The 10 Biggest Bridesmaid Dress Trends for 2021

Let your bridesmaids look and feel their confident best with these fresh, flattering outfit trends to suit all different personal styles.

Hannah Davies

18 September, 2020

Bridesmaid dress shopping can be so much fun - particularly when you've got these amazing 2021 trends to choose from.

Of course, first you have to decide who pays for the bridesmaid dresses. But however you're playing it, the bride should still have some input into what the bridesmaids will wear, whether that's requesting a particular hue to go with your colour scheme or asking for a certain aesthetic to suit your wedding style, such as boho or glam. And you should definitely have the right of veto.

Nowadays it's by no means a given that all the bridesmaids will wear the exact same dress. While that does create a cohesive overall look, unless you're lucky enough to find a single style that suits everyone's figures and personalities, it's perfectly acceptable to have them in mismatched bridesmaid dresses linked by a common theme.

Some try-on sessions are a must, and it doesn't matter if you're all in different parts of the country. Set up a bridesmaid group chat to agree some options to order. Then schedule an evening video call and enjoy a bridesmaid fashion show starring your friends. Our 2021 trends forecast brings you the best of bridesmaid fashion, which you and they can adapt to suit their individual styles.

Happy shopping!

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1. Strong Shoulders

2020 was all about the sleeves; 2021 silhouettes are structured around the shoulders. It started with cult brand The Frankie Shop's muscle tee, the tank with padded shoulders that graced the grids of countless Insta fashion stars. Now, the strong-shoulder look is moving into dresses for 2021, as seen on Alexander McQueen's AW 20/21 catwalk. Expect to see plenty of padded shoulders on the high street in the near future, mainly in black and white.

Reformation Rumi Mini Dress - £140

This Rumi stretch mini dress by Reformation at Net-a-Porter perfectly captures the trend, and can be dressed up or down to suit your style of wedding.

Zhivago Eye of Horus Midi Dress - £467

As this Eye of Horus dress shows, strong shoulders work with all different hemlines, including midi and high-low.

2. Ruffles

Ruffles are going to be even bigger in 2021 - in terms of both size and popularity. If you want a romantic bridesmaid look, choose floral ruffles. For something edgier, go for a single colour, or a colour block for extra fashion points.

Halfpenny London Fox Dress in Pewter - £295

The ruffled hem of this Halfpenny London bridesmaid gown adds drama to the sleek silhouette.

Needle & Thread Harmony Dress - £285

Ruffled tiers combine with delicate floral in this Needle & Thread dress for an enchantingly pretty summer bridesmaid look.

Solace London Layci Dress - £90

Solace London's one-shoulder mini dress is a sculptural take on the trend, with a stand-out ruffled neckline.

3. Outsized Bows

Maxi bows are set to be one of the key 2021 wedding dress trends. If you want your bridesmaids' dresses to pick up on your own bow-adorned gown, you'll have plenty of options to choose from.

Karen Millen Escaping Bow Dress - £107.40

This blush dress is the sophisticated way to rock a bow detail.

Mango Bow Neck Dress - £35.99

We love the side-bow neckline on this easy-chic Mango dress that's perfect for a laidback bridesmaid look.

Ted Baker Syrrina Dress - £107

The vibrant colour and sexy open back make this Ted Baker midi a bridesmaid dress they'll wear again after the wedding.

4. Luxe-Touch Fabrics

Unsurprisingly, comfort has risen up the fashion agenda this year, and is set to play a key part in 2021 design. We're not talking about bridesmaids in athleisure, however - this trend is all about the fabrics and how they feel against the skin. From butter-soft silks and satins to sumptuous velvet, the key word is strokeable.

Kitri Studio Rebecca Dress - £145

This KITRI Studio dress would look fabulous at a winter wedding, made from a luxe-effect green leopard-print velvet.

& Other Stories Belted Midi Dress - £65

Crafted from silk, this flowing & Other Stories dress feels both fresh and timelessly elegant.

Baserange Dahl Dress - £291

One for the fashion-aware bridesmaid, this raw silk Baserange dress is the perfect blend of style and comfort.

5. The New Boho

Boho is a firm wedding favourite, for both décor and outfits. It's a multi-faceted look, bringing in elements of '70s style, natural fabrics, flowing silhouettes and jewelled touches. For 2021, the folk element of boho is going to be dialled up, as seen on the catwalk at Chloé. We're talking white with bright patterns, embroidery, tassels and - whisper it - macrame.

French Connection Edith Maxi - £280

The sheer neckline and sleeves of this French Connection maxi give the boho vibe a subtly sexy edge.

Meadows Anemone Dress - £250

Just add a flower crown to this Meadows dress for a gloriously folk-infused effect.

French Connection Tiger Lily Dress - £140

Who knew macrame could look so alluring? This French Connection dress puts a chic spin on the trend.

6. The Roaring Twenties

Twenties-inspired decadence has been referenced in several 2021 bridalwear collections, and we think it's a gorgeous influence for a glamorous bridesmaid look, too. You don't want to make it too costume, though. Avoid full-on flapper dress copies and go for references to the era instead, such as geometric patterns, back details, dropped waists, fringing and sparkling embellishment - just not all at once.

Phase Eight Albertina Dress - £295

The fabulous fringing on this Phase Eight dress make it feel dance-floor-ready.

Wired Angel at Silk Fred Drop Waist Dress - £52

Leopard print is a cool choice for a bridesmaid look, and we also love the easy-wearing silhouette of this Silk Fred dress.

Angel Eye at Silk Fred Sequin Dress - £130

We love the geometric print on this cami maxi, picked out in sequins for subtle sparkle.

7. Biker Jackets

As seen on the Dior and Fendi AW 20/21 catwalks, biker jackets are set to be big fashion news. A leather jacket is a great way to add edge to a floaty bridesmaid dress, as well as co-ordinating the overall look.

LatelierRoseBlanche at Etsy Custom Faux Leather Jacket - £149.82

LatelierRoseBlanche at Etsy creates beautiful custom faux leather jackets for both brides and bridesmaids, which would make for a delightful keepsake.

FabricsTattoo at Etsy Wedding Leather Jacket - £151.92

FabricsTattoo at Etsy can put one of their handpainted bridesmaid designs on an existing leather jacket, but also sells a range of styles.

8. The Joy of Nature

The great outdoors took on a new significance in 2020, with meeting loved ones in gardens, parks and for country walks at the top of the social agenda. Expect 2021 fashion to reflect this, with a mood that celebrates all that nature brings us - think exuberant florals, fruit-based prints and juicy hues.

Reformation Juliette Dress in Lemonade - £235

This Reformation dress is available in several different patterns, but it's the citrus that's giving us particularly joyous vibes.

H&M Flounce-Trim Dress - £17.99

H&M's florals are so strong right now, like this beautiful maxi with an exuberant print.

Rhode at Matches Dotty Floral-Print Dress - £207

This tiered mini would be a fresh and fabulous summer bridesmaid dress.

9. Silver

French Vogue are predicting silver to be the fashion metallic of 2021. This is good news for bridesmaids, because it's a suit-everyone hue that can look glamorous, pretty or pared-back, depending on the style you choose.

Zara Sequinned Dress - £25.99

Sequins are perfect for a party-ready look, and this Zara dress would definitely look good on the wedding dance floor.

Grace Loves Lace Satin Set in Moonshine - £370

We love the ethereal colour of this Grace Loves Lace bridesmaid two-piece, which comes in a slinky silk satin.

Nookie at Revolve Fantasy Dress - £267

This Nookie dress is straight-up glamour, with that gorgeous metallic finish and figure-skimming silhouette.

10. Red

The colour was a key part of the Alexander McQueen AW 20/21 collection, but not as a block. Red was mixed into different patterns and put against other hues for a soft yet still powerful look. It's a lucky colour in many cultures - McQueen's Sarah Burton specifically referenced its importance in Wales - which makes it ideal for bridesmaids.