There are plenty of rules worth breaking when it comes to weddings: going the traditional route with a big, poufy gown; dressing your bridesmaids [1] all in one color; keeping the footwear simple [2]; etc. But perhaps the one "sin" that's managed to stick after all this time? Rocking a white dress on someone else's big day is still a faux pas.
When you think about it, it's actually kind of silly. So what if you and the bride are wearing the same color? It's not like guests — friends and family — will be confused as to who exactly is saying "I do." And if the bride's pretty laid-back, we doubt she'll mind. Even a new study [3] says three out of five women would gladly toss this dated rule out the window.
Ahead we've rounded up 40 white dresses that are worth wearing to the next set of nuptials you'll be attending. Some traditions are just meant to be broken — especially when it involves styles like these.
Topshop Cut-Out Pinafore Midi Dress [4] ($115)
Missguided Sleeveless Lace Midi Dress White [5] ($80)
H&M Wrap-Style Dress in Natural White [6] ($80)
Arrogant Cat Asymmetric Frill Pencil Dress [7] ($118)
Chi Chi London Bandeau Full Prom Dress With Floral Embroidery [8] ($130)
ASOS Collection Cowl Back Crepe Maxi Dress [9] ($124)
Shakuhachi Bustier Dress in Faces Print [10] ($289)
VLabel London India Maxi Dress With Bardot Neck [11] ($135)
Trina Turk Nikka Halter Floral-Print Maxi Dress [12] ($348)
Forever 21 Floral Lace Maxi Dress [13] ($28)
Sportmax Avion Dress [14] ($895)
Storee Open Back Midi Dress [15] ($66)
Zara Long-Sleeve Dress [16] ($40)
Tory Burch Long-Sleeve Doodle-Print Dress [17] ($195)
Anthropologie Maeve Gold-Dipped Mini Dress [18] ($178)
Endless Rose Lace Detailed Dress [19] ($105)
Tibi Sakura Fil Coupe Off-the-Shoulder Dress [20] ($695)
White House Black Market Sleeveless Pleated Maxi Dress [21] ($180)
Diane von Furstenberg Sleeveless Lace Wrap Dress [22] ($498)
Cynthia Rowley Oversized Floral Lace Sleeveless Shift Dress [23] ($450)
Dress the Population Tabitha Geometric Sequin Minidress [24] ($178)
Milly Strapless Cascading Ruffle Dress, White [25] ($495)
Keepsake Such Great Heights Animal-Print Dress [26] ($170)
Rachel Pally Anya Maxi Dress [27] ($255)
Felicity & Coco Floral Lace Shift Dress [28] ($128)
Elizabeth and James Clarissa Fit-&-Flare Dress [29] ($365)
Adrianna Papell Cap-Sleeve Scalloped Lace Sheath [30] ($159)
5th & Mercer Long Sleeve Dress [31] ($250)
A.L.C. Tolan Dress [32] ($526)
Chetta B Party Dress [33] ($196)
BB Dakota Wilona Embroidered Front Shift Dress [34] ($84)
Kensie White Butterfly Dress [35] ($99)
Minuet White Sundress [36] ($99)
Halston Heritage Sleeveless Geometric A-Line Dress, Linen White/Black [37] ($475)
Ronny Kobo Hase Sheer Stripe Dress [38] ($396)
Aqua Dress Ribbon Burnout Skater [39] ($88)
Cynthia Steffe Jenna Wide Short Sleeve Cutout Shift Dress [40] ($298)
Front Row Shop Sleeveless Web Dress [41] ($61)
Vix Serpent Snake-Print Voile Dress [42] ($185)
Lavish Alice White Floaty Cape Dress [43] ($98)