Tea-length and long-sleeve frocks are poised to be two of this season's hottest bridal trends. For truly dazzling wedding photos, put your bridesmaids in watercolor florals and statement earrings that are (slightly) less dramatic than your own gown and glitter.
Naeem Khan Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Make tiered Grecian gowns more playful (and seasonally-appropriate) with 70s-reminiscent fur stoles and, underneath it all, flats.
J. Mendel Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Tulle? Hackneyed? Never. While pastel uses of the material may get a bad rap, an airy evocative silhouette in a rich jewel tone is sure to elevate your wedding party. We like this design belted with bow-accented slip-ons, per the designer.
Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Two-tone gowns, much like two-tone jeans, are having a well-deserved fashion moment. Put a couple bridesmaids in solid pinks and reds to add depth to your photos.
Monse Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
A streamlined, bell-sleeve and embellished number will have your fashion-forward gal pals looking red carpet- and wedding aisle-ready. Polish off the goth-chic look with crimson lips and metallic shoes.
Prabal Gurung Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
An expertly tailored, suspender-accented tux for the city hall tomboy, political progressive and/or Rory Gilmore-loving bridesmaid.
Red Valentino Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
While it's perfectly acceptable for guests to don cocktail dresses, thigh-high hems can look awkward next to traditional floor-length gowns and, in our opinion, detract from the gravitas of the event. Instead, go for a knee-length shirred tulle skirt that's also fit for drinks...with royalty.
Marchesa Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Not all winter weddings take place indoors (duh). Have your bridesmaids' dresses speak to your nuptials' setting. This asymmetric-hem dress and balloon-sleeve shift belong seaside or in sunny gardens.
Lela Rose Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
It's OK to outfit your crew in cascading black when it's semi-sheer, one-shoulder and hand-embellished by one of Gigi Hadid's go-to designers. But if you don't want to splurge on Jonathan Simkhai, something similar will certainly do.
Jonathan Simkhai Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Channel two of fashion's greatest obsessions: "Greenery" and fringe. Disclaimer: This Baroque-style bombshell should only be paired with a seriously show-stopping wedding gown.
Marchesa Notte Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Jonathan Saunders: redefining Diane von Furstenberg and the 90s slip dress. This versatile, artfully-hemmed cobalt invention (and others like it) will add color to your special day and, with the help of a good blazer, many more to come.
Diane von Furstenberg Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Think outside the box. Gucci-obsessed fashion girls, consider clothing your clan in revamped romantic styles. V-neck, floor-length gowns with geo-patterned sleeves and UFO-embellished empire waists, for instance. Finish off the look with a neck corsage — why not?
Gucci Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
For those with a more feminine aesthetic, a body-conscious dress with sheer, sweeping statement sleeves. For bridesmaids wedded to pants (or a wider range of motion), a jumpsuit with a coordinating sheer overlay.
Monique Lhuillier Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Reference the 40s and the 70s at the same damn time. Guests won't soon forget those shimmery, stylishly idiosyncratic bridesmaid dresses. (And for the lady of the hour? Silver sequins, of course.)
Erdem Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
If your gown commands the attention of the room by way of embroidery, have your bridesmaids' dresses follow suit. Keep your BFFs toasty in long sleeves and happy with individualized hems.
Naeem Khan Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
When done right, sculptural separates can be the highlight of your lineup. Put your maid of honor in an architectural top with a sweeping train and have your party pose Vanessa Beecroft-style.
Narciso Rodriguez Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Ask any wedding planner, Alice Temperley, Monique Lhuillier, Georgina Chapman or Keren Craig — feathers are this season's flyaway trend. If your gown is practically aerodynamic, let your bridesmaids in on the fun.
Marchesa Notte Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
For more low-key exchanges of vows, a simple sapphire frock that would almost resemble a housedress if not for the velvet leaf embroidery and luxe viscose satin. We're very into jewel tones and nature references in winter.
Tomas Maier Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
With the right shoes (read: ornate open-toe flats) and in the right material (read: silk), a drop-waist dress and trousers combo is totally acceptable. And if your gown happens to match the golden apples on this firebird-inspired drop-waist dress, we definitely recommend giving Russian designer Alena Akhmadullina a call.
Alena Akhmadullina Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Roberto Cavalli, ever the accessories advocate, has just the thing for a breezy winter wedding: a velvet-belted, wine-red, semi-sheer boho dress topped with a cheetah print scarf. (We'd only allow scarf-wearing before and after the ceremony.)
Just Cavalli Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Not only is this dress gorgeous, but those glorious statement sleeves will transform the scuffle for the bouquet into an elaborate fan dance. (Pro tip: Film the frenzy in slo-mo.)
Dennis Basso Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Sidestep inclement weather by pairing your bridesmaids' dresses with matching boots.
Altuzarra Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
Grace them with an effortless, on-trend silhouette elevated by bold stripes of color. Here again you have the option of outfitting some of your crew in solid copper, tan or sky blue for seriously artsy wedding snaps.
Diane von Furstenberg Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
For those with an avant–garde aesthetic, a ruffled sleeve that will photograph extremely well against a floral backdrop. (Not to mention up the surprise factor of your lady friends' march down the aisle.)
Christian Siriano Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
If Jane Eyre made its way to your wedding mood board, this is your bridesmaids' dress. Demure yet daring (hello, teal sequins), it and others of its semi-sheer, dove gray, tea-length kind will complement any Victorian-inspired gown.
Dennis Basso Pre-Fall 2017; Image: Courtesy
You’ve done it. You’ve scoured this wide, populous world and found the one person with whom you very much wish to coexist. Forever. Now for the hard part: finding seasonally-appropriate bridesmaid dresses that fit your wedding aesthetic and don’t make your nearest and dearest cringe.
We kid. Finding a chic compromise (or 25) is actually fairly simple. It’s almost 2017: the days of ugly, cookie-cutter bridesmaid dresses are well behind us. As far as wedding party ensembles go, long sleeves (slimming and winter-ready) are in. As are tea-length hemlines (good for showing off statement tights, skirting snowbanks and semi-insulating the wearer). Dresses that double as investment pieces are no longer a pipe dream — soft, casual looks are fairly ubiquitous.
Mix-and-match dresses (which allow #squad members of all shapes, sizes and complexions to tailor a theme to suit their needs) are also on the up and up. When coordinating looks, “keep an inspiration board with runway or product shots of the different styles to make sure that all the dresses work well together and stay away from anything too trendy,” advises Melissa Colgan, former style editor for Martha Stewart Weddings.
Suffice it to say, bridesmaid dress shopping should be fairly low on the modern bride’s list of stressors. And to make matters even easier, we’ve rounded up 25 of our favorite wintry, bridesmaid-worthy looks from the latest pre-fall collections. Drag yourself out of that deep, dark Pinterest hole you’ve been living in, gather the girls and scroll through the slideshow above. You’re sure to find at least one option everyone can live with (or use as a jumping-off point).
And for those of you who are totally preemptively browsing, let it be known that small (to nonexistent) bridal parties are set to be one of 2017’s biggest wedding trends. “Less is more,” holds Brooklyn wedding planner Jove Meyer. Just something to chew on.
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