People put a lot of pressure on weddings to be perfect. And whether it's your wedding or a close friend’s wedding, that pressure still exists. Here’s how to dress flawlessly while sticking to any bride’s bridesmaid style guide.
Step One: Understand the Bride’s Vision The official “Step One” obviously depends on what the bride told you to wear. Back in time - from our mom’s day and further back the bride picked one dress for all bridesmaids, made them have identical hair styles, and bought them matching accessories and handbags. I experienced this as a young bridesmaid in the 2000s, where the only thing I got to pick were the shoes that barely poked out of the base of my floor length gown. It felt as if brides of that time were so concerned about being the prettiest in the room they went out of their way to dull their closet friend’s sparkle.
I start with this little trip down memory lane to remind you that today, we are lucky to be bridesmaids because most brides actually want us to look good! Our generation did that! Today, it is most common to get an assigned color (and website) but the freedom to select the style we think will flatter our unique silhouettes the best. This was the case for the two weddings I was in this summer. Now comes the part where you need that Whitney Wisdom! How do you know what style will look best on you based on just the 4 photos from the online listing? What will be on trend a year from now? As your faithful fashionista, I have tips on tips on tips.
At Home Try On: The easiest way to narrow down your options is to try things on. Most bridal sites offer $10 at home try ons where you can try on the dress in the style, color, and size you might order! If ordering from a non-bridal website just be sure its returnable incase you or the bride don’t like the dress. Share pics with the bride but don't overshare. If it is not a dress you would really like to wear, don’t show the bride because they may love it and now you’re stuck wearing something you don’t like. Only send the bride, the true top tier contenders!
Go to a Real Store: You know when your manager brags, “we are so much more productive in the office.” Well I am here to tell you, you will be much more productive shopping in the store. Even if your bride gave you an assigned website with no store location, a trip to the mall is the best place to gain inspo. You can quote me on that! Trying on in store is also free v. the at home try on from bridesmaid website typically costs money. It baffles me that people would rather send hundreds of dollars ordering dresses online that may or may not fit when they could just go to the store, try on a particular style and be more confident in their selection.
Tap Into Your Network: That’s right, networking is not just about trying to lockdown a promotion or finding a new job. Sometimes outfits require networking too! If ordering from a popular website like Birdy Grey or Azazie, odds someone in your circle already has the color you're looking for are higher than you think! Facebook groups are a great way to get second opinions on what would work for your shape as well because strangers don’t hold back the way a friend might!
Hot Bridesmaid Dress Styles for 2025: Now’s the fun part where I impart my wisdom on the specific dress styles that will thrive in 2025! I am assuming if you’re a 2024 bridesmaid you’ve already bought your gown, but if not, take my recs and be ahead of the game!
1.Micro prints: Weddings are probably the most antiquated event you’ll go to. On the path to continue to modernize and break tradition are bridesmaids wearing printed dresses! A tiny all over print is best v. a larger emblem that gets cut off when standing at an angle. Micro printed bridesmaid dresses work best if the floral pattern matches the bouquets! I highly doubt other wedding guests will actually notice this but it is that level of attention to detail that really ties the look together and separates weddings with a vision from those that need style support.
2. Hail the Halters: Alters out, halters in. I hate to be exclusive but this style is for tall girlies only. Accentuate your natural length with a cross neck halter in sexy satin. Satin is my go-to fabric right now because it's a daring choice that has reinvented itself throughout history! Shininess for a bridesmaid is ideal.
3. (A little bit) Off the Shoulder: Caveat: this needs to be flexible or it could interfere with your dancing. For Julia’s wedding I had Cinderella-like loops across my shoulders that actually buttoned off if they got annoying. This is a good way to still be comfy in what I have dubbed “ a little bit off-the-shoulder.” In general, when debating on a bridesmaid gown that shows some skin air on the conservative side. You’re going to be in this gown all day and it’s going to get a lot of attention. Best, not be fallin’ out of it! My bridesmaid dress for Julia’s wedding was legit one of the most comfortable, structured yet, free-flowing dresses I’ve ever stepped into. And I’ve worn a lot of dresses.
4. When in doubt? One Shoulder: Shoulders are in, catch my drift? This is quickly becoming a staple in every bridal party because it flatters all. End of story.
5. Back details: Try out a business in the front, party in the back situation! There are so many fun back details on the market. I love to see how designers get creative with draping, twisting, x-ing, knotting, and tying! Wearing a dress like this is a great way to show your own style while sticking to the bride’s directions.
I loved the back of my dress for Shelby’s wedding. I knew the tie would make it easier to adjust and it fit snug (in a good way) like a bathing suit. Be cautious though when selecting a dress where its main appeal is the back detail. Most of the classic bridal party poses are front-facing. I picked this specific dress because the front still had personality with the bodice’s ruching.
6. New Fabric? Yes Please!: I am totally and completely, head over heels for a floor-length velvet gown. Especially with mesh cutouts or a baby plunging neck. I’ve always loved velvet for a New Year’s Eve or a Christmas Eve wedding in the OG emerald, ruby, and onyx. But, what really gets fun is wearing velvet in pastel hues for Spring/Summer. Keep the shape to a simple tank with a square neck and let the earth shattering moment be the fabric choice. This one is for the advanced style queens.
I have a few velvet tops - one crushed pink velvet tee and one twilight blue velvet wrap blouse that I rotate into my work wardrobe and people fawn over them as if I created the top myself. I realize a lot of brides assign a fabric, so this may be a better tip for a black tie wedding guest dress but, if you have the option, you know what to do!
Free Custom Sizing: Last but not Ieast, I was shocked no one else seemed to take advantage of this for the two weddings I was just in. After you have selected your bridesmaid dress it is often free to enter in your exact measurements. This avoids costly fees for tailoring and hemming. At the end of the day, if you get to pick a bridesmaid dress, you better pick something stylish!
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