For the past few years, bridesmaid dress trends have been influenced heavily by the economic downturn and its aftermath. Though the economy is looking sunnier, a lot of the trends from previous seasons have held over and evolved into what bridesmaids will be wearing this spring!

The biggest trend in bridesmaid dresses has been knee-length dresses. Though many brides are still putting their bridesmaids in tea and floor length gowns, shorter lengths have become increasingly popular in recent years. Knee-length, cocktail-style dresses are much more likely to be worn again, so brides who want their bridal party to be able to reuse their dresses more easily have been moving toward shorter dresses. You can never guarantee wear ability for everyone, but by keeping reuse potential in the back of your mind, you’ll be doing your bridesmaids a big favor.

The strapless dress is also very popular, not only for brides but for bridesmaids dresses. Most of the bridesmaids dresses we will see in 2011 will most likely be strapless. It’s an elegant style that draws attention to the neck and shoulders, creating a very classic and feminine look. Strapless dress requires a quality strapless bra, and needs to be fitted to its wearer properly. After this is done, it is one the most flattering styles for the female figure.

A more edgy trend that has rapidly grown in popularity lately is the one-shoulder look. Bridesmaid dresses that hang off of one shoulder provide a unique shape and gives the bridal party a fashion forward, bold look. The single strap is a sassy and urban look that can also be feminine and delicate.

Feminine touches like lace, floral, bead, and sequin embellishment are back in a big way, as are soft chiffons. Many bridesmaid dresses for Spring 2011 are somewhat more body conscious than in recent years, using sashes, bows, and ruching in order to emphasize the natural waist for a classic and feminine look.

Popular colors for spring 2011 are brights like apple green, fuchsia, coral, amethyst, emerald, orange, and yellow. New classics like gray, navy, and chocolate brown will make a return appearance as well.

The bridal party that is not uniformed or identical is another returning trend this season. Instead of each bridesmaid matching exactly with each other brides are letting them choose from a few styles and/or a color palette. This allows each bridesmaid to show a little more of their personality and will result in a higher chance the bridesmaid will love and reuse the dress.

Regardless of the style, color, and cut of your bridesmaids dresses, in Spring 2011 the biggest trend is to make the saying “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” be a little less depressing by providing your bridesmaids with beautiful and wearable dresses that they will love forever.

Jordan Fashions is a designer of affordable and beautiful for bridesmaid dresses, mothers-of-the-bride, flowers girls, and the rest of the bridal party, as well as formal and semi-formal wear for proms, quinceaeras, homecomings, and more. Jordan dresses come in sizes 0-34 and in over 75 different colors.