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Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses: How to Master the Trend

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses are a great way to allow your maids to rock a look they love. Nail the trend with our guide that includes top tips, inspiration and where to shop now

Bride and bridesmaids wearing orange mismatched bridesmaid dresses

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses can save you a lot of dress hunting struggles, particularly if your maids are all different shapes and sizes. You can create a unique ensemble featuring gowns that everyone will feel and look amazing in by switching up colours, fabrics, hemlines and silhouettes. 

What's more, you don’t need to worry about your guests not being able to identify who the bridesmaids are because there are endless beautiful options that will complement each other without feeling too uniform.

Once you have chosen your maids and asked “Will you be my bridesmaid?“, take a look at our guide on how to nail the mix and match bridesmaid dress trend, including top tips, where to buy different colour bridesmaid dresses to suit your budget and real wedding examples for inspiration. 

Do Bridesmaid Dresses Have to Match?

Bridesmaids wearing green mix and match bridesmaid dresses

Traditionally, all bridesmaid dresses would match, but it is now a popular choice with couples to opt for mix and match bridesmaid dresses. Not only do they look amazing (see our real examples below for proof!), they are a fail-safe option to keep all your bridesmaids happy and comfortable in what they are wearing. 

Ella Yeoman, from bridesmaid dress brand Rewritten agrees, saying: "We are huge advocates of mixing and matching your bridesmaids dresses and always have been. The days are over of dressing your girls all in the exact same colour and style. Let them be comfortable and choose a dress to suit their different body shapes and sizes."

How to Choose Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses?

The first step to choosing your mismatched bridesmaid dresses is to decide which way you want to switch them up. Here, we explain each route you can go down...

Mismatched Fabrics

A mix of fabrics can be a tricky art to master but if you do it right then it'll look stunning and it's a great way to celebrate each bridesmaids’ individuality. By using one uniform shade in a mix of fabrics each bridesmaid is able to show off their signature style but the single shade makes it easy to identify them. 

Mismatched Silhouettes

Choosing a dress in one shade or tone but in a variety of styles and silhouettes is a great option if you have bridesmaids with varying body types. If one of your maids loves a strapless dress and another can’t bear the thought of going out without any kind of sleeve, then mismatched dress shapes could be your answer.

Mismatched Lengths 

For a simple way of mixing up your bridesmaids’ look, consider the same dress in different lengths. Perhaps the maid of honour could wear a full length gown while the bridesmaids wear shorter tea-length dresses? Or mix and match with half your maids in long and half wearing shorter dresses.

Mismatched Colours 

The art to having bridesmaids in varying colours is to pick one set tone – whether that’s pretty pastel tones, jewel toned bridesmaid dresses or bright and bold shades. 

4 Tips for Pulling Off Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Bridesmaids wearing mismatched bridesmaid dresses follow bride down stairs

So, you want to mix and match your bridesmaid dresses but don't want them to look disjointed? We've got you covered with our top tips for pulling off the trend.

1. 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. That doesn't mean you have to change your desired vision and colour scheme, but it'll give you an idea of which silhouettes, lengths and neckline to go for. Trust us, they'll be so pleased to have their opinions heard. 

2. Shop One Brand

The easiest way to create a cohesive look is by sticking to one brand when shopping for your bridesmaid dresses - this means fabrics and colour palettes will be the same or subtly different. We have a whole edit of places to shop listed below that offer varying styles, colours and sizes.

3. Less is More

It can be easy to get carried away but when it comes to mix and match bridesmaid dresses but a good rule of thumb is to switch up one or two features. For example, sticking to the same colour but mixing up the fabrics and length, or having the same style of dress in different hues. 

4. 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

Examples of Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Take a look at how some real bridesmaids rocked the mismatched bridesmaid dress trend for even more inspiration.

Rust Toned Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses

Bride and bridesmaids wearing orange mismatched bridesmaid dresses

These beautiful bridesmaids nail the mismatched look in fiery rust tones - each 'maid has their own style of dress in a complementary colour palette.#

Pale Pink Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses

 
These pastel pink bridesmaid dresses work so well because they're all the same sweet shade of pink - but the mix and match shapes and necklines allow each bridesmaid to have a dress style they feel comfortable in. 

Neutral Non-Matching Bridesmaid Dresses

 
For a sophisticated mix and match bridesmaid look, stick to one shade and go for a couple of different variations - we love how this bride styled her tribe with halternecks and one shoulder bridesmaid dresses. 

Clashing Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Bride and bridesmaids wearing mismatched bridesmaid dresses in red and rust

For a really bold bridesmaid look, go for clashing colours! We love this look with hot pink and muted orange bridesmaid dresses - it's perfect for a summer wedding. 

Sparkly Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Bride and bridesmaids wearing colourful glittery dresses

What's more dazzling than a sparkly bridesmaid dress? Mismatched sparkly bridesmaid dresses! A touch of glitter elevates non-matching bridesmaid dresses and ties it together in a glam way.

Bridesmaid Dresses in Different Styles

Bride and bridesmaids wearing embroidered blue mismatched bridesmaid dresses

If you know your bridesmaid has things she's conscious about, or prefers a certain style, you can cater to this by choosing bridesmaid dresses with different top styles, but similar skirts. This will help everyone feel comfortable but still look coordinated. 

Where to Buy Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses?

You'll find lots of high street brands offer bridesmaid collections in a whole range of colours and designs so it is really easy for you to shop for mismatched bridesmaid dresses. Some of our favourites include ASOS, Rewritten, and Pretty Lavish and Quiz. 

Mismatched Green Bridesmaid Dresses 

Mixed Green Bridesmaid Dresses - from £60, ASOS

Models in green bridesmaid dresses

Green bridesmaid dresses are a popular choice and if you can't pick just one shade we don't blame you! From this gorgeous olive green dress, to the emerald number and a long-sleeved sage beauty, at ASOS you can find a whole range of verdant designs that complement each other. Plus, you can shop curve, tall and petite too! 

Shop Green Bridesmaid Dresses

Mixed Green Bridesmaid Dresses - from £39.99, Quiz

Models wearing mismatched green bridesmaid dresses

Quiz is our one-stop shop for affordable bridesmaid dresses so it's a great option if you have lots of maids to buy for. They have a wide range of green designs to choose from, whether you're looking for a sleek dark green dress, a sequined tea-length frock or a sophisticated one-shoulder gown

Shop Green Bridesmaid Dresses

Sage Green Bridesmaid Dresses - from £75, Dorothy Perkins

Models wearing sage green mismatched bridesmaid dresses

Sticking to sage? You'll find ample options at Dorothy Perkins with a mixture of textures. We love the contrast between the soft satin dress, the chiffon number and the sparkly sequin style

Shop Green Bridesmaid Dresses

Mismatched Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Tulle Blue Bridesmaid Dresses - from £99, Coast

Models wearing tulle blue bridesmaid dresses

We're obsessed with Coast for a number of reasons - their inclusive bridesmaid dress range, their detailed designs and how they offer different styles of dress in the exact same colour. If tulle has taken your fancy you can't go wrong with their blue strappy dress, beaded beauty and tea-length tiered frock

Shop Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Satin Ice Blue Bridesmaid Dresses - from £88, Pretty Lavish

Models wearing satin ice blue bridesmaid dresses

Pretty Lavish offer these ice blue beauties in a number off different necklines to suit everyone's taste. From a cowl neck and a one shoulder to a trendy halter, the choice is yours. They're the perfect way to subtly mix and match your bridesmaid dresses. 

Shop Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Mixed Blue Bridesmaid Dresses - from £150, Rewritten

Models wearing mismatched blue bridesmaid dresses

Every Rewritten bridesmaid dress design is available in eleven colours so you can really mix them up however you please. We can't decide which style we like best - the satin wrap dress, the simple navy slip or the waterfall shoulder gown

Shop Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Mismatched Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

Dusky Pink Bridesmaid Dresses - from £82, Chi Chi London

Models wearing mismatched pink bridesmaid dresses

From a flattering wrap style, to a Grecian-inspired one shoulder look and summer ready bandeau design, Chi Chi London has you covered - all in a gorgeous shade of dusky pink!

Shop Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

Embellished Pink Bridesmaid Dresses - from £120, Boohoo

Models wearing embellished pink bridesmaid dresses

Embellished bridesmaid dresses can be pricey but Boohoo's collection has these pretty blush pink dresses starting at just £120. If your bridesmaid prefers to keep their arms covered the caped dress or tulle style is for them. Loves showing off their curves? Opt for the figure-hugging frock

Shop Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

Textured Pink Bridesmaid Dresses - from £80, Little Mistress

Models wearing floral and textured mismatched pink bridesmaid dresses

If you love the idea of a floral mismatched bridesmaid dress, we love this design from Little Mistress. Oh, and we can't keep our eyes off this dobby style and satin beauty too. 

Shop Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

If you are looking for other ideas for your bridesmaids then don’t miss our edit of the best gold bridesmaid dresses