Bridesmaids dress shopping. It can make or break lifelong friendships and there is just SO much choice available, which is a wonderful thing, but it can be pretty overwhelming! Our advice would be not to have a specific style of dress, or even colour, in your mind – know roughly what styles and colours will fit with the rest of your wedding choices and just have fun shopping with your friends. And if you find something while browsing online and fall in love, BUY it – so many of our Brides tell us they randomly found their Bridesmaids dresses this way!
Our high street Bridesmaids dress edit focusses on three key trends which are stylish, simple and universally flattering – maids in pale tones, maids in darker shades and maids in metallics, but if anyone is looking for something a little brighter, just let me know and I’ll try to help – I’ve spent A LOT of time looking at dresses to put this post together 😉
The only worry with putting your girls in high street dresses is that one of your guests will be wearing the same dress (ekkk!) so head over to our lifestyle blog Rock My Style to join the discussion on wedding guest wear etiquette, including whether guests should be allowed to wear white or not…and finally before we crack on with looking at gorgeous dresses, if any of your girls will be pregnant or breastfeeding for your big day, head over to our parenting blog Rock My Family for some great maternity and nursing wedding fashion.
Right, let’s start shopping…
Whites & Pales
Girls in white dresses are most definitely one of my favourite things and clearly this is a look LOVED by you all, if our real weddings are anything to go by. If your friends aren’t keen on wearing white, opt for a blush or very pale pink shade as this tone can be much more flattering. I think my favourite from these is the John Zack white maxi dress with the keyhole front and open back detail, almost good enough for the Bride and yet under £50 – it’s a total bargain. And if anyone puts their girls in the ombre Vila maxi dress, I’d love to see the photos.
Darks
Bridesmaids in LBDs is definitely a trend we can get on board with – chic, minimal and so easy to accessorise, we love darker tones for the wedding party. We love pastels, we really do, but there’s something very striking about putting your girls in rich plum tones, deep navy shades and dazzling emeralds. This black Free People dress with a cut out detail and bardot neckline is just gorgeous and would definitely be worn again, and again and again…
And the fluted sleeves on this blue Warehouse dress are stunning, perfect if any of your Bridesmaids have upper arm issues (don’t we all?!)
Metallics
Such a gorgeous way to add subtle colour and texture to your colour palette and metallics doesn’t have to mean head to toe sequins either, take this tulle skirt from Coast dotted with pretty gems, just pair with a simple cream top and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous Bridesmaids look.
And if you’re a fan of Adrianna Papell dresses, but can’t stretch your budget, I’m in love with the blush Next maxi dress which combines embellishment with chiffon and a gorgeous deep v cut back.
So there we have it – have any of these caught your eye? Is there any particular style you’ve been searching for that I haven’t covered? Do leave a comment below the post and I’ll try my best to help you! And if you want to see any more of the weddings included in our moodboard below, check out the links at the bottom of the post. Happy Shopping!!! x
PIN THE MOODBOARDS
Photography by Sarah-Jane Ethan Photography
- Whites & Pales Chloe & Maxime
- Anwen & Myrddin
- Anna & Mike
- Carrie & Mike
- Emma & Ben
- Tegan & Jordan
- Sam & Rob
- Laura & Will
- Charlotte & David
- Louise & Oli
- Hannah & Keith
- Darks Gillian & Chris
- Helen & Jonny
- Sarah & Paul
- Juliet & James
- Hannah & Dan
- Kat & Andy
- Erica & Louis
- Metallics Danielle & Luke
- Lolly & Ste
- Hanging Dresses
- Randi & Pablo
- Black Tie Wedding
- Mandi & Riley
Author: Fern Godfrey
