The Bachelor Outfits Hurt My Eyes—Here’s What I Wish Contestants Wore Instead

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Call me the fashion police, a hater, or whatever you want, but reality TV show fashion has got it all wrong. While I could pick a bone with almost every show in this genre, the culprit at hand is The Bachelor, specifically its first night looks. Hear me out—we’re on the twenty-eighth (that’s 2-8, people!) season of The Bachelor and the first night dresses are still a bunch of jewel-toned, bedazzled gowns that low-key look like outdated prom dresses. If you don’t believe me, just search in Google Images yourself!

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It’s disappointing, to say the least, because I can only assume the show has deep pockets that could afford some positive change in its wardrobe department. Plus, the show’s loyal fanbase, Bachelor Nation, deserves beautiful, fresh, captivating, on-trend gowns to set the tone for the rest of the season.

We’re so lucky that fashion is in an incredibly fun and experimental stage at the moment (our team forecasts 2025 fashion trends such as dramatic suits, sheer reimagined, tantalizing tassels, and more). So, why can’t we bring some of that playfulness and freshness to a hit reality TV show loved by millions around the world?

Now don’t get me wrong, the contestants look beautiful no matter what and everyone should wear what makes them feel most comfortable and confident. There’s no doubt about that! But if it were up to me—as a contestant or the show’s stylist—I’d take a big leap outside the box.

Why is the show staying inside the sartorial box, you might be wondering? In 2020, Cary Fetman, the stylist for The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, shared with Bachelor Nation, “There’s a reason why they all have some gauzy bottom or sequins.” He added, “I don’t think the audience realizes how long that night is and how many times you’re lifted in the air and put down.”

Fetman continued, “It’s gotta be something that I can dry and clean while the party is beginning before you go back out again. It can’t be something that is absorbed and is filthy, because it’s a really long night. You can’t worry about the fact that every time you cross your leg, the bottom of your dress is completely ruined.”

While this logic does make sense, there must be a way to waterproof the ground better or hem the dresses a smidge higher so they don’t succumb to the wet driveway. If the show’s team could put on their thinking caps for a second, they might be able to finally level up their fashion game.

Below, I break down four trends I wish I could see on The Bachelor’s first night episodes, accompanied by gowns you can shop right this second in case you’ve been selected for the next season of the show or are attending a special occasion that calls for a fancy look. I figure something’s got to give after 28 seasons of The Bachelor, so here’s a start!

Bows

At this point, I don’t know if bows will ever lose steam. Big or small, printed or tied, the iconic shape will always bring a feminine, fun, flirty flair to the function. It’s surprising that we don’t see bows more often on The Bachelor since there are countless ways to rock this ever-lasting trend.

Alfred Sung Bow Detail Strapless Satin Twill Column Gown

$269 Buy Now on Nordstrom

This Alfred Sung strapless gown is giving Glinda the Good Witch. It’s bright, feminine, graceful, and delicate—all characteristics I’d want to exude if I had to make a first impression on The Bachelor.

Likely Bea Cut-Out Strapless Column Gown

$398 Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue

Aiming for a slightly sexier look? I love how this navy gown layers two bows one right above the other on the bodice and how the front cutout and side skirt slit make the dress feel less blocky.

MISHA Evianna Satin Gown

$478 Buy Now on Revolve

This satin gown embodies the saying, “Business in the front, party in the back,” thanks to its classic halterneck design in the front and dramatic bow scarf in the back. The Lapis Blue colorway is perfect for standing out from the crowd, while the black and white colorway is more subtle but equally elegant.

Rosettes

Similar to bows, rosettes can help add extra intrigue and romance to any look. A single flower can transform an otherwise plain dress into a sophisticated, sexy, or charming gown. Pair your rosette-adorned dress with a matching clip or hair accessory and you may very well end up with the first impression rose.

Lovers and Friends Inara Gown

$298 Buy Now on Revolve

If you’re really trying to make a statement, the Inara Gown will do the trick. A rosette accent, a bold red color, a sexy silhouette, and a silky fabric are all the makings of a head-turning first impression look.

Maygel Coronel Liri Dress

$510 Buy Now on Revolve

A dress in a dreamy soft lilac color screams romance, especially if there are cutouts and multiple rosettes to complete the ‘fit.

NICHOLAS Ana Halter Dress With Removable Flower

On Sale 30% off

$417 Buy Now on Revolve

This halter dress feels like a middle ground between the two previous rosette options. It’s a more subtle color, but the shine in the fabric will definitely pop on camera. Most notable is the fact that you can remove the rosette if you want to re-wear the dress and go for a more paired-back look.

Pleats

While texture seems to be essential for first night outfits on The Bachelor, you don’t necessarily have to don a billion sequins and beads to achieve that. I say, less is more. You can create beautiful texture and movement with a simple yet graceful pleated gown.

L’Idée Asymmetric Pleated Halter Gown

$459 Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue

While white dresses can oftentimes feel quite bridal, nothing’s more angelic than a bright white gown with beautiful movement. The simplicity of this dress makes it a total showstopper—it could even be a love-at-first-sight outfit!

L’Idée Opera Gown

$455 Buy Now on Revolve

$455 Buy Now on Nordstrom

The Opera Gown would bring all the drama (the good kind!) to the first night of The Bachelor. It’s flowy, elegant, and sexy, and the gunmetal metallic satin fabric will be sure to earn you some double takes.

Lovers and Friends Alice Strapless Gown

$328 Buy Now on Revolve

If you love a good pleat but want to tone it down a bit, this Lovers and Friends gown only has them in the skirt. The bodice is smooth, sleek, and figure-snatching, while the skirt’s pleats and subtly flounced hem add a playful flair to the overall look.

Soft Colors

You can count on jewel tones to dominate Bachelor contestants’ first-night outfits season after season, which is totally fine but can feel overdone when the group picture is just a sea of ruby reds, sapphire blues, deep magentas, and so on. I would absolutely love to see softer hues in the mix. In fact, our team predicts seafoam green, lavender, and butter yellow to reign supreme in color trends this year.

Shona Joy La Lune Ruched Halter Maxi Dress

$360 Buy Now on Revolve

A long, silky, butter yellow dress helped Andie Anderson get her man in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and this similar style could certainly seal the deal for a Bachelor contestant.

Tom Ford Light Lustrous Halter Gown

$2,690 Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue

This glamorous Tom Ford gown is giving major Greek goddess vibes with a bright lilac twist. Its color, draping, and shape also resemble an elegant flower, like an orchid or tulip. Greek goddess or flower, you’ll look extra statuesque in this piece.

SIMKHAI Tommy Gown

$845 Buy Now on Revolve

I wish more reality TV show contestants wore dresses with high necklines because they’re the epitome of class and poise, and so is a gentle powder blue hue. This gown deserves a chef’s kiss for balancing out the high neckline with a cheeky side slit.