Always the bridesmaid...

Katie Wright shows you where to find fabulous frocks – even on a shoestring budget.

Wedding season is starting to wind down, but if you’ve been honoured with the role of bridesmaid (or burdened – delete as applicable) for a newlybetrothed friend or family member, you’ll already be thinking ahead to next summer’s nuptials and, more specifically, to what you’ll be wearing.

Most brides-to-be don’t insist that all their ‘maids are matching these days, so you’ll probably be given a theme or colour brief – but with wedding costs spiralling (the average couple spent £30,000 on their Big Day in 2018, up from £27,000 last year, according to Bridebook.co.uk), chances are you’re going to be on a strict budget.

That means you need to find a dress that: A) is appropriate for the venue B) is the right colour B) meets the bride’s approval D) isn’t too expensive and E) last but not least, that you actually like.

An impossible task? That might seem to be the case – especially if you’ve got a bridezilla on your hands – but it’s really not if you know where to look.

The high street is full of gorgeous gowns that are dramatic enough for a walk down the aisle of a grand church, as part of special bridesmaid ranges and in seasonal collections.

Little Mistress and Chi Chi have both got extensive ranges for under £100, while Oasis has just launched a new bridesmaids line with all gowns priced at £150 or less.

If you don’t need a floor-lengther, look to brands that excel in elegant occasionwear, like Monsoon and Very, where you can find knee-length and midi dresses that are chic and modern (nobody wants to end up looking like an 1980s throwback a la Bridesmaids the movie, do they?).

From lace-covered pastel numbers to sparkly and silky gowns, these are the kind of dresses you’ll be dying to wear again – for a black tie do, or when you’re the guest at another wedding – but they’re not so sexy that they’ll pull focus from the blushing bride.

And they certainly won’t break the bank.

Here we’ve found 11 beautiful bridesmaid options for under £100...

9.9. Dorothy Perkins Showcase Gunmetal Grey ‘Ava’ Sequined Maxi Dress, £95

8.8. Oasis Amy Slinky Cowl Neck Maxi, £85

7.7. Lipsy V neck Cowl Back Maxi Dress, £75, Next

6. 10.6. Quiz Red Crepe Embelished Bandeau Maxi Dress, £69.9910. Paper Dol ls Melbourne One Shoulder Lace Maxi Dress, £95, Little Mistress

3. 2.2. Chi Chi Sonny Dress, currently reduced to £52 from £683. Chi Chi Sherrie Maxi Dress, £73

11.11. Monsoon Gwyneth Lace Maxi Dress,

4. 4. V by Very Blush Lace Pencil Dress, £45

5. 1. 1. Elvi Orla Lace Dress With Pleats, currently reduced to £27 from £755. Little Mistress Nude Pleated Midi Dress, £55