Most bridesmaid dresses are fine. Just fine. Not what you’d pick if you were a guest at the wedding but something you buy because it’s sort of considered the price of admission for standing up front as one of your best friends says “I do.” Even if you don’t hate it—even if it’s maybe little cute—the chances of it getting shoved in the back of your closet until you pack it up for Goodwill in two years are high.
Unless, maybe, the bride chooses wear-again bridesmaid separates—like these, from Joanna August.
All of these looks are shirt-and-skirt combos, giving them major wear-again potential. Sure, you’ll probably never slip into the whole top-and-bottom combo again, but the skirts could be hemmed to be more everyday functional, and there are about 50 different occasions on which you could re-wear, say, that V-neck top—especially since that one can be worn with the V in the front or the back. Clever. (Bonus points if the bride chooses a universally easy-to-wear color, like black or white.)
The looks aren’t cheap: Tops start at $135, skirts, $165. But maybe your bridesmaids won’t mind springing for something that’ll see the light of day again after the wedding.
Click here for all of the two-piece looks from Joanna August.
Watch Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2016 Bridal Runway Show.