In this last chapter, let’s look at what has trended for bridesmaids’ dresses as well as the predictions for next year’s trends. If you are a bride or a bridesmaid, read this series to determine which styles and colors appeal to you…and which don’t. Knowing this makes it easier for you to identify what you want now!
As we wrap up this series on how the roles of bridesmaids have changed over the past 2,500 years from witness to body guard to a happy participant in a wedding celebration and as we have observed how styles or colors have changed, we finally arrive at the most recent developments in bridesmaids’ fashion trends. Let’s start with the royal wedding of the current Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine.
2011: A Royal Wedding Sets Trends
Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William in April of this year established three major trends for the coming years:
- The bride’s dress featured long sleeves and gorgeous lace.
- Her maid of honor, Pippa Middleton, wore a long, slinky ivory dress. Yes, white was back in for bridesmaids—a throwback to Queen Victoria’s bridesmaids who dressed in white in 1840.
- In addition to the adult Maid of Honor, there were child bridesmaids, very expected members of any royal wedding party. Often, child bridesmaids were the only attendants to bride–it depended on the era.
2015: Neutrals are In!
After four years of white bridesmaids’ dresses, designers began presenting dresses in neutrals such as sand, stone, and blush.
2018: Florals Bloom!
To add a romantic flare to bridesmaids’ dresses, they came in dainty florals in 2018.
2019: Bolder Colors are Back!
Sage green, blush, and steel blue were the most popular colors for bridesmaids that year but they weren’t the only colors on trend.
The rich jewel tones of ruby, emerald, and sapphire were boldly worn by bridesmaids during 2019. This is the last year B.C. (Before COVID) and women took the opportunity to revel in bold colors at weddings.
2020: Same Color, Different Styles
The trend of having distinctive styles of bridesmaid’s dresses in the same color family continues. The bride selects the theme—luxurious, Hollywood glamour or bold, fashion-forward styles—then the bridesmaids select the dress they want which fits the theme and color.
Back to basic black:This was a sustainable option since the women were more apt to wear a classic black dress again.
2021: Jump on the New Colors!
Cream, orange, cinnamon, terracotta, rust, sienna, brown, pink, red, and black were all popular colors for bridesmaids’ dresses in 2021..
While the bride might have worn a plunging neckline, the bridesmaids were back in high necked frocks.
Jumpsuits were the hot trend for 2021.
2022: Warm up to This Trend!
Warm colors bloomed this year, expressed in luxurious fabrics, bold patterns, and little romantic details.
The jewel tones of sapphire, emerald, ruby, garnet, and topaz graced bridesmaids’ dresses.
Yellow in various shades showed up everywhere at spring and summer weddings.
Black dresses in different patterns was also prevalent.
2023: “Orange” You Going to Love This!
Sundial, Desert Coral, Cinnamon, Burnt Orange, Sienna, and Rust were the preferred colors for 2023 in fabrics with shine and shimmer.
Styles tended toward the fitted and slim silhouettes.
2024 Predictions:
- It’s back to the timeless elegance of neutrals including ivory and champagne. (See the bridesmaids to the left in their gowns as an example.)
- Comfort will be the focus.
- For spring and summer, we expect more floral prints.
- Embroidery adds elegance and sophistication to bridesmaids’ dresses.
Stay tuned for more details as they become available!
And that’s a quick history of bridesmaids’ dresses!
Images courtesy of Pixabay.com and Unsplash.com.
© 2023-2024. Come Rain or Shyne, LLC. All rights reserved.
