Bridesmaids Style Goes Beyond the Wedding Day


More than ever before, bridesmaid dresses mirror the best trends from the fashion runways and red carpets. The dress, in fact, is one of the season's most appealing fashion statements, and both the bride and her attendants will delight in the selection. Whether sleeveless, off-the-shoulder, slip dress or two-piece dress, there's a look to suit every taste and to highlight the best features of each member of the bridal party.

Post-wedding perfect. "The key for bridesmaids is to keep it simple and easy to wear," says Vivian Diamond, designer of the Dessy Collection. Today's bridesmaid's dresses are a modern wear-again part of a wardrobe and have a post-wedding life perfect for a number of future dressed-up events.

Tea-length. The tea-length dress, one of the season's most graceful looks, is featured prominently in the Alfred Sung collection in contemporary, dupioni and peau de soie fabrics. Also alluring are the After Six dresses with fluttery hemlines and double-tier layers, which bring a certain charm to the aisle and to the dance floor.

Strapless. Dessy Collection offers elegant, formal dress styles while, more casual, strapless A-line dresses take the lead in the After Six collection. Lela Rose Bridesmaid focuses on feminine details like layered crinkle chiffon and hand worked rosettes. All collections are available in a variety of flattering lengths, rich fabrics and stunning tones.

Mix and match styles. Versatility and individuality are major considerations. Many brides are opting to have their attendants wear styles in the same fabrics, colors or various shades of a certain color. This allows each maid to wear a dress that is flattering to her.

Infinite color options. Color is another standout fashion statement, with the palette ranging from luscious pales to vibrant hues. Dessy's Vivian Diamond explains, "We're seeing lots of pink, both pale and vivid, pink is a definite choice." Satin, the most popular fabric, shows color beautifully, especially the citrus colors - orange, greens, yellows. "Although claret is the all-year-round most preferred shade," adds Diamond, "with destination weddings, there are infinite color options."

While the bride, naturally, takes center stage and is the star of that special day, elegant bridesmaids dresses complement the bride's gown, as well as enhance the unique wedding décor. There are no set rules for bridesmaid's dresses - just a great variety of choices and styles. Today, the search is made so easy by simply viewing dress collections online, and then visiting local retailers to purchase your favorites.