You can't make a movie called "Bridesmaids" without at least a small nod to the stark reality of bridesmaids' dresses—namely, that they tend to be a) unflattering, b) uncomfortable, and c) so extravagantly ugly that they seem to be designed explicitly to destroy the self-esteem of the unfortunate lady who finds herself wearing one. (Because nothing says "I value our friendship" like forcing your besties into matching, puffed-sleeve, taffeta muumuus in a delightful shade of puce. THANKS, BRIDEFRIENDS.)
So when it came time to chat with some of the "Bridesmaids" cast members, we had to ask them the obvious question: What's the best use for a bridesmaid dress after the wedding is over?
Kristen Wiig, always a girl after our own hearts, nailed it on the first try: "Kindling?" she said. And indeed, most of these dresses are definitely best put out of their misery...although watch out, because some of those fabrics are highly flammable. (What? Of course those aren't singe marks on our eyebrows!)
Maya Rudolph chimed in, "I was gonna say a mop, definitely, only it's not as absorbent... [a bridemaids' dress] is more polyester based."
Right, right. But hey, what if you didn't necessarily want to destroy the dress? ...No surprise here, but nobody can come up with a very compelling answer.
"You could put it up on your windshield, so the sun doesn't come in, so it stays nice and cool," Kristen suggested.
Or, Maya added, you could use it as a "bloody ghost Halloween costume."
Okay, that's an idea—and apparently, the most promising one. "Each and every one of them I've used as a costume," confirmed Wendy Mclendon-Covey. "Even my wedding dress, I've used as a costume!"
Ellie Kemper agreed, saying, "I used one bridesmaid dress as a costume. I have a black bridesmaid dress that is so multifunctional. I wear it all the time... role-playing."
Role playing?! Yes! It's true! Because here come Judd Apatow and Paul Feig, who (after a brief interlude where Melissa McCarthy suggested using the dresses as playclothes for kids) jump right in where Ellie left off.
"Sexy night, sexy night fun!" Judd said, before the two of them jinx with an in-stereo shout of "Role play!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm the caterer," smirked Paul. "You've come into the wrong room, bridesmaid!"
...And we have a winner, ladies and gentlemen! And also, more information than we ever wanted to know about the film's directors and producer. [Shudder.]
How have you creatively used old bridesmaid dresses?
** Hollywood Crush Twitter