By Mary Scholz Austin

Admit it. When your best friend asked you to be one of her bridesmaids, you told her you’d love to and couldn’t wait to go dress shopping. Later, you cringed as you pictured yourself in some sort of poufy, multi-layered creation, “gracefully” making your way down the aisle, dragging somewhere close to 50 yards of tulle and organza. But it doesn’t have to be this way for bridesmaids anymore.

Bridesmaid fashion has actually become fashionable. And according to Kristin Erickson, owner of Bridesmaids at Nonchalance in Morristown (973-292-0902; www.nonchalancenj.com), bridesmaid dresses have also become wearable. “Designers, over the past decade, starting with Jim Hjelm and followed by others like Vera Wang, Lazaro, Alvina Valenta, and recently, Badgley Mischka, have transformed the look of bridesmaid dresses into elegant, chic, timeless styles that sophisticated women can wear for many special occasions,” says Erickson. “The beauty and quality of these classic designs, intended for single use, have turned them into a fabulous addition to any woman's closet.” Most of the dresses offered by these and other designers for the bridal party work equally well for a cocktail party or a special night in the City. “The idea of wearing bridesmaid dresses again has become the norm these days,” she says. “Designers are responding to that trend with styles that capture the glamour, romance, and sophistication that we see on the red carpet. The crossover of luxury, high-end designers like Vera Wang and Badgley Mischka, who have dressed the famous for years, has brought high fashion into the bridesmaid market at affordable prices.”

This high-style influence can be seen everywhere. Collections for bridesmaids are showing shorter hemlines, sleek A-line silhouettes, and luxurious fabrics in a non-traditional palette of colors such as bronze, platinum, and chocolate brown, or hybrids like rosy oranges, sagey greens, and even prints. A variety of punchy accents like deeper hued ribbon trims along the hemline or contrasting color sashes around the waist, as well as a variety of novel details like V-halter tops, soft gathers, and pin tucks, or beading and jewelry-like accents, add unique touches.

Many brides are starting to put their trust in their girlfriends’ fashion instincts when it comes to selecting their dresses for the big day. “I would say the biggest trend I am seeing right now is the rise of brides just asking their maids to find something gorgeous, something that suits them in a hue or a fabric and color of the bride’s choosing,” says Tina LaMorte, wedding planner and owner of Oh So Fabulous in Maywood (201-981-7280; www.ohsofab.com). Several dress lines, such as Simple Silhouettes, let the bride pick the fabric and color they desire, then present a variety of options for necklines, bodice and skirt styles, hem length, and finishing details. Each bridesmaid can create a custom dress that fits and flatters her, a fact that is sure to turn that cringe into a smile and put to rest those nightmares about being strangled by layers and layers of pink tulle.