18 Bridesmaids Dresses They’ll Actually Want to Wear (More than Once!)

Every bride’s promise to her best friends when she asks them to stand up on her wedding day: I won’t make you dress like a cupcake, and I won’t make you spend an absurd amount of money on something you’ll never wear again.

Once the reality of going “bridesmaid dress” shopping hits, however, it can be hard to stay true to your word (on the second point, at least). In the hunt for a bridesmaid’s dress that will tick all your friends’ (and your own) boxes, start by looking at the stores you’d normally shop at for any party or formal dress. Look for stores that carry a wide range of sizes to fit many body shapes. Feeling generous? Consider letting your pals pick their own outfit with just a few guidelines, such as a certain colour family or palette, length, or fabric type.