how casual too casual for a bridesmaid dress

annaritchie23

I found a little black dress that I think is perfect for my bridesmaid's, but my mother thinks that it is too casual.  I would probably dress it up with some strappy heels, a jeweled or metallic belt, and a long statement necklace. At $37 the price is definitely right, and can definitely be worn again.

My wedding dress is actually a bridesmaid dress, see attached, so I really don't want an over the top dress for my bridesmaids.  I have also attached a picture of my venue, to give you an idea for the setting!

What do you think?  Do you have any other ideas?

AddieCake

I think it's fine.

esstee33

I don't think it's too casual, but you may want to make sure all your BMs are going to be cool with a dress that short. It's borderline too short for my comfort. 

Your venue looks incredible!

climbingsingle

I don't think it's too casual. 

amelisha

I don't think it's too casual, but as previously mentioned, it may be too short if your bridesmaids are tall, fuller figured, or prefer modest styles. 

Personally, I love sleeves because I'm cold all the time (especially if there's a/c) but their comfort in that respect might be worth consideration as well if you think the venue might get warm when full of people.

annaritchie23

http://www.shopsosie.com/ranald-dress-in-black-28136.html

The dress is 34".  I measured it on myself, and it seems too long! But that is probably because I am only 5' 2".  One of my bridesmaids is 5' 4", and the other is 5' 9".  So it might be too short for the taller one. I'm thinking about jus ordering one for myself to try it on.

I thought I wanted a long bridesmaid dress, but everything looks to formal next to my dress.  Any suggestions?

Thanks for all your help!   

msuprincess04

I don't think the dress is too casual, but you can't wear a bra with the open back, and that would make it a "no way in hell" dress for me.

 

ETA: I like this one better: Clicky

southernbelle0915

I like it!

[Deleted User]

They're fine.  Not too casual.  

theartistformerlyknownas

I can see where your mom is coming from - the elastic waist makes anything pretty casual to me - but it seems like your wedding isn't very formal, and especially with a belt added I think it would be fine. But I agree that the length and open back are bigger issues.

I like this, assuming it's long enough for your 5'9" girl. 

http://www.lulus.com/products/lulus-exclusive-tip-the-scallops-black-dress/147458.html

Or

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/exquisite-on-the-equinox-dress-in-black 

annaritchie23

Now that you are all pointing out the length, I am getting a little paranoid.  What do you guys think of just a simple maxi, if it were accessorized?

http://www.shopsosie.com/lynnette-maxi-dress-in-black-26818.html

I also like this one too, but a little concerned about the stock availability.

http://www.missguided.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/120438/s/lumie-strappy-wrap-front-maxi-dress/category/480/

theartistformerlyknownas

annaritchie23 said:

Now that you are all pointing out the length, I am getting a little paranoid.  What do you guys think of just a simple maxi, if it were accessorized?

http://www.shopsosie.com/lynnette-maxi-dress-in-black-26818.html

I also like this one too, but a little concerned about the stock availability.

http://www.missguided.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/120438/s/lumie-strappy-wrap-front-maxi-dress/category/480/

I think the ankle length looks even less formal (gotta go floor length or go home, IMO) and the other one is too much cleavage.

What about this one? <clicky>

doeydo

annaritchie23 said:

Now that you are all pointing out the length, I am getting a little paranoid.  What do you guys think of just a simple maxi, if it were accessorized?

http://www.shopsosie.com/lynnette-maxi-dress-in-black-26818.html

I also like this one too, but a little concerned about the stock availability.

http://www.missguided.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/120438/s/lumie-strappy-wrap-front-maxi-dress/category/480/

For me, those would be hell no.  I have a fuller figure and I wear supportive bras that have wide straps that I do not want showing, nor do I want a bagillian inches of cleavage hanging out for everyone to see.  The original dress is also a heck no for me because of the open  back and possible too shortness on me.  

As far as accessories go, you can pick a shoe colour or something like that but other than that you should let your BMs pick out and wear their own stuff.  Also, you should ask each of your BMs in private what their budget is and stick to the lowest one.

Below are some other dress suggestions:

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/artisan-iced-tea-dress-in-black

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/beguiling-beauty-dress-in-black

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/akin-to-audrey-dress-in-black

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/fundamentally-fetching-dress

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/luck-be-a-lady-dress-in-black

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/i-love-your-dress-in-black

Viczaesar

Why don't you just tell them to get a short dress in black?

ElcaB

I like the original dress you posted, but I would be concerned with the length. 

What about these?

Click. 

Click. 

Click. 

novella1186

Viczaesar said:

Why don't you just tell them to get a short dress in black?

This. Are you opposed to just letting them pick their dress in the color you specify? I wouldn't mind a short dress or a backless dress, but if it's low-cut in the front I wouldn't want to wear it at something like a wedding cuz I'm a bit busty and wouldn't want the girls showing too much. I mean, you're gonna run into issues like this no matter which dress you pick because every woman has her own unique body-type with her own unique issues. 

atlastmrsg

I think you can find a black dress with sleeves that looks more expensive than this.  I think your original choice is absolutely too short.  Sitting or dancing in that dress would be difficult to keep tasteful, and your older guests are likely to raise their eyebrows.  While your pick isn't tragic, other than the length problem, it probably isn't a dress I'd wear again.  It's too short to wear to work and I don't go out to clubs where I'd want to look like that.

What about something more wearable, while not $37, these all look more expensive.  BR does sales all the time--right now, everything is 30%.  Many of these are under $100:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1005911&vid=1&pid=214654002

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1005910&vid=1&pid=130852002 (a little shorter, but BR sells talls, so you could get a normal size for one girl, a tall for other--highly recommend getting the tall)

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1005910&vid=1&pid=980202002

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1005910&vid=1&pid=970521002

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1005908&vid=1&pid=949935002

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1005908&vid=1&pid=949970012

weddingcactus

I love the idea of a 3/4 sleeve short black dress, but I agree that your original pick probably isn't ideal due to length and elastic waist. The maxi dresses seem worse to me somehow, maybe because they're all spaghetti strap and/or very casual (like something I'd wear to a 4th of July BBQ or something). 

I love atlastmrsg's Banana Republic suggestions and ElcaB's first and last suggestions. I think if you choose something a little longer your petite bridesmaid could always get her dress hemmed a little to be most flattering. Personally I think often the really cheap dresses are intended for very young women or juniors and they seem to run shorter. I found a bunch of gorgeous black long and 3/4 sleeve dresses on Nordstrom's site too.