There’s nothing more frustrating than having to shell out $$$ on a dress you didn’t choose, and will probably never wear again – such is the journey to find the perfect bridesmaids dresses.
Colour choice and fitting into a vibe (understandably) reigns supreme, rather than the practicality of the frock you’ll be donning while you watch your loved one say I Do – and let’s be honest, BOY can brides stitch their girls up!
So we’ve done our best to find the best bridesmaids dresses that’ll you or your bridesmaids actually get some more mileage out of and still look stunning on the big day.
Shona Joy (at The Iconic)
Luxe Draped Cocktail Frill Dress
The Iconic will become your new best friend on your quest to find the perfect bridesmaids dresses, offering a huge range of brands, price points, styles and colours (and fast shipping!). This one is a classic pick that you could wear to a cocktail party, the races, or anything where you need to look a little fancy.
Size 6-16, 8 different colours
Often on sale from $88-$295
Atmos & Here (at The Iconic)
Gaelle Knit Midi Dress
Size 6-18, multiple colours
$89.99
Atmos & Here (at The Iconic)
Jasmine Linen Blend Midi Dress
Who says bridesmaids dresses can’t be linen, especially for summer weddings? This can make the dress more versatile and you can wear it again and again.
Size 6-16, seven colours
$119.99
Forever New
After receiving a tip-off that Forever New is the place for affordable bridesmaids dresses (thank you Kelly!) I discovered their dresses section with floor length gowns, wrap dresses and one-shoulder midi dresses which can be matched with heels and jewellery. And to make everything easy for everyone, they even have a wedding guest section with even more options to suit any dress code.
Sizes 4-18
Comes in five colours: navy, wild rose, dusty rose, champagne, ivory.
$199.99
Comes in six colours: blush, green, navy, dusty rose, champagne and wild rose
$199.99
Birdy Grey
There are a number of websites where you can order bridesmaids dresses to be made especially for you. It can be a risky option – you don’t want your dress turning up and it’s the perfect size for a toddler!
But luckily Capsule’s Emma was a bridesmaid at a wedding which used Birdy Grey, and has been able to wear as a maternity dress – re-wearing, tick!
Here you can choose the colour, fabric and the style and have them made, or shop what’s in stock. Birdy stocks up to size 3XL and boasts a $99 USD dress price, (currently $155 NZD).
They also offer bridesmaids shoes and accessories, as well as ties and pocket squares for the groom and his party. (Check the price of shipping before ordering and note returns can’t be made outside of the US.)
Ruby
A homegrown favourite, and whose dress section never fails to disappoint! Ruby has a range of satin and linen fabric options, with colours that’ll ensure you can outfit repeat.
Size 4-20, with some styles up to 24
$249
Comes in lilac pink, brown and black and is so flattering – I own the espresso, chef’s kiss!
$249
Comes in a number of Gingham prints and satin colours
BLAK
Another New Zealand label which has an impressive range of options for bridesmaids dresses.You can choose your style, preferred fabric, lining and colours.
Size 6-20 and 48 different colour options
Soul Slip
A slip dress can always be worn again and the style doesn’t go out of fashion.
$209
Luminary Bandeau
Strapless with back bow detailing – classic and so versatile!
$229
Audrey Dress
If you need sleeves, this one is perfect!
$279
And of course, if you’re really worried about never wearing a dress again, you can’t go past renting them! Using a service like Designer Wardrobe is a great option when you’re trying to avoid unnecessary purchasing.
Designer Wardrobe
From $79
They offer access to thousands of designer dresses from brands such as Bec & Bridge, Zimmerman, Aje and Ruby. Better yet, some stock a range of sizes in the same dress like this slip dress in seven sizes:
