Agata Pospieszynska for Harper’s Bazaar
The bridal market is changing. Far from the days when it was a given that bridesmaids would all wear the same dress in the same colour from a narrow choice of retailers, our options today are more bountiful. A number of new brands are offering modern, stylish options that enhance the individuality of the woman wearing it; they flatter and enhance rather than fuss and squeeze. Whether you’re after an effortlessly elegant gown a lá Vince or Maggie Marilyn, a dress so statement it always sparks joy like Cecilie Bahnsen, or a flattering design that suits any shape or size like Rixo, there’s an abundance of designers out there ready to add that extra special touch to your day.
The best thing about all these brands? You can wear them as a bridesmaid and beyond, thanks to their versatile and timeless designs. “We have always designed our collections with longevity in mind, we love the idea that a piece can be worn in lots of different ways and hopefully treasured for years to come,” one half of Rixo, Henrietta Rix, previously explained to Bazaar.
“We have been bridesmaids ourselves in the past and with our own weddings on the horizon, the conversations are starting all over again, so we really understand the varying and often passionate tastes and styles among a group of girls – and we believed this individualism should be celebrated,” added co-founder Orlagh McCloskey.
Whether your bride is tying the knot in the beautiful UK countryside, jetting off to somewhere warm or opting for a city wedding, here we round up our 15 favourite bridesmaid brands, from those that focus on minimal simplicity to others characterised by romance perfect for any wedding destination.
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SHOP MAGGIE MARILYN
Sustainable designer Maggie Hewitt creates some of the most effortlessly elegant dresses you will find, many of which will make perfect bridesmaid dresses. The New Zealand-based brand is all about transparency when it comes to its designs, and anything bought for a wedding day would make a great investment for life. Find out more about the beautiful brand here.
SHOP DAILY SLEEPER
Daily Sleeper was launched in 2014 by two former fashion editors, Kate Zubarieva and Asya Varetsa, after one of them had a dream about her standing in the middle of a pyjama factory. Their first collection debuted in the following winter and ever since then the label has been adored by the fashion industry and beyond. Sleeper’s Atlanta dress (pictured here) makes the perfect candidate for a summer wedding.
SHOP VINCE
Inspired by the founder’s hometown of Los Angeles, Vince offers elegant and timeless dresses for the chicest of weddings. With pieces made from luxury fabrics, the brand focuses on intricate detailing and design that’s built to last, meaning you’ll be the most stylish bridesmaid around in one of their silk pieces.
SHOP CECILIE BAHNSEN
Owning a Cecilie Bahnsen dress is like owning a piece of art. Each garment sparks so much joy, whether it’s felt by the wearer of those who spot you wearing it. The most beautiful thing about Bahnsen’s designs is the fact that you can wear for a special occasion, like a wedding, but also, far beyond.
“You could put one of our dresses on and wear it to a party, but they are not just for these occasions, they are also just for the enjoyment of life, for dressing up every single day. This is what inspires me. It is dressing up just for living,” the designer previously told Bazaar.
SHOP RIXO
Rixo offers easy-to-wear styles in timeless silhouettes that flatter every shape, ideal for bridesmaid shopping, as it’s unrealistic to expect every different shape or size to feel comfortable in the same style. Browse from Rixo’s extensive range of styles, shapes and patterns to ensure you’re feeling as confident as possible on the big day – and make sure to check out the brand’s new bridesmaid range too.
SHOP THE OWN STUDIO
Minimalist, understated and contemporary, The Own Studio offers brides and bridesmaids sleek options that they’ll actually rewear. Inspired by luxury fashion and vintage pieces, founders Jess Kaye and Kaye Rosie Williams focus on clean silhouettes and beautiful fabrics. Styles vary from halterneck dresses and silky slips to pared-back camisoles and matching column skirts.
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SHOP REWRITTEN
Rewritten aims to rewrite the rules of traditional wedding attire. Choose between 10 existing styles, each available in a number of different colours and with UK sizes from 8-30. Either you and your fellow bridesmaids could opt for the same shade but a different style to best suit your shapes, or the same style but in varying colours to work best with different skin tones. The point is inclusivity and designing dresses that will work hard for you beyond the wedding. If you’re unlikely to wear a floor-length option more than once, then Rewritten will happily shorten it so you get more mileage.
SHOP GHOST
A long-term frontrunner in the chic bridesmaid dress arena, Ghost’s feminine gowns are characterised by their signature bias-cut, form-fitting, fluid silhouettes, as well as the brand’s garment-dyeing process which results in a vintage-satin effect.
SHOP CHARLIE BREAR
Sienna Miller, Caroline Issa and Alexa Chung are fans of Charlie Brear’s elegant, pared-down gowns. The brand focuses on feminine dresses with clean, modern lines – this isn’t for women with a hankering for heavy lace or embroidery. Brear’s easy, contemporary designs work for both brides and bridesmaids – anyone who wants romance to look simple.
SHOP MOTEE MAIDS
For some, the idea of adult women all wearing the same dress, regardless of differing shapes and personalities, feels a little antiquated. Motee Maids create bridesmaid looks in similar patterns and colours but in differing silhouettes to best suit the wearer’s shape and tastes. Choose from 1000s of different options – from long-sleeve tops to empire-line versions. The brand offers uniformity without negating the personalities of the wearers.
SHOP REFORMATION
Head over to Reformation and be prepared for a true test of will power – every look is so expertly styled you’ll want everything. While its offering goes beyond bridalwear, the wedding and occasionwear category serves up plenty to choose from. From mini dresses to long-sleeve dresses, there’s something for all tastes and shapes.
SHOP NEEDLE & THREAD
Needle & Thread’s intricate embroidery and beautiful tulle shapes have made it a favourite with bridesmaids who want to wear something special, feminine and modern. If lace, ornate floral detailing and sequins are your game, then this is the bridesmaid brand for you. Think ballerina meets bohemia.
SHOP VANESSA COCCHIARO
Vanessa Cocchiaro shows its respect and appreciation for bridesmaids through its reverential name; it strongly believes that a bride’s closest women should be viewed as ‘heroines’ in their own right. With a mix of separates, dresses and jumpsuits, the brand is a go-to for subtle, chic and feminine looks.
SHOP UTERQÜE
Season after season, fashion editors and influencers turn to online site Uterque for affordable, chic pieces that tap into trends without falling victim to them. Again, it’s not bridal-focused, but you will find a lot of strong options in its dresses and jumpsuit section that will be perfect for walking your best friend up the aisle.
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