Bridesmaids trends are never too difficult to predict, for the most part they follow mainstream style (which trickles from designers to high street) and lean on tradition (full length, usually A-line and just a little less conservative than the wedding dress) – but we want to share our favourite ones with you! Unsurprisingly many trends have been carried forward from 2015 including bridesmaids in little white dresses, dreamy chiffon A-lines and pretty pink shades but there are some really gorgeous details cropping up for spring/summer 2016 too!
Yesterday in part one of our guide to the best bridesmaids dress trends for 2016 we covered the prettiest floral prints, stunning sequin separates, chic one-shoulder numbers, Pantone-predicted blues and the cutest tea length dresses so today we’re talking ultra glam embellished gowns, dreamy chiffon, pretty white gunas, luxurious lace and seriously flattering flutter sleeves that will make everyone happy for completely different reasons!
Bridesmaid Trend #6: Glamorous Embellished Gowns
Photo by Erich McVey via modwedding.com
If you’re going for a more formal feel for your Big Day, embellished dresses are the way to go for your bridesmaids. While these dresses can look a little Christmassy, they can be worn by summer maids easily too. One way to create a more summer-friendly style is to opt for shorter gowns, and another is to mix and match with something a little more plain (see above). Adrianna Papell has become the go-to for beautiful embellished dresses lately and can be found in several department stores all over the country. For full gold or silver sequin gowns that look a million dollars check out Amsale Bridesmaids or designer Sorella Vita who has a range of full sequin gowns and is stocked in Pearls and Lace in Donegal.
Dresses (L-R): Tobin Dress, $350.00, BHLDN | Embellished Maxi Dress by Angelina Faccenda from Mori Lee Bridesmaids* | Tina Rose Maxi Dress, £195.00, Coast
*Available from Sabella Bridal in Waterford, The Bridal Emporium in Clare and Virginia Bridal in Limerick.
Bridesmaid Trend #7: Dreamy Chiffon
Photo by Caroline Joy | Dresses by Amsale
Although tulle has been making a play for bridesmaid fabric of the year, in our eyes nothing can beat a soft and floaty chiffon gown. Chiffon is normally used for A-line gowns and is one of the most flattering of fabrics, perfect for skimming over hips and tummies. It’s also one of the most comfortable and fun fabrics to wear and will make your maids feel like princesses too!
Dresses (L-R): Embellished Maxi Dress, £95.00, lovedrobe.co.uk | Heidi Long Dress in Silk Chiffon, JCrew | Primrose English net Grecian inspired A-line bridesmaid gown by JLM Occasions*
*JLM Occasions is available from Padanee Bridal Couture in Leitrim, Anne Gregory Design in Wicklow and Bridal Dreams in Co. Dublin
Bridesmaid Trend #8: All White
Photo by Tessa Barton Photography
White bridesmaids dresses came to the fore a couple of years ago and we still can’t get enough of the trend. Of course it’s not the easiest of trends to get your head around for some – isn’t the bride meant to be the only lady in white?! For those brides (and mothers of the bride!) who are simply horrified by the thought that their big white dress might get lost in a sea of similar styles, short white dresses are the way to go. For an informal style, hit the high street when the summer collections come in and you’re sure to get your hands on a bargain.
Dresses (L-R): Short Embellished Dress from Lovedrobe.co.uk | One-shoulder Lace Dress from Watters Maids* | Veeda Maxi Dress, £195.00, Coast
*Watters Maids is available from Little White Dress in Dublin
Bridesmaid Trend #9: Lace
Photo by Lehua Noelle | Dresses by Free People
Can anyone go wrong with lace?! Lace dresses in all their fabulous forms are a huge trend for 2016 and we’re looking forward to seeing just how brides interpret it for their wedding. Lace dresses are great for creating a vintage twist to modern dresses and can be a very flattering fabric to wear. If a full lace guna isn’t for you, try to incorporate it into dresses in the bodice, on capped sleeves, or as a pretty scalloped hem on shorter styles.
Dresses (L-R): A-line Dress by After Six for Dessy* | Sequinned lace A-Line Dress STYLE 7319I from Watters Bridesmaids** | Eliana Dress by Ebony Rose at McElhinneys Department Store Donegal
*After Six by Dessy is available at Amarra Bridal in Kildare and Diamond Bridal in Cork.
**Watters Bridesmaids is available from Little White Dress in Dublin
Bridesmaid Trend #10: Flattering Flutter Sleeves
Photo by We Are The Lous | Dresses by Virgos Lounge
Have we saved the best til last?! Flutter sleeves are one trend that we know everyone will love this year – brides love them because they could mean they save on the cost of cover-ups, and maids love them ’cause they feel way less exposed than they would with no sleeves at all. We like them ’cause they look like soft butterflies on your shoulder (and also ’cause sometimes our upper arms get a little dimply in the cold!)
Dresses (L-R): Florentine Lace JY Jenny Yoo Bridesmaid Style JY520 at Dessy* | Crream Flutter Sleeve Dress – Wtoo 812 by Watters Bridesmaids** | Cloudy Luxe Chiffon Dessy Collection Style 2874 from Dessy*
*Dessy stockists include Amarra Bridal in Kildare, Diamond Bridal in Cork and Elite Brides in Donegal
**Watters Bridesmaids is available from Little White Dress in Dublin
