I'm a 2026 Bride—6 Bridesmaid Dresses My Bridal Party and I Are All Swooning Over
Dress shopping is hard, and wedding dress shopping is harder. But do you know what the hardest dress to shop for is? A bridesmaid dress. Every single day, people of all different sizes are squeezed, poked, and prodded into uncomfortable, poly-blend dresses at the behest of their friend getting married. Even if the dress is expensive, ill-fitting, or downright ugly, there's an expectation to go with the flow, swallow your pride, and swipe your credit card because anything the bride says goes. There are dozens of clickbait-y articles about the pressures and costs associated with being a bridesmaid, and my former colleague Ruhama Wolle even wrote an upcoming book on the topic!
Heading into my 2026 wedding, I knew I wanted to bring the complete opposite energy into the lives of the lovely ladies choosing to be by my side on my special day. Under no circumstances did I want them to spend hundreds on a dress they didn't like and would never wear again. After countless hours spent watching TikTok videos and scrolling nearly every bridesmaid-related Reddit thread, one brand kept up coming up for its affordability, comfort, and style. Enter Azazie, the L.A.-based label that thousands of happy bridesmaids actually swear by. What began as a brand dedicated to at-home try-ons for bridesmaid dresses has evolved into a full brand of wedding-related offerings for everyone in your party—bridesmaids, flower children, groomsmen, mothers, and even the bride herself.
I landed on my wedding dress months ago, but there was still one key component of our wedding-weekend wardrobe missing: what my bridesmaids would walk down the aisle in. I jumped at the opportunity to head to the brand's L.A. showroom to try on the best of the best, and after trying on what feels like every best-selling dress Azazie has to offer, I walked away with six favorites that I immediately sent to our wedding group chat. The response? Every woman in the party hearted their favorite dress, and there was one clear winner they were all obsessed with. If that isn't validation for how good Azazie's dresses are, I don't know what is.
Still, I wasn't about to take a few heart reactions as the final word. Bridesmaid dresses have a funny way of looking great in theory and then completely different once they're actually on. My bridesmaids all have different body types, heights, and comfort levels, so it was important for me to try on a range of styles. As a plus-size bride, I know the frustrating feeling of not finding a dress you love all too well, so after learning that Azazie is one of the most size-inclusive bridesmaid-dress companies right now (its range goes from a 0 to a size 30 and includes made-to-measure options), I knew I was going with the right choice.
I put each of my top picks to the test, evaluating fit, fabric, flexibility, and—maybe most importantly—whether it passed the ultimate bridesmaid test of "Would you actually wear this again?" From universally flattering silhouettes to the one style that unexpectedly stole the show, here's my honest breakdown of the Azazie dresses that made the final cut and the one that earned unanimous approval.
Azazie Bridesmaid Dress Review
Style: Sorrel, a mermaid corset and long skirt with matching neck scarf
Sizing: 00 to 30
Fabric options: Stretch satin, chiffon, and metallic satin
My review: This was by far the dress I was most excited to try on. Azazie constantly lists this pretty two-piece as the brand's best seller, and it makes complete sense why. Despite ringing in under $150, this dress feels like the trendiest of the bunch thanks to the body-hugging basque-waist corset and matching neck scarf. The sizing is fairly expansive and accurate for the Sorrel, but if you have a larger bust, you might be nervous about spillage or coverage in the top—just like you would with any strapless style.
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Style: Velli, a bias-cut mermaid halter dress with cowl-neck draping and a low-cut back
Sizing: 00 to 30
Fabric options: Stretch satin, chiffon, and metallic satin
My review: While I tried to be as unbiased as possible when showing my bridesmaids the photos of the dresses I tried on, I might have let it slip that the Velli was my favorite. It's timeless, classic, and reminiscent of dresses from the '90s that are all over my mood board. If Kate Moss or Carolyn Bessette Kennedy were getting married today, I know they'd ask their bridal party to wear this dress in a dark, moody color. I'm following in their footsteps. While this rustic desert rose stole my heart, this dress really comes to life in classic black.
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Style: Sarella, a sweetheart-neckline bias-cut dress with a slit
Sizing: 00 to 30
Fabric options: Stretch satin and metallic satin
My review: The Sarella screams oldie but goodie in my mind. This universally flattering and classic dress style from Azazie is such a crowd-pleaser. What's not to love? You have straps for support, a range of colorways, a high slit, and an A-line frame for your bridesmaids who may be a bit more body conscious in dresses that are tighter around the midsection and legs.
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Style: Rylina, a cowl-neckline mermaid dress with an open back
Sizing: 00 to 30
Fabric options: Stretch satin, chiffon, and metallic satin
My review: For a dress you can wear over and over again to your best friends' weddings and fancier dinner dates, don't skip the Rylina. It's a modern, younger-feeling take on a cowl-neck dress with a chic open back and a delicate drape to it. Although this is technically a mermaid-cut dress, it feels much roomier and wider in the hips and thighs than a traditional mermaid-cut gown, making it a solid option for a bridesmaid who's looking to prioritize comfort over anything else. Wider straps also means it's easier to wear a supportive bra with the Rylina, although I'd recommend a low-back bra or a sticky bra because of the style's open back.
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Style: Rue, a halter-neck mermaid dress with a slit and a crisscross open back
Sizing: 00 to 30
Fabric options: Stretch satin, chiffon, and floral burnout
My review: I'm obsessed with this dress—so much so that I was about to walk out of the showroom with it on. The best bridesmaid dresses are the ones that you actually want to wear, not the ones the bride forces you to, so this came in one of my top slots that I sent in my bridesmaid group chat. The pleated halter-neck detail is also chic and makes the silhouette much more interesting than a plain halter.
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Style: Phaedra, a one-shoulder column gown with a slit
Sizing: 00 to 30
Fabric options: Stretch satin, chiffon, and floral burnout
My review: I'm not going to lie. A one-shoulder gown always screams old to me. I wore one for my sister's wedding, and for the first two hours of having it on, I couldn't stop adjusting myself and feeling like the strap was digging into my back. A one-shoulder bridesmaid dress can be hard to get right most of the time, so I was pleasantly surprised when I slipped on the Phaedra and din't immediately hate it. Granted, I only had the dress on for a few minutes, but it looked and felt good, which is always the most important thing to consider when you're having your loved ones wear dresses in your honor.
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