07 February 2021

Bridesmaids Dresses: The Dos & Don’ts

Gone are the days when bridesmaids were expected to wear matching dresses, regardless of their shape or size. These days, brides are throwing the rule book out the window – even if that makes it all the harder to know what is and isn’t going to look right. To help, here are some of our main dos and don’ts…

Photography: THE OWN STUDIO

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DO Ignore Tradition

Like we said, there’s no more status quo in the world of bridesmaid dresses. So don’t feel confined to stick to the obvious styles or brands. Go for different lengths, colours, finishes – as long as there’s something cohesive to tie them together, you’ll be fine.

DON’T Choose For Your Friends

This doesn’t mean relinquishing control altogether, but the best dressed bridesmaids are the happy ones. Put together a mood board of the look and feel you want, and send it to your friends, along with examples of things you love and things you don’t. Then, let them come to you with suggestions, before working together on the final choice.

DO Pick A Theme

This could be pink, or sequined, or short – just choose one element to tie everything together. This is particularly important with multiple bridesmaids – any less than five, and the impact of mismatched styles won’t be as strong.

DON’T Feel Obliged To Pay

There’s no obligation for you to pay for your bridesmaids’ dresses – but that does mean you can’t mandate what they spend, or even what they choose. If you’re not going to pay, be prepared for them to dress to their budget, and it’s important to be respectful of what they can and can’t afford. Alterations tend to cost more, too, so don’t forget to factor that in.

DO Shop Around

Great bridesmaids’ dresses are no longer the reserve of specialist brands – from Reformation to Uterque, there are endless appropriate styles to be found on the high street.

DON’T Neglect The Other Details

From the shoes to the earrings to the hair, you’d be disappointed to find one of your friends show up on your big day sporting something you hate. Have a checklist in advance, and tactfully make sure you know exactly what they’re going for to avoid any surprises.

In need of some inspiration? Here are some of favourite brands for all budgets…