Bridesmaid dresses UK 2022: beautiful gowns from Monsoon, ASOS, Needle and Thread, Outnet
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Bridesmaid dressing and styling can be challenging when you have a number of friends and family to accommodate all with different styles, shapes, colouring and sizes. But we’re here to help.
It’s traditional for all bridesmaids to have the exact same style of dress in the same colour, and this is still what some brides prefer - but not all.
Now, some brides choose to have each of their bridesmaids in the same style of dress but each in a different colour. Others prefer to stick to the same colour but choose a different style for each.
And then some brides want different colours and styles for for each bridesmaid - although they may stick to the same broad colour palette to bring some uniformity.
How do I pick a bridesmaid dress to suit every body shape?
Understanding your bridesmaid’s body shape can really enhance the buying experience and the happiness of your besties.
Personal stylist Abbey Booth, who runs online fashion forum Stories with Clothes and specialises in body confidence, has explained what styles of dresses suit each body shape.
1. Hourglass: Dresses with a defined waist with little to no fuss and detail in one colour work beautifully for this body shape. V-neck, halter neck and strapless styles also work well for this woman.
2. Pear-shaped: These ladies can wear higher neck lines as are smaller busted with high waists so again dresses with a fitted waist will work well. A-line skirts and styles which don’t cling to the hip area will be much more flattering.
3. A strawberry shape/cornetto-shape/inverted triangle: Full, long skirts or dresses balance the proportions of this body shape. The less fuss and detail on the top half the better so keep things simple with one colour fabric and clean cuts.
4. Lean column/rectangle shape: Women with athletic body shapes can wear many styles, too much volume can drown this frame especially if petite so fitted styles with an interesting detail on the top and bottom half such as waisted styles with A-line style skirt to create shape can work really well.
5. An apple/round shape: Empire line dresses suit this shape so well as it creates the illusion of a waist and is lengthening for her. One colour all over suits and shift dresses also work well for this body shape. Shorter style dress would also be lovely.
You’ll be pleased to know, however, that if you would like all of your bridesmaids to wear the same style of dress regardless of their shape, there is one dress that works particularly well for most - the empire dress.
Personal stylist Lindsay Edwards, of Reimagise Personal Styling, said: “This style of dress is very flattering and is more accommodating in the event of any changes in their size between the final fitting and your wedding day.”
Once you have the style of dress chosen, it’s time to start thinking about what colour of dress you would like.
How do I pick a colour for my bridesmaid dresses?
Choosing the perfect colour dresses for your bridesmaids is a challenging task for many brides.
Now, unless you are lucky enough to have bridesmaids with exactly the same skin tone, hair colour and eye colour, you may find that you struggle to find one specific colour that suits them all.
Lindsay Edwards, who offers colour analysis sessions so women can discover colours which suit their individual features, believes the solution to this is choosing colours from the same colour palette.
“One striking way to celebrate the individuality of each bridesmaid, without compromising on the harmonious feel of your bridal party feel is to choose dresses in a variety of shades of the same colour.
“For example, you could pick green as your overall colour scheme for your bridesmaids. But, your bridesmaid with dark hair and dark eyes could wear a deep pine. Your bridesmaid with auburn hair could wear olive or khaki. Whereas your blonde bridesmaid with the blue eyes could wear a soft sage.
“Not only does this ensure each of your bridesmaids shine, but it’s a particularly striking look for your wedding photographs.”
On the other hand you might prefer the idea of all of your bridesmaids in exactly the same shade dress.
In which case, Lindsay suggests choosing a universal colour to suit all. Blush pink, purple, emerald, teal, turquoise are a selection of beautiful shades which suit everyone, whatever their hair colour, skin tone or eye colour, she says.
No matter what your choices for your bridesmaids are, we’ve chosen some of the top bridesmaid dresses that are available to buy right now.
Gentle pleating and beaded embellishments are what makes this dress the perfect piece for your bridesmaids on your special day.
Designed with a dusky mesh overlay, the vertical ruching on the bodice and detailed band at the waist makes for a flattering empire silhouette that drops softly at the maxi-length skirt.
This dress, which is made of recycled polyester, is part of Monsoon’s S.E.W range. This capsule collection is created using fabrics that are both kinder to the planet and have a reduced environmental impact.
Available in sizes 6 to 24.
The Ashley embellished dress in recycled polyester green is an alternative dress that’s available in the exact same colour, whle the Amy halter neck maxi dress green is a similar dress available in the same broad colour palette.
Your best girl gang will fall in love with this gorgeous deep blue dress the second they see it.
The top of the dress has a sequin-embellished overlay, which pulls in at the waist and gives way to a lightweight tulle skirt that has just the right amount of fullness for a show-stopping spin on the dance floor.
The dress hits on the calf, so it’s a great choice if you want full length, but not floor length.
Available in sizes 6 to 16, and there’s also a plus sized version of this dress available too, in sizes 18 to 28.
In addition, there’s a maternity version of this dress, and a tall version too.
There’s also lots of different colours and slightly different styles available of the Maya bridesmaid dress, including a taupe blush and sage green and long sleeved options. Visit the ASOS website to see the full range.
There really is a version of this that will suit all of your bridesmaids.
This pretty pink dress, with gorgeous and intricate detail, is ideal if you want a nod to the traditional but with a modern twist.
Kisses tulle is adorned with floral embroidery for a feminine look, with a deep V which is mirrored at the front and the back of the dress and gorgeous layers.
It’s made of gorgeous soft material, including a recycled polyester lining and a satin edge ribbon at waistline, which will feel luxurious when it’s draped over the body.
The bodice is partially lined, the sleeves are unlined and the skirt is fully lined.
Available in sizes 4 to 18.
There’s also a champagne and blue version of this dress, as well as a child’s version and even a floor length gown.
Badgley Mischka is synonymous with Hollywood glamour, but thanks to designer discount store The Outnet you can get some Hollywood chic but without the huge price tag.
This royal blue gown is a beautiful structured piece, with a big, beautiful, bold bow so it really will make an impact.
It hits just on the knee, so it’s a great choice if you want a dress that will take your bridesmaids from aisle to dancefloor seamlessly.
Available in sizes 6 to 14.
For similar dresses in different colour ways, check out the strapless bow-embellished satin-twill gown and also the strapless bow-embellished crepe dress.
Specially selected by Hitched, the UK’s most popular wedding planning website, this elegant design is part of the exclusive Coast x Hitched Edit.
A multiway empire dress like this is an ideal choice if you wish to have your bridesmaids dressed in the same colour but want them to have different styles as this one piece can be worn in a variety of different ways. For example, you could leave it as a simple halterneck (pictured), or you could tie a bow around the waist at the back or the front of the gown.
Click on the link below to see more images for style inspiration.
Available in sizes 8 to 16, and four colours; pistachio (pictured), blush, navy and black.
There’s also a plus sized version of this dress available too, in sizes 18 to 26.
We’re getting some serious mermaid vibes from this gorgeous form-fitting empire line dress.
It’s a light turquoise colour and is embellished with dainty and sparkly sequins and beads from head to toe, running vertically over the main body and then horizontally on the waist to really accentuate the female figure.
There’s an open back with a mid seam split, so your bridesmaids will look just as beautiful from the front and the back when they are leading you down the aisle.
It’s available in sizes 6 to 30, making Chic and Holland one of the most inclusive brands we have seen.
Reformation is famous for providing sustainable clothing and shoes for women, so it’s been a go-to brand for those who are conscious about the environment as well as style points.
This gorgeous black dress, with lovely floral detail, has a curve-hugging silhouette detailed with ruching up one side, a draped panel on the front and slinky adjustable straps.
It’s made from viscose sourced from sustainably managed forests, meaning you can feel happy knowing your ladies look stunning and you’ve helped to save the trees.
Available in sizes 4 to 16.
This dress is also available in cherry red.