I used to think the whole point of a bridesmaid dress was to disappear into it. Stand there, smile, don’t upstage the bride, job done. I held that opinion for about four weddings before I realised the dresses I actually still wear now, the ones hanging in the front of my wardrobe rather than shoved to the back in a suit bag, were never the disappearing ones. They were the ones that felt like an actual dress first and a “bridesmaid dress” second.
What makes one worth its place is the cut doing something clever rather than something safe. A bias cut that moves when you walk down an aisle and doesn’t cling in the wrong spot when you’re then stood outside a church for forty minutes in the wind.
A neckline that flatters more than one body in the group, because that’s the actual brief, six different women, one silhouette, no drama in the group chat about who got the unflattering one. And a colour with a bit of depth to it, dusty rather than pastel, because pastel photographs beautifully in soft May light and goes slightly grey and sad in every other kind.
Styling one is where the fun is, honestly. Barely-there sandals for the ceremony, swapped for something you can actually dance in by the time the band starts, nobody needs to know. A proper jacket or a soft knitted layer for the bit between the photos and the reception when everyone’s suddenly freezing on a lawn somewhere. Jewellery kept minimal if the dress has any texture to it at all, drop earrings if it doesn’t. And do your own hair and makeup in whatever way makes you feel like yourself, not a matching set, that uniform thing died out for good reason.
Where these earn their keep is the day itself, obviously, but also the second life after. A dress that can go to a summer party, a smart christening, a nice dinner where you want to make a bit of an effort, that’s the one that was worth the money. The ones that only ever come out once, get one photo, then sit in the wardrobe reminding you of nothing but the cost, those are the ones I’ve properly learned to avoid.
Top Picks
BRIDESMAID DRESSTHREDUP (US)J.Crew Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Blue Solid Pattern Dresses - Used - Size 10 Petite
$54.99 THREDUP (US)
BRIDESMAID DRESSCHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Sexy Strapless Sweetheart Cutout Mermaid Satin Side Slit Ruched Maxi Bridesmaid Dress
$122.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
BRIDESMAID DRESSTHREDUP (US)BCBGMAXAZRIA Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Red Dresses - Used - Size
$85.99 THREDUP (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDPlus Size Sexy Off Shoulder Side Slit Mermaid Soft Satin Long Bridesmaid Dress For Wedding
$131.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
ZEAGOOOff Shoulder Lace Maxi Dress Boho White Bridesmaid Wedding Evening Party Dresses - White / S(4)
$31.99 ZEAGOO
ZEAGOOZeagoo Women's Asymmetrical Lace Bridesmaid Dress - Red / L(8-10)
$34.90 ZEAGOO
THREDUP (US)J.Crew Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Blue Solid Pattern Dresses - Used - Size 10 Petite
$54.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Faisca Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Orange Dresses - Used
$18.99 THREDUP (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDPlus Size Sexy Side Slit Mermaid Soft Satin Long Bridesmaid Dress For Wedding
$131.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDSexy Mermaid One Shoulder Side Slit Silky Satin Unique Long Bridesmaid Dress For Wedding
$122.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Sexy Strapless Sweetheart Cutout Mermaid Satin Side Slit Ruched Maxi Bridesmaid Dress
$122.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Sexy Strapless Soft Satin Mermaid Long Bridesmaid Dress For Glamorous Wedding Receptions
$122.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
THREDUP (US)Shein Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Purple Dresses - Used - Size
$21.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Azazie Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Pink Dresses - Used - Size
$101.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Bill Levkoff Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Blue Solid Pattern Dresses - Used - Size
$41.99 THREDUP (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Sexy Off The Shoulder Soft Satin Bridesmaid Dress With Sweetheart Side Slit Mermaid Gown
$139.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Strapless Soft Satin Bridesmaid Dress Ruched Side Slit Floor-length Mermaid Gown
$122.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew Spaghetti Straps Open Back Soft Satin Mermaid Sexy Long Bridesmaid Dress For Glamorous Wedding Receptions
$122.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
ZEAGOOOff Shoulder Lace Maxi Dress Boho White Bridesmaid Wedding Evening Party Dresses - White / L(8-10)
$34.99 ZEAGOO
ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.Fuchsia Sheath Chiffon Long Bridesmaid Dress
$99.99 ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.
THREDUP (US)J.Crew Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Purple Dresses - Used - Size
$14.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Azazie Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Purple Dresses - Used
$38.99 THREDUP (US)
ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.Long Mint Bridesmaid Dress
$83.69 ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.
THREDUP (US)BCBGMAXAZRIA Cocktail Dress - Bridesmaid: Red Dresses - Used - Size
$85.99 THREDUP (US)
