Bridesmaid Dresses that Don’t Suck (all under $200)
I love that modern brides think outside of the box when it comes to their bridesmaids. I love that the trend is changing from shiny, satin, matchy-matchy dresses to mismatched, cotton, flowy dresses. I love when brides let their bridesmaids choose their own cut or style. I love when bridesmaids don’t match exactly. As a woman who has been a bridesmaid a few times, I can say that nothing is more stressful than the cash you have to happily shell out on behalf of a dress you may or may not like and will most likely never wear again (sorry brides, it’s true). So, I’m going to go ahead and go out on a limb and say that I think there should be a wedding rule that (in my oh-so-humble opinion) unless you and your friends summer in the Hamptons, you shouldn’t expect your girls to pay over $200 for their dress. And, I think brides should try to find a dress (or dresses) that come from a real store, that sells real clothes, in real fabrics, that real people wear out in public (instead of from a random bridal boutique or bridesmaid dresses catalog). Doing so will greatly increase the chances that your girls will actually enjoy the dresses and hopefully add them to their normal wardrobe. When your girls feel pretty and confident, they will have so much more fun on your special day and your photos will reflect that. Luckily for today’s lovely brides, some of the most beloved women’s boutiques sell affordable dresses that easily translate into wedding party attire. And, to make your life that much easier, I scoured my favorite shops’ online stores to find you the most lovely, most flattering, most wear-again-able dresses under $200. You’re welcome. ;)
$75 and under
Ruche Think Pink Assymetrical Dress $42.99
Modcloth Cute as a Clover Dress $49.99
Modcloth Electric Coral Dress $54.99
Modcloth Cake From Scratch Dress $73.99
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$75 to $90
Modcloth Sugar and Cream Dress $79.99
Madewell Romantic Ruffle Dress $88
Ann Taylor Loft Piped Silk Dress $89.95
Ann Taylor Loft Double V Neck Knit Dress $89.50
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$90-$150
Something to think about: a color scheme instead of a specific dress. What if you had 4 girls all in each of these dresses? How cute!
Anthropology Oratory Dress $98
Modcloth Liquid Mercury Dress $104.99
Ann Taylor Cotton Sheath Dress $138
Anthropologie Camilla Dress $138
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$150-$200
Ann Taylor Ruffle Neck Cotton Sheath Dress $158
J Crew Silk Taffeta Blakely Dress $179
J Crew Linen/Silk Bustier Dress $198
Anthropologie Vesper Shift Dress $198
Tell me your favorites!
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these are all amazing dresses. makes me want to buy them all and wear them myself. :P
genius post! my bff is getting married next year and we were searching for a fun/festive dress that will can be used again and again. thanks!!
Having worked in retail low all these many years I can safely say that those
are some lovely choices and I have always felt that the bride and bridesmaid dress selection was too stayed and formal, a bit to high brow and dictated for my liking… I do like the selections you have chosen as examples except for the first three in the first box, but then that’s just me and after all I am a man, just sayin!
Awesome taste! I wish I would have seen something like this before I got married and realized that catalog dresses weren’t mandatory. My girls definitely suffered through teal, mystery fabric potato sacks. LOL. You are a friend to bridesmaids everywhere. :)
oooh! Pretty!
I might be changing my mind about not having bridesmaids now… Becka what have you dooone! I blame youuu! Hahahaha!
haha! my girlfriend wore the anthro camilla dress to her bach party a couple weeks ago, it’s just adorable!!!!
Of course the anthro ones are my fav! And I completely agree… esp since so many people do outside weddings these days… flowy, cotton dresses are perfect! I may be suggesting something similar to my friend, who’s wedding I am in next May. Great post!