Oh boy, this photo is basically a summary of 1980s fashion. It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s full of voluminous lace. This photo is from a 1989 wedding that took place on Valentine’s Day. The bride made everyone lean into the theme with these larger-than-life bridesmaid dresses. We don’t even know where to start with this look.
From the delicate white floral print to the bold red puff sleeves, these dresses are serving some serious 80s fashion. The extreme blush and teased hair are just icing on the wedding cake. We love how the bridesmaid on the far right tried to zhoozh up her look by pushing those balloonish sleeves off her shoulders. Honestly? That wasn’t a bad idea because she looked like the most fashionable one of the bunch.
Shirley Temple's Bridesmaids
Celebrity weddings are a big deal these days. It was no different back in 1945 when Shirley Temple got married to her first husband, John Agar. The seventeen-year-old child star was the talk of the town when she stepped out in her wedding dress. Her bridesmaids may have also been the subject of a lot of talk, but for all the wrong reasons.
Most 1940s fashion stands the test of time, but these bridesmaid dresses do not. The bows and layers are cute, but it’s not exactly the most flattering silhouette for every body type. We’d maybe give these dresses a “pass” if it weren’t for those hats. Oh well. Not every celebrity wedding is a hit when it comes to fashion. At least everyone looks happy!
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
If we didn’t know any better, we’d think this photo was for some kind of patriotic celebration. Alas, it’s a wedding snapshot. These bridesmaids all wore matching blue dresses, while their groomsmen dates wore bold red ties. Along with the bride’s signature white dress, this group looks ready and eager to represent the U.S. of A.
The bridesmaid dresses themselves aren’t all that bad, but there are just certain details that make it look all wrong. Like, why are the hemlines of all the dresses at such an awkward length? Why are all the women’s shoes a slightly different color of blue? Plus, we think these blue dresses look way too similar to the bride’s dress. Maybe that’s what she wanted? On another note, we totally love those cute flower girl dresses.
Seeing Double? More Like Quintuple
Forget “Octomom” and “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” The Dionne quintuplets were the original tabloid sensations when they were born back in 1934. They were the first known set of quintuplets to survive infancy, and fans followed their lives as they grew up. Like many younger sisters, the Dionne quintuplets got to be bridesmaids at their older brother’s wedding.
This rare 1947 photo of the sisters shows the five of them lined up in their matching dresses for a photo-op. Are these dresses the most flattering? Not really, but they were only thirteen. It’s safe to assume they probably didn’t have much choice about what kind of dress they could wear to their brother’s wedding. In fact, the Dionne quintuplets were made to wear matching outfits for publicity reasons well into their older teenage years.
Back in the Days of Y2K
Ah, the early 2000s. We remember it well. Although many Y2K styles were cutting-edge at the time, some of us older folk look back at old photos with a “what were we thinking?!” mentality. These light pink bridesmaid dresses are quintessential of the era with their crushed velvet tops and long, wispy skirts.
Honestly? These dresses aren’t that bad! They are very “of the times,” but they’re not ugly. Each woman looks totally comfortable wearing their dress, and that’s what counts. Plus, Y2K fashion has made a comeback. These ladies should dust off their old bridesmaid dresses and wear them as a vintage fashion statement.