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Mix Your Maids: How To Do Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses in Style

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

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Three girls stood outside a pink door wearing mismatched bridesmaid dresses and holding bouquets, one dress is hot pink with bow tie shoulders, another is short sleeved in pale pink and the third is a cowl-neck gown in burnt orange

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. Plus, if you’re having bridesmaid bouquets, corsages or flower crowns, the beautiful on-theme blooms will help tie your tribe together. 

Once you've 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. 

4 Tips for Pulling Off Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

So, you want to mix and match your bridesmaid dresses but don't want them to look disjointed? We've got you covered with the following 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 necklines 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. 

To help you with your search, we have a whole edit of places to shop listed below, which offer varying styles, colours, and sizes.

3. Less is More

It can be easy to get carried away, but when mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses, 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.

Here’s some examples of what’s available… 

Mismatched Green Bridesmaid Dresses

Symbolising nature, renewal and harmony green is a great option for your bridesmaids. Opt for deeper forest green shades in the cooler months and sage or olive tones in Summer. 

Bridesmaid weraing drop shoulder A-line wedding dress and veil holding a colourful bouquet with her five bridesmaids holding coordinated bouquets and wearing different styles and shades of green satin bridesmaid dresses

We love how this bride has chosen rich shades of green for her bridemaids, with three different dress styles. The matching multi-coloured bouquets by Event & Floral Design By Dora Kovacs, help to bring the looks together. 

Bridesmaids wearing sage green satin dresses

This stunning bride opted for the same shade of sage green for synergy but chose to mix and match three different dresses, from Rewritten Bridesmaids, so each of her friends could pick a shape they feel comfortable in. 

Bridesmaids wearing olive green dresses in different styles
Mykola Tsap Photography

This buttery pistachio shade is perfect for Spring or Summer weddings. This bride chose simple white blooms for her bridesmaids to carry and we think it looks so sophisticated. 

Mismatched Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Why not make your bridesmaids your something blue? We love some of these combinations with floral dresses. Keep it simple by bringing in just one or two patterned dresses to your bridesmaid line-up in a coordinating hue, or go all out with all bridesmaids in different styles and patterns, but keep to just one colour. 

Bride weraing an ivory lace dress and veil holding bouquet surrounded by three bridesmaids wearing different styles of blue bridesmaid dresses and holding bouquets
Sophie Chilvers Floral Design

Blue dresses for weddings are trending but if you want to stick to traditional white, why not get your bridesmaids to wear blue? We love the whimsical styles this bride has chosen, especially with the stunning pastel flower bouquets, by Sophie Chilvers Floral Design

Bridemaids wearing matching light blue dresses in different styles

These stunning dresses from 'I do' Frocks are in a gorgeous shade of icy blue. If you want to see the dresses in real life you can arrange a try-on at the gorgeous Berkshire boutique. 

A group of eight bridesmaids wearing mismatched dresses in shades of blue

If you're having a garden-style wedding combine flowy fabrics like lace and satin with ditsy florals. This bride chose shades of blue for the perfect warm-weather palette. 

Mismatched Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

We love this selection of pink mix and match bridesmaid dresses. Opt for delicate florals and flowy fabrics if you're going for a romantic, elegant aesthetic.

Bridesmaids wearing different shades of pink dresses

This combination of pink dresses sparks so much joy! Opt for hot pinks combined with pastel shades for a real dopamine boost. 

Bridesmaids wear champagne and pink dresses to outdoor wedding
Ieva Genovesi Hair and Make-up

Choosing pinks doesn't have to mean the typical Barbie shade. These earthy pinks are perfect for an autumnal occasion. 

Mismatched Champagne Bridesmaid Dresses

For an elegant mix and match bridesmaid ensemble, look to a neutral or muted colour palette including champagne tones. Whether your going for boho bridesmaid vibes or something more elevated, these ideas should give you some inspiration... 

Bridemaids wear same shade of champagne beige with different style dresses
Makeup by Michelle

Champagne-toned dresses are great for bridesmaids because they compliment a range of skin tones and pair beautifully with other shades. We love how this bride opted for the same shade of different styles. 

Bride wearing a short-sleeve ivory wedding dress and veil and carrying a bouquet, four bridesmaids are in a row behind her wearing mismatched pale pink bridesmaid dresses in different styles and are carrying bouquets

These champagne-pink bridesmaid dresses work so well because they're all the soft, sweet shades of creamy beige - but the mix and match shapes and necklines allow each bridesmaid to have a dress style they feel comfortable in. 

Multi-Coloured Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

To really embrace the trend opt for completely different coloured bridesmaids dresses. You can create synergy by choosing the style and letting your bridesmaids choose the colour, or choose a colour palette and let your bridesmaids show off their individual style...

Bridesmaids dresses in shades of orange, rust and green
Hayley Jennifer Photography

This colour palette is ideal if you're having an autumn ceremony. Combine shades of deep green with browns and rust to embrace the shades of the season. 

Asian bridesmaids wearing traditional dresses in different colours
Mykola Tsap Photography

We can't get enough of these stunning bridesmaids in their pastel shades. A truly beautiful way of embracing the trend with each bridesmaid wearing a different version of the same style. 

Mismatched Bridesmaids Dress FAQs

How do you co-ordinate mismatched bridesmaids dresses?

Whether you're wondering if bridesmaids can wear different colours or how to make mismatched dresses look intentional, these tips should help...

  • 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 bridesmaid’s individuality. By using one uniform shade in a mix of fabrics, each bridesmaid can 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 bridesmaid dresses in different styles 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 of having bridesmaids in varying colours is to pick one set palette – whether that’s pretty pastel tones, jewel-toned bridesmaid dresses or bright and bold shades. 

Do bridesmaid dresses have to match?

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

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 of dressing your girls all in the exact same colour and style are over. Let them be comfortable and choose a dress to suit their different body shapes and sizes."

Where can I buy mismatched bridesmaid dresses?

There are some fantastic bridesmaid dress designers who can help you and your tribe effortlessly pull off mismatched bridesmaid dresses with a mix of complementary styles and colours within their easy-to-shop collections. Some of our favourites include Maids To Measure and Rewritten. 

Meanwhile, if you’re happy to fully DIY the look, you'll find lots of high-street brands offering bridesmaid collections in a range of tones and designs, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Monsoon or Meshki. 

For advice on who pays for what when it comes to your bridesmaids, you can check out our expert advice.  If you want other ideas for your bridesmaids, don’t miss our edit of the best satin bridesmaid dresses.

Haven't said yes to the dress yet? 👰
Request pricing and information from local dress shops