AJ Abelman Photography
Bridesmaid suits are more than a wardrobe alternative, they’re an increasingly popular expression of modern bridal party style. Designed for comfort and versatility, they offer women and gender non-conforming folks the opportunity to feel powerful, polished, and supported throughout a wedding day. Suits blend personal comfort with fashion and help everyone feel included in the special day. Transitioning from traditional dresses, bridesmaid suits come in a wide range of colors, fabrics, and styles.
Picking the Perfect Bridesmaid Suit
Understanding the dress code and venue
The formality of your suit depends largely on the wedding venue and dress code. For black-tie affairs, sleek options like tuxedos in black, navy, or charcoal with satin lapels work beautifully. Formal daytime weddings allow lighter fabrics like linen blends or wool suiting in softer hues like gray or pink. More casual settings like a winery or beach embrace lighter fabrics in colors like sage, soft blue, or cream.
Figuring out fit and shape
Bridesmaid suits come in several cuts designed to flatter different body types while reflecting personal style. Classic-fit pants with straight cuts speak to understated elegance, while slim-fit styles invoke modern flair. Wide-leg trousers offer drama and comfort while suit skirts and shorts open up even more possibilities. Jackets range from structured double-breasted styles to flowing unlined blazers or cropped designs. Mixing jackets, vests, and bottoms across fit types creates stylish cohesion within a bridal party.
Coordinating color and style with the big day
Bridesmaid suit colors should enhance, not compete with, the bride’s attire and décor. Wedding palettes often include tones like burgundy, forest green, navy, lavender, and clay. For neutral looks, consider blush, clay, champagne, light gray, olive, or charcoal. Classic navy and black always look elegant. Blush enhances romantic themes while olive suits rustic vibes. You can also use patterned fabrics like windowpane or herringbone to match textures.
Styling Your Bridesmaid Suit
Left: SuitShop
Right: Cinematic Saviors
- Tops: A well-coordinated camisole or tailored blouse adds comfort and visual interest under a suit jacket. Silk or satin camis in neutral or contrast tones like ivory under olive or burgundy under charcoal work elegantly. Mock-neck or tie-collar blouses offer vintage sophistication. Crisp shirts keep it polished under structured pieces. Sleeveless tops allow the jacket’s tailored shape to shine.
- Footwear and jewelry: Heels in a neutral color or metallic tones elongate the leg line, while pointed flats and loafers offer comfort without style compromise. Strappy sandals work beautifully for spring and summer weddings while ankle boots suit rustic or fall events. Jewelry should pick up colors in the suit or bridal details: pearls, minimalist hoops, delicate chains, or statement brooches. For textured suits (like linen or tweed), keep accessories elegant and simplified.
- Seasonal considerations: Bridesmaid suits adapt to every season. Light-weight cotton or linen blends are perfect for spring and summer, while heavier wool or velvet compositions suit fall and winter events. Try adding lightweight scarves for warmth and extra polish in colder weather.
Bridesmaid Suit Outfit Inspiration
SuitShop
Classic tuxedo set
A women's tuxedo set in black or midnight blue, complete with trousers, a tailored jacket, and crisp shirt screams timeless elegance. Pair with metallic heels and understated earrings. Want to really shake things up? Try a tuxedo dress!
Blazer and wide-leg pant combo
For a fresh, modern, or even bohemian wedding, a women's pantsuit set with breezy wide-leg trousers and a blazer creates updated, relaxed polish. An ivory shirt, wedges, and jewelry complete the look.
Bold double-breasted pant suit
A double-breasted suit in clay, plum, or forest green offers a statement while keeping that structured aesthetic. Wear it buttoned-up or open with a contrasting blouse. For some extra style, swap the pants for a skirt. Gold accents harmonize with rich blazer tones.
Tweed or textured ensemble
A fitted textured jacket and matching pencil or wide-leg trousers in burgundy, charcoal, or camel complement seasonal decor. Finish with boots, a wool coat, and a warm scarf.
Customizing Across the Wedding Party
Left: SuitShop
Right: Brizzy Rose & Emma
Uniformity with a twist
Using a single color (like navy or burgundy) gives coherence. Small personal variations, like pocket square palettes or shoe style, allow each person to have a unique take while staying visually unified.
Tone variations
Pick a color palette (varying shades of green, from sage to olive and hunter, for example) and allow bridesmaids to choose from multiple tones within. Lighter shades tend to work best for daytime weddings, and darker ones look great for evening events or colder seasons, but members of the bridal party wear multiple shades lined up together, the look stays coordinated and layered for any time of day or season.
Fabric swatches
The nearlywed couple can provide color swatches to bridesmaids early on, or bridesmaids can share a swatch from their preferred suit to the couple. Using fabric swatches this way ensures that no matter the color, style, or fabric, everyone can choose something that makes them feel their best while still coming together as a group when it’s time to celebrate.
Matching the Groomsmen
Provide the groomsmen with ties or pocket squares in the same suit fabric as the bridesmaids to help bring cohesion to the wedding party. Choose suits (identical or tonal) for both sides to create a balanced and polished photo lineup that makes sure everyone is included.
FAQs: Your Bridesmaid Suit Questions Answered
Bridesmaid suits are incredibly versatile. They work for beach, city, garden, cocktail, formal, and many more wedding themes! As long as you select the right fabric, colors, and style, you’re good to go! For black-tie weddings, it’s best to go with a bridesmaid tuxedo to mesh with the formality of the event. If you’re not sure what you have planned works, ask!
Yes! You can pick one cohesive color and allow each bridesmaid to select jacket and bottom types to fit their style. Or, mix and match bridesmaid dresses and suits to get a unified look that allows everyone to feel comfortable and themselves.
Silk or satin camis and soft-shell shirts are ideal because they’re breathable, sleek, and beautiful under structured jackets. Classic button-up dress shirts are also perfect.
One of the greatest perks of bridesmaid suits is that they're not one-day wonders. A classic suit can be worn to job interviews, weekend brunches, and more. Keeping it neutral makes it highly functional. Try mixing suit separates into your regular wardrobe to maximize value.
SuitShop
Styling the Big Day with Suits for Bridesmaids
Bridesmaid suits celebrate the modern wedding world where tradition meets personality and design meets comfort. They create an inclusive, cohesive aesthetic that highlights your personality and harmonizes with the couple’s day. With proper styling and coordination, your suits will shine in photos and reflect the love that brought everyone together for the big day.
Nathaniel Longmore
Nate, a former SuitShop groom, is a writer by passion and trade. When he's not typing away from a local coffee shop, you can find him hiking the trails or searching the racks of a thrift store.
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