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These Are The Bridal After Party Looks To Buy Now
From metallic minis to sweet lace looks.
Planning and shopping for weddings at home has given brides-to-be ample time to consider all their wedding weekend looks and shop for them thoughtfully. And while we aren't congregating on dance floors in the near future, there's hope that we'll be hitting the dance floor come wedding season. Whether you're planning for an intimate party in the spring or summer of this year, or a larger destination celebration this fall or in 2022, trust us: you'll want to snag a party dress (or a few) to change into after your vow exchange or seated dinner.
Typically, after your first dance and toasts, the desire to shed your formal ceremony look sets in. A quick change into a flirty, sexy, or dramatic second (or even third) look is an indicator to your new husband and all your guests that it's time for all-night celebrating, and that the party is far from over. We may not be partying like we want to right now, and so versatility in one's wedding wardrobe has become more important than ever before. Opt for something that you can wear again, whether you choose a sweet ivory number for cake-cutting or something more daring with loads of sparkle.
Afraid to stray too far from conventionally "bridal" looks? Don't be. You and your partner have the limelight, the question is: What will you wear to bask in it? Here, the best after-party looks to shop now—in preparation for the party to come.
A riff off the iconic chainmail mini Kate Moss wore in 1999, this is for the bride who wants a stop-traffic moment all her own.
Opt for a party-ready piece that you'll want to dress up in again in the future—like this sultry halterneck dress.
An intricately beaded mini dress feels apropos for the after-party, but this one's coral-like pattern and pearlescent tones make it a natural choice for a seaside celebration.
A chic shift mini dress has a sweet, retro feel that pairs well with equally-sparkling feminine flats—but quickly becomes a sexy party frock with the addition of sky-high stilettos. Opt for black shoes to give this look some edge, or mimic the black bow in your hair for Bardot vibes.
Long live the '80s! This one-shoulder, puff-sleeve mini hints to fashion's most dramatic decade—with a side of Studio 54—for a moment where it's expected that you'll look a little extra.
This dress in its silver and gold iterations has become the after party MVP over the last couple of years. This exclusive version in white makes it that much more bridal for those wedding in the new decade.
This is the one time in your life where it's more than alright to feel a little bit rock and roll—or a lot showgirl. This sparkling fringe mini is the ultimate party dress and catches the light as you move on the dance floor.
Crafted from an iridescent twill, this bustier bodice mini dress brimming with crystals is sexy and glam in all the right ways—style yours with silver-toned jewelry and dazzling pumps.
If silvers or shades of rose aren't your thing—go for gold. All shades, from yellow to bronze, suit an after-party; take your look to the next level and let your planner know what shade you plan to wear so that the party's vibe can complement your color palette, without matching it to the tee.
Channel your inner Meghan Markle (a la her Frogmore House reception) with an elegant, slim halter dress—but make it a mini. Before this look was aligned with the Duchess of Sussex, we'd peg it for a mod vibe that's both sophisticated and sexy.
If you're more demure than daring, a sweet silhouette with a short hemline will suit for cake-cutting, your getaway, and late-night dancing.
From a sheer corset top to a thigh-high slit, this look suits minimalist and metropolitan brides alike.
This ballet-inspired mini is subtly sexy in all its sweetness. Pair it with a strappy sandal or a flat (a la a pointe shoe) to keep it from feeling too prim; or, opt for a pointed-toe pump.
An easy-to-wear wrap dress gets an extra dose of drama when it's done in all-over sequins. If you're planning on wearing something corseted, structured, or strapless to your ceremony—this is the second look you'll be craving come cake-cutting.
Think: irresistibly seductive. This tailored, button-front dress in Chantilly lace complete with padded shoulder is completely sheer—so it's all about what you conceal and reveal. Toss this on over a swimsuit for a late-night pool party, or don it over a slip with a mini or midi hemline.
After party looks are typically fun, flirty, sexy, and the most fun to dance in—this look is all of the above. If you're looking to cinch your waist in this frothy frock, opt for a belt at your smallest point in black or white.
When in doubt, go mini with a twist. This strapless style with a feathered neckline is foolproof for late-night dancing, and for New Year's Eve in years to come.
A plunging neckline and body-con fit is the alternative to the all-over embellished mini—and perfect for the minimalist looking to be just a little bit extra.
Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini
For the modern romantic, channel Victorian-inspired vibes—with an ample dose of edge and a touch of color.
If you're not one to wear strapless down the aisle—or even if you are—a nod to a traditional bridal silhouette, with a twist (literally), will suit the after-party when saturated in sequins.
Carrie Goldberg is HarpersBAZAAR.com’s Weddings & Travel Director. She oversees the site’s BAZAAR Bride channel, travel & dining content, and styles fashion and bridal editorials for BAZAAR.com. When she’s not traveling, she spends her free time in her hometown–New York City–where there is no shortage of new places to shop, eat, drink, see and explore.
Heather Hall is a weddings, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor. Her career in weddings began at The Knot, where she worked as a bridal fashion editor. She then worked as a PR Manager at Amsale, a bridal design house, before starting her own events and digital marketing business. She has been featured on Today.com, MSN.com, Yahoo.com, Racked.com, Huffington Post, Verily Magazine, and Style Me Pretty. Heather loves music, travel, and practicing yoga. In her spare time she's typically researching the next fun workout class to try, or finding a new concert to attend. Her latest goal: become a DJ.
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