Bridal Shower Dresses: What the Bride and Guests Wear, from Shona Joy

The best bridal shower dress is white, ivory and soft cream for the bride, and colour for everyone else. From Shona Joy, the bride’s easiest choice is the new Simona Lace Mini Dress in Ivory, a matte satin slip with lace at the neckline and hem. The Eniko lace set, the Marlowe linen mini and the sheer Bowery set suit a daytime shower, and the La Lune and Savanna satins suit guests. The same rules carry over to an Australian kitchen tea and a hens party.

What should the bride wear to a bridal shower?

A shower is the bride’s first celebration of the wedding, so white is the tradition. It should feel lighter than the wedding dress: shorter, simpler, and easy to wear for an afternoon. A mini dress, a midi skirt and a matching set all work. Lace and satin read as bridal without looking like a rehearsal of the gown.

The Simona Lace Mini Dress in Ivory

The Simona Lace Mini Dress in Ivory is a classic slip silhouette in matte finish satin of 62% viscose and 38% LENZING ECOVERO viscose, with lace at the square neckline and at the hem. It has adjustable straps and is designed to sit slightly away from the body, so it is comfortable for a long lunch. Wear it with a flat sandal for a garden shower and a strappy heel for an evening one. Over the top, a cropped jacket keeps it day appropriate.

The Eniko lace set

For a bride who prefers separates, Shona Joy’s Eniko pieces are cut from the same matte satin with lace trims. The Eniko Lace T-shirt in Ivory has a round neckline, short sleeves with lace at the hem, lace panels along the side seams and a keyhole at the back. The Eniko Lace Split Midi Skirt in Ivory is mid rise with a side split and lace along the split and hem. Together they look like a dress; apart, each piece is easy to wear again.

Linen and jacquard for a daytime shower

For a relaxed afternoon, the Marlowe Linen Blend Pin Tuck Mini Dress in Ecru is a matte shine linen blend with a stand collar, pin tucks down the front, wide cuffs, fabric buttons and a curved hem. Its longer sister, the Marlowe Linen Blend Bustier Maxi Dress, has a scoop neckline, a gathered underbust, a drop waist and side pockets. Ecru is a warm off white, softer than bright white.

For something more unexpected, the Bowery Jacquard Sheer Shirt and Bowery Jacquard Sheer Pant are a floral clipped jacquard in Bone that moves between sheer and opaque. Both are unlined, so wear them over an ivory bodysuit. Our guide to Shona Joy bridal suits shows more ways to wear the set.

What should guests wear to a bridal shower?

Guests should avoid white and ivory and choose colour instead. A shower is usually daytime and semi formal, so a midi, a satin slip and a pretty maxi are all right. From Shona Joy:

• The Savanna Racer Back Maxi Dress in Chilli is a satin acetate maxi with a low scoop neckline, a low T bar racer back and a loose fitting skirt. Chilli is a bright red.
• The Labyrinth Sheer Lace Panelled Maxi Dress in Canary Green has a boat neckline, sheer lace panels and ruffles along the sleeves and back seams.
• The Agnes Long Sleeve Maxi Dress with Belt in Sky is a bias cut matte satin with a high cowl neckline, flared sleeves and a removable beaded belt.
• The Elsa Shift Mini Dress is a printed recycled twill shift with flap pockets, an easy choice for a casual lunch.

Our Shona Joy wedding guest dress guide covers more colours and lengths.

Kitchen teas and hens parties

In Australia the bridal shower is often called a kitchen tea, and the same rules apply: the bride in white, the guests in colour. A hens party is more of a night out, so the bride can go shorter and dressier. The Simona mini with a heel, the Eniko set with a satin mule, and the Savanna Racer Back Gown in Ivory for a formal dinner all work. Guests can follow the bride’s lead with satin in a single shade.

How to plan the bridal outfits

• Vary the whites. Ivory satin for the shower, Ecru linen for a lunch, and the wedding gown on the day keeps each look distinct.
• Think about the venue. Linen and short hems suit a garden. Satin suits a restaurant.
• Check the sizing. Our Shona Joy fit guide explains how the brand is cut.
• Plan the rest of the week. Our guide to Shona Joy rehearsal dinner dresses covers the night before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions

What should a bride wear to her bridal shower?
Most brides wear white, ivory and cream for their shower, in a shorter, simpler style than the wedding dress. A lace mini dress, a satin midi skirt set and a linen dress all suit a daytime shower.

Can guests wear white to a bridal shower?
It is best to avoid white and ivory at a bridal shower, because the bride traditionally wears them. Choose a colour instead.

What is the Shona Joy Simona Lace Mini Dress made of?
It is a matte finish satin of 62% viscose and 38% LENZING ECOVERO viscose, with lace of 52% nylon and 48% polyester at the neckline and hem.

What is a kitchen tea?
Kitchen tea is the Australian name for a bridal shower. The dress code is the same: the bride in white and guests in colour.

What should the bride wear to a hens party?
A hens party is usually an evening out, so a white mini dress with heels, a satin set and a white slip dress all work.

Is the Simona dress true to size?
Shona Joy describes the Simona as a classic slip silhouette designed to sit slightly away from the body. The model is 178cm and wears an AU6.