Are these dresses re-wearable?

Question

I am trying to find a good, re-wearable bridesmaid dress for my June wedding. I have seen brides pick some extremely un-re-wearable bridesmaid dresses and say that they chose them because they wanted their attendants to be able to wear them again. I am beginning to think being a bride has the potential to make one delusional. Anyway, I have found a few bridesmaid dresses I am considering, and I would love your opinion on them. (The color would be a medium-light blue called "Blue Jay".) Thanks!

http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/collections.productDetail/productID/1e38f4ef-92eb-4977-8bc5-63867709dc17/categoryID/772f03c9-de43-4942-bfa0-da77e21ebd65/colorID/682269eb-a81d-46a1-8d69-0ed73fe8d8f7
http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/collections.productDetail/productID/a1c99ee0-bc6e-42f8-b90b-4c2230ad2daf/categoryID/772f03c9-de43-4942-bfa0-da77e21ebd65/colorID/682269eb-a81d-46a1-8d69-0ed73fe8d8f7

Also these two:

http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/COLLECTIONS.productDetail/fromAdvancedSearch/0/productID/5ab67f00-1e20-474d-bf63-e6e17a137545/categoryID/772F03C9-DE43-4942-BFA0-DA77E21EBD65
http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/COLLECTIONS.productDetail/fromAdvancedSearch/0/productID/d67f5cd6-3962-4f1e-a236-1760682c7d88/categoryID/bfff30be-a493-4315-880c-45a86ae342b8

What about this one -- it's a little different (cocktail length in blue with ivory lace)?

http://www.alexiadesigns.com/main/?p=220

Thanks so much for all the input. Just to clarify -- the fabric for most of the dresses is organza (not satin or taffeta). Do you think organza makes a dress look less bridesmaidsy?

Answer 1

I like the last one you used - the one that wasn't an alfred angelo with the lace overlay - I could see a gal wearing that out to a club

Answer 2

I personally don't think any of them are rewearable unless they go to a lot of balls because of the fabric. Consider having a seamstress make similar dresses in a fabric that is not satin or taffeta. Another thought is maybe getting dresses that come in two pieces (like the "dream in color separates" alfredo angelo has if you like those colors: http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/collections.displayMixMatch/categoryId/7ca192cc-0f8c-4474-99fa-6343769b3889). I did that and my bridesmaids intend to wear the tops under nice jackets for work functions.

P.S. You can get specific Alfred Angelo dresses much cheaper off of the House of Brides website. Here is the one we used: http://houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=450&cat=438&page=1

Answer 3

The second and the last one are a definite no. The truth is that unless a dress is in black it's probably not going to be worn again. As a 10 time bridesmaid I care more about how I look that day and that the dress is affordable than I do about wearing it again because I think most bridesmaids go into the process knowing they'll probably not wear it again.

Answer 4

After looking at all of the dresses, then reading the comments, I have to smile. It's rather obvious that a dress will be worn again only if the individual bridesmaid likes it. I thought the third dress was the only obvious dress that would be worn again. Yet someone else said it was the only one that wouldn't be worn again.

Maybe it's best to ask your bridesmaids for their opinions since they are the ones whose input you need, and whose money will be spent on the dresses. My hats off to you for being a gracious bride and considering the feelings of your bridesmaids. You are a gracious bride!

Answer 5

From what I have seen of dresses from bridal shops, none are re-wearable. The 'maids have to go into it knowing the dress is a one-day wear. All brides say you can rewear them, but there has never been a bridesmaid dress in the history of weddings that doesn't scream "BRIDESMAID RETREAD!!!" if the girl is silly enough to wear it again.

That said, the best way is to give your 'maids a color range and let them buy their dresses separately, from somewhere that is not a bridal shop, if you want them to be able to rewear them. They won't match but that looks better, in my opinion.

Answer 6

The fourth one is possibly re-wearable.

The rest of them definately are not. It's not so much about the design of the dresses as the material. Only for prom and when a girl is a bridesmaid do they pick out satin finish dresses like that.....so to re-wear one just screams the purpose.

Answer 7

Just about anything that isn't floor length is re wearable as long that they are the type of girls to go to events (cocktail parties, the races ect).
The first is my favourite. I find it very simple and elegant, and it doesn't look like a typical bridesmaids dress where as the others sort of do have that element.

Answer 8

I would say the very first link and the second to last link are the best. Everyone is going to have a different opinion though:) I think I would be able to wear those two out on the town or to another wedding.

Answer 9

I like the second and the last. Although most bridesmaid dresses look just like what they are, try something with a wider strap or a small sleeve and it will look more like something you could wear out or to the office with a blazer or sweater.
Here are a few more:

Answer 10

The first and the fourth ones are total classics and re-wearable to any function. I would go with either of those. The empire waist on the first dress is extremely figure flattering for any figure. The fourth one is really sassy and would be a great cocktail dress.

Answer 11

The first and last ones by alfred angelo are the most rewearable and are quite nice. The last one is just kind of ugly. I would send these links to your bridesmaids and see which ones they like.