If we're talking about nuptials in the Western world, "traditional" wedding dresses tend to have a certain silhouettes — the usual shapes being ball gown, A-line, sheath, and mermaid — designed with standard dress materials like tulle, lace, satin, and silk. These traditional wedding dresses might also have a touch of pizzazz like beading, sequins, embroidery, and rhinestones. And, often, these lavish dresses are very expensive. And generally speaking, traditional wedding dresses are always white, maybe ivory.
But, let's say you're a different kind of bride. That's right. You're a nontraditional bride! And you're specifically seeking a nontraditional wedding dress. Perhaps a dress that isn't floor-length and will show off your unique bridal shoes? Or a gown that incorporates fun colors or minimalistic black wedding dresses. Maybe you'd like an under-$100 dress that isn't going to throw you into financial ruin? Or you'd prefer a comfortable wedding jumpsuit or breezy wide-leg pants instead. There are myriad ways to veer off the traditional wedding dress path — and however many degrees of uniqueness you'd like to take your wedlock look, we're here to help.
Ahead, shop some of our top picks for the best nontraditional wedding dresses and alternative bridal options under $2K that the internet has to offer. If anything, we promise you'll stand out among the cookie-cutter Pinterest brides this wedding season.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The Best Nontraditional Modern Jumpsuit Wearing a pantsuit or a jumpsuit in lieu of a wedding dress is a power move. If you've always preferred pants, perhaps this tuxedo-ish piece is for you.
Bring on the flounce, the drama, and the legs! If you're planning to make a grand statement with your wedding dress, go ahead and pump up the volume in this gown's mint, pink, or black options. The mint option is a designated mermaid-core ball gown with its layered tulle.
Morphine Fashion Strapless Tiered Tulle Asymmetric Gown, $, available at Anthropologie
& Other Stories Babydoll Tied Sleeve Detail Dress
The Best Nontraditional Edgy Babydoll Dress
When people picture nontraditional wedding dresses, many immediately think of black. While you could opt for a black ballgown, you can also opt for a more casual or cropped option for your nuptials.
Jonathan Simkhai Jamie Fossil Guipure Dress, $, available at Simkhai
Confête Penny Dress
The Best Nontraditional Floral Dress
Wedding bouquets are fleeting works of art, but this dainty pressed floral mini-dress will last forever. You can wear it numerous times, and it has all the colorful flowers you'll need.
Alexia María Convertible Bow-Embellished Silk Faille Jumpsuit
The Best Nontraditional Convertible Wedding Jumpsuit
Is it a dress, or is it a jumpsuit? It's both. Behold the most comfortable one-piece that mimics a wedding ball gown with a dramatic bow embellishment on the back and a sweetheart neckline. You might not be able to stay cool with a princess-styled wedding dress, but you'll definitely stay cool in this wide-leg jumpsuit.
Karen Millen Deco Crystal Embellished Plunge Midi Dress, $, available at KAREN MILLEN
Bridal by Eloquii Mini Dress With Puff Sleeve Cape
The Best Nontraditional Caped Wedding Dress
Say goodbye to the traditional tulle veil and say hello to a unique tulle cape instead. This mini dress features a stunning detachable puff-sleeve cape perfect for walking down the aisle. Then, of course, you can whip it off when it's dancing time.
Bridal By Eloquii Mini Dress With Puff Sleeve Cape, $, available at Eloquii
Superdown Madeline Blazer Dress
The Best NontraditionalPowersuit-Inspired Wedding Dress
If you want a blend of feminine and masculine bridal details, you can have the best of both worlds with a suit dress. And at just $90, this Superdown option is a steal.
Superdown Madeline Blazer Dress, $, available at Revolve
Azeeza Lucas High Neck Asymmetrical Dress
The Best Nontraditional Flamboyant Wedding Dress
Don't you just hate the idea of "sizes" and fitting into such a fixed number? Well, this tent-like gown is available in just one size — that's how free-flowing it is. The bright pink color, the asymmetric hem, and the halter neck are cherries on top.
Azeeza Lucas High Neck Asymetrical Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Banana Republic Lido Sculpted Italian Wool Blazer & Bermuda Shorts
The Best Nontraditional Casual Wedding Short Set
For the bride who's skipping the big wedding to-do and opting for City Hall affair instead, a suit set is the perfect option. These classic yet relaxed-fit suit separates can be dressed up or down depending on the top, accessories, and shoes.
Banana Republic Lido Sculpted Italian Wool Blazer, $, available at Banana Republic
Banana Republic Lido Italian Wool Bermuda Shorts, $, available at Banana Republic
Elliatt Times Dress
The Best Nontraditional "Something Blue" Wedding Dress
Questioning what your "something blue" should be? Why not go all out and wear a blue wedding dress? While the colorway is bold, this midi dress still has traditional lace and floral bridal details.
While going ultra sexy might not work for your wedding (unless you've got a very chill family), a tiny, private affair might call for a racier, lingerie-inspired wedding dress like this one with a sheer skirt.
11 Honoré Collection Alexandra Dress, $, available at Dia and Co
Self-Portrait Belted Bouclé And Crepe Midi Dress
The Best Nontraditional Preppy Wedding Dress
Pastels are a simple way to switch up your bridal look. Tons of texture is also effective. So this sherbet green vintage-inspired dress with tweed, chiffon, and lace is a beautiful conglomeration of that all.
Reformation Zenni Dress Es, $, available at Reformation
BCBG Maxazria Corset Tulle Gown
The Best Nontraditional Corset Wedding Dress
This best-selling gown at Revolve could absolutely work as a nontraditional wedding dress. The corset detail, the sheer tulle skirt, and the unexpected hue — it's a vision.
BCBG MAXAZRIA Corset Tulle Gown, $, available at Revolve
Zhivago An Angel Is Love Beaded Playsuit Romper
The Best Nontraditional Wedding Romper
For the dress averse, you may have considered a bridal jumpsuit, but what about a bridal romper? A leggy option is perfect for showing some skin and dancing the night away.
ZHIVAGO An Angel Is Love Beaded Playsuit Romper, $, available at Neiman Marcus
Dress The Population Sidney Dress
The Best Nontraditional Sheer Wedding Dress
This dress stands out because, well, it's completely sheer (save for a slip). The real draw is the appliqué detail of the flowers — it's classic lace taken to a whole new level.
Sau Lee Blair Off-Shoulder Mini Dress, $, available at Neiman Marcus
Chiara Boni La Petite Robe Kincso Ruffled Peplum Jumpsuit
The Best Nontraditional Jumpsuit
It takes a special person to ditch the sweeping, full wedding skirt for a more functional yet chic jumpsuit. Go on and rock this Bianca Jagger-inspired look instead.
Chiara Boni La Petite Robe Kincso One-Shoulder Peplum Jumpsuit, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
Victoria Beckham Sleeveless Flared Dress
The Best Nontraditional Flared Wedding Dress
There's something quite elegant and simple about this dress, which would suit a nontraditional bride. We also have much love for the slight sleeves, the midi-length, and the flared skirt.
Victoria Beckham Sleeveless Flared Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Badgley Mischka Sequin Bow-Front Gown
If you're the type of person who doesn't "do" white, we think wearing a color that better suits your soul and spirit is in order. Wearing black as a nontraditional wedding dress? How Wednesday Addams of you.
Badgley Mischka Sequin Bow-Front Gown, $, available at Neiman Marcus
Asos Edition Sequin & Pearl Kimono Sleeve Midi Dress
These kimono sleeves upgrade what a long-sleeve wedding dress usually looks like. Plus, the draped fabric perfectly compliments the straighter column silhouette.
ASOS EDITION Sequin & Pearl Kimono Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Rococo Sand Low Long Dress
This fluttery boho dress is designed with a train in the back, which will allow for an extravagant entrance as you're heading down the aisle. It's both casual and chic.
Hutch Strapless High-Low Bubble Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Reformation Sabine Silk Two Piece
If the phrase "simple elegance" were in the dictionary, it'd probably look like this minimal two-piece. We think it'd be perfect for the easy, breezy, unfussy bride getting hitched in the summertime.
You don’t have to be a witchcraft-practicing babe to be obsessed with Greek mythology (although, you might be if you’re anything like me). Whether it’s to seek protection, inspiration, or strength, Awed Inspired‘s 14K gold vermeil and sterling silver pendants, necklaces, rings, and more are the perfect combinations of beautiful jewelry and spiritual wellness. They represent everything from Greek goddesses and divine feminine historical icons (like Sappho and Frida Kahlo) to worldly symbols like the stars, moon, and sun. And for a limited time, R29 readers get to experience these luxurious pieces for a fraction of their original price. Now through June 21, get 20% off sitewide with the promo code REFINERY29. Gifting it to your Cancer or Leo bestie? Perfect. Is a piece calling you spiritually? Perfect. Keep on scrolling to see our favorite beautiful and delicate styles — from necklaces to rings.
The iconic Greek poet from the island of Lesbos, Sappho and her lyricism channel the romance and yearning lesbians know so well. What better way to honor Sappho than wearing her around your neck on a 14k gold vermeil necklace? Plus, 100% of the proceeds go toward the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
This set features the Delicate Paperclip Necklace and the Mini Athena Necklace, so you’re all set on the layering, no thinking required. Both are made out of a 14k yellow gold vermeil on a sterling silver base, and the Athena necklace honors the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy. According to Awed Inspired, she reminds necklace-wearers to strive even through hardship.
Just like the moon influences the up-and-down flow of the ocean’s waves, this gold vermeil necklace reminds us to look for the moon when we’re feeling lost during life’s ups and downs — it’s always there to guide us.
The Greek goddess of magic and necromancy, Hecate is the source for all baby witches looking for a mystical guide. This sterling silver pendant necklace symbolizes protection from any negative energy sent your way.
This uterus-shaped, 14K gold vermeil amulet represents the importance of our bodily autonomy, specifically when it comes to reproductive rights. It’s why 20% of its sales will go to Planned Parenthood.
Is disabled and queer Mexican artist Frida Kahlo your favorite? If she is, this necklace honors her legacy and will inspire you to embrace her endurance and creativity.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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A black bikini is essential to any well-curated summer wardrobe. And, although we love a good one-piece swimsuit or find ourselves ogling over colorful bikinis as much as the next bathing beauty, it's the black bikini that proves most versatile during the sunshine season — seeing as you can mix and match it with just about any other color under the sun (or with black bikini separates from different brands).
Of course, selecting the perfect go-to style isn’t always so black and white — so, to help get you swimming, we rounded up a bunch of noir-hued bikini sets that were made to be your swimsuit cornerstone. Whether you’re a West Coaster who spends hours on the beach or just someone with impromptu vacation plans for a warm-weather weekend, the classic black bikini tops and black bikini bottoms ahead range from plus-size to straight-size and high-waisted to barely there, to ensure that you and your summer bod are covered in a chic suit.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
