So many brides panic about their outfits for the hen party and post-wedding party. Shopping for these dresses can sometimes even induce the same level of stress as the pursuit of the wedding dress itself. Fortunately, River Island, located on Shop Street in Galway, is where you will find many diverse items to help you create whatever look you wish. For some women, a long elegant maxi gown is a must, while for others, the t-shirt and heels is more to their taste. Regardless of your signature style, River Island can supply it.

Here are some of the looks I have put together for you: 

Outfit 1

This whole look is the personification of feminine elegance and would be perfect for a bride whether its for her hen night or her post-wedding party. If you don’t want to endure the inevitable foot pain after a night of dancing, I would suggest you wear these very comfortable strappy wedges. These will more than compliment the look considering the waistband of the dress is also gold. Don’t go over the top with jewellery. A simple bracelet, such as the gold snake cuff pictured, will suffice.

1 – Red chiffon cowl front dress, approx €50

2 – Gold look diamante snake arm cuff, approx €12

3 – Gold strappy wedges, approx €60

Outfit 2

If you’re one of the many women that does not feel comfortable in bright colours, then you will love this very dressy black jumpsuit. If however you decide to wear black heels with this outfit, then I would strongly suggest you introduce a little colour through your jewellery. Even silver or gold will be enough to lift the look. Due to the beautiful detail on the shoulder, I would recommend that you wear your hair in a ponytail with this outfit.

1 – Black one shoulder palazzo jumpsuit, approx 50

2 – Gold diamante bangles, approx €12

3 – Black sling-back court shoes, approx €70

4 – Black stone ring, approx €15

Outfit 3

For every girl that loves her skirts and dresses, there’s a girl that lives for her jeans and high heels. It you are of the latter, then I have no doubt that this next look will be sitting in your wardrobe very soon. This is made for the girl who wants to dress up but still maintain a feminine edgy style. In terms of jewellery, it’s a good idea to go with the brown tribal bangles as not only will the colour work perfectly with the pink and grey shades, it also won’t distract from the subtle bling of the diamante skull belt.

1 – Grey blazer, approx €55

2 – Pink print t-shirt, approx €20

3 – Brown wooden bracelets, approx €16

4 – Dark wash denim kick-flare jeans, approx €50

5 – Silver skull chain belt, approx €17

6 – Grey peep toe sling-back shoes, approx €70

Outfit 4

This is perfect for the night after the wedding.

If you choose this Grecian style dress, I would strongly suggest you stick with the theme and pair it with gold jewellery. If your feet are aching as a result of the dancing from the day before, then slip on some Grecian style gladiator sandals such as those featured, and with that, your look will be complete.

1 – Coral one-shoulder maxi dress, approx €25

2 – Aqua one-shoulder maxi dress, approx €25

3 – Gold pearl and chain drape earrings, approx €11

4 – Gold embellished sandals, approx €35

5 – Gold diamante bangles, approx €12

Outfit 5

This elegant dress is not to dissimilar to one worn by Kate Middleton recently. Due to the lace detail, I would advise against wearing a necklace. Instead get your bling fix from your earrings. The subtle pink tones in these earrings work perfectly with the pink dress.

1 – Light pink lace body-con, approx €30

2 – Light pink teardrop earrings, approx €25

3 – Grey peep toe sling-back shoes, approx €70

Outfit 6

This is exactly the kind of dress every woman should have in her wardrobe. It will take you to any occasion and when paired with different accessories such as long sleeved bolero jackets, it can be worn in any season. To make it a real show stopper dress, I would suggest you pair it with a crystal cape. You can wear this cape over any plain top or dress to give it an instant injection of sparkle. If however you would rather not go for high voltage bling, then try pairing it with the gold antlers necklace. Its dramatic enough to be noticed but not so much that you would feel self conscious. The elegant black tassel drop earrings also gives the dress an elegant Grecian style, (very inkeeping with this summer’s trend).

1 – Black halter-neck dress, approx €30

2 – Silver crystal cape necklace, approx €80

3 – Gold antlers necklace, approx €12

4 – Black pearl and chain tassel drop earrings, approx €10

5 – Diamante bow sandals, approx €30

Outfit 7

Hen party or post wedding party, this dress will work for both.

If you don’t like the belt, you can replace it with a long printed scarf, however if you are short in stature then a different colour belt will only cut the flow of the look thus making you appear even shorter.

I would suggest you keep the belt and inject the colour into the footwear instead. Here I have given you two options of wearing gold or pink. The accessories featured will work with the outfit regardless of which colour shoe you choose.

1 – Navy one shoulder dress, approx €20

2 – Black stone and snake ring, approx €16

3 – Gold crumpled arm cuff, approx €15

4 – Gold strappy wedges, approx €60

5 – Pink peep toe platform shoes, approx €90

Outfit 8

Just like the jeans-and-heels brigade, there are plenty of girls who prefer shorts and t-shirts over skirts. These black shorts are very comfortable and will look very edgy when paired with one of the t-shirts listed. The best thing about this look is that you can wear the most dramatic of heels without obscuring the look in any way. Perfect for a hen night.

1 – Black shorts, approx €30

2 – White scratchy heart print t-shirt, approx €20

3 – Grey tattoo girl print vest top, approx €22

4 – White ‘me me me’ print t-shirt, approx €20

5 – Times are changing t-shirt, approx €20

6 – Navy print 70s chain scarf, approx €15

7 – Gold strappy wedges, approx €60

8 – Pink peep toe platform shoes, approx €90

9 – Multi coloured strappy high heel, approx €90

10 – Pink strappy sandals, approx €30

11 – Pink flower sandals, approx €90

12 – Grey peep toe sling-back shoes, approx €70

Outfit 9

This is an ideal dress for those blessed with a lean figure. If you are conscious of your weight, the ripple effect in this dress will give you additional weight thus making you more self conscious.

1 – Turquoise bandeau slinky body con dress, approx €22

2 – Pink peep toe platform shoes, approx €90

3 – Silver embellished flower ring, approx €15

4 – Silver multi chain diamante watch, approx €30

Outfit 10

This one look perfectly sums up the trend for this Summer/Autumn. Pair your long flowing skirt with a fitted top and gladiator sandals and you will have yourself a very up-to-the-minute style.

1 – Black wide legged trousers, approx €30

2 – White crepe asymmetric cowl neck top, approx €25

3 – Pink studded clutch, approx €12

4 – Silver diamante sandals, approx €35

5 – Gold perfume bottle, necklace €10

Outfit 11

This next example again demonstrates just how the crystal cape can enhance a look. Here we have plain cream trousers with a simple black top, however with the addition of the crystal cape, you will have the luxury of walking into a room knowing that no one else will be wearing your outfit but rather looking at yours in envy.

1 – Cream wide leg trousers, approx €40

2 – Black high neck top, approx €25

3 – Silver look crystal cape necklace, approx €80

4 – Black stone and snake ring, approx €16

5 – Pink studded clutch, approx €12

Outfit 12

This picture doesn’t do this skirt any justice. Its air-light material gives it a beautiful flowing effect when you walk and would look its best when paired a fitted tank top and embellished gladiator sandals. To complete the look, wear jewellery in brown/gold shades such as those featured.

1 – Light brown pleated maxi skirt, approx €45

2 – White rib vest top, approx €10

3 – Cream fabric tassel necklace, approx €10

4 – Brown wooden bracelets, approx €16

5 – Brown diamante bow sandals, approx €30

Outfit 13

If you are wearing dramatic earrings with this dress, then avoid wearing a necklace or vice versa. Even though this is a relatively plain dress, there is quite a lot of frill detail and so too many jewellery pieces will create a very busy look. Remember the aforementioned tip: if you are quite short in height, don’t break the look by wearing a belt as it will only make you look shorter.

1 – Dark red slinky maxi dress, approx €55

2 – Light pink teardrop earrings, approx €25

3 – Cream diamante detail watch, approx €30

4 – Black delicate agate necklace, approx €15

5 – Black caged tassel stone pendant, approx €20

6 – Gold mesh plait waist belt, approx €20

7 – Black rivet front purse, approx €14

8 – Cream embellished sandals, approx €45

Outfit 14

Sometimes the bride is so tired after her big day that she cant wait to seek solace in her favourite pair of jeans. If you want to dress up the casual look, try pairing it with dramatic footwear. The wedding may be over, but you’re still the bride so don’t forget to inject some bling into your look, whether it be through your bracelets or earrings.

1 – Dark wash denim kick-flare jeans, approx €50

2 – White floral bow swing vest top, approx €25

3 – Turquoise strappy wedges, approx €60

4 – Dark pink peep toe platform shoes, approx €90

Outfit 15

If you are a slightly older bride and don’t fancy the thought of stepping out in short dresses, then I would suggest you go for a classy elegant style by wearing these smart white trousers paired with one of the tops featured.

1 – Cream wide leg trousers, approx €40

2 – Black ruffle collar sleeveless top, approx €25

3 – Blue strappy chain waterfall camisole, approx €34

4 – Black cowl front vest, approx €35