Let’s face it, bridesmaid dresses as a whole get a bad rap. Who among us hasn’t felt personally victimised by a dress that you’d never wear except for the fact that your best friend asked you to on their wedding day? And if you haven’t, you should thank your friends. They have impeccable taste.
History may lead us to believe that a ‘meh’ ensemble is simply a matter of fact for bridesmaids, but it’s time to break the cycle. As a bride or Maid of Honour, dear reader, there’s a lot you can do to make sure the bridal party looks stunning and comfortable, but we’ll get to those tips in a bit. Let’s get to the fun part first: bridesmaid dress picks that will have your friends falling head over heels for them.
Read more: 14 winter date night looks to heat up a chilly night
Angel Sleeve Wrap Front Maxi Dress
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Soft Tailored Halter Neck Wide Leg Jumpsuit
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ASOS Design Satin Maxi Dress with Batwing Sleeve and Wrap Waist
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Let Me Be Sheer Mini Dress
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Tallulah Twist Me Tie Me Bridesmaid Dress
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Sparkle Jacquard Contrast Sleeve Mini Dress
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V Neck Frill Detail Wide Leg Jumpsuit
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Halterneck Ruffle Maxi Dress
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Cutwork Drama Sleeve Woven Dress
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ASOS Design Ruched Racer Front Midi Dress in Black
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Lindsay Maxi Dress Blue
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Hand Embellished Godet Mesh Maxi Dress
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Champagne Multiway Infinity Dress
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For autumnal allure
Photo: ASOS
ASOS Design Satin Maxi Dress with Batwing Sleeve and Wrap Waist
This maxi dress elongates the silhouette without being too constricting while its high neckline and batwing sleeve create a high-fashion feel without the high-end price tag. All this paired with its mustard hue — this dress basically runs down the aisle of an autumnal wedding.
Not your typical green bridesmaid dress
Pictured in Green. Photo: Anthropologie
Let Me Be Sheer Mini Dress
Ideal for a British summer garden wedding when warm days meet cool evenings, this dainty yet elegant number is the perfect combination of playful and sophisticated. While timeless in the Green colourway, we also love the idea of the Pink Combo for the more daring brides out there.
To have the neckline that perfectly suits
Shown here in Burgundy. Photo: Monsoon
Tallulah Twist Me Tie Me Bridesmaid Dress
You’ve probably seen these super customisable bridesmaid dresses before. They’re a great way to make sure all your best gals feel comfortable as the neckline and shoulders can be tied in different styles. What sets the Tallulah apart from others is that it comes in a number of sizes for a better fit. For more colours, check out Monsoon’s similar style, the Tracy.
For the couture minded
Modelled in Black. Photo: Karen Millen
Sparkle Jacquard Contrast Sleeve Mini Dress
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£39 (20 %)
£156
£195
The sleeve detail says it all — they kick this little black dress (or green, if you prefer) up a couple of levels for added luxe. While extra snazzy, this dress is versatile when it comes to time of year. We think it would be a stunner for an evening summer wedding just as well as it would suit a glitzy New Year’s Eve wedding.
Florals forward
Photo: Coast
V Neck Frill Detail Wide Leg Jumpsuit
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£54 (45.38 %)
£65
£119
If a sunny destination is the location for your dream day, this V-neck jumpsuit is a great way to make your bridal party feel great — whether you have just one bridesmaid by your side or six. The deep V adds intrigue and allure without feeling too revealing while the fun floral pattern is sure to turn heads.
For timeless elegance
Shown in Mint. Photo: boohoo
Halterneck Ruffle Maxi Dress
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£2.50 (5.56 %)
£42.50
£45
This flowy A-line dress is what bridesmaid dreams are made of. Soft, off-the-shoulder detailing is accentuated by a slight V-neck, all of which is beautifully finished off with a strappy halter top.
Textured monochrome perfection
Photo: Karen Millen
Cutwork Drama Sleeve Woven Dress
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£286 (69.93 %)
£123
£409
A simple, short A-line design and bell sleeve is immediately upgraded by the eyelet cut-out overlay on this fit. This dress would beautifully complement a minimalist wedding dress — think ’60s chic — while adding some updated style. This dress is quite pricey but when you catch it on sale, it’s a steal!
Bridal bodycon
Photo: ASOS
ASOS Design Ruched Racer Front Midi Dress in Black
Bodycon dresses are a modern day staple and this ASOS Design little black dress is as saucy as it is sophisticated. A high neckline balances a form-fitting design and the ruched detailing lends itself well to a broad range of body types.
A twist on classic chiffon
Photo: Monsoon
Also available in a shorter, midi style, this bridesmaid dress gives us major Kate Middleton vibes. Forever a classic, we love the contrast between the lace bodice and chiffon skirt that’s all set off by an empire waistline.
Spreading the sparkle
Modelled in Silver. Photo: boohoo
Hand Embellished Godet Mesh Maxi Dress
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£24 (20 %)
£96
£120
Like an ode to the Roaring ‘20s, this dress’ sequined bodice is sure to make your best gals feel like the knock-outs they truly are. Adjustable straps means tailoring can be kept to a minimum while its flowing skirt helps make the sequined dress more lightweight.
The age-old question: Why are bridesmaid dresses always ugly?
While we can’t tell you why your cousin had you wear that hot pink taffeta number when you were 18, we can tell you that bridesmaid dresses aren’t always ugly. In fact, they can be downright stunning. But, it all hinges on how they’re selected. A few factors can contribute to a bridesmaid dress disaster, like:
- Designs that are too trendy. Photos last forever while trends fade. If you opt to dress your bridal party in styles that are too of the time, chances are your crew won’t be wearing them again and in 30 years, you might be wondering what you were thinking.
- Poor quality. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t believe in overpaying for dresses for you big day, but sometimes a deal that’s too good to be true really is just that. If you skimp on bridesmaid dresses that turn out to be poorly made with materials that are a nightmare, you won’t do anyone any favours. Instead, it’s about finding the right balance between what your budget can afford and quality.
- Ill-fitting frocks can be another downfall for bridesmaid dresses. Sometimes, this might be down to the design of a dress that simply doesn’t lend itself well to lots of body types. Other times, it can be because while your wedding is of the utmost importance to you, it might not be every bridesmaid’s priority. So tailoring might have taken a back seat.
There are so many things that can contribute to a dress being less attractive, but if you’re here, you’re after the perfect way to remedy this dilemma. So let’s look at some things to keep in mind as you look for the perfect dresses for you best gals.
Photo: Unsplash
What to look for in a bridesmaid dress
Whether you’re a bride yourself or you’re the Maid of Honour that goes above and beyond (or you just don’t want to be stuck in a mess of a dress), there are a few things to consider before you say ‘yes’ to the bridesmaid dresses.
- Talk it over with your Maid of Honour or bridesmaids. Getting some input from the women you trust most on what they would like to wear at your wedding not only gives you direction but helps you know what they feel most comfortable in.
- Be conscious of the range of body types you’ll be dressing for your big day. Most of us don’t have friends in a uniform shape and size, so it’s always good to consider what style of gown will suit a range of body shapes. Or, go another step and select style options for your bridal party to choose from. This allows your favourite people some control over how they’ll look.
- Dress for the time of year! We can’t stress this enough. Once you and your fiancé(e) have chosen the date, work with the season you’re getting married within. In other words, think of how comfortable your bridal party will be for the weather that time of year. No one likes to sweat through chiffon!
- Pick a colour that suits your girls’ complexions. We aren’t saying you should change your wedding vision, but if you can work with colours that make the top women in your life feel great, everyone will win.
- Consider the effort your bridesmaids will need to put into their gowns. Is tailoring needed? Will shoes be difficult to find? These are things, among others, that can make being part of the bridal party more strenuous.
- Finally, why not let your bridesmaids choose? While this might not be every bride’s cup of tea, it can take a big weight off your shoulders. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to let go of the reins completely. Perhaps give your ladies a colour scheme to follow or some parameters and let them shop for a dress that suits them and their budget.
Photo: Unsplash
Do all bridesmaid dresses have to match?
Not at all. In recent years, there has been an uptick in brides opting to dress their bridal party in mismatched frocks. When done well, this look can be a great, refreshing take on traditional bridesmaid gowns. For some, this might simply mean every dress has a different neckline. For others, every member of their party might don a different dress altogether.
Your big day doesn’t have to follow any rules! But we would recommend that those going for fully mismatched dresses have a good vision of what they want in the end.
How much do bridesmaid dresses usually cost?
Gowns and dresses come in every price point — anyone who’s ever watched Say Yes to the Dress knows that. But a typical bridesmaid dress in the UK will set you back between £100 and £150. That doesn’t include tailoring, things like shapewear or shoes.
Queue the confetti
Finding the right gowns for your best women can be overwhelming just like so many aspects of planning a wedding. The Best Buys team hopes that with these pointers and the dresses we’ve recommended, you can figure out exactly what will make your bridesmaids feel amazing as they celebrate you on your big day.
Prices updated on 15/02/2022. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
