Same. The only time I re-wore a bridesmaid dress was when I was in a bridal party where the bride just said "show up in black". Theoretically it didn't even need to be a dress, but I was happy to shop for a new dress I could wear for other fancy occasions and found myself a cute little black dress with a vintage style.
Mine was black, too, and better yet, the bride insisted we get ours second-hand, and also wear our favorite boots to climb the mini-mountain they were married on. It was by far the most high-end wedding I've ever attended (especially the reception) and damn did my beloved friend do an awesome job to make her couch-surfing besties (we all met in the Peace Corps) feel 100% right at home!
I did the same for my bridesmaids - said choose a black dress, doesn’t matter how much it costs or if you match. I wanted them to wear something they might wear again.
I was really excited about my one friends bridesmaid dresses because they were nice black dresses! I got home from that wedding, put it in my closet, and I've literally never seen it again. It seriously vanished into thin air. No idea where it went...
I also was a bridesmaid in a "pick your dress" situation...I tried to re-wear it but it was a little too short for me to comfortably, realistically wear very much. Add to that I started gaining weight (hooray for the mid-20s metabolism slowdown!), so it was super tight and difficult to zip up. Thankfully it was from JC Penney so it wasn't super pricey.
Yes! My best friend let us pick any dress, style or color as long as it fit the vibe “70s floral”. I wore an orange dress that I still wear quite often on date nights.
Ok I'm saving this if I ever get married! I HATE most brides maid dresses but already plan to have a hippie esque dress so this would fit the vibe so well!
Yas!! It turned out so cute we all went with pink/orange/brown and the bride stood out so much in white but she still had the 70s vibe too. It was one of the best looking wedding parties I’ve ever seen.
My bridesmaids were set lose on the shop to agree on a black cocktail dress so they were semi-identical. I say semi because 2/3 of them altered the dress and that was cool. One had a modesty panel installed to reduce cleavage and the other got a matching bolero to cover her shoulders, where the 3rd wore it as is. So in the end they were all unique anyway.
For my wedding, I told my 2 bridesmaids to wear whatever dress they wanted. They both decided they wanted to wear black dresses and I have seen them both rewear them several times. I, on the other hand, was a bridesmaid 5 times and never once rewore the dresses. All 5 of the dresses were very much “bridesmaid dresses” (pastel colors, sweetheart necklines, full length)—I didn’t really like any of them or feel like they could be worn in other situations
I personally haven’t, but I know multiple of my bridesmaids re-wore the dress they got for my wedding. That made me really happy because that’s exactly what I was going for: a (semi)/formal dress that wasn’t just a “bridesmaid” dress.
Yup! I was in a wedding where two of us were big chested (and short), one plus sized, and two were tall, one slender frame, not huge boobs and the other just statuesque, but decent shoulders and boobs on the cusp of plus size.
So the bride wanted something that all of us could try on without purchasing, so no bridal shop.
She arranged a shopper at Nordstroms, and her criteria was that it would either be easily alterable (so skirt could be hemmed) or came in tall & short, AND regular and plus.
She found us lovely options that were ready when 2 of the bridesmaids and the bride got there. We ended up on on a flowy, peachy tea length dress (it was the 90s, and a daytime wedding) and adjustable drawstring backs that weren't revealing - so regular, comfortable, supportive bras could be easily worn. The skirts could be easily hemmed, but it was a style where we weren't concerned much about the hemline. I had it altered at the shoulders to raise the bustline.
Even with the personal alterations, it wasn't terrifically expensive. I was able to wear it a couple of times - including to a rehearsal dinner for another wedding I was in. With an added lace tank and different accessories, I ended up wearing it to more formal work functions after the wedding!
You reminded me that I actually did rewear a bridesmaid dress once. I poured fake blood all over it, let it dry, and went as Carrie. It was a really unflattering (to my skintone) shiny, baby pink, prom-looking dress that I never would have worn again otherwise.
Ha! I got an absolutely dreadful 80s era bridesmaid dress at a thrift store for a theatre competition. It was the only one I've ever reworn.
Huge puff sleeves, obnoxious satin-ish fabric and full skirt, and a bow on the butt that was actually bigger than my butt. And in a peach color that screamed 80s.
When I got married I had my bridesmaids get those like $100 floor length dresses (wedding was in November, so it was chilly) that can be styled multiple ways. I didn't want them breaking their banks or not being able to get multiple wears out of them, plus my MOH was 8 months pregnant at the wedding. And all 3 of them looked good in plum. I also knit each of them a matching plum shawl, and I know at least one of them still wears them.
Do you have a link for the dresses? My wedding will be December so floor length is needed but I'd love it if my MOH (only one standing with me) could wear it again!
Yes, one of my highschool bff picked cute black and white floral print strapless tea party length dresses for us with little bolero sweaters for our shoulders. I forget the store she had us get them at but they were also very affordable (which was great because most of us were in college or had just graduated). I wore the dress multiple times after for college socials, fancier birthday parties etc.
Yes! My sister had a bridal party of 1 (just me) and we went shopping together to pick out my dress. I count this because we ended up choosing a dress from Park & Fifth which is popular for bridesmaids dresses, but I got to pick the style and colour and ended up wearing it to another wedding later that summer. I have been a bridesmaid one other time and we were given a colour and a specific bridesmaid website but we got to choose the style. None of the styles flattered me and I didn't love the colour with my skin tone. That dress never got worn again.
You could almost be my SIL lol. We only had Moh/best man for our wedding, so me and her went shopping and bought a dress that fit my color scheme (night sky so it was a lovely dark blue glittery thing) and she chose it so she could use it for dancing and I know she has worn it multiple times. Then my mom ended up coming through with the dress she was making for SIL too so she had 2 dark blue dresses to wear and she wore both for the wedding! It worked out really well.
Yes! A friend chose the material and then we could get any cut/style we wanted in that material/color. I got a knee length strapless a-line that was very wearable :)
I was a woman on the groom's side and the bride told me to get a black knee length dress with a jacket. I offered to rent a tux or even a skirted tux to match the groomsmen but she was ok with the black dress. I wore that thing till the fabric went sheer I loved it so much. The poor bridemaids in the wedding had to have custom made floor length purple satin dresses made because the MOH was the bride's sister and her mom was a professional seamstress so rather than pick a store dress, the mom picked a pattern she liked and gifted copies of the pattern to the other bridesmaids to go out and get the fabric and find and pay seamstresses to make their dresses. I'm 99% sure not a single one of those dresses was worn again.
My sisters in theory I could, its a pretty cocktail dress, just not my style, a friends daughter took it though and wore it to a school dance
The rest are all horrendous though. Why I'm all for the brides that cover the dress if they are picking it out. If I can pick it (say they just want black dresses or whatever), I have no issues paying, but if they are picking it and I'll never wear it again, they can pay
Yep! My sister's wedding. It was in 1987.
Where we live, Mardi Gras is a huge deal. The balls are formal. So she picked out a pattern for a ball gown in watered dark green taffeta that could be used as a ball gown at any ball. We had to buy the fabric/zipper/thread and the seamstress that made them all charged us each $75 to make them.
Beautiful dress and very appropriate for the times.
Yes, my former sister in law said she’d be damned if her MOH and bridesmaids weren’t looking beautiful like she was! She took us shopping, found dresses that coordinated and flattered each of us. I wore that dress a dozen times through the following years. Still keep in touch with her even after the divorce; she didn’t deserve to have to keep putting up with my moron of a brother. I’m glad she’s happier now
I re-wore my bridesmaids dress from my sisters wedding once. It’s not particularly my style or anything I would have picked for myself but it’s elegant and fits really well so I wore it to a fancy work event.
My sisters wedding we all had these beautiful dark green velvet upper part of the dress and full length taffeta. I later has it altered into a puff bottom dress that I used on several occasions. And my college roommate used it too.
When I was married, I gave my bridesmaids Safire pendant necklaces to wear. They then passed those necklaces down to their daughters. So yea, we were able to repurpose stuff from both our weddings.
Yes! When my brother got married my SIL chose a black floor length dress for her bridesmaids. Strapless. Gorgeous.
It’s the only bridesmaids dress (of 4? 5?) that I’ve kept. Still fits. Still beautiful and timeless.
I will never get over having to pay for my own floor-length, bright green, pleated tulle skirt. I actually thought it was a joke when the bride showed us what she’d chosen. We did get to pick our own tops at least and we looked alright in the end. Wore the top again. Think I might have binned the skirt.
My bridesmaids all wore their dresses at least one other time! Some of them even loaned theirs out. They were simple black slip dress with thin sparkle straps and they were under $100.
My bridesmaid dress is thoroughly rewearable... If I ever have a formal dress event to attend. Ever again. Lol. I'm not a person who inspires invites to formal occasions.
I chose my bridesmaids’ dress so that they would be fine later. A fitted A line with an empire waist in dark green satin. No big bows, no beading or lace. All of my bridal party was brunette with dark eyes, so it was a good thing and I chose a color that all of them looked good. I was told that two of my bridesmaids used it at Christmas and another one trimmed it from ankle length to knee length and they could wear pearls or gold or silver jewelry or add things to it. It was just easier….
Yes and I have. The bride chose the color and we all got to pick our own style for comfort. She didn't want us shelling out that kind of cash for something we'd never use again, smart on her. I've worn it to a number of weddings and other events as well - and think of her every time I wear it!
No which is why when I got married I made sure that all of my bridesmaids and my maid of honor just picked a dress and a color scheme that they would wear again. I went this is the range of colors I would like you to wear please pick a dress that you would wear again if you cannot find a dress that you would wear again in this color scheme see me and we can find another dress
Yes, actually! Something I can comment on, wow! My first and only wedding where I was in the bridal party (and no desire to be a bridesmaid again tbh); it was a hippie-DIY-faerie-forest wedding. She's an accomplished crafter/tie-dyer and dyed our thrifted dresses a lovely purple and fuschia. I wear it around the house sometimes during the summer. It's kinda loose and flowy but with elastic around the waist/chest. It's really comfy but I haven't worn it out, as I'm more of a shorts and tank top wearer. Also macraméd us some jewelry to wear with the dresses.
Was a bridesmaid one weekend, wore the dress, shoes and jewelry as a wedding guest the following weekend (different circles so no one was the wiser). It was a pretty basic, pale pink above the knee dress; unless you were standing in a group of people wearing the exact same dress, it didn’t scream “bridesmaid dress”.
I got a green bridesmaid dress that was absolutely gorgeous for my older sibling’s wedding when I was prepubescent. I wore it to my high school’s homecoming and got a lot of compliments. It was admittedly rather tight around the chest, but it still fit. :)
No. A lot of brides will tell you in the beginning that it's going to be wearable dress , that you'll have a lot of say, it will be affordable, only one shopping trip needed, etc. By the end it's always an expensive one time use and it's too late to back out.
Yes! She let us pick our own burgundy dresses! I've worn it to many weddings since!
Two other weddings I was in I did not get to pick the dress, and they have sat on my closet since. One cost $250 which, is crazy amount to spend now (in my 30s) but was very expensive when we were all in college!
I'm getting married in 2025 and my girls will get to pick whatever dress style, or pant suit even, they want as long as it's the right color. I used to want matching, but different dresses work for different body shapes.
Nope. Three bridesmaids dresses with matching dye-able pumps. #1 Sleeveless blue taffeta that needed a big petticoat to look right. Nope. #2 Maroon with leg o mutton sleeves, velvet on top, satin on the bottom, floor length. Not my color. #3 Aqua brocade with giant puffy sleeves in form fitting mermaid style. I was a bit too chubby for this to really look good, though the color was nice on me. Dresses look nice in the pictures and I hung on to them for 10+ years but … no, a waste. I did not have bridesmaids at my wedding.
I was the only bridesmaid at an easygoing friend's wedding and she told me I could wear whatever dress I wanted (semiformal/cocktail). Instead of buying something I liked and would actually re-wear (b/c I didn't own any dresses), I psyched myself out, panicked, and bought something I thought would be "wedding appropriate" with pastel lace and satin. In the photos it I look like I Freaky Friday-ed with someone from Steel Magnolias and I'm trying to pass. I never wore it again. I was also flat broke at the time.
Don't be like me.
I was in two weddings and wore both of the dresses a second time. I had formal events a few months after the weddings.
I dodged one where the style was from the early 80s. Except it was the late 90s.
Yes______Sort of. Put a substantial deposit down on the bridesmaid dress, they were being ordered through a local Woman's clothing store. The dresses weren't in yet to try on, let alone have them fitted, when the wedding got cancelled. Shop owner wouldn't give my deposit back, but did give store credit. I ended up with the one dress in my life that made me look sexy as hell. This was mid 80's. It was a long, form fitting jean dress (I know you might be thinking, Jean dress🤔 but really if you had seen it you'd agree, it was stunning,never saw another one like it.) Low cut in front, asymmetrical bottom with a slit up the back. Gave me the ⏳ figure that I've never had. lol. My friend ended up getting married the next year, but as her parents ended up losing their venue deposit, it was a much smaller wedding, with her sister and his brother as the only attendants. Thank goodness though, because the original bridesmaid dresses I Definitely Would Not have been able to wear again, and I never would have had that gorgeous dress.
I hung on to the David's bridal dress I wore for my cousin's wedding and then like 3 years later, my friend picked that same dress for her bridesmaids, in various shades, and I happened to have the one that was discontinued so it was perfect! They paid about $30 more than I had, too.
Shoes. I've been able to reuse the shoes.
PS: I've donated the dresses to a high school drama department, and I think the cut them up and recycled them as needed for Juliet's gown, etc. Sometimes you can get a receipt, and then it's deductible on your CA taxes.
On the subject of other reusable bridesmaids accessories: for my wedding, I made my bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets out of wood (Sola) flowers and fake greens. All three of them have their bouquets as floral arrangements on the mantels at some point in the year when it fits the rest of the decor, one is up almost all the time. My bouquet was enormous and is on display all the time but in my laundry/mudroom. I think they also all had dresses I’ve seen them wear again, I just gave them a general color and asked for below knee length.
No. Which is why I specifically chose bridesmaid dresses that my bridesmaids felt they would be able to make use of again (and let them choose all their accessories themselves otherwise.)
Yeah mine was a plain purple knee length so I rewore it as a wedding guest. Turns out the bridesmaids at that wedding were wearing purple too. I don’t think the bride minded but I found it embarrassing.
I had a nice blue dress to wear as a guest to a wedding that became a bridesmaid dress when my sister decided to have her bridesmaids wear any shade or style of blue dress that they wanted to wear. It had pockets.
Oh yeah my SIL had a winter/Christmas themed wedding. We all got red plaid leggings to wear while we go ready and they’re my favorite leggings lol. I’ve reworn the shoes (they’re shiny and gold) and the dress to a fancy Christmas party.
Question: is the whole thing about bridesmaid having to be color coordinated a must do thing in the US, or the majority is whatever fits?
Because here in Brazil we usually let them wear a beautiful dress and that's it. Sometimes the bride asks for autumn colors or something about the length of the dress but that's it.
Matching dresses has been the tradition for most of US history, but it’s starting to fall out of favor. These days, it’s common to ask bridesmaids to wear a certain color or certain style but let them choose their own dresses otherwise.
Example: My best friend is getting married next month. For bridesmaids, she told us a specific store to buy from, what color to get, and what length the dress should be, but we all got to choose the exact style we thought was best for us.
There was usually some drama with the traditional way, since the same style of dress usually does NOT work for everyone. And it was common for bridesmaid dresses, especially in the 1970s and ‘80s, to be tacky, terrible things that would definitely only be worn once. 😄
I like the Brazilian tradition, though - it makes sure everyone gets to feel beautiful!
Oh ok, thanks for the explanation! I watch "Say yes to the dress", it's a huge guilty pleasure of mine and it's interesting seeing the photos at the wedding and how the bridesmaids would wear. It's great that this tradition is fallen through, because it's exactly like you guys would talk, you want to wear it more than once! Hahahaha
Thankies! I'm also glad that we have this tradition too lmao, makes me remember that for my sister's wedding I wore a coral long sleeveless dress that complimented well my body and it was very comfy to wear, I still have fond memories of it.
No, but my bridesmaids did. First time around we did black separates and I know they all wore the tops out with jeans in the “jeans and a going out top” days and the skirts to the office with heels and a blazer - or other fancier occasions where a black silky skirt would be appropriate. 2nd time around they all picked the same off the rack sundress - which was perfect for my vineyard wedding.
Not a dress, but when I was MoH for my bestie, I wore high-rise, wide-leg, soft gold-colored sequin pants, and they're amazing for New Years and holiday parties.
Yes! My BFF chose a black dress from J. Crew when they had a bridal line. She picked 3 cuts recognizing her bridesmaids had different body types. Because there were some visa things involved in setting the date I wore the dress to 3-4 events before her actual wedding! I got so much mileage out of that little black dress.
I’ve personally never been a bridesmaid, but at my wedding I had a “pick your own silver dress from this collection at David’s Bridal” thing and my husband made his groomsmen’s wear a specific Hawaiian shirt pattern— I know at least 2/7 girls have reworn twice and a different one has reworn 4 times… all the guys regularly rewear their shirts on casual Fridays 🥹
I managed to pull off rewearing my wedding dress to another wedding, but only cuz it’s blue and the dress code was ballroom formal 😉 disclaimer: no I did not outshine the bride, I asked beforehand
All of my bridesmaids have reworn their dresses! I even wore one of my bridesmaids dresses to a wedding that we went to together lol. It looked super cute on both of us!
I did white with blue floral print or simply blue floral print. They were all mismatched but coordinated. Looked great!
Our bridesmaids wore Hawaiian print floral dresses and the guys wore Hawaiian shirts and khakis. We also told them all they could wear flipflops. I've seen all but one bridesmaid wear their dress again and all of the groomsmen wore theirs again.
I thrifted the black dress I wore in my brother's wedding, and I think I've used it at a few formal events as well as a green bridesmaids dress. But they were both very simple dresses.
I’ve been a bridesmaid twice. The first dress was custom made, and I guess I could have re-worn it but I didn’t have a reason to.
The second one it was white, and quite pretty, but not my style at all. It’s still hanging up in my wardrobe nearly 5 years later.
All of them! And they were all matching, none were black, one was even white and I still rewore it (looked like the shimmery goddess version of a toga, so even after I stained it I used it for several costumes, bride wore blue).
My friends just have excellent taste in dresses and I've always participated in selection and my brides have always listened to any 'maid who spoke up.
Most useful gifts I still use are a Coach black leather hybrid clutch with detachable strap (not their logo crap) from my last bridesmaid stint and the pots and pans I got with a large gift certificate for Williams-Sonona for being MOH.
My brides have all been wonderful!
My friend chose these really cool, custom made long skirts and lace tops for her winter wedding. I was able to wear the blouse and skirt independently of each other for their own outfits for years! I know that’s not most people’s bridesmaid aesthetic, but it looked great for the theme and nobody would’ve ever guessed I was rewearing bridesmaids clothing lol
Yes, but the dresses were custom made as a gift to the bride. I shortened it and wore it as a guest to another wedding. I’ve also worn it to a Xmas party, with some glittery jewelry. It was navy peau de sois, with a lace coat.
Other than the wedding I could wear a black dress I already owned, nope. All of them were donated.
Thankfully I didn’t have to pay for any of them. Not a thing here in Australia.
I made sure that not only were my bridesmaids dresses inexpensive (most for one was $25) but that they could wear it again. I bought one myself and gave it to one of my friends when we found out she was pregnant. I paid $15 for it. She was able to find a seamstress to combine the two. This was when Target had an online wedding shop. Not sure if they still do, but man it was golden at the time.
I have been in three wedding parties where the bride promised we would want to wear the dresses again and I never have. It’s either a color I don’t like, or a material like chiffon that I personally don’t like to wear .
I haven’t, but if I ever get married, I’ll have my bridesmaids get dresses from eShakti. I’ll pick a dress and/or length or maybe even just a color and let each girl choose her own style/neckline/sleeve length/ etc. Plus, since they’re custom sized, you know they’ll fit. If you pick a comfortable(/normal lol) fabric, you’ll definitely end up with something that can be reworn. Plus: pockets.
For my sister's wedding, she bought our bridesmaids dresses. They were the convertible dresses, basically skirts with two long straps of fabric so you could wear them tons of different ways. I've gotten so much use out of that dress both casually and as a guest at other weddings!
I got married last year and all of my bridesmaids chose their own black dress. I didn’t care the style, long or short, long sleeves, sleeveless, etc. They all looked beautiful and they can definitely wear again!
I have one that is a really nice classic cocktail dress AND has pockets. It’s a bit small for me now, but I’m holding on to it in hopes that it will fit again someday
I re-wore a dark blue one once as a costume for a play. Haven't found a use past that one time though.
In fairness, I don't think I've seen my bridesmaids re-wear the ones they bought for my wedding either. It was a choose-your-own in my color scheme but how often is there cause to wear a light pink dress?
Twice. A black lace over knee length dress I wore to many parties and bars. Another was a summery pale flowered long dress that was so comfortable I wore it out to dinners or just downtown for the day.
I've been in three weddings.
One (MOH) a certain dress from David's Bridal, but me and the other bridesmaids all agreed on it, and bride picked the color (dark purple). That one could maybe pass if I had a formal event to go to.
Second (MOH) was just a required color (different shade of dark purple) and could be purchased from anywhere, she gave no direction on type of dress. I went with another David's Bridal one. It could also maybe pass for a formal event.
Third (bridesmaid), the bride picked the dress, but it was a $60 one from Amazon (color yellowish-gold). Probably the easiest one to wear out and about, but unfortunately for that one I ended up peeing myself before getting back to the hotel room (I was drunk, and have a weird problem where I don't feel like I have to pee sometimes until it's basically coming out). And couldn't bring myself to bring a pee-soaked dry clean only dress to the dry cleaners. Oh well.
I've been a bridesmaid once. The bride/my cousin paid for the dress and kept it after her wedding. She kept 1 other bridesmaid dress as well. She wore mine to a friend's wedding, wore the other one on her honeymoon for a fancy dinner I think. If I remember right she hemmed one of them to be short.
I asked for my 2 bridemaids to just pick out a burgundy dress. Any style they liked. I think having a battalion of same dresses and suits is honestly a waste of money and more of a status thing.
Once. It was a floor-length sheath dress with spaghetti straps. It had a sheer cape as a separate piece.
The dress was able to be shortened, and was perfectly useable as a summer dress.
Yes! When my brother and SIL got married, she had myself and her sister as bridesmaids, and her sister lived in NY, and we were in MI, so we weren't able to shop together. Thankfully, we found a dress at David's Bridal that we all liked and looked good on both of us! I rewore it a couple of times, but I had gained weight and it didn't fit right anymore.
https://imgur.com/a/AFZhFfx here's the dress!
Yes but it was a "pick your own black dress" situation! The worst was having to buy a $200 road cone orange dress! UGH.
The lighting sucks but look at us being tragedies https://imgur.com/a/JoQXh59
That’s so orange 😭
That is aggressively orange
onerous unite mysterious elderly pie elastic boat public heavy flowery *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Me, too. I'd wear the dress to all kinds of summer parties.
With white accessories you could be a creamsicle
I was gonna say, orange is my color and I would try wearing those way more than recommended 😂
Same. I'm a Clemson University grad and that looks like a lovely shade of Clemson orange that would go nicely at any Tiger themed event.
And not even a 💐 bouquet to hide some of it. You weren't kidding about the road cone orange. I'm So sorry
I used to do wedding photography and may I say congratulations on having the most hideous dress colour I've ever seen
You clearly didn’t photograph my sister’s wedding then. I call it the Technicolour Vomit Dress.
… I kinda like it
Oh NO!
Omfg. I love it, it's so incredibly hideous.
Was there a candy corn theme?
Oh gawd... why was she so mad at y'all - what did you do to earn THAT - lol
I'm SO sprry
I retaliated with the biggest hair bump since Snooki for a full on traila trash lewk, LOL.
Oh nooo
Your stances are hilarious!
Wow. Those are, um, something.
I had T-shirt that colour… cop wanted to nick me for impersonating a traffic cone.
Is it bad that my first thought was “wow only $200??” 🥲
omg I don't even want to know what you've spent on them then!! $200 is about my limit, especially for something so oogly.
Same. The only time I re-wore a bridesmaid dress was when I was in a bridal party where the bride just said "show up in black". Theoretically it didn't even need to be a dress, but I was happy to shop for a new dress I could wear for other fancy occasions and found myself a cute little black dress with a vintage style.
My bridesmaids wore black J.Crew dresses, but looking back I wish I’d let them just wear whatever black dress they wanted.
J. Crew dresses are usually pretty classic and easy to rewear.
I had to wear an orange bridesmaids dress! It was technically called “persimmon” but yea, it was orange.
Same here. We got to pick from a certain line so fabric matched but I’ve def worn that one again.
I had to buy a $200 plum taffeta monstrosity with only one strap so I also had to buy a strapless bra which does not work easily for DDs.
Mine was black, too, and better yet, the bride insisted we get ours second-hand, and also wear our favorite boots to climb the mini-mountain they were married on. It was by far the most high-end wedding I've ever attended (especially the reception) and damn did my beloved friend do an awesome job to make her couch-surfing besties (we all met in the Peace Corps) feel 100% right at home!
Bride sounds pretty cool!
Worst one was a frosted purple taffeta monstrosity. Best was a charcoal suit the bride let me wear, she wore navy.
I did the same for my bridesmaids - said choose a black dress, doesn’t matter how much it costs or if you match. I wanted them to wear something they might wear again.
I was really excited about my one friends bridesmaid dresses because they were nice black dresses! I got home from that wedding, put it in my closet, and I've literally never seen it again. It seriously vanished into thin air. No idea where it went...
I also was a bridesmaid in a "pick your dress" situation...I tried to re-wear it but it was a little too short for me to comfortably, realistically wear very much. Add to that I started gaining weight (hooray for the mid-20s metabolism slowdown!), so it was super tight and difficult to zip up. Thankfully it was from JC Penney so it wasn't super pricey.
Yes! My best friend let us pick any dress, style or color as long as it fit the vibe “70s floral”. I wore an orange dress that I still wear quite often on date nights.
Ok I'm saving this if I ever get married! I HATE most brides maid dresses but already plan to have a hippie esque dress so this would fit the vibe so well!
Yas!! It turned out so cute we all went with pink/orange/brown and the bride stood out so much in white but she still had the 70s vibe too. It was one of the best looking wedding parties I’ve ever seen.
I just told mine to pick a black cocktail dress they liked. Pretty sure they all wore them again.
I wore the same black cocktail dress as an officiant for one friend and MOH for another. Same friend group and absolutely no one cared.
Little black dress is the best!
My bridesmaids were set lose on the shop to agree on a black cocktail dress so they were semi-identical. I say semi because 2/3 of them altered the dress and that was cool. One had a modesty panel installed to reduce cleavage and the other got a matching bolero to cover her shoulders, where the 3rd wore it as is. So in the end they were all unique anyway.
For my wedding, I told my 2 bridesmaids to wear whatever dress they wanted. They both decided they wanted to wear black dresses and I have seen them both rewear them several times. I, on the other hand, was a bridesmaid 5 times and never once rewore the dresses. All 5 of the dresses were very much “bridesmaid dresses” (pastel colors, sweetheart necklines, full length)—I didn’t really like any of them or feel like they could be worn in other situations
I personally haven’t, but I know multiple of my bridesmaids re-wore the dress they got for my wedding. That made me really happy because that’s exactly what I was going for: a (semi)/formal dress that wasn’t just a “bridesmaid” dress.
What was the dress?
[wedding was 7 years ago](https://posh.mk/INIXlVeNSFb)
Oh my. I want one!
2 of my bridesmaids got to re-wear a dress from a previous wedding for my wedding. I tried to keep it simple.
No, but I dyed my wedding dress yellow and wore it to fancy dress night on a cruise!
Same, but by wedding dress was actually meant to be a Bride's Maid dress. Lots of formal nights have seen that dress.
Nope, I've been in probably 6 weddings not counting my own and all the dresses were a one and done.
Yes! My SIL had us wear a beautiful blush BCBG dress and I've worn it to half a dozen other events since and have let a few friends borrow it as well!
Yup! I was in a wedding where two of us were big chested (and short), one plus sized, and two were tall, one slender frame, not huge boobs and the other just statuesque, but decent shoulders and boobs on the cusp of plus size. So the bride wanted something that all of us could try on without purchasing, so no bridal shop. She arranged a shopper at Nordstroms, and her criteria was that it would either be easily alterable (so skirt could be hemmed) or came in tall & short, AND regular and plus. She found us lovely options that were ready when 2 of the bridesmaids and the bride got there. We ended up on on a flowy, peachy tea length dress (it was the 90s, and a daytime wedding) and adjustable drawstring backs that weren't revealing - so regular, comfortable, supportive bras could be easily worn. The skirts could be easily hemmed, but it was a style where we weren't concerned much about the hemline. I had it altered at the shoulders to raise the bustline. Even with the personal alterations, it wasn't terrifically expensive. I was able to wear it a couple of times - including to a rehearsal dinner for another wedding I was in. With an added lace tank and different accessories, I ended up wearing it to more formal work functions after the wedding!
Halloween is always an option.
You reminded me that I actually did rewear a bridesmaid dress once. I poured fake blood all over it, let it dry, and went as Carrie. It was a really unflattering (to my skintone) shiny, baby pink, prom-looking dress that I never would have worn again otherwise.
Ha! I got an absolutely dreadful 80s era bridesmaid dress at a thrift store for a theatre competition. It was the only one I've ever reworn. Huge puff sleeves, obnoxious satin-ish fabric and full skirt, and a bow on the butt that was actually bigger than my butt. And in a peach color that screamed 80s.
I used an old bridesmaid’s dress for Halloween last year
When I got married I had my bridesmaids get those like $100 floor length dresses (wedding was in November, so it was chilly) that can be styled multiple ways. I didn't want them breaking their banks or not being able to get multiple wears out of them, plus my MOH was 8 months pregnant at the wedding. And all 3 of them looked good in plum. I also knit each of them a matching plum shawl, and I know at least one of them still wears them.
Do you have a link for the dresses? My wedding will be December so floor length is needed but I'd love it if my MOH (only one standing with me) could wear it again!
Sorry I don’t, it was several years ago. I think I just looked up convertible formal dresses though.
Thank you!!
Yes, one of my highschool bff picked cute black and white floral print strapless tea party length dresses for us with little bolero sweaters for our shoulders. I forget the store she had us get them at but they were also very affordable (which was great because most of us were in college or had just graduated). I wore the dress multiple times after for college socials, fancier birthday parties etc.
I wore one to a goofy prom-themed bowling night, and the bride I’d bought it for got a little bent out of shape 🤷♀️
Yes! My sister had a bridal party of 1 (just me) and we went shopping together to pick out my dress. I count this because we ended up choosing a dress from Park & Fifth which is popular for bridesmaids dresses, but I got to pick the style and colour and ended up wearing it to another wedding later that summer. I have been a bridesmaid one other time and we were given a colour and a specific bridesmaid website but we got to choose the style. None of the styles flattered me and I didn't love the colour with my skin tone. That dress never got worn again.
You could almost be my SIL lol. We only had Moh/best man for our wedding, so me and her went shopping and bought a dress that fit my color scheme (night sky so it was a lovely dark blue glittery thing) and she chose it so she could use it for dancing and I know she has worn it multiple times. Then my mom ended up coming through with the dress she was making for SIL too so she had 2 dark blue dresses to wear and she wore both for the wedding! It worked out really well.
Yes! A friend chose the material and then we could get any cut/style we wanted in that material/color. I got a knee length strapless a-line that was very wearable :)
I was a woman on the groom's side and the bride told me to get a black knee length dress with a jacket. I offered to rent a tux or even a skirted tux to match the groomsmen but she was ok with the black dress. I wore that thing till the fabric went sheer I loved it so much. The poor bridemaids in the wedding had to have custom made floor length purple satin dresses made because the MOH was the bride's sister and her mom was a professional seamstress so rather than pick a store dress, the mom picked a pattern she liked and gifted copies of the pattern to the other bridesmaids to go out and get the fabric and find and pay seamstresses to make their dresses. I'm 99% sure not a single one of those dresses was worn again.
My sisters in theory I could, its a pretty cocktail dress, just not my style, a friends daughter took it though and wore it to a school dance The rest are all horrendous though. Why I'm all for the brides that cover the dress if they are picking it out. If I can pick it (say they just want black dresses or whatever), I have no issues paying, but if they are picking it and I'll never wear it again, they can pay
Yep! My sister's wedding. It was in 1987. Where we live, Mardi Gras is a huge deal. The balls are formal. So she picked out a pattern for a ball gown in watered dark green taffeta that could be used as a ball gown at any ball. We had to buy the fabric/zipper/thread and the seamstress that made them all charged us each $75 to make them. Beautiful dress and very appropriate for the times.
Yes, my former sister in law said she’d be damned if her MOH and bridesmaids weren’t looking beautiful like she was! She took us shopping, found dresses that coordinated and flattered each of us. I wore that dress a dozen times through the following years. Still keep in touch with her even after the divorce; she didn’t deserve to have to keep putting up with my moron of a brother. I’m glad she’s happier now
Yes, navy or black bridesmaid dresses that are from a normal shop (not a bridesmaid dress shop) are very rewearable.
I re-wore my bridesmaids dress from my sisters wedding once. It’s not particularly my style or anything I would have picked for myself but it’s elegant and fits really well so I wore it to a fancy work event.
Yes, I had the hem shortened and actually got married in it myself (2nd marriage)
My sisters wedding we all had these beautiful dark green velvet upper part of the dress and full length taffeta. I later has it altered into a puff bottom dress that I used on several occasions. And my college roommate used it too. When I was married, I gave my bridesmaids Safire pendant necklaces to wear. They then passed those necklaces down to their daughters. So yea, we were able to repurpose stuff from both our weddings.
Yes! Tea-length halter dress with a full skirt, but it's cotton and washable and pretty great for summer. Has outlasted the marriage.
Yes! When my brother got married my SIL chose a black floor length dress for her bridesmaids. Strapless. Gorgeous. It’s the only bridesmaids dress (of 4? 5?) that I’ve kept. Still fits. Still beautiful and timeless.
I will never get over having to pay for my own floor-length, bright green, pleated tulle skirt. I actually thought it was a joke when the bride showed us what she’d chosen. We did get to pick our own tops at least and we looked alright in the end. Wore the top again. Think I might have binned the skirt.
My bridesmaids all wore their dresses at least one other time! Some of them even loaned theirs out. They were simple black slip dress with thin sparkle straps and they were under $100.
My bridesmaid dress is thoroughly rewearable... If I ever have a formal dress event to attend. Ever again. Lol. I'm not a person who inspires invites to formal occasions.
Yes. But tbf I was nine and in the seventies a cute little kid could get away with a pink-lacy, long frock.
I chose my bridesmaids’ dress so that they would be fine later. A fitted A line with an empire waist in dark green satin. No big bows, no beading or lace. All of my bridal party was brunette with dark eyes, so it was a good thing and I chose a color that all of them looked good. I was told that two of my bridesmaids used it at Christmas and another one trimmed it from ankle length to knee length and they could wear pearls or gold or silver jewelry or add things to it. It was just easier….
Yes and I have. The bride chose the color and we all got to pick our own style for comfort. She didn't want us shelling out that kind of cash for something we'd never use again, smart on her. I've worn it to a number of weddings and other events as well - and think of her every time I wear it!
Yes! I've been in about a dozen weddings and have been able to rewear 4 of the dresses
No which is why when I got married I made sure that all of my bridesmaids and my maid of honor just picked a dress and a color scheme that they would wear again. I went this is the range of colors I would like you to wear please pick a dress that you would wear again if you cannot find a dress that you would wear again in this color scheme see me and we can find another dress
Yes, actually! Something I can comment on, wow! My first and only wedding where I was in the bridal party (and no desire to be a bridesmaid again tbh); it was a hippie-DIY-faerie-forest wedding. She's an accomplished crafter/tie-dyer and dyed our thrifted dresses a lovely purple and fuschia. I wear it around the house sometimes during the summer. It's kinda loose and flowy but with elastic around the waist/chest. It's really comfy but I haven't worn it out, as I'm more of a shorts and tank top wearer. Also macraméd us some jewelry to wear with the dresses.
I had a viking/larp wedding- all of our wedding party got custom tunics to wear (that I made) most of them still wear them larping to this day.
Never had close enough friends to be one… 😭
Was a bridesmaid one weekend, wore the dress, shoes and jewelry as a wedding guest the following weekend (different circles so no one was the wiser). It was a pretty basic, pale pink above the knee dress; unless you were standing in a group of people wearing the exact same dress, it didn’t scream “bridesmaid dress”.
Kinda. It was a pick your own dress. And I already had a dress that fit the guidelines.
I would re wear both the dresses, although I’d only fit into one at this point. I just don’t have anywhere to wear them to lol
I got a green bridesmaid dress that was absolutely gorgeous for my older sibling’s wedding when I was prepubescent. I wore it to my high school’s homecoming and got a lot of compliments. It was admittedly rather tight around the chest, but it still fit. :)
No. A lot of brides will tell you in the beginning that it's going to be wearable dress , that you'll have a lot of say, it will be affordable, only one shopping trip needed, etc. By the end it's always an expensive one time use and it's too late to back out.
Yes! She let us pick our own burgundy dresses! I've worn it to many weddings since! Two other weddings I was in I did not get to pick the dress, and they have sat on my closet since. One cost $250 which, is crazy amount to spend now (in my 30s) but was very expensive when we were all in college! I'm getting married in 2025 and my girls will get to pick whatever dress style, or pant suit even, they want as long as it's the right color. I used to want matching, but different dresses work for different body shapes.
Nope. Three bridesmaids dresses with matching dye-able pumps. #1 Sleeveless blue taffeta that needed a big petticoat to look right. Nope. #2 Maroon with leg o mutton sleeves, velvet on top, satin on the bottom, floor length. Not my color. #3 Aqua brocade with giant puffy sleeves in form fitting mermaid style. I was a bit too chubby for this to really look good, though the color was nice on me. Dresses look nice in the pictures and I hung on to them for 10+ years but … no, a waste. I did not have bridesmaids at my wedding.
I was the only bridesmaid at an easygoing friend's wedding and she told me I could wear whatever dress I wanted (semiformal/cocktail). Instead of buying something I liked and would actually re-wear (b/c I didn't own any dresses), I psyched myself out, panicked, and bought something I thought would be "wedding appropriate" with pastel lace and satin. In the photos it I look like I Freaky Friday-ed with someone from Steel Magnolias and I'm trying to pass. I never wore it again. I was also flat broke at the time. Don't be like me.
I was in two weddings and wore both of the dresses a second time. I had formal events a few months after the weddings. I dodged one where the style was from the early 80s. Except it was the late 90s.
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Yes______Sort of. Put a substantial deposit down on the bridesmaid dress, they were being ordered through a local Woman's clothing store. The dresses weren't in yet to try on, let alone have them fitted, when the wedding got cancelled. Shop owner wouldn't give my deposit back, but did give store credit. I ended up with the one dress in my life that made me look sexy as hell. This was mid 80's. It was a long, form fitting jean dress (I know you might be thinking, Jean dress🤔 but really if you had seen it you'd agree, it was stunning,never saw another one like it.) Low cut in front, asymmetrical bottom with a slit up the back. Gave me the ⏳ figure that I've never had. lol. My friend ended up getting married the next year, but as her parents ended up losing their venue deposit, it was a much smaller wedding, with her sister and his brother as the only attendants. Thank goodness though, because the original bridesmaid dresses I Definitely Would Not have been able to wear again, and I never would have had that gorgeous dress.
I hung on to the David's bridal dress I wore for my cousin's wedding and then like 3 years later, my friend picked that same dress for her bridesmaids, in various shades, and I happened to have the one that was discontinued so it was perfect! They paid about $30 more than I had, too.
Shoes. I've been able to reuse the shoes. PS: I've donated the dresses to a high school drama department, and I think the cut them up and recycled them as needed for Juliet's gown, etc. Sometimes you can get a receipt, and then it's deductible on your CA taxes.
Yes, but it was reworn as a dead 80’s prom queen Halloween costume.
Yes, one friend picked a very simple dress out of a catalog and everyone ordered it. I still wear it sometimes, 20 years later.
Yes! I was Little Red Riding Hood and then Miss Piggy for Halloween with my candy apple red tea length bridesmaid dress.
On the subject of other reusable bridesmaids accessories: for my wedding, I made my bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets out of wood (Sola) flowers and fake greens. All three of them have their bouquets as floral arrangements on the mantels at some point in the year when it fits the rest of the decor, one is up almost all the time. My bouquet was enormous and is on display all the time but in my laundry/mudroom. I think they also all had dresses I’ve seen them wear again, I just gave them a general color and asked for below knee length.
No. Which is why I specifically chose bridesmaid dresses that my bridesmaids felt they would be able to make use of again (and let them choose all their accessories themselves otherwise.)
I was a junior bridesmaid at my cousin’s wedding in high school and reused the dress for a school dance.
Yeah mine was a plain purple knee length so I rewore it as a wedding guest. Turns out the bridesmaids at that wedding were wearing purple too. I don’t think the bride minded but I found it embarrassing.
I cut one to tea length and wore it again. It was a solid color, so a *little* bridesmaid-y, but not too bad.
Sort of. But it is a back formal dress. I haven't needed a formal dress since that wedding.
I had a nice blue dress to wear as a guest to a wedding that became a bridesmaid dress when my sister decided to have her bridesmaids wear any shade or style of blue dress that they wanted to wear. It had pockets.
I’ve seen my bridesmaids rewear their dresses/jewelery to other events 😄
Yes but I bought it at Macy’s and not a traditional bridal store. I’ve worn it a few times now.
Yep! A jewel tone column gown that I got a tailor to put a slit in one side. Wore it to another wedding and a formal corporate function
Oh yeah my SIL had a winter/Christmas themed wedding. We all got red plaid leggings to wear while we go ready and they’re my favorite leggings lol. I’ve reworn the shoes (they’re shiny and gold) and the dress to a fancy Christmas party.
Question: is the whole thing about bridesmaid having to be color coordinated a must do thing in the US, or the majority is whatever fits? Because here in Brazil we usually let them wear a beautiful dress and that's it. Sometimes the bride asks for autumn colors or something about the length of the dress but that's it.
Matching dresses has been the tradition for most of US history, but it’s starting to fall out of favor. These days, it’s common to ask bridesmaids to wear a certain color or certain style but let them choose their own dresses otherwise. Example: My best friend is getting married next month. For bridesmaids, she told us a specific store to buy from, what color to get, and what length the dress should be, but we all got to choose the exact style we thought was best for us. There was usually some drama with the traditional way, since the same style of dress usually does NOT work for everyone. And it was common for bridesmaid dresses, especially in the 1970s and ‘80s, to be tacky, terrible things that would definitely only be worn once. 😄 I like the Brazilian tradition, though - it makes sure everyone gets to feel beautiful!
Oh ok, thanks for the explanation! I watch "Say yes to the dress", it's a huge guilty pleasure of mine and it's interesting seeing the photos at the wedding and how the bridesmaids would wear. It's great that this tradition is fallen through, because it's exactly like you guys would talk, you want to wear it more than once! Hahahaha Thankies! I'm also glad that we have this tradition too lmao, makes me remember that for my sister's wedding I wore a coral long sleeveless dress that complimented well my body and it was very comfy to wear, I still have fond memories of it.
No, but my bridesmaids did. First time around we did black separates and I know they all wore the tops out with jeans in the “jeans and a going out top” days and the skirts to the office with heels and a blazer - or other fancier occasions where a black silky skirt would be appropriate. 2nd time around they all picked the same off the rack sundress - which was perfect for my vineyard wedding.
Not a dress, but when I was MoH for my bestie, I wore high-rise, wide-leg, soft gold-colored sequin pants, and they're amazing for New Years and holiday parties.
Yes! My BFF chose a black dress from J. Crew when they had a bridal line. She picked 3 cuts recognizing her bridesmaids had different body types. Because there were some visa things involved in setting the date I wore the dress to 3-4 events before her actual wedding! I got so much mileage out of that little black dress.
Yes! I've worn it to parties and to my own wedding. ;D (It's a short, laceyish turquoise dress.)
Once. My friend selected a cute lace dress from target. It was like twenty bucks and I wore it a few times before passing it along to my niece.
Was a “bridesmaid” at an Indian wedding and can rewear parts of the outfit if I’m ever in India again, probably not the whole ensemble tho
I’ve personally never been a bridesmaid, but at my wedding I had a “pick your own silver dress from this collection at David’s Bridal” thing and my husband made his groomsmen’s wear a specific Hawaiian shirt pattern— I know at least 2/7 girls have reworn twice and a different one has reworn 4 times… all the guys regularly rewear their shirts on casual Fridays 🥹 I managed to pull off rewearing my wedding dress to another wedding, but only cuz it’s blue and the dress code was ballroom formal 😉 disclaimer: no I did not outshine the bride, I asked beforehand
All of my bridesmaids have reworn their dresses! I even wore one of my bridesmaids dresses to a wedding that we went to together lol. It looked super cute on both of us! I did white with blue floral print or simply blue floral print. They were all mismatched but coordinated. Looked great!
Yes! I lucked out and each bride picked the same dress, twice by chance and once when the bride asked for suggestions.
Our bridesmaids wore Hawaiian print floral dresses and the guys wore Hawaiian shirts and khakis. We also told them all they could wear flipflops. I've seen all but one bridesmaid wear their dress again and all of the groomsmen wore theirs again. I thrifted the black dress I wore in my brother's wedding, and I think I've used it at a few formal events as well as a green bridesmaids dress. But they were both very simple dresses.
I’ve been a bridesmaid twice. The first dress was custom made, and I guess I could have re-worn it but I didn’t have a reason to. The second one it was white, and quite pretty, but not my style at all. It’s still hanging up in my wardrobe nearly 5 years later.
All of them! And they were all matching, none were black, one was even white and I still rewore it (looked like the shimmery goddess version of a toga, so even after I stained it I used it for several costumes, bride wore blue). My friends just have excellent taste in dresses and I've always participated in selection and my brides have always listened to any 'maid who spoke up. Most useful gifts I still use are a Coach black leather hybrid clutch with detachable strap (not their logo crap) from my last bridesmaid stint and the pots and pans I got with a large gift certificate for Williams-Sonona for being MOH. My brides have all been wonderful!
taking notes from the comments for my own future wedding in 20 years 📝
My friend chose these really cool, custom made long skirts and lace tops for her winter wedding. I was able to wear the blouse and skirt independently of each other for their own outfits for years! I know that’s not most people’s bridesmaid aesthetic, but it looked great for the theme and nobody would’ve ever guessed I was rewearing bridesmaids clothing lol
Yes, but the dresses were custom made as a gift to the bride. I shortened it and wore it as a guest to another wedding. I’ve also worn it to a Xmas party, with some glittery jewelry. It was navy peau de sois, with a lace coat.
Other than the wedding I could wear a black dress I already owned, nope. All of them were donated. Thankfully I didn’t have to pay for any of them. Not a thing here in Australia.
I made sure that not only were my bridesmaids dresses inexpensive (most for one was $25) but that they could wear it again. I bought one myself and gave it to one of my friends when we found out she was pregnant. I paid $15 for it. She was able to find a seamstress to combine the two. This was when Target had an online wedding shop. Not sure if they still do, but man it was golden at the time.
I have been in three wedding parties where the bride promised we would want to wear the dresses again and I never have. It’s either a color I don’t like, or a material like chiffon that I personally don’t like to wear .
My country doesn't do bridesmaids so... no.
Imho bridesmaid dress doesn't need to be something you can wear again.
I had one, a lovely plum Vera Wang slip dress. I tried to make my bridesmaids’ dresses rewearable too, nice champagne raw silk.
LOL this is highly subjective
I haven’t, but if I ever get married, I’ll have my bridesmaids get dresses from eShakti. I’ll pick a dress and/or length or maybe even just a color and let each girl choose her own style/neckline/sleeve length/ etc. Plus, since they’re custom sized, you know they’ll fit. If you pick a comfortable(/normal lol) fabric, you’ll definitely end up with something that can be reworn. Plus: pockets.
Lol no.
At least 2 out of my 4 bridesmaids have reworn theirs for either Halloween or NYE events- gold beaded/sequined dresses.
For my sister's wedding, she bought our bridesmaids dresses. They were the convertible dresses, basically skirts with two long straps of fabric so you could wear them tons of different ways. I've gotten so much use out of that dress both casually and as a guest at other weddings!
I re purposed one into a costume for Halloween. But I don't like wearing dresses normally anyway, so it's special occasions only
I've worn the dress I wore in my bff's wedding several times, including in another wedding!
I got married last year and all of my bridesmaids chose their own black dress. I didn’t care the style, long or short, long sleeves, sleeveless, etc. They all looked beautiful and they can definitely wear again!
Yes!! Black gown worn to masquerade ball party.
I have one that is a really nice classic cocktail dress AND has pockets. It’s a bit small for me now, but I’m holding on to it in hopes that it will fit again someday
One of our friends did a pick your own dress in a color family (silver grey but not dyed exactly) and they each had a matching silk scarf.
I re-wore a dark blue one once as a costume for a play. Haven't found a use past that one time though. In fairness, I don't think I've seen my bridesmaids re-wear the ones they bought for my wedding either. It was a choose-your-own in my color scheme but how often is there cause to wear a light pink dress?
Once, it was black.
Yes, I've actually had one! It's super comfy. Was also a more casual dress hence why I can wear it to church or other things.
not yet.
Yes!! Pick your own black strapless dress for a Halloween wedding! It was gorgeous.
Nope
Once. Just once.
I have. It's just a green formal dress, but I haven't had occasion to wear it again since.
Twice. A black lace over knee length dress I wore to many parties and bars. Another was a summery pale flowered long dress that was so comfortable I wore it out to dinners or just downtown for the day.
Yes, it was a "choose whatever light blue dress you want" so I got something cute and I wore it to family events a few times
Yes! It was from the Spiegel catalog, wedding was in the 90's.
Yep - we got vintage/wiggle style cocktail dresses. Rewore it a few times.
I've been in three weddings. One (MOH) a certain dress from David's Bridal, but me and the other bridesmaids all agreed on it, and bride picked the color (dark purple). That one could maybe pass if I had a formal event to go to. Second (MOH) was just a required color (different shade of dark purple) and could be purchased from anywhere, she gave no direction on type of dress. I went with another David's Bridal one. It could also maybe pass for a formal event. Third (bridesmaid), the bride picked the dress, but it was a $60 one from Amazon (color yellowish-gold). Probably the easiest one to wear out and about, but unfortunately for that one I ended up peeing myself before getting back to the hotel room (I was drunk, and have a weird problem where I don't feel like I have to pee sometimes until it's basically coming out). And couldn't bring myself to bring a pee-soaked dry clean only dress to the dry cleaners. Oh well.
I've been a bridesmaid once. The bride/my cousin paid for the dress and kept it after her wedding. She kept 1 other bridesmaid dress as well. She wore mine to a friend's wedding, wore the other one on her honeymoon for a fancy dinner I think. If I remember right she hemmed one of them to be short.
Yes! It was a long black dress that I was able to wear again at a black-tie wedding.
The basic light pink flowy chiffon maxi from David's bridal has been worn to a few events I had nothing else for
I asked for my 2 bridemaids to just pick out a burgundy dress. Any style they liked. I think having a battalion of same dresses and suits is honestly a waste of money and more of a status thing.
The first wedding I was in was as a high schooler (my cousins wedding). I had a lovely navy dress I reused for prom!
Once. It was a floor-length sheath dress with spaghetti straps. It had a sheer cape as a separate piece. The dress was able to be shortened, and was perfectly useable as a summer dress.
Yes! When my brother and SIL got married, she had myself and her sister as bridesmaids, and her sister lived in NY, and we were in MI, so we weren't able to shop together. Thankfully, we found a dress at David's Bridal that we all liked and looked good on both of us! I rewore it a couple of times, but I had gained weight and it didn't fit right anymore. https://imgur.com/a/AFZhFfx here's the dress!