Gone are the days when tradition deemed that bridesmaids – no matter what their size, shape or colouring – were forced to squeeze into matching bridesmaid gowns that were tossed into their wardrobes after the wedding, never to be worn again.
These days, the rules have changed, with bride’s selecting ready-to-wear and couture bridesmaid dresses that are sexy and flattering, and suitable to wear again.
What are your options?
When it comes to shopping for bridesmaids’ outfits you have three options. You can buy a specialist bridal or bridesmaid designer dress; buy the fabric and have them made by a dressmaker; or buy an evening or cocktail dress from a fashion boutique or designer label.
High-end fashion labels such as Charlie Brown, Thurley, Alannah Hill, Collette Dinnigan, Lisa Ho and Wayne Cooper are perfect for bridesmaids looking for off-the-rack fashion wear, while bridal designer labels such as Baccini & Hill, JASONGRECH White, Alex Perry and Johanna Johnson all have great designs for bridesmaids in different colours or styles, so your maids can mix and match hues and shapes that suit their figures.
Specialist bridesmaid and eveningwear designers including Baccini and Hill, TwoBirds bridesmaids, Nicolangela and Harvey and Ella also have a variety of styles available in all the colours of a rainbow.
Who pays?
There are no strict rules on who should pay for the dresses – it can be the bride, mother of the bride, or the bridesmaids themselves. The best way to address this issue is to discuss who will pay for what early on, set a budget that suits all involved and stick to it. If the bride falls in love with a design that is more expensive than the budget, then etiquette dictates that she should pay the difference.
What bridesmaid dresses are in style?
Cocktail dresses with a knee or mid-calf hemline and an emphasis on the waist – often cinched and highlighted with belts, bows or a fuller skirt – in satins and silks are very popular for this season, with many styles focusing on simple embellishments.
While most colours are readily available, muted tones like champagne, gunmetal grey, sage, vintage rose and mushroom are popular at the moment, and soft pink and black are always strong contenders.
Making your own dress
If you decide to have your bridesmaid gowns made, leave enough time to find the right fabric and pattern, as well as allowing four to six months for manufacture. It’s also important to remember that having dresses made is not always the budget option. Dressmaker’s prices can vary from $275 for a basic design up to $1000 for a more complicated style. On top of that, you need to buy fabric, which can cost anywhere between $100 and $500.
Looking for the perfect bridesmaid dresses? Find them on the Bride Directory.