8+ Best Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops in Melbourne (2024)

wedding formal wear & bridesmaid dress melbourne, victoria vines

They are your best friends, they stick with you through thick and thin – we’re talking about your beloved bridesmaids. We all want a perfectly organized dream wedding and for a bride, her wedding day is possibly the most important day in her life. She wants to keep all her friends close to playing a role in her big wedding day and what better way than to have them as bridesmaids. There are a lot of tasks that a bride has to perform before the big day and having her besties to help out will ease the stress and the burden. One stress can be the most challenging one is choosing the right bridesmaid dresses for her girls.

Planning a wedding can get overwhelming! Even more so when you’re picking out bridesmaids dresses. There are so many factors to consider – do they complement your own gown? Do they go with the colour scheme? Will they look great on all your bridesmaids? And will your bridesmaids even like them?

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In a bustling metropolis like Melbourne, it shouldn’t be too hard to find bridal shops – the city has got pretty much everything you need. But when you’re looking for quality, you can’t just go to any store. It won’t be easy to scope out the best bridesmaid dresses in Melbourne with a quick Google search. Luckily for you, we’ve prepared a list that you can keep coming back to!

We’ve reduced the workload for you and found our top bridesmaids go-to stores in Melbourne.

Table of Contents

List of Formal Wear and Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

Frequently Asked Questions About Formal Wear

So traditionally, who pays for bridesmaid dresses? According to etiquette, each attendant is expected to cover the costs of their entire ensemble, from their dress (or their jumpsuit, or whatever look they're rocking) all the way down to their accessories. That goes even though the bride traditionally picks the attire.

~www.theknot.com

Your bridesmaid dresses should always match the formality of your gown. If you're wearing a ball gown wedding dress, your squad will look out of place wearing boho bridesmaid dresses that are better suited for a desert-chic wedding. To keep the formality the same, start by considering the length of the dresses.

~dessy.com

When should a bridesmaid get her dress altered? Don't wait until the last minute to take your dress to the tailor. At the same time, you shouldn't get alterations too early, since normal weight fluctuations alter the gown's fit. Roy says the ideal drop-off time is one month before the wedding.

~www.marthastewart.com

If the bride can afford to, it's a very thoughtful gesture for her to pay for the dress or a portion of the cost for each of her bridesmaids. ... Generally speaking, bridesmaids are expected to pay for their own dresses and accessories, as well as potentially hair and makeup appointments and transportation to the wedding.

~www.brides.com

The maid of honor, along with the rest of the bridal party, is expected to cover all wedding attire costs. This includes the dress (plus any necessary alterations), shoes, and any jewelry you'll be wearing the day of. Occasionally, the bride will gift her bridesmaids with whatever accessories she wants them to wear.

~modernmoh.com

 

The Gown House Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne

Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

Bli Bli, Queensland

thegownhouse.com.au

Welcome to The Gown House, an online boutique specialising in $99 infinity gowns.

We are 100% Australian owned, and based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

An infinity gown is a dress that is incredibly versatile due to its very long, adjustable ties which allow you to tie the dress however you wish. Wrap to flatter your body shape while expressing your personal style.

The fabric allows the dress to cinch in at the waist, and fall beautifully over the hips.

Get creative and see how many ways you can tie this dress, meaning it will never need to look the same twice.

Enquire today.

 

V.ssali Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne

Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

Coburg, Victoria

0394984230

Simple pieces with an edge being high quality but affordable

V.ssali is an Australian women’s fashion label designed in our Melbourne studio.

The brand offers a full range of women’s ready to wear fashion defined with an essence of confidence, allure and independent style in mind.

Our clothing range is beautifully made and hugs you in all the right places. We provide a great range of designs, styles and colours.

We pride ourselves on our customer service, we know how important your wedding is and we're here to help make your bridal party look even more beautiful than they already are.

When you wear V.ssali you stand out because our gowns tell a story through your own style and be a style statement.

 

Nicolangela Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne

Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

Australia Wide

1300798956

nicolangela.com/designer-bridesmaids-dresses/

Nicolangela offers high quality timeless gowns for your Bridesmaids. Dresses are hand cut and made in their Melbourne Studio.

Nicolangela offers in stock and custom made dresses perfect for your Wedding.

Our high quality dresses are hand cut and made in our Melbourne studio, offering a wide selection of colour style and sizing options made to order for Brides and Bridesmaids.

We offer various ways to connect with the collection

Online - Simply choose your style, colour, size & length – choose your dresses online and have them shipped directly to you.

Private Appointment - Make a booking with a stylist in our showroom

Sample Packs - Order online & customise your dress from home

NIcolangela's collections have been featured at various fashion shows in Australia, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, Mercedes Australian Fashion Week & VAMFF since the label’s inception in 2000.

Coordinate your bridemaids dresses with our made to order option.

*Custom made dresses generally take 4-6 weeks to make however if you require your dress sooner please let us know, we will do our best to accommodate.

Nicolangela is all Australian and proudly Melbourne Made.

 

Esther & Co Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne

Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

Surry Hills, New South Wales

02 9190 0117

esther.com.au

Affordable luxury at the click of a button.

With the vision of providing the busy women of today a fun & effortless online shopping experience all while enjoying the comfort of their own home.

We pride ourselves on offering affordable luxury at the click of a button. No matter the style of wedding, we have you covered with our vast selection of gorgeous dresses, playsuits, tops, bottoms and more.

Enquire today.

 

Young Designers Gallery Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne

Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

Ivanhoe, Victoria

0394983752

youngdesignersgallery.com

The friendly team at Young Designers Gallery has been supplying formalwear clients since 1987 and offers extensive service to complete your total look for every special occasion.

The friendly team at Young Designers Gallery has been supplying formal wear clients since 1987 and offers extensive service to complete your total look for every special occasion.

Our Head Designer, Adele Balzan, has a Bachelor Of Arts in Fashion and has won the Young Achiever Of The Year Award in 1991.

Prices range from around $240 to $460 to suit all budgets. We have our garments in stock and take orders for 3-5 month deliveries.

We also offer an alteration service at reasonable rates, work done on the premises.

  • Bridesmaids
  • Formals
  • Evening wear
  • Gowns for Mother of the Bride & Groom
  • Debutante
  • Budget bridal
  • Sizes 00-32 in the store
  • Large colour selection
  • Jewellery
  • Gloves
  • Men's ties

 

Ferrari Formalwear & Bridal - Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne

Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

Australia Wide

1300Ferrari

ferrariformal.com.au

Are you ready to fall in love…again? We offer stylish and breathtaking Gowns and Suits for the entire wedding party.

Are you ready to fall in love…again?

At Ferrari Formalwear & Bridal we believe brides should feel nothing less than gorgeous on their wedding day. This is why we offer a stunning collection of elegant bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses from Australian and International designers including Allure Bridals, Allure Bridesmaids, Casablanca, Eddy K, Madison James, and many more.

For the men we also offer a wide and stylish range of suits for hire and purchase. Whether you are the groom, a groomsman or father of the bride, we certainly have a suit for you. Our suits range from the traditional black dinner suit and tuxedo right through to the latest fashion in charcoal, grey, beige and navy suits. Just take a look for yourself!

Whether you are having a traditional church wedding, a relaxed garden or beach wedding you can be assured that you will find what everything you are looking for, and more, at one of our many Ferrari Formalwear & Bridal stores.

WHAT WE OFFER:

  • Bridal gowns by International and Australian designers such as Allure Bridals, Casablanca, Eddy K and Madison James
  • Suits to hire and buy for the groom, groomsmen or pageboy
  • Bridesmaid Dresses
  • Flowergirl Dresses
  • Debutante Gowns
  • Formal Gowns
  • Convenience with stores all around Australia
  • Knowledgeable and trained staff
  • Over 20 years experience

 

Bridesmaids Dressing Room Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne

Formal Wear & Bridesmaid Dress Shops Melbourne 

KEILOR EAST, Victoria

0383906600

bridesmaidsdressingroom.com.au

Bridesmaids Dressing Room is a physical store located in Melbourne, specialising in made-to-order bridesmaid dresses.

Bridesmaids Dressing Room is a Melbourne based store specialising in made-to-order bridesmaid dresses.  Book an appointment with your bridal party and have some fun trying on dresses, while you get expert guidance to help you make the perfect choice for your wedding day.

  • Try on sample dresses in store OR shop online
  • Multi-award winning bridesmaid business
  • Professional, stress free experience with exceptional customer service
  • Large collection of stunning bridesmaid dresses, sizes US2-US30
  • Australian and International designers
  • Large collection of fabrics and colours
  • Expert advice and guidance
  • Melbourne based showroom
  • BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

At the Bridesmaids Dressing Room we don’t just sell dresses, we want to help you with your dress selection process, to make sure your bridesmaids look amazing AND feel comfortable on your special day.

“Cut out the stress and find the perfect dress”.

Call us today!

Let’s face it – whenever we see the word “formal wear”,  a part of us freaks out. After all, they’re essentially telling you to dress your absolute best! Sometimes, renting just won’t cut it, buying cheap dresses runs the risk of a wardrobe malfunction, and shopping online won’t guarantee you the perfect fit.

If you’re a Melbournite with your best friend's wedding coming up, you’re in luck! When it comes to gowns and evening dresses, Melbourne has some of the best formal dress shops around.

So before you start googling “dress rental near me”, we’ve gone ahead and listed the best shops around Melbourne that sell some amazing formal wear.

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Once you've found your wedding dress, it's time to turn your planning attention to another important big-day fashion element-your bridesmaids' dresses. That begs the question: Should your bridal party's dresses be as formal as your wedding dress? Simply put, it all depends on your preference. If you've always envisioned yourself wearing an understated silk sheath but want your bridesmaids to wear bold, beaded gowns, go for it. Here, we share some basic points to keep in mind as you decide which formality makes the most sense for you and your bridal party.

Choose Bridesmaid Dresses They Feel Comfortable in

Whether your wedding party is three people or 15 people, remember that everyone has a different body type and style preference. It’s impossible to cater to absolutely everyone’s preferences while bridesmaid dress shopping, but it’s important to be mindful of this. It doesn’t need to be their dream look (it’s their job to go with the flow as much as possible too, by the way), but choose a bridesmaid dress style everyone can get behind. Want to go the extra mile? Ask your friends to send you one or two dress details they’d feel completely uncomfortable in (and make it clear that “I don’t like purple” doesn’t count). Then find a brand or designer that lets your crew customize their look by silhouette, neckline, length, and so on.

Mind Their Budgets

Bridesmaid dresses are one of those wedding party expenses your friends are expected to cover. That’s why there can be some contention throughout the dress shopping process if you’re not careful. Be open about your expectations from the beginning and ask them to do the same about what they can and can’t afford. Then keep your bridesmaid dresses within a reasonable price range.

Consider the Venue, Season, Formality, and Time of Day

Your wedding date and time can help steer your bridesmaid dress choice in the right direction. Fall and winter call for richer fabrics, more length, and deeper jewel tones, while spring and summer welcome airy fabrics, loose silhouettes, and lighter shades. The time of day and formality of the wedding matters, too. You’re not not allowed to dress your bridal party in metallic sequins for a midday wedding, but something so glam might work better for a formal evening affair. The same goes for your venue. Metallic sequins in a ballroom? Absolutely. Metallic sequins on the beach in June? Maybe not.

Remember that the length of the dresses makes a difference.

Short dresses will always look more casual than a long dress. If you're really concerned about the bridesmaids' dresses and how formal they could be compared to your dress, focus your dress search on shorter hemlines. Similarly, a longer hemline can help make a simple fabric feel a bit more fancy.

Keep costs in mind.

If any of your friends have been in a bridal party before, they'll know bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. But a gentle reminder is never a bad idea. When it comes to price, try to be considerate of your friends' lifestyles. If you're concerned your wedding might be a financial burden for one or more of your bridesmaids, focus your search on dresses in a more affordable range, or select a colour you like and let them pick their own style. Another idea: Take a cue from the guys and consider renting your bridesmaid dresses. Rental sites like Rent the Runway let your girls choose high-end designers in a wide range of styles and colours for a fraction of the cost.

Shop accordingly.

Consider what kind of shopping experience will suit your personality best. If you tend to have strong opinions, it's probably better to shop alone (or with just one friend). If you prefer more input, take the whole gang and give them guidelines, like colour or fabric.

So, should your bridesmaids help choose the dresses? That's entirely up to you, as there's no real etiquette rule on how much to involve your 'maids in the bridesmaid dress shopping process. Go with whatever you're comfortable with — if you love the idea of having all your friends together trying on a multitude of dresses, invite them! But if you'd rather keep things low-key, just ask your maid of honour to tag along for an initial perusal, then have the rest of the bridesmaids come for the final bridesmaid dress selection process.

 Select a dress shade.

There are several foolproof ways to pick the perfect color. One of the easiest methods is to play off the color schemes of your palette, the venue and the season. For instance, if your wedding will be held at a rustic vineyard with burgundy décor, you might want to rule out clashing hot pink dresses. Rich colors—marsala and emerald—work well in the fall and winter months, while lighter shades—mint and lavender—are perfect for spring and summer. If you're still at a loss for exactly which hue to choose, go for a general color, like green, and let your bridesmaids pick their favourite shades from light to dark for a trendy, mismatched look. Want to push the envelope even further? Consider prints—floral-print bridesmaid dresses are hot right now. Just remember: Patterns work best in smaller parties and should be paired with simple accessories. Or, you could opt for an all-white bridal party, à la Kate Middleton or Solange Knowles, for a look that's crisp and chic.

Consider lingerie logistics.

Remind your girls to get the right undergarments. Depending on the style of dress (read: strapless or one shoulder), your bridesmaids may need some special support. Trust us—even the most amazing dress can look unflattering with the wrong bra. In addition to a new bra, each bridesmaid might also need a specific panty or body shaper.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formal Wear

A formal wedding might include a jacket and tie or a traditional suit," he suggests. "An elegant dress or a nice pantsuit would also be appropriate." If you're still stuck on what formal wedding attire looks like, you can never be too overdressed.

Formal attire is definitely defined as a full-length gown, very fancy cocktail attire from dresses to a really glamorous pantsuit. When it comes to the men, formal wedding attire means a tuxedo. And definitely, a bow tie, which I love! The only time a tuxedo is not required is when it's black-tie optional.

The most appropriate suit colours for a formal wedding include charcoal grey, black, and midnight blue. A good rule of thumb, a dark suit is always the safest choice. If you're looking to add a bit of personality to your formal suit, consider your accessories.

The main physical difference between a tux and a suit is that tuxedos have satin details—satin-faced lapels, satin buttons and a satin side-stripe down the pant leg—suits do not. Instead of satin buttons, a suit will usually have bone, plastic or fabric-covered buttons. Accessories.

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