Why Choose a Custom Formal Dress?
Stand out at your formal event with a dress that's perfectly suited to the occasion
Off-the-Rack Formal Dresses
Average cost
- ✗Limited style and size options
- ✗May not fit perfectly
- ✗Generic designs
- ✗May not suit the specific event
Custom Formal Dress
Starting price
- ✓Perfect fit with made-to-measure tailoring
- ✓Designed for your specific event
- ✓Unique design that reflects your style
- ✓Professional craftsmanship
Make a Statement
Stand out at your formal event with a dress designed specifically for the occasion
Popular Formal Dress Styles
Choose from elegant styles perfect for any formal occasion
Elegant Evening Gown
Sophisticated and timeless for formal events
- Floor-length silhouette
- Elegant draping
- Formal event perfect
- Timeless style
Cocktail Dress
Chic and versatile for semi-formal occasions
- Knee-length or tea-length
- Versatile styling
- Perfect for parties
- Easy to accessorize
Black Tie Gown
Ultra-formal elegance for special occasions
- Floor-length
- Luxury fabrics
- Black tie appropriate
- Red carpet ready
Gala Dress
Show-stopping elegance for charity events and galas
- Dramatic silhouette
- Luxury embellishments
- Gala appropriate
- Attention-grabbing
Red Carpet Gown
Ultimate luxury for special events and red carpet moments
- Floor-length luxury
- Sophisticated draping
- Red carpet ready
- Ultimate elegance
Perfect for Any Formal Event
From black-tie galas to charity events, we create dresses for every occasion
Black Tie Events
Ultra-formal elegance with floor-length gowns, luxury fabrics, and sophisticated styling perfect for the most formal occasions.
- Floor-length silhouettes
- Luxury fabrics
- Sophisticated styling
Charity Galas
Show-stopping elegance with dramatic silhouettes, luxury embellishments, and attention-grabbing details perfect for fundraising events.
- Dramatic silhouettes
- Luxury embellishments
- Attention-grabbing details
Cocktail Parties
Chic and versatile with knee-length or tea-length styles, perfect for semi-formal occasions and social events.
- Knee-length styles
- Versatile styling
- Easy to accessorize
How It Works
From design to delivery in 4 simple steps
Describe Your Event
Tell our AI about your formal event - occasion, dress code, style preferences, and any specific requirements.
Review & Refine
View high-resolution designs and request modifications until your dress is perfect for your event.
Perfect Measurements
We guide you through taking accurate measurements for a flawless fit.
Craft & Deliver
Expert dressmakers create your gown and deliver it to your door in 5-7 weeks.
Formal Dress FAQ
Common questions about custom formal dresses
What types of formal events are your dresses suitable for?
Our custom formal dresses are perfect for black-tie events, charity galas, cocktail parties, award ceremonies, and any other formal occasion. We can design dresses to meet specific dress codes and event requirements.
How far in advance should I order my custom formal dress?
We recommend ordering your custom formal dress at least 6-8 weeks before your event. This gives us time to perfect your design, take measurements, craft your dress, and handle any necessary alterations.
Can you create dresses for specific dress codes?
Absolutely! We can design dresses to meet specific dress codes like black-tie, cocktail attire, or business formal. Just let us know the requirements when describing your vision.
What's the typical cost of a custom formal dress?
Custom formal dresses through Build-a-Dress start at $249, which is often comparable to or less than high-end off-the-rack formal dresses that can cost $400-$1,500+. You get a completely unique, made-to-measure dress at an affordable price point.