Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses: New Trend for Your Wedding

The recent trend of mismatched bridesmaids is hotter than latkes straight from the frying pan. We are seeing the gals dressed beautifully — differently — but beautifully. Brides have many reasons for encouraging this look, including each bridesmaid’s own style and look, size and body shape, and nurturing individuality instead of a cluster of girlfriends. While it can sometimes be easier to just pick out a single dress in a single color and dress your maids in that uniform, coordinating mismatched bridesmaids doesn't have to be too complicated. They can still be your team as you say “I do” even if they’re dressed in a way that represents them for the reasons they’re your bestirs in the first place. And in the end, you have a great vision that comes to life down your aisle.

The secret to making mismatched bridesmaid dresses work is to keep some element of consistency among the dresses. You simply can’t tell your bridesmaids to just pick whatever they want, as much as you may want to be the flexible, easy-going bride. Provide some direction for your bridesmaids. Your direction does not have to be strict, just consistent. You will love your pictures after the event so much more if you set some sort of guideline(s).

Same Color, Different Shades Select a color tone allow your girls to have shade of options but still look perfect unified. Tans, greys or browns as well as pinks and greens have made for some of the most gorgeous mismatched bridesmaid fashion. Specify a length or a fabric, or mix and match (such as long skirts, chiffon, strapless, etc.) or what you want the bridal party rules, and then let them pick the dress!

Pick the same color. This look is so chic, but definitely harder to achieve. Because of the varying lengths, fabrics, and styles, you must connect the dresses through the color. If you are picking dresses from different designers, it will be harder to match the color correctly. If you want to opt for this look (which is totally glam!) be prepared to ask each bridesmaid to buy their dresses early so that you have enough time to put them all side by side and make sure that the colors are consistent.  

Pick the same dress but just vary the straps. This is a great choice if you are unsure of how to best go about the mismatched look. By essentially picking the same dress with different straps, the options are significantly narrowed down, making the whole ensemble look flawless altogether. If you are still hesitant to achieve the mismatch look, play it safe and vary the bouquets, shoes, jewelry, or hair.

Other ways to spice up your bridesmaids with different looks: The girls can all wear earrings… but in different colors! They can all have bouquets… but with different flowers! They can all wear one shoe color… but in various styles! Pick a theme and then go wild. You don’t have to make every piece different in a bridesmaid’s look, but stay within a range to maintain the vision. The gals in the first picture below are all wearing the exact same dress style and color. Then, your eye catches their ankles and below and it’s like a party on their feet! Super fun. Underneath, the photos shows the opposite: the bridesmaids are all wearing different dresses within the same style and color scheme, but their tootsies are all hugged by the same shoes! Swoon!