What To Wear On My Bachelorette Party

If you’re the guest of honor, you make the rules when it comes to attire. Still, there are a few things to keep in mind while packing. Read up on what to wear to a bachelorette party as the bride below.

Opt for a Little White Dress

As the bride-to-be, you have a pass to wear as much white as you want to in the months leading up to your big day. And, while your wedding dress is the most important piece of clothing you’ll wear during this season, we recommend stocking up on plenty of white outfits for all of your pre-wedding events too. From rompers to mini dresses and trendy swimsuits, we recommend adding a few monochrome numbers to your packing list.

If white isn’t your thing, we have outfit ideas for you too—like an all-black look instead. (This will look especially chic if you ask bach party guests to wear contrasting all-white outfits next to your black attire.) Get started by shopping our favorite LBDs for bach parties here.

Dress for the Location & Activities

Before you fill your suitcase, touch base with the host to learn about the location and what kind of activities will be planned. While you might prefer to wear a Hill House nap dress to a wine tasting in Napa Valley, a trendy ASOS sarong would be better suited for a poolside party in Miami, and you’d definitely need athleisure for a mountainside yoga session in the Catskills. Plus, keep in mind that different bach party cities have distinct fashion profiles. (Think: cowgirl boots and fringe denim jackets for Nashville; sequin bodycon little black dresses for Las Vegas; midi dresses and jumpsuits for the Hamptons.) Even if the full bachelorette party itinerary is a surprise, the host will be able to fill you in on a few key details to make sure you’re properly dressed for the locale.

Prioritize Comfort

Take it from us: Your bachelorette party is not the place to break in a towering pair of strappy heels or a restrictive dress with dangerous cutouts. The goal of this prewedding event is to have fun with your bridal party and closest friends—the last thing you want to deal with is a pair of shoes that give you blisters or a crop top that keeps riding up on the dance floor. If you’re not sure what to wear to a bachelorette party, shop for outfits that align with your tried and true favorite styles. And, if you’re not sure where to shop for bachelorette party outfits that are stylish and comfy, keep scrolling to see our favorite retailers.

Consider How it Photographs

Plenty of photos will be taken throughout your bachelorette party weekend (and when you’re ready to post them, we’ve got 45 caption ideas right here). Since you’ll be the focus of everyone’s Instagram pictures and boomerangs, it’s important to choose outfits that make you feel your best. The way an outfit photographs is a key consideration to keep in mind, so we recommend packing looks that make you feel as confident as ever—after all, that’s the best accessory you can wear.

What to Wear to a Bachelorette Party as a Guest

Whether you’re a bridesmaid or a close friend of the bride-to-be, your bachelorette party outfits are just as important. Below, read up on the three major style rules to keep in mind as you plan your fashion repertoire.

Avoid White Unless Instructed

Wearing white to a wedding event when you’re not the couple is a fashion faux pas to avoid, unless you’re explicitly directed by the host. There might be a day that all guests are encouraged to wear white while the bride-to-be wears a standout color—in this case, go all out with your monochrome look. But unless it’s clearly requested, we recommend skipping an all-white ensemble.

Match Your Fellow Guests…If Requested

Matching bachelorette party t-shirts, anyone? Not only are custom tops a cute bachelorette party idea, they serve as special favors too. If the host has provided you with a shirt ahead of time, double-check that it’s included in your suitcase. The last thing you want to do is be the only guest without your merch.

Prioritize Comfort

Dressing up in coordinated outfits or getting the same shirt for everyone to wear with the couple’s wedding hashtag on it can be a blast, but be sure to keep in mind any guest limitations, advises Janik. “Not everyone is the same size or feels comfortable in the same type of clothing,” she says. “Most importantly, whoever is planning the party should talk to the bride and see what she is most comfortable in and what she thinks everyone would be most comfy with since she knows her girls best and you might not know everyone as well as she does.”

If you’re planning a poolside bash and found the perfect matching swimsuits, offer both two-piece and one-piece options.

Go With the Flow

As a bachelorette party guest, it’s important to go with the flow and wear that hat or bachelorette party-themed T-shirt without pouting about it. Remember that this celebration is about the bride, and if they absolutely love the matching tops they found online or really want everyone to wear a certain color, just go with it! It’s not a good look to be the bridesmaid or guest who constantly complains and contradicts the bride’s wishes.

That said, if you have major issues with the “dress code” or are completely uncomfortable with it, feel free to say something to the host. If you know you won’t feel great in whatever they picked out and your concerns are reasonable, you can most likely find an alternative option.

Keep It Classy

Everyone is entitled to dress in whatever manner they feel most comfortable, and if you’re hitting Vegas, for example, it’s totally normal to want to wear an awesome party dress and some killer high heels. You don’t have to dress in the tightest, skimpiest outfit just because it’s a bachelorette party, though, says Janik.

If anything, because this is a wedding-related event, there’s going to be more attention paid from the bride’s family members and older wedding attendees on social media. If they tend to be more on the conservative side and you’re concerned about their opinion, you can always tone it down. “While it may be tempting to rock that too-short skirt, think twice before you go out in an outfit you might regret the next day or in pictures.” The most important thing is to wear what you feel confident and comfortable in, so you’ll love looking back on photos!