I'm Having a Bridal Shower in Both NYC and L.A.—Here's What I'm Wearing in Each City (and What Almost Made the Cut)
Sara Walker is a Who What Wear editor in residence, content creator, stylist, and fashion consultant based in Los Angeles.
I feel so lucky to be having not one but two bridal showers. I didn’t think I’d have any, but my aunt in NYC and my best friend in L.A. both offered to host, and I certainly don’t need an excuse to celebrate. So yes, two bridal showers: one very family-oriented in New York and one very sunshine-in-Malibu in Los Angeles.
I wasn’t initially set on having a bridal shower for a number of reasons. While I love celebrating all things love, it didn’t feel like a priority in the grand scheme of wedding planning. Time has flown by, and there are so many logistics—not to mention my friends and family are spread all over the country. While I’m based in L.A. and most of my friends are here, my family (and some of my closest friends) are on the East Coast. I also didn’t want anyone to feel obligated to travel for this. But thanks to two incredible women in my life who so generously offered to host, I now get to celebrate in two completely different ways, and I feel endlessly grateful.
With that comes two totally different approaches to dressing—something I’ve had a lot of fun thinking through.
NYC Bridal Shower
My NYC bridal shower has already happened, and I had four fantastic options to choose from: a watercolor Altuzarra dress (one of my favorite NYC designers!), a Liberowe fringe tweed mini, a Staud white mini with a matching coat, and a vintage Chanel suit from The RealReal. Each felt very “New York” in its own way—polished, considered, and slightly more traditional. For this event, I really leaned into spring with soft pastels and a more sophisticated, buttoned-up look, literally. I even considered a Ralph Lauren button-down with a pencil skirt, which felt very Upper East Side in the best way. As you can tell, my mindset was more formal and classically bridal, with an emphasis on tailoring and timeless silhouettes.
The Altuzarra Dress I Chose for My NYC Bridal Shower
I ultimately landed on the watercolor Altuzarra dress. I went into the process leaning toward something a bit more traditional and polished, but this felt like the perfect balance—feminine and girly yet slightly unexpected with the soft wash of color. It still felt bridal, just with a bit more personality. I also love Altuzarra as a New York brand, so wearing it in the city made the choice feel even more fitting and special.
Pieces I Considered for an NYC Bridal Shower
L.A. Bridal Shower
For my L.A. bridal shower, I took a completely different approach. I found myself gravitating toward texture, ease, prints, and a more relaxed, playful energy. I’ve always felt that bridal looks can be casual and interesting, especially in a setting like Malibu where everything feels a bit more undone in the best way.
One outfit I kept coming back to was a structured Staud top paired with vintage Levi’s and chic white mules. I loved the contrast of something tailored and polished with lived-in denim—it felt effortless but still intentional, which to me is the essence of L.A. style.
Another option I considered was a Dôen fringe dress. It was a bit dressier but still felt easy and romantic, especially styled with a heeled flip-flop for that slightly unexpected touch. I also kept thinking about the “shark dress” from Staud. While it was mostly white, it had a subtle shark design along the side, and I loved that it didn’t take itself too seriously. Because honestly, who doesn’t want to wear a shark dress by the beach while sipping champagne with all their friends?
The Jacquemus Dress I Chose for My L.A. Bridal Shower
I ultimately landed on a light pink Jacquemus dress. I went into the process wanting something a bit more undone and slightly rebellious—leaning away from anything too traditional or expected. While I explored a lot of those directions, I ended up choosing something that still felt effortless and true to me. It wasn’t white, which I loved, but it still carried a softness and femininity that felt right for the moment. It struck that balance of feeling a little unexpected but still completely natural.
There were also a few other pieces in the mix that almost made the cut—some more traditional bridal options, a few ultra-minimal looks—but ultimately, I kept coming back to outfits that felt the most like me in each setting. That’s really been my guiding principle through all of this.
Pieces I Considered for my L.A. Bridal Shower
At the end of the day, planning these looks made me realize how much style is tied to place and mood. New York called for something polished, classic, and a little more buttoned-up, while L.A. invited a more relaxed, playful, and slightly unexpected take on bridal dressing. I loved leaning into each city’s personality and letting that guide my choices. If anything, this experience reminded me that bridal style doesn’t have to fit into one box. It can, and should, feel like you—wherever you are, whatever that looks like.
