Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses: Where To Buy?

Mismatched bridesmaids' dresses are a great way to showcase the unique personalities in your bridal party. This trend allows you to highlight each individual and ensure they're wearing a dress that flatters their silhouette and makes them feel confident. There are several ways to achieve this look, from choosing different styles in the same colour to picking a colour family and letting your bridesmaids select their own dresses within that palette. You can also opt for convertible dresses, which can be worn in a variety of ways, or choose one designer and have your bridesmaids select different colours and styles from their collection.

Choosing a colour family

Pick a Colour Family That Compliments Your Wedding Theme

The colour family you choose should complement the overall theme and aesthetic of your wedding. For example, if you're having an outdoor spring wedding, you might opt for laid-back floral prints and pastel hues. On the other hand, a glam ballroom wedding might call for the luxe uniformity of all-black matching bridesmaid dresses. Consider the venue, season, and level of formality when selecting your colour family.

Neutrals Are a Safe Bet

Neutrals are always in style and are perfect for mix-and-match magic. Earth, sand, and stone tones can be mixed and matched effortlessly, and they flatter a variety of body types. Don't be afraid to play with more daring silhouettes and textures to add interest to your bridal party's look.

Greens Are on-Trend

If you want to incorporate a colour into your wedding palette, consider a trendy shade like moss green. This on-trend hue sets the groundwork for a modern ensemble and can make classic silhouettes feel fresh.

Blush Tones Are Flattering

Blush is a popular choice for bridesmaid dresses, and for good reason. It's a soft, romantic shade that flatters a range of skin tones. If you want to add depth to your bridal party's look, consider a range of pinks, from blush to dusty rose.

Jewel Tones Add Richness

Jewel tones, such as deep purples, reds, and blues, give off rich, luxurious vibes while still remaining fun and colourful. This colour family is perfect for a glamorous wedding and will look stunning in photos.

Blues Are Flattering and Unique

Blue is a flattering and unique choice for bridesmaid dresses, especially for a summer or beach wedding. It's a colour that is not often seen as a bridesmaid dress option, so your bridal party is sure to stand out.

Play with Prints

Prints are a great way to add interest and personality to your bridal party's look. Mix and match prints within the same colour family to create a custom look. To avoid a busy appearance, layer in solid dresses in accent colours.

Selecting a unifying design detail

Choose a specific colour or colour palette:

Give your bridesmaids the freedom to choose their preferred style and cut while requesting that the dress colour matches a specific swatch you've selected. This will ensure your bridal party has a cohesive look while allowing each person to showcase their unique personality and style.

Opt for a floral theme:

If you don't have a particular colour in mind, you can request that your bridesmaids select a floral dress that aligns with your wedding theme. This adds a romantic and whimsical touch to your special day.

Play with textures and silhouettes:

If you prefer a more classic and subtle mix-and-match palette, consider choosing a single colour and fabric but playing with dramatic and distinctive silhouettes. This way, you achieve a harmonious grouping that flatters multiple body types while adding a modern twist.

Experiment with shades:

If you have a desired colour in mind but want to avoid an overly uniform look, experiment with different shades within the same colour family. This creates a unique ombré effect, especially for larger bridal parties.

Mix solids and patterns:

If you want to incorporate patterns into your bridal party's attire, start by finding a pattern you love and then use the colours within that pattern to determine the shades of the solid dresses. This way, you can add interest and variety while still achieving a coordinated look.

Provide guidelines and examples:

It's important to have a clear vision for the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Provide guidelines on dress length, formality, and colour palette to streamline the process. Offer examples of mix-and-match bouquets and outfit combinations to create a visual reference point for your bridesmaids.

Remember, the key to successfully pulling off mismatched bridesmaid dresses is to find the right balance between contrast and continuity. By selecting a unifying design detail, you can ensure your bridal party looks cohesive and beautiful while allowing each person's individuality to shine through.

Shopping from the same retailer

One option is to pick a color and let your bridesmaids choose any dress style they want in that color. This way, they can select a dress that flatters their silhouette, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and confident. You can also choose dresses in different hues and shades within the same color family, creating a beautiful contrast that flows together. Alternatively, you can pick the same dress style and let your bridesmaids select their preferred color, adding a unique twist to your bridal party's look.

When shopping from the same retailer, consider the various dress features that can help bring your party's look together. For example, you can choose dresses with similar lengths, such as floor-length or knee-length styles. You can also play around with necklines, such as V-necks or sweetheart necklines, or opt for dresses with detailed backs, different sleeve lengths, or ruffles.

Some retailers may also offer fabric swatches, which can be helpful in narrowing down your choices and ensuring the colors, patterns, and textures complement each other. It's also a good idea to browse their websites or visit their stores to view the dresses in person and mix and match different combinations to see your ideas come to life.

By shopping from the same retailer, you can easily coordinate a mismatched bridal party look that showcases the unique personalities and styles of your bridesmaids while still maintaining a cohesive and elegant aesthetic for your special day.

Considering convertible dresses

Convertible dresses are a simple way to achieve a mismatched bridal party look. They can be styled in a variety of ways, allowing each bridesmaid to wear a silhouette that makes them feel the most confident.

Convertible dresses are a great option if you want to give your bridesmaids control over what they wear while still maintaining a coordinated look. You can select the colour or colour palette, and your bridesmaids can choose the style they like best. This could be halter, one-shoulder, strapless, or something else entirely.

Convertible dresses are also a good choice if you're looking for a dress that can be worn again. They can be styled differently for the ceremony and reception, or for a special event after the wedding.

Where to Buy Convertible Dresses

Convertible dresses are available from a range of retailers, including:

• Birdy Grey: Their convertible dresses start at $99 and come in a variety of styles, including the popular Grace convertible dress, which can be tied in over 20 ways.
• Azazie: Azazie's convertible dresses can be used to create up to 10 different looks, with customisable straps, sleeves, and sleeve options.
• Amazon: A range of convertible dresses are available on Amazon, with prices starting at $16.99.
• The Jerseymaid: These dresses are available for under $100, with most styles costing around $75.
• Coralie Beatrix: Coralie Beatrix offers convertible dresses in long and short lengths, with unique colours, fabrics, and styles.

Other Options for Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

If you decide that convertible dresses aren't for you, there are several other ways to achieve a mismatched bridal party look:

• Different styles in the same colour: You can choose bridesmaid dresses in the same colour but different styles, such as varying lengths, necklines, and silhouettes.
• Different shades of the same colour: Experiment with different shades of the same colour to create a unique effect, especially for larger bridal parties.
• Different colours tied together: Choose dress colours that match your wedding colour palette to unite the various elements of your big day.
• A mix of solids and patterns: Start by finding a pattern you love, then use the colours within that pattern to determine the shades of your solid dresses.
• Various textures and embellishments: Incorporate different textures and embellishments like sequins, beading, and embroidery to bump up the style of your bridal party attire.
• Similar prints in different colours: If you're feeling bold, you can have each of your bridesmaids wear a different printed gown, as long as the prints fall within the same colour family.

Using a vision board

A vision board is a great way to plan your wedding and ensure that your bridesmaids' mismatched dresses are coordinated and cohesive. Here are some tips on how to use a vision board to achieve your dream bridal party look:

Choose Your Platform:

You can opt for a physical or digital vision board. A digital board, such as one created on Pinterest or Canva, offers the convenience of saving ideas directly from the internet and makes sharing easier. On the other hand, a physical board allows you to work with your hands and include physical items like fabric swatches and magazine cutouts.

Collect Inspiration:

Start by gathering ideas that speak to you, without worrying about whether they "work" together. This could include colour palettes, patterns, dress styles, and silhouettes. Take your time with this step and draw inspiration from a variety of sources, such as fashion magazines, art museums, nature, or even your camera roll.

Identify Common Themes:

Once you have a good amount of inspiration, step back and look for recurring elements. This could be a specific colour, a type of flower, a particular dress silhouette, or a certain fabric texture. These common themes will help guide your bridal party's look and create a cohesive style.

Curate and Refine:

Now, it's time to curate and refine your vision board. Remove any duplicate or similar ideas, and only keep the ones you genuinely love. This step is crucial to ensuring your vision board accurately reflects your style and vision for your bridal party.

Share and Collaborate:

Share your vision board with your bridesmaids and other members of your wedding party. This will help them understand your overall vision and allow them to provide their input and feedback. It's also a great way to ensure everyone is on the same page and avoid any last-minute surprises.

Stay Flexible:

Remember that your vision board is a living document and doesn't have to be set in stone. As you plan your wedding and continue to be inspired, feel free to update and edit your vision board. This could include adding new ideas, removing old ones, or adjusting your overall theme.

Keep It True to You:

Most importantly, stay true to your authentic style and personality. Your vision board should reflect who you are as a couple and what makes you unique. Don't feel pressured to include trendy elements that don't resonate with you.

Frequently asked questions