There are few items of clothing more mocked than the bridesmaid dress. When Hollywood’s made a movie about it, you know it’s a truly ugly phenomenon. I myself have a pale pink princess number hanging in my parents’ closet that will never see the light of day again. A 16-year-old prom queen might love it; a woman approaching 30, not so much. So when the time came this year for me to shop for bridesmaid dresses for my own wedding, I knew exactly where to go: Hitched. I had the dubious advantage of having been through this process once before, so I knew what I wanted—an above-the-knee strapless dress by Simple Silhouettes with pockets and a sweetheart neckline. Like almost everything in the line, the dress is cute, classic, and above all, versatile. It’s the kind of dress you’ll actually want to wear again after the wedding. I can totally imagine my bridesmaid rocking it with a jean jacket if she wants to dress it down, or pairing it with a cardigan and belt for a night out. The by-appointment-only Georgetown shop—which has a bridal salon as well—also offers a chic selection of dresses by the likes of Anna Elyse, Jenny Yoo, Thread, and Lela Rose. Seriously, brides, you’ll be tempted to pick up something for yourself while you’re shopping for your maids.

1. Bright colors work best on clean silhouettes, like this one. Izzy by Thread, $420
2. Paired with a blazer, you can get away with wearing this chic—and hyper-flattering!— dress to work. Nikki by Jenny Yoo, $325
3. This slim strapless number reads “cocktail party” rather than “bridal party.” Jaime Sweetheart by Anna Elyse, $300
4. The ruffle is more sculptural than sweet. Aster by Simple Silhouettes, $305
5. The ruffles are complemented perfectly by the dusty rose-gray hue—it’s romantic, not saccharine. V-neck gauze dress by Lela Rose, $330
6. Seersucker’s the ideal fabric for the dead of summer—even if you’re wilting, your dress will still look perfect. Clarissa Sweetheart by Anna Elyse, $308
7. The dress I came to buy in the first place. Seriously, how chic is this going to be in gray with white pin dots? Rocket by Simple Silhouettes, $285
8. I’m crazy about the tuxedo detailing on the bodice—playful and fun but still understated and sophisticated. Cotton faille strapless dress by Lela Rose, $290
9. A one-shoulder frock is perfect for the bridesmaid unafraid to experiment with trends. Dylan by Jenny Yoo, $325