It has long been a stereotype that a bridesmaid’s dress has to be—for lack of a better word—ugly. Usually, said dress is in a cut that isn’t flattering, a bright color you inevitably despise, and a fabric made of something not found in nature (i.e., polyester). No matter how many times the bride tells you “…and it’s so great because you can wear it again!” don’t kid yourself—you won’t (unless you want to turn it into a Halloween costume).
Luckily, there’s been a recent turn for the better in the wedding industry—bridesmaid’s dresses that are tasteful, beautiful, and don’t even look like bridesmaid’s dresses! Here are three unique ways you can make your friends look great in dresses they’ll actually wear again, plus keep your wedding party looking beautiful and cohesive—all without breaking the bank.
Different Cuts, Same Color
For my wedding, I picked eight different dresses—all light gray and all silk chiffon, but from different companies and in different cuts. Then, I let everyone choose the one they wanted. The key to taking this approach and still having a unified look is to be very specific about the color family you want. If you just say you want your bridesmaids to wear green dresses, the color range may be dramatic. Instead, nail down a couple of specific shades that are close to each other—mint green and light green, for example.
Once you’ve picked your color family, step out of the bridal store and shop around at your favorite retailers. This way, your bridesmaids can find shapes, shades, and cuts that’ll look flattering on them and that they actually like to wear. Just remember to keep all the dresses around the same length—or it might look disjointed when everyone stands together.
Different Colors, Same Length
Another option is to pick dresses that are the same or similar cuts, but in a palate of colors (or even patterns, if you’re daring). To exude an air of femininity, go for shades that are sweet and on the softer side of the spectrum, like this blend of beiges, creams, and grays. Choosing longer lengths is good way to both make the overall feel of the bridal party ethereal and dreamy, and to keep it cohesive. Also keep jewelry and accessorizing to a minimum to keep up the floaty elegance of this look.
(Note: Some of these dresses are on the higher end of the price spectrum—maxi dresses are great, but more fabric means more money.)
Same Dress, Different Accessories
If you want all of your bridesmaids to have the same dress, think of it as a canvas for fun accessorizing. If you choose a bold colored dress (like the pretty coral here), have everyone wear different statement necklaces in the same metallic finish. Or, go with a more neutral dress and have fun with necklaces of the same style in different colors (or the same color in different styles). Just make sure you don’t over-accessorize the look—pick one statement piece, and keep everything else simple.
Tell us! What current bridesmaid looks do you love?
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