Dress shopping is hard, and wedding dress shopping is even harder. But do you know what the hardest dress to shop for is? A bridesmaid dress. Every day, people of all different sizes are squeezed, pressed, and made to wear uncomfortable, multicolored outfits at the behest of their friend who is getting married. Whether the dress is expensive, poorly fitting, or downright ugly, the expectation is that you go with the flow, swallow your pride, and swipe your credit card because everything the bride says comes true. There are dozens of clickbait-y articles about the pressures and costs associated with being a bridesmaid, and my former colleague Ruhama Wole even wrote an article. upcoming book On topic!
Heading into my 2026 wedding, I knew I wanted to bring the perfect opposite energy into the lives of the lovely ladies who wanted to be with me on my special day. Under no circumstances did I want them to spend hundreds of bucks on an outfit they didn’t like and would never wear again. After spending countless hours watching TikTok videos and scrolling through almost every bridesmaid-related Reddit thread, one brand kept standing out for its affordability, comfort, and style. Enter Aizzy, the LA-based label that thousands of happy bridesmaids actually swear by. What started as a brand dedicated to at-home try-ons for bridesmaid dresses has evolved into a full-fledged brand of wedding-related offerings for everyone in your party – bridesmaids, flower children, groomsmen, mothers, and even the bride herself.
Still, I wasn’t going to let a few heartfelt reactions be the last word. Bridesmaids’ dresses have a weird way of looking great in theory and completely different when they’re actually worn. All of my bridesmaids have different body types, heights, and comfort levels, so it was important for me to try different styles. As a plus-size bride, I know the frustration of not finding a dress I love, so after learning that Azazi is one of the most size-inclusive bridesmaid-dress companies at the moment (its range goes from size 0 to 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 perhaps most importantly, whether it passed the ultimate bridesmaid test. “Would you really wear this again?” From a universally flattering silhouette to a style that unexpectedly stole the show, here’s my honest breakdown of the Azazi dresses that made the final cut and which received unanimous approval.
Ajazi Bridesmaid Dress Review
Style: Sorrel, long skirt with a mermaid corset and matching neck scarf
size: 00 to 30
Fabric Options: stretch satin, chiffon, and metallic satin
my review: This was by far the dress I was most excited to wear. Azza consistently lists this beautiful two-piece as one of the brand’s best sellers, and it’s totally understandable why. Despite the under-$150 price tag, this dress feels like the trendiest of the bunch thanks to the body-hugging basque-waist corset and matching neck scarf. The sizing for the Sorel is fairly detailed and accurate, but if you have a larger bust, you may be nervous about spilling out or coverage at the top – just like you would with any strapless style.
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Style: A bias-cut mermaid halter dress with wellies, cowl-neck draping and a low-cut back
size: 00 to 30
Fabric Options: Stretch satin, chiffon and metallic satin
my review: Although I tried to be as unbiased as possible when showing my bridesmaids pictures of the dresses I wore, I might have let it be known that Wellie was my favorite. It’s timeless, classic and reminiscent of the 90s outfits that are on my mood board. If Kate Moss or Caroline Bessette Kennedy were getting married today, I know they would ask their bridal party to wear this dress in a deep, moody color. I am following his footsteps. While this rustic desert rose stole my heart, this dress really comes to life in the classic black.
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Azazi
Welly Clay Mermaid High Neck Stretch Satin Dress
Style: Sarela, a sweetheart-neckline bias-cut dress with a slit
size: 00 to 30
Fabric Options: stretch satin and metallic satin
my review: Sarela screams old but good in my mind. This universally attractive and classic dressing style of Azazi is a great hit with people. what’s not to love? You have straps for support, a range of colours, a high slit and an A-line frame for your bridesmaids who may be a little more body conscious in tight dresses around the midsection and legs.
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Azazi
Saarela Dusty Rose A-Line Pleated Stretch Satin Dress
Style: Rylina, open-back cowl-neckline mermaid dress
size: 00 to 30
Fabric Options: Stretch satin, chiffon and metallic satin
my review: For a dress you can wear again and again to your best friends’ weddings and fancy dinner dates, don’t miss Rylina. It’s a modern, youthful-feeling cowl-neck dress with a flattering open back and a delicate drape. Although it’s technically a mermaid-cut dress, it feels roomier and wider in the hips and thighs than a traditional mermaid-cut gown, making it a solid choice for bridesmaids who want to prioritize comfort over anything else. The wide straps also mean it’s easy to wear a supportive bra with the Rylina, although I would recommend a low-back bra or clingy bra due to the open back of the style.
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Azazi
Rylina Dusty Blue Mermaid Pleated Chiffon Dress
Style: Rue, a halter-neck mermaid dress with a slit and a crisscross open back
size: 00 to 30
Fabric Options: Stretch Satin, Chiffon and Floral Burnout
my review: I’m crazy about this dress – so much so that I was about to walk out of the showroom wearing it. The best bridesmaid dresses are the ones you actually want to wear, not the ones the bride pressures you to wear, so this landed in one of my top slots to send out in my bridesmaids’ group chat. The pleated halter-neck detail is also eye-catching and makes the silhouette more interesting than a plain halter.
dress shopping
Azazi
Rue Dusty Blue Mermaid Pleated Stretch Satin Dress
Style: Phaedra, one-shoulder column gown with a slit
size: 00 to 30
Fabric Options: Stretch Satin, Chiffon and Floral Burnout
my review: I will not lie. One-shoulder gowns always feel dated to me. I wore it for my sister’s wedding, and during the first two hours of wearing it, I couldn’t stop myself from adjusting and I felt like the strap was digging into my back. A one-shoulder bridesmaid dress can be difficult to get right most of the time, so I was pleasantly surprised when I slipped on Phaedra and didn’t immediately hate it. Granted, I only wore the dress for a few minutes, but it looked and felt good, which is always the most important thing to consider when you are dressing your loved ones in your honor.
dress shopping
Azazi
Phaedra Steele Blue A-Line One Shoulder Stretch Satin Dress
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