Let’s talk about the “wedding wardrobe.” Gone are the days where the bride only has to worry about one singular dress. With engagement parties, lavish bachelorette weekends, the welcome party, rehearsal dinner, afterparty and day-after brunch, there’s a lot of ground to cover. Thanks to the age of Instagram, the looks leading up to and after the big day are just as important as the wedding dress (hence the term “wedding wardrobe.”) Today we are going to discuss the first installment of the bridal look, which is the engagement party outfit. This sets the tone for the rest of your wedding wardrobe so let’s kick things off on a stylish note. Whatever aesthetic you want to go with, we have the perfect engagement party dresses for you.
High-Fashion Bride
For my high-fashion brides this Alaïa two-piece is everything. The hood detail on the top feels like an elevated version of a veil. You can lean into the occasion by wearing the hood up or you can leave it down for a less dramatic look. If you’re not into all the frills and sparkles the wedding world tends to bring, this formfitting silhouette and draped detail is sexy and sleek but still special.
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Young and Fresh
For the on-trend bride, anything Magda Butrym with the floral appliqués are having a major moment. This white jersey mini dress feels young, fresh, on-trend, while still giving that bridal feel. Go full wedding mode and rock white satin embellished pumps with a matching bag or go the more fashion route with metallic sandals and accessories.
A Touch of Sparkle
What’s a wedding without a little glitz? If you tend to lean on the simple side of things there’s no better time than your wedding to add a touch of sparkle to the repertoire. This dress by Khaite is the perfect option, the white sequins add a light amount of shimmer without feeling too sparkly. The simple silhouette and classic cut balance out the all over sequins for the ultimate simple yet special engagement party dress.
Simple and Sophisticated
When it doubt, go timeless. This pencil dress is simple yet sophisticated. The bustier bodice and cowl neck detail are subtle and beautiful. You will look back in 30 years and still love this dress because it will withstand the test of time. Maintain the simplicity by keeping accessories minimal or add a statement earring or a bold shoe for a nice pop.
The Glamor Girl
I’m a more is more type of gal and that’s how I approach my everyday style. So, if you’re anything like me, the wedding wardrobe is going to be full-blown glitz. The feather mini dress by 16Arlington is a great engagement party dress, it kicks off the festivities without being too much too soon. It gives a taste for what’s to come.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.