From bridal-shower looks to after-party dresses.
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Sorry, but getting married is simply not cool (and I say that as a 2024 bride who’s currently planning an annoyingly over-the-top wedding). It’s the reason the anti-bride trend continues to dominate the wedding industry with more and more couples choosing to forgo traditions and instead plan a day that feels more authentic and personal to them. Couples are also focusing on individuality when planning their wedding wardrobe, and an easy way to accomplish this is by getting creative with your “something blue.”
As a little refresher: Incorporating “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” into your wedding look is a good-luck charm that comes from an old English rhyme. The “something blue” is traditionally a small token of love gifted to the bride before she walks down the aisle, such as a pair of shoes, a garter, or a special piece of jewelry. But in the era of anti-brides, why not think outside the box?
Here, I rounded up the best “something blue” looks from brands like Bernadette, Taller Marmo, Prada, Reformation, and Magda Butrym for nontraditional brides who want to wear a baby-blue dress to their rehearsal dinner, welcome party, reception, or any other wedding-related festivity.
So you’re looking for something blue?
➼ For accessorizing
➼ For the rehearsal dinner
➼ For the welcome party
➼ For the reception and after-party
➼ For the bridal shower
➼ For a dress alternative
For accessorizing
Start small. If you’re not completely sold on the head-to-toe bridal blue, don’t worry: I also found shoes, handbags, and a hair bow you’ll love. So if you want your “something blue” to be chic and stylish but you’re not ready to commit to any of the looks above, try one of these cool-girl-approved accessories from brands like Gucci, Mach & Mach, and Magda Butrym instead.
For the rehearsal dinner
Whether you’re hosting a wedding weekend of sorts or following a more traditional schedule, your rehearsal dinner is the kickoff event that sets the tone for everything that’s to come. It’s also the first time you’ll be introduced to your closest friends and family as the guest of honor, so don’t treat your rehearsal dinner look as an afterthought! I love the idea of wearing a billowy gown if you’re having a more formal event; these options from Bernadette and Sau Lee are soft and ethereal yet dramatic enough to wow your guests. If your rehearsal dinner is more casual, consider a dress with fringe or feathers from occasionwear designer Taller Marmo.
For the welcome party
Welcome parties are a relatively new addition to the wedding-weekend lineup, so there are no hard rules about what you should or should not wear. But much like dressing for your rehearsal dinner, you should consider the formality and location of your wedding weekend when choosing a look. It’s the first time you’ll be seeing your full guest list, and opting for a baby-blue dress instead of a traditional white one will be an exciting surprise for them.
For the reception and after-party
When it comes to finding the perfect reception dress, shopping for a look that’s completely different than your ceremony dress — in terms of color, neckline, silhouette, or fabric — is a good place to start. You can’t go wrong with any of the dresses below, whether you’re looking for something sexy, sparkly, playful, or sleek and simple.
For the bridal shower
If wearing a blue dress during your wedding weekend feels a bit too nontraditional for your liking, try wearing one to your bridal shower. Since it tends to be more low-key than the other events on this list, your bridal shower is the perfect time to take a risk with your outfit. You can’t go wrong with a tailored midi-dress, such as these picks from House of CB and Gucci, for a brunch or afternoon soirée. If you’re having a dinner or a more formal bridal shower, consider this minimalist floor-length dress by Anna Quan.
For a dress alternative
Shopping for bridal dresses is an exhausting process. Even if you’re giving yourself more options by shopping for “something blue,” it can still feel like you’re seeing a lot of the same designs over and over again. Break out of the wedding-dress mold by opting for a baby-blue skirt or suit instead. Below, a classic tailored suit by Italian label the Andamane, an affordable set by Reformation, a voluminous skirt by Staud, and a 100 percent silk midi-skirt by Givenchy that you’ll cherish forever.
