Today we’re talking about the infinity dress for bridesmaids… and everything you have ever needed / wanted to know about this trend. I’m hesitant to use the word trend because this style isn’t fleeting; it seems this bridesmaid dress is a trend that is only growing in popularity but it is very functional, too. An infinity dress will probably always be an option for bridesmaids, which is a good thing.

When Whitney wrote us with this Ask Emmaline question, we knew you were probably wondering the same thing. She writes,

“I am looking at an infinity dress for my bridesmaids to wear but is it better to pick out an infinity dress online or buy in-store? Do you have any suggestions for buying cheap infinity dresses that are good quality? Thanks!”

Great questions, Whitney! An infinity dress is an awesome choice for bridesmaids! An infinity dress, also referred to as a convertible dress, multi-wear dress, wrap dress, or twist dress, is loved by brides and bridesmaids alike. Infinity dresses are also an affordable option, but it depends on where you buy and what style you’re looking for.

Today we’ll fill you in on everything: how much an infinity dress costs, whether it’s better to buy an infinity bridesmaid dress in-store or online, and answer a few other questions (such as long vs. short, what color is best, and why people love infinity dresses so much). So, grab a cup of coffee (make mine a double espresso) and we will tackle infinity dresses together!

Infinity Dress Guide for Bridesmaids

To tell you everything you need to know, here are answers to the most common questions.

+ Is an infinity dress a good option for bridesmaids? Why or why not?

An infinity dress is not just a good option, it is an AWESOME option that will keep your bridesmaids happy. Why choose one dress with only one neckline option when your bridesmaids can pick the style that flatters their unique figure best? With a simple twist, tie, or wrap, the dress converts into a halter top, strapless, t-strap, or one-shouldered dress.

Brides who select an infinity dress for bridesmaids to fulfill two things:

o Bridesmaids get to wear a dress that flatters their figure best, and

o All bridesmaid dresses are uniform in color for a cohesive look, with slight style variations

An infinity dress is a perfect choice if you a) like the idea of your bridesmaids being comfortable (YES!) in the dress they wear (and, let’s face it, are basically forced to buy) and b) love a bridesmaid dress they can wear again AND is quite affordable. Win-win. Win.

+ How much does an infinity dress cost?

An infinity dress is incredibly affordable. We’re seeing dozens of bridesmaid dresses on Etsy right now retailing for UNDER $200, many just above the $100 mark and most under $80. We’ve even seen a handful of infinity dress styles UNDER $50. This is worlds apart from the gigantic price tag we typically see for bridesmaid dresses (along with the cost of tailoring, which infinity dresses do not require – yay!)

As with all purchases online, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Therefore, it is always a good idea to do your homework and always read reviews before buying a cheap infinity dress online.

+ Should you buy a multi-wear / infinity dress online? Or from a retailer in-store?

Hmm, this one’s a good question. Personally, I am used to the idea of buying online and trying it on at home. Most convertible dress shops online obviously do not have a retail location to try on a dress, so you’re taking a bit of a chance on the dress fitting correctly. However, a convertible dress fits many sizes because it is made of a soft jersey material that provides movement and a little stretch; this means you can take a small risk and you’ll probably end up getting the perfect fit even without trying it on first.

Some stores — i.e. David’s Bridal, for instance — offer an infinity dress online and in-store. This means you can try it on in store just to get an idea of how it will look (and how to tie it) and still buy online, if you’d like (great for using coupon codes!) This is one fantastic infinity dress option for bridesmaids who may be nervous about making a large purchase online without trying it on first.

I can say that I’ve purchased a convertible dress online from David’s Bridal for a wedding I stood up in. I took accurate measurements, ordered the dress with additional length, and BAM — it was delivered to my door, I tried it on, and it fit like a glove. I would definitely recommend buying a convertible dress online, as I had a great experience. One tip: order WELL AHEAD OF TIME, just to make sure shipping is not an issue. This way, if the dress for some reason does not fit, you have time to re-order while you send in your return.

+ Should you pick a long or short infinity dress?

I’ve seen it done both ways: a long infinity dress vs. a short infinity dress both look phenomenal. Some recommend a long dress for cooler months and a short dress for spring or summer, but I disagree. I think the idea that a “long” convertible dress will keep you “warmer” is false; it seems like there’s slightly more fabric, but come on… it’s not really keeping you that much warmer since you still have the same neckline.

To me, the idea of long vs. short convertible dresses depends on the look you’re going for. I’ve seen very beautiful long convertible dresses in spring garden weddings, along with stylish short dresses for a winter wedding (I wore one myself for a friend’s wedding last November!) It rocked. She also paired the dresses with these wraps (in hot pink!) to pull in her wedding palette and it looked awesome.

Another reason why the bride chose a navy blue infinity dress in a short length was because she wanted us to actually wear it again. And we do! She figured a long floor-length dress (vs. a short cocktail dress) would present less opportunities to wear to future events.

+ What color convertible dress is the best for bridesmaids?

And finally, the color of the convertible dress: which shade is best? There are MANY colors available for these dresses, so it is easy to get overwhelmed deciding on one that looks best.

Here are some examples of infinity dress colors (this color palette is from Atom Attire):

So, what color dress is best? It is really up to you! Many brides opt for navy blue, as mentioned above; others choose black, and when you think about it, a little black dress is pretty much the perfect outfit for bridesmaids to actually wear again.

Seriously, how cute is this?!

For color, pick something that coordinates with your wedding because what matters most is what will look best for the wedding. It’s a bonus IF the bridesmaid dresses can be re-worn by your girls in more neutral tones, but you should not seek the color just for this reason. Instead, choose a color that looks amazing with your selected palette, decor, and finishing touches; that’s always going to be your best bet for photos.

Coralie Beatrix also offers flower girl infinity dress styles! ↓

7 Top Infinity Dress Tips

Here are the top seven tips you need to know about the infinity dress.

1. Choose an infinity dress color that looks best with your decor.

Bonus points if the color is something they’ll actually want to wear again. :)

2. Choose long vs short based on your own preference — not necessarily based on season.

3. Order EARLY.

Allow plenty of time for the bridesmaid dresses to arrive and try on just in case you need to exchange for another size (or additional length). Many bridesmaids buy their dresses in January (busy season!), so plan accordingly.

4. Read reviews BEFORE ordering.

Don’t be lured by incredibly cheap infinity dress styles with zero customer reviews. Do your homework and research other customer reviews before you buy.

5. For cooler weather, consider a pashmina.

Your bridesmaids can absolutely wear an infinity dress in colder months. We recommend pairing the dresses with a faux fur wrap (like this) or a pashmina (like these).

6. Practice makes perfect.

Make sure your bridesmaids know how to wrap their infinity dress. Here is a helpful video we found showing 10 ways to wear an infinity dress:

It also helps if you elect one bridesmaid who is very good at how to tie the infinity dresses; she can be “in charge”, so to speak, helping bridesmaids with their dresses the morning of the wedding. This is helpful because sometimes bridesmaids can’t do it themselves, or need help getting it to look right.

7. Decide if you want your maid of honor’s dress to be unique.

If you want your maid of honor‘s dress to stand out, choose her infinity dress in a different (but coordinating) color. Therefore, she will stand out a bit from the other bridesmaids as the maid of honor. Alternatively, she can wear her convertible dress differently than the other bridesmaids (i.e. she wears the strapless while the girls wear their dresses in everything except strapless) offer a distinction.

Where to Buy an Infinity Dress Online

Now that you know everything there is to know about the infinity dress, it’s time to check out a few of our favorite examples. Here are the best places to buy infinity dresses online on Etsy.

Infinity Dress Designer – Coralie Beatrix

+ Coralie Beatrix

Etsy designer Coralie Beatrix is amazing. Katie, based in California, is an infinity dress expert with over 30,000 (!) sales in her shop and hundreds of reviews from happy clients. She offers signature “Octopus” infinity bridesmaid dresses with gorgeous colors and varied lengths. Price is varied; some infinity dress styles are under $100, while others are slightly more. You can even get lace infinity dresses from this shop and they are incredible for vintage weddings! Find out more / buy your infinity dress here.

Infinity Dress Designer – Atom Attire

+ Atom Attire

Etsy artist Atom Attire is based in NY and boasts over 5,000 positive reviews from happy clients. Rachel is insanely talented and it shows in her beautiful bridesmaid infinity dress. Price: ONLY $49 -or- $52.50 with bandeau included!

Infinity Dress Designer – Straath of Design

+ Straath of Design

Etsy artist Straath of Design (based in Michigan by us, whoop whoop!) offers short and long infinity dress styles for bridesmaids. Price: Under $100. Find out more / buy your infinity dress here.

Discuss: Share your thoughts on the infinity dress ↓

And there you have it: everything you ever needed to know before buying an infinity dress! Do you have any questions, and are you choosing this dress style for bridesmaids? Most of all, which bridesmaid dress shown above is your favorite? Tell us about it below in the comments because you know we’d love to hear from you.

♥

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma