Fashion

The ultimate bridesmaid dress guide: Shop the frocks your bridal party will actually wear again

By Amelie Langenskiöld

Photo: Adoore

If choosing your own wedding gown feels overwhelming, finding a dress suitable for all your bridesmaids can feel near impossible. Here, Vogue Scandinavia invites you and your bridal party to invest in pieces that won't end up discarded at the back of the wardrobe

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For many, the mention of 'bridesmaids' conjures up the mental image of a queue of identical frocks, selected by a bride irregardless of individual tastes, complexions or body shapes. But thankfully, this approach is becoming increasingly outdated, with more focus on investing in garments that your bridal party actually want to wear, time and time again.

It's worth remembering that there are no hidden rules to keep in mind when choosing the dresses for those who will be by your side on your big day – aside from them not drawing too much attention away from the bridal gown, of course. Length, colour and fit can all be adjusted to the nature of your wedding, but this being said, whether you're getting married on a beach in Australia or a castle in France, be sure that your personality – and that of your bridesmaids – shines through.

As bridesmaids dresses are paid for by the bridal party, there is even more reason to have open dialogue about finding a design that fits their personal style, so they can find a piece that will remain on high rotation in their wardrobe for years to come, making for a much more sustainable investment too.

Colour-coordinated but differing designs

If you need to dictate one thing about your bridesmaids dresses, make it the hue. It's the ideal way to ensure the garments tie together with the wedding's venue, décor and aesthetic – while giving your bridal party the freedom to control the fit, cut and overall style to suit them.


Bridal floral-appliqué satin gown

Self-Portrait

SHOP NOWEUR 450
Pistachio chiffon floor length gown

House of CB

SHOP NOWEUR 393
Marisa maxi dress

By Malina

SHOP NOWEUR 320
Olimpia draped asymmetric midi dress

The Andamane

SHOP NOWEUR 345
Satin maxi dress blue

Róhe

SHOP NOWEUR 390
Athens dress

Adoore

SHOP NOWEUR 175

Stormi ruched stretch-tulle maxi dress

Staud

SHOP NOWEUR 520
Galla dress

Bernadette

SHOP NOWEUR 770
Shiny tube dress

House of Dagmar

SHOP NOWEUR 600
Iridea dress

Rodebjer

SHOP NOWEUR 395
Gathered midi dress

Jil Sander

SHOP NOWEUR 1390
Cropped slip dress

Galvan

SHOP NOWEUR 795

Boheme slip midi dress w/ feathers

Sleeper

SHOP NOWEUR 167
Afra strapless crepe and satin-twill gown

Solace London

SHOP NOWEUR 515
Satin bias cut dress

Acne Studios

SHOP NOWEUR 420
Netea dress

Tiger of Sweden

SHOP NOWEUR 499
Soundscape maxi dress

Aje.

SHOP NOWEUR 710
Catania silk satin slip dress

The Garment

SHOP NOWEUR 385.42

Something personal

For bridesmaids to feel truly comfortable on your wedding day, let them opt for prints, patterns or silhouettes that feel personal to them. Providing a general mood board or colour palette can help to keep things cohesive, but what shines the most with this approach will be the personal confidence of all in your bridal party.


Ira tie-back mini dress

Nazil Ceren

SHOP NOWEUR 270
Shiny statement silk charmeuse maxi dress

Dorothee Schumacher

SHOP NOWEUR 650
Asymmetric gathered satin midi dress

COS

SHOP NOWEUR 115
Frankie silk dress

Reformation

SHOP NOWEUR 390
Abigail crêpe minidress

Rebecca Vallance

SHOP NOWEUR 315
Midi dress josselin

Bernadette

SHOP NOWEUR 790
Green one shoulder lea mini dress

Farm Rio

SHOP NOWEUR 275
Caroline dress

Nana Jacqueline

SHOP NOWEUR 440
Margot one shoulder lace up maxi dress

Shona Joy

SHOP NOWEUR 440
Chandra ruffled plissé silk-georgette maxi dress

Saloni

SHOP NOWEUR 910

Contrasting colours

For the boldest of brides: dare to break up the uniformity so commonly associated with bridemaids and enjoy the scheme of colours that naturally come together through each person's individual choice. Sticking to block colours will help to add a sense of balance and coordination.


Sno dress

Saks Potts

SHOP NOWEUR 540
Monte dress

Envelope 1976

SHOP NOWEUR 650
Satin maxi dress brown

Toteme

SHOP NOWEUR 650
Floral-appliqué asymmetric maxi dress

Coperni

SHOP NOWEUR 590
Odea dress

Tiger of Sweden

SHOP NOWEUR 445
Eglantine halterneck silk midi dress

Nili Lotan

SHOP NOWEUR 1045
Asymmetric gathered-detail minidress

Entire Studios

SHOP NOWEUR 158
Asymmetric draped ruched stretch-lamé dress

Norma Kamali

SHOP NOWEUR 240
Santiana lenzing ecovero-satin maxi dress

Faithful the brand

SHOP NOWEUR 309
Floral-appliqué one-shoulder jersey maxi dress

Magda Butrym

SHOP NOWEUR 1705