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Designers look to florals, plaids and other prints to give bridesmaids a fresh look that’s less solid and more fun

By Nola Sarkisian-Miller
CTW Features

Image courtesy Liz Fields

Bridesmaids are no shrinking violets when it comes to the wedding stage. Their star is on the rise with the more directional looks bridesmaid designers are creating. That trend continues into spring with the addition of print dresses peppering collections and changing up the typical staid solid looks in this category.

Alfred Angelo made a splash with print charmeuse cocktail gowns in the last year. For spring, the Philadelphia-based line is also offering preppy silk dupioni plaids and silk/cotton voile floral prints in halter, one-shoulder and spaghetti strap styles. Seersucker prints striped in yellow and pink are part of LulaKate’s collection. New York-based Thread added a blossom print collection last fall featuring color ways such as green/ivory and fuchsia/ice in maxi styles with one-shoulder and ruffle necklines. And New York-based designer Liz Fields’ eponymous line features charmeuse bridesmaid styles available in both solid colors and signature floral prints.

“We just try to give them different options beside having them choose between long and short,” Fields says.

Pricing the Print

The goal of the dresses say designers is to give them shelf life beyond the wedding day.

Fields, whose bridesmaid dresses range between $150 and $230, points to the pragmatism behind the fresh styles.

“Women aren’t going to spend $150 to $250 for a dress they only wear once,” she says.

“Floral prints are turning up everywhere from runways to red carpets and for every special event,” adds Michael Shettel, designer for Alfred Angelo. “We knew it was important to interpret prints for bridal parties.”

Retailers have picked up on the novelty looks, even if they cost more than traditional bridesmaid gowns. Alfred Angelo’s print bridesmaid styles sell for$164 to $224 compared to starting price points of $99 for the solid choices. Thread’s blossom print dresses, which retail for $480, at the higher end of the line, sell at The Wedding Library in New York and White in Toronto, Canada. Bridal chains, such as David’s Bridal, are also sprinkling their inventory with prints, including a bubble hem dress with a green leaf pattern and a satin floral burnout style.

“It’s a trend that’s here to stay,” says Betsy Crozier, manager of Bella Bridesmaid in San Diego, Calif., which is placing orders for LulaKate and Coren Moore print designs. “Overall, we’re seeing more interest in texture, detailing and lace overlays.”

Designers are rolling out other daring options, such as Vera Wang’s color-blocked bridesmaid dresses. Some retailers are still on the fence when it comes to the non-standard bridesmaid fare, citing concerns that the bridesmaid isn’t the one who should stand out at a wedding. But designers of the progressive style believe it suits a certain kind of shopper.

“The brides that opt for the printed bridesmaid dresses tend to be a bit more fashion-forward and daring than your average bride and they don’t seem to be concerned about it,” says Melissa Akey Drayer, owner and designer of Thread.

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