Bridesmaid Dresses

kmbay84 · January 2015

I am having the worst time trying to find bridesmaid dresses for the ladies. I am going to be paying for them so I have a budget, but it's hard to find a dress that I like within that budget. If I wasn't paying for them, I would just tell them to find something blue and is at or around knee level. I have been putting it off also because I hate telling people what to wear. Does anyone know of bridesmaid dresses that are on the cheaper side that are at a national chain? A couple of my bridesmaids live out of state.

Thanks lovely knotties!

larrygaga · January 2015

Don't buy a bridesmaid dress. Go to macy's or nordstrom or something. Wedding related stuff tends to be overpriced because brides are willing to pay! Of course, you won't have matchy-matchy selections but mismatched dresses are SOOO in right now

hellohkb · January 2015

larrygaga said:
Don't buy a bridesmaid dress. Go to macy's or nordstrom or something. Wedding related stuff tends to be overpriced because brides are willing to pay! Of course, you won't have matchy-matchy selections but mismatched dresses are SOOO in right now

What she said. Go onto Modcloth or a department store. What kind of dress are you looking for?

kmbay84 · January 2015

Ah, good call! So do you ladies think ordering dresses online would be a good idea? Or would you suggest going to a physical store where they could actually try them on? I am just looking for an ocean blue color, or heck, any shade of blue at this point would be good for me. I am thinking chiffon fabric because it will be in the summer and that might be more comfortable than satin. I am also thinking knee-length. So basically: knee-length, chiffon, blue. Also, a V-neck or at least two shoulder straps so that they could at least wear a bra if they would like. I am also having the hardest time finding a high enough back on dresses so that they can wear that bra. I don't care if they don't match.

Thanks ladies!

loro929 · January 2015

I got our bridesmaid's dresses at Nordstorm's. In the end we ordered them online (free shipping and returns) because not everyone is close enough to one to go to the store. But it was still nice to be able to go and at least have some of the girls try them on first - to see what the fabric looks like, the color IRL, etc. An added bonus is that they also have someone in shop (at least in the one by me but I would assume most of them do) that does alternations for a fee.

artbyallie · January 2015

When is the wedding? Finding a summery dress like that will be sooo much easier in at least March or April.

theartistformerlyknownas · January 2015

Target has several styles/shades of knee length blue chiffon bridesmaid dresses for about $75. Online order only though IIRC.

ETA I would wear the shit out of this dress.
http://m.target.com/p/women-s-chiffon-illusion-sleeveless-bridesmaid-dress-fashion-colors-tevolio-153/-/A-14856489

novella1186 · January 2015

Lulu's (website) has tons of options with free returns (if you return within 7 days of when it arrived). I've always had good luck with that site. The only problem is, they run a little small. At most stores I need an XS; at Lulu's I definitely need just a Small.

What if you got their dresses for a few different places? If it were me, I'd shop at Lulu's for my bridesmaid who's tiny like me, I'd shop at Target or Macy's etc for the other girls, and just try to spend the same amount on each dress. Might make it easier on you if you're not tied to just ONE store.

lurkergirl · January 2015

lolo883 said:

Target has several styles/shades of knee length blue chiffon bridesmaid dresses for about $75. Online order only though IIRC. ETA I would wear the shit out of this dress. http://m.target.com/p/women-s-chiffon-illusion-sleeveless-bridesmaid-dress-fashion-colors-tevolio-153/-/A-14856489

Ditto this. I also like THIS dress. FSIL got her bridesmaid dress from Target, and she likes it so much she got it in another color just to have as a party dress! She also had a hard time shopping and getting measured, so she appreciated the privacy of being able to order the dress online and try it on at home.

loveislouder · January 2015

lurkergirl said:

lolo883 said:

Target has several styles/shades of knee length blue chiffon bridesmaid dresses for about $75. Online order only though IIRC. ETA I would wear the shit out of this dress. http://m.target.com/p/women-s-chiffon-illusion-sleeveless-bridesmaid-dress-fashion-colors-tevolio-153/-/A-14856489

Ditto this. I also like THIS dress. FSIL got her bridesmaid dress from Target, and she likes it so much she got it in another color just to have as a party dress! She also had a hard time shopping and getting measured, so she appreciated the privacy of being able to order the dress online and try it on at home.

> I also love this dress. My girls were going to get it but they wanted to be able to try them on IRL.

novella1186 · January 2015

Ooh! I just remembered, this was really surprising to me (because I never shop there) but Sears actually has some really pretty BM dresses that are less than $75 each. (I think one of them was like $30?)

I think lolo pointed that out to me back when I was trying to help my BMs find dresses, cuz they get to pick their own but weren't sure where to look other than the typical bridal places where dresses are easily $200 and up. You might want to check their website! I was really excited about how great the dresses were.

Cookie Pusher · January 2015

I got my BMs their dresses at Macy's. 50 bucks each, in the exact color I wanted, and definitely a dress that could be worn again.

doeydo · January 2015

kmbay84 said:

Ah, good call! So do you ladies think ordering dresses online would be a good idea? Or would you suggest going to a physical store where they could actually try them on? I am just looking for an ocean blue color, or heck, any shade of blue at this point would be good for me. I am thinking chiffon fabric because it will be in the summer and that might be more comfortable than satin. I am also thinking knee-length. So basically: knee-length, chiffon, blue. Also, a V-neck or at least two shoulder straps so that they could at least wear a bra if they would like. I am also having the hardest time finding a high enough back on dresses so that they can wear that bra. I don't care if they don't match.
Thanks ladies!

Thank you for being concerned about your girls' comfort and possible need to wear a proper bra (so many bridesmaids dresses I see I am just like "how would anyone with breasts that need proper support be able to put that thing on?") . Anyways, to make it easier for everyone you could just say "blue, chiffon, knee-length" or not even be that specific (they could pick different materials, for example). But here are some dress suggestions:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/artisan-iced-tea-dress-in-blueberry

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/etiquette-hardly-wait-dress

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

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/all-about-the-glamour-dress

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/stunning-simplicity-dress

http://www.sears.com/ever-pretty-ever-pretty-falbala-ruffles-calf-length/p-000000000000000190820000000000000HE03337P?selectedFilters=Color|Blue&prdNo=8

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_midi&ProductID=2000067944&VariantID=

crackktheskyy · January 2015

lolo883 said:

Target has several styles/shades of knee length blue chiffon bridesmaid dresses for about $75. Online order only though IIRC. ETA I would wear the shit out of this dress. http://m.target.com/p/women-s-chiffon-illusion-sleeveless-bridesmaid-dress-fashion-colors-tevolio-153/-/A-14856489

That dress is so pretty! A couple of girls in my WP chose a really similar dress but it's long and grey. almost want to buy it in white and wear it as my wedding dress, haha.

lurkergirl · January 2015

crackktheskyy said:

lolo883 said:

Target has several styles/shades of knee length blue chiffon bridesmaid dresses for about $75. Online order only though IIRC. ETA I would wear the shit out of this dress. http://m.target.com/p/women-s-chiffon-illusion-sleeveless-bridesmaid-dress-fashion-colors-tevolio-153/-/A-14856489

That dress is so pretty! A couple of girls in my WP chose a really similar dress but it's long and grey. almost want to buy it in white and wear it as my wedding dress, haha.

Totally irrelevant to the discussion, but I love your location, @crackktheskyy !!

jacques27 · January 2015

Since you really aren't being that specific (any shade of blue, they don't have to match), why don't you just figure out your budget, how much you can contribute to each dress per bridesmaid, and mail them a Visa gift card in that amount and let them find a dress that fits and that they like. If they happen to LOVE a dress more than the amount you're paying, but they want it because they know they would wear that dress again and again they can pay the overage and it's on them.

Or tell them your absolute max budget and once they find the dress they want, either you can order it online for them if it's available online, you can call the store and arrange payment over the phone, you can go to your own local version of that store and hope it's in stock or they can order it for you, or again you can then just paypal or send a Visa gift card for the same amount or reimburse after the fact.

crackktheskyy · January 2015

lurkergirl said:

crackktheskyy said:

lolo883 said:

Target has several styles/shades of knee length blue chiffon bridesmaid dresses for about $75. Online order only though IIRC. ETA I would wear the shit out of this dress. http://m.target.com/p/women-s-chiffon-illusion-sleeveless-bridesmaid-dress-fashion-colors-tevolio-153/-/A-14856489

That dress is so pretty! A couple of girls in my WP chose a really similar dress but it's long and grey. almost want to buy it in white and wear it as my wedding dress, haha.

Totally irrelevant to the discussion, but I love your location, @crackktheskyy !!

Haha, thanks! Gilmore Girls coming to Netflix may or may not have been the highlight of my year.

blabla89 · January 2015

lolo883 said:

Target has several styles/shades of knee length blue chiffon bridesmaid dresses for about $75. Online order only though IIRC. ETA I would wear the shit out of this dress. http://m.target.com/p/women-s-chiffon-illusion-sleeveless-bridesmaid-dress-fashion-colors-tevolio-153/-/A-14856489

And whenever Target has a sale or coupon for some % of clothing, you can use that on the BM dresses. It's a pretty good deal!

maeday2 · January 2015

For my best friend's wedding, she chose a dress at Nordstrom and purchased it in multiple sizes. We then tried them on from there and took home what worked best for each of us.

It's not a "bridesmaids" dress so we get more use out of it and was an easy process since she did the leg work.

I know you said some of your girls are out of state, but if you plan on getting together some time soon maybe a scenario like this could work.

kmbay84 · January 2015

Thank you ladies! Wonderful suggestions and dress ideas! You all rock.

The wedding is in July of this summer.
Exactly @doeydo! The bridesmaid dresses that I have been looking at are gorgeous, but I think the same thing! How could anyone comfortably wear a bra with that low of a back? I just want my bridesmaids to be comfortable! I personally prefer dresses with straps myself because I like to wear bras with straps, so I don't want to force dresses which some may not be comfortable with onto the ladies who are nice enough to share in our special day. However, @doeydo, that blue lace strapless dress from forever 21 is absolutely adorable! I want to order that dress myself and wear it! Good eye! Wow, thanks for all of those suggestions! They are beautiful!

Thank you @lolo883 and everyone else for your wonderful suggestions! Very much appreciated.

dolewhipper · January 2015

Something my BMs did was purchase theirs from Ebay or Tradesy. I know the dresses they all bought were used, but they were washed and they didn't care. I had told them any Dessy brand in a specific color; they got $150+ dresses for $50-$90.

I know this doesn't work for everyone, but just a thought!

ETA: some sellers even sell all of the dresses in a lot! The hard part though is finding the lot with the same size.

ElcaB · January 2015

Try untraditional retailers, places that don't sell "bridesmaid dresses."

I found some great potential BM dresses at New York & Company, Macy's, and JCP's. Check them out and see what you can find!

badbnagdway · January 2015

I am a big AT fan. If you are on their mailing list you get notified about sales constantly. I also find that AT is figure flattering. They have some pretty cute blue options: http://www.anntaylor.com/blue-sale-weddings-events/cat370056?seoPageTitle=BLUE-SALE-WEDDINGS-EVENTS&trail=4010:161&pageSize=&gridSize=md&catid=cat370056&goToPage=&fRequest=true

kmbay84 · January 2015

Ooo great ideas! Thank you so much! Yeah, I am definitely leaning toward those nontraditional retailers! I don't even care if it's not a so-called "bridesmaid dress," but rather just a cocktail party or heck just a summer dress!
Love those dresses @badbnagdway! Thank you!
Thank you ladies!!

kat1114 · January 2015

badbnagdway said:

I am a big AT fan. If you are on their mailing list you get notified about sales constantly. I also find that AT is figure flattering. They have some pretty cute blue options: http://www.anntaylor.com/blue-sale-weddings-events/cat370056?seoPageTitle=BLUE-SALE-WEDDINGS-EVENTS&trail=4010:161&pageSize=&gridSize=md&catid=cat370056&goToPage=&fRequest=true

I second Ann Taylor. I picked a dress from AT for my girls and gave them all $100 gift cards to help with the cost. I think the dress was $125 or $150 full price, but AT has so many sales, that most of them got the dress for less than $75.

badbnagdway · January 2015

kat1114 said:

badbnagdway said:

I am a big AT fan. If you are on their mailing list you get notified about sales constantly. I also find that AT is figure flattering. They have some pretty cute blue options: http://www.anntaylor.com/blue-sale-weddings-events/cat370056?seoPageTitle=BLUE-SALE-WEDDINGS-EVENTS&trail=4010:161&pageSize=&gridSize=md&catid=cat370056&goToPage=&fRequest=true

I second Ann Taylor. I picked a dress from AT for my girls and gave them all $100 gift cards to help with the cost. I think the dress was $125 or $150 full price, but AT has so many sales, that most of them got the dress for less than $75.

Yeah - never pay full price at AT. It will always go on sale.

wrigleyville · January 2015

If the dresses don't fit perfectly, they could find a local alterations place. It's still going to be cheaper than paying for in-store alterations.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Re: Bridesmaid Dresses

Choose Another Board

Search Boards