Do I have to wear a dress to my bridal shower?

Absolutely not! When it comes to your bridal shower, you should wear whatever makes you look and feel your best. Some popular alternatives to bridal shower dresses are jumpsuits, rompers, suits, and separates.

What should I wear to an evening bridal shower?

If the bridal shower is taking place in the evening, you can opt for a more formal look like a floor-length or embellished silhouette. We also love the idea of dresses in rich jewel tones and silky fabrics for an evening soirée.

Do I have to wear white to my bridal shower?

Definitely not! Many brides-to-be opt to forgo bridal white in favor of bright colors, pastels, and floral prints.

The 17 Best Bridal Shower Dresses for Brides-to-Be of 2023

Brides / Chloe Jeong

You’ve spent a lot of time thinking about your wedding dress, but a bridal shower dress is another worthy wedding ensemble. As one of the most photographed outfits you’ll wear as a bride-to-be, you’ll want to choose a silhouette that stays true to your bridal style. Feminine silhouettes with puffed sleeves, delicate silk details, and square or off-the-shoulder necklines are all fashion-forward bridal shower outfits. If you prefer a more traditional look, lace designs or romantic maxi dresses might be more your speed.

Whether you want to stand out in white or be different in a bold colored frock, it's best to choose your bridal shower look based on the venue, season, party theme, or your wedding aesthetic. To help you find your perfect bridal shower outfit, we've researched and rounded up the best bridal shower dresses for every budget, body type, and style. We've also included helpful tips on what to look for when shopping for a bridal shower dress.

For the casual bride-to-be, the LPA Talulah Dress and Lulus Cheery Days Dress are both excellent choices. Throwing a backyard bridal shower in the spring or summer? Opt for a dreamy floral frock, such as the Pia Dress from Rhode or the ASOS Design Floral Print Dress.

Read on for the best bridal shower dresses.

Our Top Picks

Best Budget:

Lulus Lace Off-the-Shoulder Midi Dress at Lulus

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For a Summer Shower:

Lulus Cheery Days Midi Dress at Lulus

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Most Versatile:

Reformation Enya Dress at Reformation

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Best Allover Lace:

Steve Madden Did It My Way Dress at Revolve

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Most Pared-Back:

Reformation Bridgton Linen Dress at Reformation

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Best Mini:

LPA Talulah Dress at Revolve

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Best Two Looks in One:

Sau Lee Gigi Dress at Bhldn

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Most Polished:

Self Portrait Lace Midi Dress at Nordstrom

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Best Slip Dress:

BHLDN Cali Satin Charmeuse Midi Dress at Bhldn

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Best Sundress:

ASOS DESIGN Floral Print Dress at Asos

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Courtesy of Lulus

View On Lulus

For the lover of all things lace, you can't go wrong with this pick from Lulus. From the stunning off-the-shoulder neckline to the gorgeous lace fabric, there's so much to love about this midi dress. Our favorite detail? The eyelash lace hem and sleeves.

Price at time of publish: $82

Courtesy of Lulus

View On Lulus

Embody the carefree nature of summer in this cheery sundress from Lulus. The sweet bow straps and textured details make it a winning choice for your bridal shower. Wear yours with beach waves and a pair of sandals or espadrilles.

Price at time of publish: $78

Courtesy of Reformation

View On Reformation

Perfect for your bridal shower and beyond, this floral-flocked sundress will quickly become one of your favorite pieces in your summer wardrobe. The fitted bodice gives way to a body-skimming skirt for a supremely flattering fit.

Price at time of publish: $278

Courtesy of Revolve

View On Revolve

Everyone should have a classic little white dress in their wedding wardrobe. This pretty lace style can easily be worn for any of your parties leading up to the big day.

Price at time of publish: $119

Courtesy of Reformation

View On Reformation

All eyes will be on you when you enter the room in this simple yet elegant dress by Reformation. We're envisioning this style for the minimalist bride who loves a laidback silhouette.

Price at time of publish: $248

Courtesy of Revolve

View On Revolve

What could be more perfect for a bridal shower than this white mini dress? We're obsessed with the sheer sleeves and textured material. Keep it casual with a pair of bridal sneakers or go for a more formal look in strappy heels.

Price at time of publish: $250

Courtesy of BHLDN

View On Bhldn

Short and sweet, this ruffly mini dress has bridal shower written all over it. As playful as it is versatile, this floral number features a delicate ruffled skirt that can be detached for a second look.

Price at time of publish: $498

Courtesy of Shopbop

View On Nordstrom View On Matchesfashion.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

A pretty lace frock is always a timeless option for a bridal shower. We love this one from Self-Portrait for its flattering neckline modern, graphic lace, and feminine scalloped edges.

Price at time of publish: $540

Courtesy of BHLDN

View On Bhldn

For the minimalist bride who covets simple silhouettes and clean lines, a slip dress is a classic choice. We especially love this flattering frock from BHLDN. Wear yours with delicate jewelry for a chic and understated look.

Price at time of publish: $168

Courtesy of ASOS

View On Asos

You'll look stunning from all angles in this sundress featuring a gorgeous floral fabric, ruffle-trimmed bodice, and unique strappy back. You're sure to wear this long after the wedding festivities have come and gone. For the bridal shower, wear your hair up to showcase all of the striking details this silhouette has to offer.

Courtesy of Anthropologie

View On Anthropologie

Bold structure and versatility make this a standout design. We love this jumpsuit that you can wear two ways for a wide range of celebrations from the engagement party to the bridal shower to the after-party.

Price at time of publish: $800

Courtesy of BHLDN

View On Bhldn

Looking for a colorful bridal look? Rhode's Pia dress features a cheery yellow floral pattern to brighten up your ensemble. Plus the artful ruching on the skirt is beyond flattering and puff sleeves add an element of charm and whimsy to the silhouette. The Pia dress is also available in white.

Price at time of publish: $395

Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter

No one does feminine-meets-ethereal quite like LoveShackFancy. This effortless number is perfect for a bridal shower set outdoors at a garden or beach locale.

Price at time of publish: $695

Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter View On Retrofete.com

If you’re having an evening bridal shower, consider wearing something with a little sparkle like this striking sequin dress from Retrofête. It's the perfect party-ready dress and will look great in photos, to boot!

Price at time of publish: $910

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

Effortlessly chic and sophisticated, this off-the-shoulder dress by Sleeper is a divine choice for the fashion-forward bride. We love it with matching white accessories for a modern monochromatic look.

Price at time of publish: $320

Courtesy of Revolve

View On Revolve

We love this fun floral number for the bride who would rather wear something colorful to their bridal shower. Featuring an eye-catching print, a flattering A-line skirt, and beautiful blouson sleeves, this Zimmermann dress is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Price at time of publish: $795

Courtesy of Shopbop

View On Shopbop.com

Crafted from stretch, eyelet lace, this breezy design is a fitting choice for a warm-weather celebration. The bow-embellished silhouette complete with pretty puff sleeves pairs beautifully with strappy sandals or lady-like mules.

Price at time of publish: $192

What to Look for in a Bridal Shower Outfit

With so many pretty little white dresses on the market, finding the perfect bridal shower outfit can sometimes be overwhelming. To help narrow down your options, it's helpful to look for styles and silhouettes that not only feel appropriate for the venue but also match the theme of the bridal shower.

The time of year will also help determine what you wear. For spring and summer bridal showers, we love mini dresses, tea-length silhouettes, and outfits crafted from easy, breezy fabrics. If the celebration takes place in the fall or winter, long sleeve dresses in heavy-weight fabrics are especially fitting for chillier weather. And of course, there's no rule that says you have to wear white for your bridal shower. If you prefer a more colorful ensemble, look for dresses in eye-catching floral prints, pretty pastels, or bright and unexpected hues.

FAQ

Do I have to wear a dress to my bridal shower?

Absolutely not! When it comes to your bridal shower, you should wear whatever makes you look and feel your best. Some popular alternatives to bridal shower dresses are jumpsuits, rompers, suits, and separates.
What should I wear to an evening bridal shower?

If the bridal shower is taking place in the evening, you can opt for a more formal look like a floor-length or embellished silhouette. We also love the idea of dresses in rich jewel tones and silky fabrics for an evening soirée.
Do I have to wear white to my bridal shower?

Definitely not! Many brides-to-be opt to forgo bridal white in favor of bright colors, pastels, and floral prints.

Why Trust Brides

Contributing writer Sophie Moore is a former fashion editor at Brides and is an expert in all things bridal attire, from couture wedding gowns to the perfect "something blue" accessory. She researches and sources the best fashion items for brides, grooms, wedding guests, wedding parties, and more.

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