The 2026 Bridesmaid Trends You Should Be Aware Of Before The Next Wedding Season

*This is a collaborative post on 2026 bridesmaid trends

Bridesmaid dresses are stereotypically known as ugly and unattractive since the idea is to prioritise uniformity and help the bride stand out as much as possible. The pressure to coordinate with the overall aesthetic of the wedding can be huge as well, leading to pieces that are not just unflattering but uncomfortable as well. This is quite unfair since a wedding is a time for celebration, and it doesn’t feel right to force a group of attendants to wear something they dislike the entire night. Over the last few years, this trend has been slowly changing to make room for more individuality and cuter looks.

In fact, wedding outfit trends involve bridesmaid dresses now as well, so that those who have weddings coming up can already start looking into the styles they think they’d enjoy the most. With 2025 only a few months from being over, it’s time to have a look at the styles you can expect to see in the upcoming year.

Colour in bridesmaid trends

Minimalism has been a fashion trend for several years now, but things have started shifting recently, with more and more people looking to incorporate more colour into their outfits. This is great news for bridesmaids who must be dressed in strong hues already in order to avoid accusations of trying to upstage the bride by wearing shades that are too close to white. Bold yellow is one of the most popular choices, perfect for a garden wedding on a sunny day in late spring.

All black is the most timeless and elegant choice and will look put together even with an outfit that is more casual. Blossom pink and light blue are feminine and sweet, being classic bridesmaid hues, but if you prefer something a little more vibrant, you should go for something in the shade of cornflowers, an intense medium blue with just a tiny hint of green. Lastly, rich chocolate is another great choice since it is sumptuous and lavish.

Mismatched

Traditionally, bridesmaid dresses are all the same colour and design, with everyone forced to don the same outfit regardless of personal preference or body type. However, more and more people are choosing to ignore tradition and do their own thing instead, which has led to the bridesmaids having different outfits as well. Embracing individuality is much more common nowadays, and even if some disagree and would turn up their nose at this ensemble, it still seems that acceptance holds more sway than the naysayers these days.

If you like this idea, don’t hesitate to integrate it into your own wedding and give the bridesmaids the opportunity to wear different dresses, or at least to personalise similar ones to change things up a bit.

Vintage bridesmaid trends

Vintage and retro fashion have enjoyed a resurgence over the last few years, with many people choosing to incorporate such pieces into their wardrobes in order to make them stand out. When it comes to weddings, many people believe that you should have something new every time. However, buying new dresses frequently can put a lot of strain on your finances, especially if you’re a bridesmaid more than once a year.

Finding a second-hand or vintage dress is the way to go in that case, since they’re much more likely to come with a more cost-effective price tag. The styles are more unique as well, and the gowns will likely be of better quality as well. If the dress you pick doesn’t fit you perfectly, you can modify it to suit you. Vintage shopping typically takes a bit more time since you’ll have to go through more stores to find the right dress, so don’t leave this task until a week before the wedding, or you might be forced to settle for something you don’t like all that much.

Unique cuts

The fact that the bridesmaids have the opportunity to wear different gowns if they want to is not the only thing that’s different nowadays. In most cases, the cuts and designs of the dresses are also very unique, and in some instances, the bridesmaids don’t even wear dresses, with jumpsuits and two-piece outfits being very popular alternatives. Just a few years ago, this would have been highly controversial, as it would have been regarded as a stylistic choice that draws attention away from the bride; however, that is no longer a significant issue.

Both high, structural necklines and relaxed cowl necks are popular as they’re both sophisticated and draw the focus to the face, neck, and shoulders to create a visually balanced look. Corsets have, over the centuries, been associated with the prioritisation of fashion and form over comfort and even well-being in extreme cases. Over the last few years, though, they’ve been gradually coming back in style, only this time as a means of self-expression and originality. For a cohesive look, both the bride and the bridesmaids can wear the same style of corset, only in different hues and with different additions. For instance, the one for the bride can be sewn with pearls for a more luxurious and romantic look.

Corsets

When it comes to corsets, they can be worn both as individual pieces paired with matching skirts or as part of dresses since many come with bodices that feature boning. A strapless dress, in particular, looks amazing because of the extra structure. Other than that, you can always bet on dainty accessories and additions to elevate the outfit as well. If the event is formal, you can add a pair of classic opera gloves. Lace detailing on the dress looks amazing as well, and if you want a two-piece suit, go for an elegant vest top. They are versatile and can be paired very well with slim necklaces.

Finding the perfect outfit is quite challenging when you’re a bridesmaid, as there are so many different things to take into account. You want to fit the theme and blend in with the rest of the crowd without sacrificing your comfort, and sometimes these two wishes can seem antithetical to one another. But finding the perfect dress is possible, and if you don’t know where to start, next year’s trends could provide you with some inspiration so that you start shopping early.