MODERN ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL BRIDESMAID DRESSES
The world of weddings is undergoing a change.
Just as brides might favour a tailored two-piece over a floor-sweeping white gown, the same shift away from tradition can also be seen in the styles selected for bridesmaid dresses.
Whether you’re a bride looking for styles for your bridal party or a bridesmaid seeking inspiration for your own dress, our edit of alternative bridesmaid dresses is filled with pieces that act as refreshing palette cleansers for any wedding-weary attendees and will continue to act as worthwhile investment pieces long after the confetti has been swept away.
The Ultimate All-in-One
The truth of the matter is that while dresses might be synonymous with traditional bridesmaid attire, they aren’t going to appeal to everyone and this is where jumpsuits in luxury fabrics come into their own.
Our pure silk Wide Leg Jumpsuit heroes a bold color palette for a sleek finish and is elevated with a delicately detailed bodice. The hook-and-eye fastenings alter the openness of the keyhole neckline to accommodate different bust sizes whilst the wide-leg cut heroes a dramatic silhouette. Better yet, this style is lined with lightweight, breathable viscose georgette to minimise transparency and ensure all-day comfort - even at the point of the celebrations when there are only a few people left on the dancefloor in the early hours.
Golden Hour
Breaking free from the safe color-palette tropes of traditional bridesmaid styles, occasion dresses in dramatic silhouettes and gilded hues offer a decidedly modern alternative. Instead of taupes, lilacs and turquoises, look to premium fabrics imbued with metallic stitch detailing. You can still piece together a cohesive wedding-party ensemble but with a dash more statement. Our Metallic Rib Knit Cap Sleeve Midi Dress and Metallic Halterneck Maxi Dress offer a fresh perspective on bridesmaids’ outfits for a look that will always be remembered. In different cuts, one features an adjustable neckline to accommodate different bust sizes, whilst the other heroes flattering cap sleeves for more coverage at the shoulders and a confident wear-all-day finish.
Go For Green
Symbolised by many as the hue of new beginnings and fortune, unique bridesmaid dresses in bold shades of green are the perfect omen to start a marriage off on the right foot. With a statement-making modern flair, our Silk Exposed Shoulder Maxi Dress + Belt is elevated with frilled detailing at the exposed armholes for a flattering, contemporary finish. This maxi is crafted from luxurious silk, lined with lightweight, breathable viscose georgette to minimise transparency for a confident finish.
Boasting a Spring Green colorway in Italian cotton, our Cap Sleeve Midi Dress is textured with a distressed hem detail to add a covetable edge to the piece as well as an additional belt for mileage. It’s also available in a bold red hue if you’re not up for embracing the green.
Say Yes to Suits
Not just for the husband-to-be and his groomsmen, suits also play a role in bridal parties. Whether you opt for a subtle pastel hue or a head-turning one, a tailored two-piece is a versatile alternative to traditional bridesmaid dresses and doubles as a practical wardrobe investment for your bridesmaids; they can be styled separately throughout the year and act as cherished keepsakes from your wedding for years to come. Sitting at either end of the color spectrum, our curation of suits for spring and summer celebrate both soft lilac tones and joyful sunshine ones.
Team our Fitted Contour Blazer with the coordinating tapered-leg pant for a pastel approach. Color-match the groom and groomsmen’s suit ties, the bridesmaid’s bouquets and the table decor to this lilac hue for maximum coordination on the big day.
Turning up the volume on color, our aptly named Pop Color Crop Jacket and coordinating Fluid Micro Pleat Wide-Leg Pant introduce a bold Menthol Green colorway to your wedding day’s palette. Temper with neutral tones if you’d prefer a more pared-back look.
Picture Perfect Prints
Far from it only being bouquets and buttonholes that display blooms at a wedding, the bridal party’s sartorial choices get a peek at florals, too. In a plethora of shades and hues, there’s always an iteration that matches a wedding’s color scheme. Our Creaseless Linen Paisley Print Maxi Dress features bold hues of pink and red that sit on a versatile cream backdrop to pair back to the accessories across our collections for a seamless finish. It’s crafted from linen with the addition of viscose to fortify the fabric against creasing for AM-PM polish. To combat hotter climes, opt for the shorter hemline.
Featuring a complimentary bandeau top that can be worn for more coverage at the neckline or removed to hero a deep V-neck, our tactile Silk Cotton Water Lily Print Maxi Dress + Bandeau is inflected with vibrant green tones and more muted oatmeal hues to accompany the flattering maxi silhouette.
Destination Weddings
As formalities relax in favour of more intimate, personal “I Do’s”, casual sartorial choices are quickly being adopted to match. Naturally textured, easy to machine wash and with no need to iron, cheesecloth is a fuss-free choice for bridesmaid dresses. Especially apt when it comes to destination weddings on a far-flung beach and summer ones in the British countryside, cheesecloth is breathable, keeps you cool in the heat and chimes with rustic settings.
Our latest cheesecloth collection pays homage to the forever loved LBD (in this case, the little black dress and the long black dress). Although black isn’t traditionally considered a bridesmaid dress color, the craftsmanship and intelligent design details behind these pieces will make them front runners in your search for the perfect warm-weather dress. Doubling as a vacation dress, your bridesmaids will come back to these pieces time and time again.
For a more carefree finish and the opportunity to dance all night, our Cheesecloth Short Dress heroes a fit-and-flare silhouette for a flattering finish. The ruffled trims at the armholes and waist add a feminine aesthetic whilst the shirred waist is intelligently designed for optimal comfort, even after a day filled with eating and drinking.
Elegantly draping to a floor-grazing silhouette, our Cheesecloth Full-Length Dress is equipped with a cut-out detail and a tie at the back of the piece to perfect the fit on different shapes. It also features the same elasticated waistband for a breathable finish; petites can opt for the shorter cut while taller bridesmaids can sport the longer length.