Dress the Population began in Los Angeles in 2011. The credit for founding it goes to designer Franklin Morales, who says the brand was born when he partnered with a business partner, and the business side lists Adam Schoenbaum as co-founder and CEO. Design, manufacturing and shipping are run from the Los Angeles headquarters. The stated mission is a luxury-fashion look within reach, with the energy going into fit, fabrics and tailoring. You can see that in the shapes here. The Olive one shoulder jacquard mini and the Nicole belted floral organza jacquard midi are party dresses with some structure in them. The Charlene square neck cascade ruffle gown and the Reese embroidered floral gown are made for a long evening. Mara shows up twice, as an embellished cocktail maxi and as a long sleeve bodycon, and Emery brings a chevron sequin midi. The Tiana strapless floral sequin mermaid gown and the Dion embellished mermaid gown are the full drama options. If the dress code says formal, my guide to black tie wedding guest gowns shows which of these lengths meets it. A good fitting test for any bodycon here: sit down, lift both arms, and make sure the neckline and hem stay where you put them.

The second half of the edit leans into texture and into the Viviana, a silhouette the label clearly loves. It appears as a lace floral sequin strapless midi sheath, a strapless floral metallic jacquard midi, a velvet strapless midi and a floral column gown. Velvet is the season's easiest route to evening, and the Giovanna floral velvet gown and the Everly strapless velvet bow long dress are the two I would look at first. The Sera asymmetric crepe gown is the quiet one, with the cut doing the work. For something shorter, the Juna sweetheart mini and the Amity mini dress are right for a birthday, and my birthday dress edit has more ideas for the main event. Amanda is a chiffon-draped mermaid gown, and the Akiah sequin peplum bodycon gown and the Emery sequined bodycon dress sit at the glossy end. The brand also launched a dress rental service in 2021, which suits dresses meant for one great night. What I would skip is wearing the strapless Viviana styles to a daytime ceremony in a cold room; save them for the reception. For a fall guest list, wedding guest dresses in jewel colors pairs well with the velvet, and for the shortest options, the cocktail evenings guide covers the six o'clock start.

If I were building one evening around Dress the Population, I would pick a velvet gown for the cold months and a sequin midi for everything else. Keep the jewelry small, let the neckline do the talking, and choose shoes you can stand in for four hours. The label has always aimed at glamour that feels attainable, and these dresses make the case. For more shapes in the same spirit, the cocktail dress edit is a good next stop.

For more in the same spirit, take a look at Naeem Khan Dresses and Gowns and Scarf Dress.