacket thrown on top. You&#8217;ve come too far for that.<\/p>\n<h2>Final Tips<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_284109\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-284109\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-284109\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13351366_2435191.jpg\" alt=\"2d floral embroidered maxi dress\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-284109\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>Shop the Look<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/products\/rare-presence-navy-blue-3d-floral-embroidered-maxi-dress\/2435191.html\">Rare Presence Navy Blue 3D Floral Embroidered Maxi Dress<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It might seem like formal gala dresses have a lot of rules, but honestly? Just stick to the dress code, and you\u2019ll be fine. Start by reading your invitation carefully\u2014the wording will tell you a lot about just how formal the event really is. If you want more context, a quick scroll through the host organization&#8217;s social media can work wonders. Photos from previous years will give you an immediate, accurate read on the room you&#8217;re walking into. And if you&#8217;re still not sure? Default to timelessness. There is no gala in the world where a floor-length black gown is out of place. A classic look won&#8217;t just meet the dress code\u2014it&#8217;ll make you feel like you <em>own<\/em> the room, which is really the whole point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Because here&#8217;s the thing nobody says enough: Don&#8217;t forget to actually enjoy yourself. Glamour is as much about how you feel as it is about what you&#8217;re wearing, and a gala is supposed to be an <em>unforgettable<\/em> evening. You&#8217;ve done the research, you&#8217;ve found the dress, you&#8217;ve thought through every detail from the hem to the clutch to the coat you&#8217;ll throw over your shoulders at the end of the night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Now go have the enchanted evening you&#8217;ve been dreaming about. You&#8217;ve more than earned it.<\/p>\n<p><b>Have you received a gala invite? Show us your fanciest outfit on <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lulus\/?hl=en\"><b>Instagram<\/b><\/a><b> and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@lulus?lang=en\"><b>TikTok<\/b><\/a><b> @Lulus using #lovelulus, and check out our <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/categories\/13_17801\/gala-dresses.html\"><b>gala collection<\/b><\/a><b> to find a dress for your enchanted evening!<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Show of hands: Who hasn&#8217;t dreamed of the perfect enchanted evening gown? You know the one. Floor-sweeping and silky, the kind that catches the light with every step. Maybe it&#8217;s draped in stunning detail, or maybe it makes its statement through pure, refined minimalism. Either way, it&#8217;s the gown you get swept away in\u2014or the&#8230;  <a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/fashion\/formal-gala-dresses\/\" title=\"Read From Black Tie to White Tie: Everything You Need to Know About Dressing for a Gala\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":209,"featured_media":283954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-284090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fashion"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Is A Gala Dress? - Lulus.com Fashion Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From black tie to white tie, floor-length gowns to the accessories that pull it all together\u2014here&#039;s your complete guide to gala dressing, so you can walk in looking like you&#039;ve done this a hundred times.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lulus.com\/blog\/fashion\/formal-gala-dresses\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is A Gala Dress? 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