2017-01-19

Where to find options that your friends won’t secretly hate.

Congratulations are in order if you’ve already found your wedding dress, but the hard part — and the dress shopping — is far from over.

Searching for bridesmaid dresses can be equally (if not more) exhausting, because this time around your shopping for a number of different people, all with different body types and budgets. Of course you want something that fits your taste and vision, but you also want the members of your bridal party to feel good about and most importantly comfortable in what they’ll be wearing.

It’s your day, but that doesn’t mean your bridesmaids should be forced into one-time-only (read:ugly) dresses for the occasion. So whether you’re a bride just starting the search, or a bridesmaid looking to “suggest” some better options, we’ve rounded up some of the very best places to find bridesmaids dresses ahead.

ASOS

In addition to the always reliable e-comm site’s bridal category, you’ll also find a curated bridesmaid selection, with dresses in all of the sizing categories — like petite, tall, curve, and maternity — that ASOS is known for. As always, the site is a great stop for those on a budget, too, with most of its selection largely under $200.

Brideside

The online platform, launched in 2012, pairs a team of consultants with each wedding party to help with everything from inspiration to sizing, as well as navigating over 800 dress styles and accessories from global designers.

Brideside also offers an at home try-on service for those who can’t visit the Chicago-based showroom. For $15 (and free shipping both ways,) you can select up to three styles to be sent to your home à la Warby Parker; a super convenient service if you have bridesmaids who live all over the country and can’t all shop together in person.

BHLDN

It’s not a surprise that this brand is an extension of Anthropologie, considering most of the selection is majorly romantic, vintage inspired, and covered in tulle, lace, and beaded embellishments. Pick from mix-and-match separates or pick from of the hundred gowns and cocktail-length options ranging between $80 and $350.

Jenny Yoo

The gowns from Jenny Yoo are so widely liked that you’ll be able to find them at mass-retailers like Net-a-Porter and Shopbop. The selection is traditional, but far from boring: think tons of draping, chiffon, and floor sweeping silhouettes. On the site, gowns are split up by category, including limited metallic editions, maternity, and novelty prints.

Joanna August

This brand is big on making sure bridesmaids dresses can translate into your real life, too, so think more fashion forward, bohemian-leaning styles, jumpsuits and rompers included.

Everything is made to order, so groups ordering together can create a simple bridal profile to guarantee every garment is cut from the same dye lot, as well as make sure everyone in the bridal party is ordering on time. You can even request up to five complimentary swatches shipped to your door, so you can see and decide on just the right color IRL.

Missbrided

Unsurprisingly, the go-to cool-girl brand Missguided doesn’t disappoint when it comes to its cleverly titled bridal shop, Missbrided. The online shop is stocked with on-trend, wildly affordable (we’re talking certain styles under $30) dresses, and in as many different color, silhouette, and length options you could need.

Modcloth

The retailer known for its vintage-inspired offerings only began carrying bridal last year, but it really hit the nail on the head. You’ll find a mix of unique tea-length options, classic gowns, and some more off-beat looks as well, with prices ranging between just $20 (!!) and $175. Another huge highlight here are the extensive size offerings; pieces are available from size 2 to 24, with stylish options across the board.

Union Station

One of the first of its kind, Union Station — formally known as Little Borrowed Dress — is an online service that rents exclusive styles of bridesmaid dresses, effectively ending the wasted money of the dreaded one-time-wear situation. The site offers 18 different styles in 18 colors, all leaning towards more classic silhouettes and traditional styles. Rentals run for either $50 or $75 depending on the style, an easy bargain either way. If you really love the dress, you can opt to purchase for $100 more.

The process is pretty simple, too. Once you’ve registered your wedding party, each bridesmaid will be emailed separately by a Union Station representative to talk fit, color, style, etc.

Revolve Wedding Shop

The great thing about Revolve’s wedding shop, and specifically in its bridesmaid selection, is that most of what you’ll find wouldn’t normally be considered bridal; meaning these dresses can (and will) be worn after the wedding is over. Think sleek and silky slips dresses, dramatic sleeves, and close-to-body silhouettes from brands like For Love and Lemons, LPA, and Lovers + Friends.

Twobirds

The idea here is that whatever piece you buy, be it a floor length gown, a tea-length dress, or a jumpsuit, you’ll be able to wear it up to fifteen ways depending on how you wrap the versatile straps. Don’t love a knotted cap sleeve? Make it strapless. (Or one-shoulder, or full coverage, it’s totally up to you.)

Gowns start at $340 for classic styles, and peak at $595 for the more involved rosette styles, made of tulle. As far as color scheme, most of the selection is available in a range of pastels, like baby pinks and dusty blues, as well as bolder, darker colors like plum and midnight blue.

Shopbop Wedding Boutique

Yup! This e-comm giant has a designated wedding boutique too, because why wouldn’t they? As expected, there’s a huge range here for price and brands: You’ll find gowns from the likes of Zimmerman and Monique Lhuillier, to indie names like Nili Lotan and Amanda Uprichard. So, whether you’re looking to spend $70 or $700, there are bound to be some contenders in this mix.

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