I recently received reader requests for dress ideas in two of my favorite shades for bridesmaids, navy and purple. These colors look especially gorgeous in the spring and summer months, when they’re a little more unexpected and can be used as a backdrop for bright pops of color in the bouquets.
Below, my suggestions for wedding-party wardrobe…plus pretty color pairings for the rest of us, bridesmaids or no.
Q. Hi Jordan,
I’m a big fan of your blog and have been reading since your first started blogging! It’s one of my daily go-to sites.
I have a question for you concerning my sister’s upcoming September wedding. I am the maid of honor and am allowed to select my own navy bridesmaid dress. But I don’t know where to start. Do you have any style recs for short navy bridesmaid dresses?
Thanks so much!
A. Hey Molly!
I wore a floor-length navy dress when I was maid of honor at my friend’s wedding a couple of summers ago (above), and I just loved it: navy is such a beautiful color on so many women, and works all year ’round depending on the accessories you pair it with (cozy white wraps and silvery accessories in the winter; gold sandals and loose hair in the summer).
First, definitely check out J.Crew – I know it’s an obvious choice, but they have lost of gorgeous, non-frilly styles in navy (one of my favorites, Rosalind, is pictured above).
L to R: Shoshanna, Trina Turk (my favorite), alice + olivia
If you’re looking for something a bit more off-the-beaten-path, there are lots of options available in a wide range of prices (I went a little higher than I usually would since you’re the maid of honor and might be willing to spend a little more). Just make sure that you go for a style with decent coverage and support (for example, make sure that the dress is lined) – you don’t want any wayward underthings or see-through spots showing up in the wedding photos.
Q. Jordan,
My dear friend is getting married this summer, and has given us bridesmaids the gift of being able to choose our own dresses. She wants short and summery, and would like them to be purple. My bleary eyes come to you seeking a second opinion and knowing your ability to cut through the internet madness and find those gems. Keeping it cheap would be awesome, but I’m willing to spend more for a great dress with lots of future wearability.
Thank you thank you!
Amber
A. Very sweet of both of these brides, to let their bridesmaids pick out their own dresses! If I had to do my wedding over, I would definitely do the same – that way they could actually get a dress that they would be able to wear again rather than “a dress you can totally wear again – I swear!” (Never true.)
And purple is so versatile – you can go sweet and girly, or streamlined and mod (I especially love the DVF look below center).
Above, three more expensive options, if you’d like to invest in some future wearings (L to R: Halston Heritage, DVF, Jay Godfrey)…
…and a few less pricey picks (L to R: LK Bennett, Dorothy Perkins, Max and Cleo).
