20 Halter Wedding Dresses for Those Sofia Richie Vibes

The shoulder-baring neckline is having a moment.
Elle Cashin headshot
by
Elle Cashin
Elle Cashin headshot
Elle Cashin
The Knot Fashion Contributor
  • Elle writes for The Knot online with a focus on fashion, covering gown design trends and shoppable accessories.
  • Elle is a contributor to wedding publications across the country, including Brides, The New York Times Vows and Modern Luxury Weddings.
  • Prior to shifting to weddings, Elle covered lifestyle, culture and celebrity across Chicago as the editor of the Chicago Tribune’s SPLASH magazine, where she interviewed cele...
Updated Apr 27, 2023
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By definition, a halter refers to a dress or top with a strap that wraps around the neck, leaving the back mostly open. If you're just starting your dress search, you may be seeing more and more halter wedding dresses: Meghan Markle arguably kicked off the trend when she wore a stunning high-neck halter top wedding dress by Stella McCartney as her reception look for the royal wedding. Still, in wedding attire the silhouette is not nearly as ubiquitous as say, strapless—not every designer has a halter neck wedding dress in their repertoire—but that makes us love it all the more; halter wedding dresses are as unique as they are chic.

The beauty of halter is that it goes both ways: If it's a flattering or favorite style for you, you can don it regardless of your wedding aesthetic. If your style leans more traditional, look for gown styles with a halter bodice and ballgown skirt; those with a more modern vibe should look for silk or satin draped styles with a high neck like Markle's, or even a halter neck jumpsuit. Here, we've rounded up 20 halter top wedding dresses that run the gamut from classic to contemporary, voluminous to sleek, and just about everything in between.

Our Favorite Halter Wedding Dress Picks for 2023

Theia Maple Dress

Theia puts a modern spin on the halter silhouette with this keyhole bodice gown, comfortable in ivory crepe. The soft fit and flare skirt is beautifully bridal, while the top gives disco dance party. At the back, the high neck ties with a super long sash that drapes down the open back to the train. Less is more with this style, but linear crystal drop earrings would be the perfect accessory.

Katherine Tash Bianca Dress

Bring the sparkle to your wedding day with this beaded draped halter neck wedding dress by relative bridal newcomer Katherine Tash. The sultry style is shown lined in nude (Tash offers five different nude tones), but can be lined in white for a more modest and opaque look. Wear it for an outdoor affair and allow the beading to catch the light.

Sottero and Midgley Frost Gown

Designed with beach brides in mind—despite the frosty name!—this halter fit-and-flare wedding dress is covered with floral lace across the bodice that trickles down onto the skirt. Our favorite detail are the dual sheer back panels, across which the lace really shines.

Rebecca Ingram Margot Gown

This gown sings for a black-tie ballroom wedding. Rendered in a shimmering diamond-white Mikado fabric, it features a classic V-neck halter neckline and an oversized bow at the back. The only thing needed to complete the fairytale look? A tiara.

Galia Lahav Ester Dress

Bridal tuxedos are trending, but if you're not ready to commit to pants, infuse the look into a gown with this sultry sheath. A satin shawl collar borders the deep V bodice; a high slit in the draped mermaid skirt and fully open back are additional skin-baring moments.

Ines Di Santo Zana Dress

Halter is a super fun silhouette for your second dress or afterparty look, and our top pick is this mini from legendary designer Ines Di Santo's spring 2022 collection. A layer of lightweight tulle covers the dress and is adorned with three-dimensional florals and butterflies that seem to float in midair. It's fresh and whimsical.

Anne Barge Martini Dress

Embroidered baroque lace puts an elegant, classic veneer on the halter silhouette, and a full, crinoline-lined skirt pumps up the volume. Brides can choose between a silk white or nude lining to alter A-line halter wedding dress subtly. It's pretty, refined and oh-so-timeless—as is everything in the Anne Barge portfolio.

Enzoani Love Brandi Dress

There's nothing not to love about this gown, a modern design in sleek stretch georgette fabric. Its most standout details? A sheer corset with exposed boning at the back, and covered buttons that run down the train.

Show Me Your Mumu Jasmine Halter Maxi Dress in Ivory Luxe Satin

A slinky slip dress with a crisscross high-neck halter and open back, this satin style has a bias cut skirt for the perfect flutter and flow. We envision it somewhere modern and chic—a contemporary art museum, maybe—or in a destination setting. Psst, this top-rated style is available in 15 hues and patterns, from moss green to steel blue to gold, that are a great option for bridesmaids dresses if you're going bigger with the gown.

Moonlight Tango Style T959

This gown combines two styles in one: A sleek and buttery smooth halter bodice on top, and a flowing and organic full skirt covered with sequin-embroidered lace below. Depending which aesthetic you lean into with your accessories, it could work equally well in a hotel ballroom or casual garden setting.

Viktor & Rolf Mariage Floral Applique Open Back Gown

Speaking of gardens, this avant garde gown is a garden all its own. Three dimensional floral appliqués completely cover the halter bodice, then disperse down the whimsical full tulle skirt. The back is fully open and affixed with a signature Viktor & Rolf bow at the waist.

Jenny by Jenny Yoo Pearl Dress

An angular triangle neckline is an unexpected and modern touch on this sleek luxe satin gown, which has a draped cowl low back and chapel-length train. Crisscross gold chain straps are dotted with pearls for glamorous detail; the label's Rita dress is similar but with plain straps, in case you're planning on jewelry that clashes.

IVOIRE by Kitty Chen Azaria Dress

Looking to amp up the drama with your wedding-day look? This gown oozes dramatic detailing with a fitted skirt that flares into an epic lace train. This is the type of dress that dictates the venue: A train this amazing calls for an epic aisle to showcase it (go all the way by adding a cathedral-length veil). Curlicue lace also adorns the V-neck halter bodice, and dual beaded straps add the slightest sparkle over the open back.

Ines Di Santo Bowie Jumpsuit

We love a jumpsuit for the events leading up to the wedding, such as a chic rehearsal dinner. This one checks all the boxes: The high-neck halter gets a sexy boost with a long keyhole cutout down the front, and the wide-leg soft chiffon pants are ultra on-trend.

Veronica Sheaffer Moondust Dress

We can't get enough of indie designer Veronica Sheaffer's latest collection, catered specifically to brides looking for a second look or afterparty dress. Moondust is voluminous with tiers of layered tulle—equal parts feminine and whimsical. The tea length is made to show off a stellar pair of heels, or even wedding sneakers when you hit the dance floor.

Grace Loves Lace Goldie Dress

This dreamy dress from GLL's ready-to-wear collection is all about draping. From the high halter neck to the subtle side ruche, the liquid satin fabric falls perfectly at every curve. Top it with a feathery bolero or monogrammed leather jacket to amp up the edge.

Ronny Kobo Zack Dress

This halter top wedding dress is our pick for a chic elopement or intimate wedding. It's got just enough dazzle—allover ivory sequin fabric and a disco-era crisscross cutout halter guarantee that—while being casual enough for a cocktail party with its calf-length hem and slim silhouette. Pair it with embellished heels or some pop-of-color earrings.

Danielle Frankel Sasha Dress

For brides looking to make a unique and fashion-forward statement on their wedding day, New York City-based designer Danielle Frankel is a must-see. She designs outside the bridal box, as in this silk crepe satin handkerchief gown, with wide grosgrain edging and a row of covered buttons—not down the back, but along the hip.

Maggie Sottero Sloan Gown

If Old Hollywood glam is your goal, this is definitely a halter wedding dress worth checking out. We love the beaded lace and keyhole back, as well as the slinky fit. This gown is versatile, and would work at a romantic garden reception as well as a beach celebration.

Billie by Beloved by Casablanca Bridal

The halter top/ball gown skirt combo is giving boho-fairytale vibes. The gown features a sheer beaded lace bodice and scoop back, plus there's an optional back necklace accessory that's sold separately for an added touch of glam.

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