Bridesmaids, Mix And Match: A Guide To Mismatched Dresses

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses are a great way to let your bridesmaids express their unique style and what they feel comfortable in. There are three ways to achieve this look: choosing different dress styles but keeping the same colour, opting for a uniform dress style with different colours, or going for a mix of dress styles and colours.

To ensure the bridesmaid dresses maintain a similar aesthetic, it's a good idea to choose an element that is the same across all dresses, such as the fabric type, neckline, or colour palette. It's also important to give your bridesmaids ample direction by providing them with an inspiration board or sample photos to guide their choices.

Additionally, consider the wedding colour palette and select colours that complement each other. You can also use accessories, such as jewellery, shoes, or bridesmaid bouquets, to tie the whole look together.

By following these tips, you can achieve a stylish and cohesive mismatched bridesmaid look that allows your bridesmaids to feel confident and comfortable on your special day.

Same colour, different styles

If you want your bridesmaids to wear mismatched dresses in the same colour but different styles, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Firstly, while it's great to give your bridesmaids the freedom to choose a style that suits their body type and fashion sense, you should still provide them with some ideas and guidelines. You can do this by creating a digital vision board that can be shared with each of your bridesmaids. Include dress examples, as well as inspiration photos that give them a sense of the overall vibe and feel you are going for. This will help ensure that the dresses complement each other and create a cohesive look.

Secondly, it's important to choose your colour carefully. Visit a local paint store and pick out a few swatches of colours you like, or order fabric swatches from bridesmaid dress brands. Keep in mind that small swatches can look very different when made into a gown, so try to examine the colour on a full-size sample in daylight before making a decision.

Thirdly, consider choosing a unifying design detail that will help create cohesiveness among the different dresses. This could be the type of fabric, a similar neckline, or a specific colour palette. For example, if one dress is light blue, another could be navy blue.

Finally, don't forget the accessories! Matching jewellery, shoes, and bridesmaid bouquets can really tie the whole look together. You can even give these to your bridesmaids as gifts.

By following these tips, you can achieve a stylish and cohesive look for your bridesmaids, even with mismatched dresses in the same colour but different styles.

Same style, different colours

Mixing and matching bridesmaids' dresses is a great way to allow your bridesmaids to express their personal style and ensure they feel comfortable and confident. If you've found a dress style that you absolutely love and want the same silhouette for all, you can still achieve the "mismatched" look by opting for different colours. Here are some tips for how to do this:

• Keep it simple: Opting for the same dress style in different colours is a simpler way to achieve a mismatched look than mixing both styles and colours. This way, you avoid clashing designs.
• Pick a flattering style: Choose a dress style that suits everyone, like the ever-flattering A-line silhouette.
• Decide on the colours: Pick a balanced mix of colours for your bridesmaids, ensuring a harmonious look. It's best if the bride specifies the colour for each bridesmaid.
• Stick to one brand: To create a cohesive look, try to stick to one brand when shopping for your bridesmaids' dresses. This means the fabrics and colour palettes will be the same or subtly different.
• Choose your palette carefully: When choosing dress colours, pick shades that go well together. For example, different shades of blue, pink, or neutrals.
• Give your bridesmaids direction: When letting your bridesmaids pick different colours, it's a good idea to give them some direction. Create an inspiration board or provide sample photos to show them the types of dresses and colours you like.
• Choose one element that's the same: To ensure the dresses look like they belong together, choose one element that's the same across all dresses. For example, the fabric they're made from, the neckline, or the length.
• Tie the look together with accessories: Matching jewellery, shoes, and bridesmaid bouquets can help to tie the whole look together.

Mix of styles and colours

Mixing styles and colours for bridesmaids' dresses is a great way to allow each person to express their unique style and preference. It's also a wonderful way to ensure everyone feels comfortable and confident throughout the day.

There are a few ways to go about this. Firstly, you could opt for different dress styles but keep the same colour. This is a great way to get a trendy mismatched look while keeping things simple. It's also the easiest to coordinate while still allowing your bridesmaids to have a choice in picking a style they like.

Secondly, you could choose a uniform dress style but include varying colours. This is simpler than mixing both styles and colours. Pick a dress style that suits everyone, and then decide on the colours, ensuring a balanced mix among your bridesmaids.

Finally, for the most diverse look, you could choose dresses that differ in both style and colour. This choice requires more planning, but the result is fun and memorable. Start by picking two to four colours that go well together, such as different shades of blue, pink, or neutrals. When choosing dress styles, it's essential that each fits the overall theme. To avoid a chaotic appearance, focus on similarities in silhouette, fabric, or other details like waistlines, necklines, or straps.

• Choose one element that is the same across all dresses, such as the fabric orsection of the fabric or the neckline.
• Opt for the same dress length for all the bridesmaids. Mixing short and long dresses can look mismatched.
• Choose your wedding colour palette carefully. Pick colours that look good together.
• Give your bridesmaids ample direction. Come up with an inspiration board or sample photos to show them the kind of dresses you like.
• Consider sticking with one designer. Normally, designers will stick to their own style, which means the dresses will have similar features.
• Keep hemlines in the same length. Mixing lengths will make mismatching more difficult.
• Be careful about using contrasting colours. They can be beautiful if matched correctly, but if you're unsure, it's best to avoid them.

Same fabric, different styles and colours

Mixing and matching bridesmaids' dresses is a great way to allow each bridesmaid to showcase her unique style and express her individual personality. It also gives flexibility regarding comfort and budget.

If you want your bridesmaids to wear the same fabric but different styles and colours, here are some tips to achieve a cohesive and stylish look:

Choose a unifying element

Even though the dresses will be different colours, it is important to maintain some consistency. Opting for the same fabric across all the dresses is a great way to achieve this. This could be a fabric such as satin, chiffon, or tulle. Using the same fabric will ensure the dresses complement each other and create a stylish, cohesive look for your bridal party.

Pick a colour scheme

Although the dresses will vary in colour, it is essential to choose a colour scheme that ties in with your wedding theme and ensures the dresses complement each other. Pick 2-4 colours that go well together and vary the shades within that palette. For example, you could choose different shades of blue, pink, or neutrals. This will create a stylish and intentional look, preventing the dresses from clashing.

Similar silhouettes

Although the dresses will be different styles, it is important to maintain some consistency in the silhouettes. This could be achieved by choosing dresses with similar waistlines, necklines, or straps. For example, you could opt for a mix of A-line and strapless dresses, ensuring that each dress flatters the individual bridesmaid's body shape and preferences while maintaining a cohesive bridal party look.

Accessories

To further unify the look, consider adding matching accessories. Jewellery, shoes, and bouquets in complementary colours or styles can tie the whole ensemble together. These accessories can also be given as bridesmaid gifts, making thoughtful mementos of your special day.

Consult your bridesmaids

Finally, remember to consult your bridesmaids and ask for their preferences and opinions. They will appreciate having their voices heard, and it will help you make informed decisions about the dress styles, colours, and silhouettes that will flatter and suit each bridesmaid.

By following these tips, you can achieve a stylish and cohesive look for your bridal party, allowing your bridesmaids to shine in their unique dresses while still maintaining a unified and elegant appearance.

Same length, different styles and colours

Mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses is a great way to let each bridesmaid express their unique style and rock a look they love and feel comfortable in. It's also a good way to ensure that each bridesmaid can choose a dress that flatters their body shape and size.

If you want your bridesmaids to wear mismatched dresses of the same length, here are some tips to achieve a cohesive look:

Choose a Unifying Design Detail

Even if you decide to go for the mismatched look, it's important to have at least one consistent element between each look to create cohesiveness. For example, you could let your bridal party choose the style and cut they want but request that the colour matches a specific swatch you've picked out. Alternatively, you could give them free rein on the style and cut but ask that they each pick out a dress in a floral pattern.

Opt for the Same Length

Mixing short and long dresses can look mismatched, so it's a good idea to choose bridesmaid dresses that are all the same length. This will ensure that everyone looks like they're part of the same special event and will help them to look coordinated and ready for your big day.

Choose Your Colour Palette Carefully

When choosing dresses for your bridesmaids, it's important to pick colours that look good together. Some colours may not coordinate well, so look at pictures for ideas and get small samples of fabric to see how they look next to each other. You could also use transition colours – colours that fall somewhere between two colours that are not next to each other on the colour wheel.

Consult Your Bridesmaids

One of the best parts of having mismatched bridesmaid dresses is that each of your bridesmaids can feel confident in their own look, and you'll only know their preferences by asking them. This doesn't mean you have to change your desired vision and colour scheme, but it will give you an idea of which silhouettes, lengths and necklines to choose.

Don't Forget Accessories

Matching jewellery, shoes and bridesmaid bouquets can really tie the whole look together if your maids are wearing different dresses. You can even give these to them as bridesmaid gifts.

Stick to One Brand

The easiest way to create a cohesive look is by sticking to one brand when shopping for your bridesmaid dresses – this means the fabrics and colour palettes will be the same or subtly different.

Frequently asked questions