Listen, you might have this idea that you want them to wear a "really fun, tea-length skirt, maybe with a cream or white sleeveless top," or "THEY HAVE TO WEAR SAGE GREEN TO MATCH MY INVITATIONS," but you'd be much better off looking around to see what's actually in stores. (And what's, you know, cool. If you're into that.)
1. Mina Stone Hera Dress at Steven Alan
2. Wren Julia Dress at Refinery29 Shops
3. Kimono Dip Dye Dress at Calypso
NUMBER TWO!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with the kimono dress for my imaginary vacation. Also, terribly happy to be no one's bridesmaid.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the first one, I genuinely want it in my wardrobe right now.
ReplyDeletesigh. i wish every bride was an esb reader. i am a bridesmaid in a wedding in october in which i have to wear a puffy blood red monstrosity that costs an arm and a fucking leg. i would much rather one of these.
ReplyDeleteAwww, damn it. I just did the bridesmaid dress shopping at the weekend. the first dress is gorgeous and would fit with my vague blues palette.
ReplyDeleteAlso how did I end up with the only woman who thinks blue (any shade) washes her out, as a bridesmaid? Dammit woman, I only picked blue cos EVERYONE LOOKS GOOD IN BLUE.
Ps can someone explain why American bridesmaids have to pay for their own dresses? I have never understood this. I am in the UK where the bride pays for the dresses, which always seems much fairer, as honestly who actually wears their dress again?
ReplyDeleteWhat worked great for me is telling my bridesmaids I wanted them to wear black cocktail dresses. I sent a list of a few stores that I knew carried a decent number of options and told them they could wear one they already had. I did ask that they send me a pic of their dress choice before laying down money they couldn't get back, just for my peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteThere was no dress drama. The burden of the choice was on them, not on me. And I hope they all bought dresses they would wear again, as that was really important to me.
The only other thing I asked is that they wear non-flashy heels for the actual ceremony and pictures. But I did tell them all that the bright red or animal print stilettos were more than welcome as soon as the ceremony was over.
@abernacky. This is pretty much what I did, except replace black for blue. I thought about having black but decided it wasn't right for an outdoorsy June wedding. I still had drama and not just about the colour...
ReplyDeleteErm, sorry esb. Did not mean to hijack your comments with bridesmaid related ranting.
@Cici that's what comments are *for*
ReplyDeleteWhoa. I love these dresses, and I'm all for cool options instead of the same ol' same ol' but if a bride asked me to spend $300 on a dress? I would just laugh.
ReplyDeletei still think you guys should help me accessorize the dress i'm wearing as a bridesmaid in DC this june. it calls for an eighties helper montage.
ReplyDeletenot because i dislike it, mind you. i just want a helper montage.
ReplyDelete@lauren i get to be Annie Potts
ReplyDelete@lauren obv
ReplyDeleteLOVE the Mina Stone Hera dress.
ReplyDeleteHooray for letting wedding-party ladies find their own distinct dresses. One of the best wedding-related decisions we made, for sure.
It JUST LOOKS BETTER.
That first dress is amazing.
ReplyDeleteForget bridesmaids... I want it for myself.
This should be carved in gold somewhere: see what's in stores before you get your heart set on a color/style/pattern. For both the bride's dress AND the bridesmaids. Love the last dress. I wish it were just a few inches longer, though.
ReplyDeleteI have no plans on the immediate horizon to be a bridesmaid. However, I want that first dress in my closet like now already!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE Wren dresses. I bought a bridesmaid dress by Wren at Stone Fox Bride -- really good options for bridesmaids
ReplyDelete