FASHION TRENDS / Jun 02, 2026
CAN BRIDESMAIDS WEAR DIFFERENT DRESSES? HOW TO MIX STYLES WITHOUT RUINING THE LOOK
We're long past forcing bridesmaids into the exact same dress.
Mismatched bridesmaid dresses have become popular for a reason: not every silhouette flatters everyone in the same way. Mixing different styles, colors, or fabrics allows your bridal party to feel more comfortable and confident while still looking beautifully put together. The key is making everything feel intentional, and we're here to show you how.
Can Bridesmaids Wear Different Dresses?
Yes, bridesmaids can definitely wear different dresses. Many modern brides love to combine different colors, silhouettes, fabrics, or dress styles while still keeping the overall look intentional.
Why Should I Mix and Match Different Bridesmaid Dresses?
Combining dresses of different styles, colors, fabrics, or silhouettes can help each bridesmaid feel more considered. It gives everyone the chance to wear something that feels flattering and comfortable while still keeping the bridal party looking unified. It also creates a more visually interesting ensemble, compared to having everyone wear the exact same dress.
How to Mix Bridesmaid Dresses: 5 Ways to Do it Right
There are several ways to mix and match bridesmaid dresses while still keeping the bridal party visually cohesive. Some brides choose to keep the same color and vary the silhouettes, while others mix different shades, fabrics, or dress styles for a more unique look.
Option 1: Same Color, Different Dress Styles
This is one of the most popular ways to do mismatched bridesmaid dresses because it gives the bridal party some freedom, while still keeping everything coordinated.
With this approach, you choose only one color and vary everything else, whether it's the fabric, dress length, neckline, sleeve, or silhouette. Keeping the color consistent ensures everything photographs beautifully together, while different styles allow each bridesmaid to choose something that feels flattering and comfortable for them.
Featured (Left to Right): GL2615, GL3492, GL2669 in the shade Mauve
If you're letting your bridesmaids buy their own dresses, provide them with an exact color swatch. Even slightly different tones can stand out noticeably in photos. It helps to buy from the same designer to ensure the color (including undertones and saturation) remains consistent across every dress.
Option 2: Same Color, Same Fabric
A similar take on Option 1, bridesmaids can wear mismatched dresses in the same color and fabric for a look that feels a bit more refined.
For this option, the dresses can completely vary in silhouette, neckline, sleeve style, and length, while the color and fabric remain the same. Doing this helps the overall look feel more intentional because the dresses move, reflect light, and photograph in a similar way, even when the designs differ. This can create a bridal party that looks visually seamless without being overly uniform.
Featured (Left to Right): GL3044, GL3059, and GL1992 in the shade Sienna
The satin mismatched fall bridesmaid dresses above all share the same shade and fabric, creating a polished look, while allowing each bridesmaid to wear something that makes her feel beautiful.
Option 3: Different Colors, Same Fabric
You can also have your bridesmaids wear dresses in different shades while keeping the fabric the same. Like Option 2, this creates a mismatched aesthetic that still feels intentional, as the dresses share the same movement and finish.
For this, the dresses don't need to match in silhouette, neckline, or length. Instead, the unifying element is the fabric itself, whether that's satin, chiffon, mesh, velvet, or another material. Keeping the fabric the same helps the bridal party look more visually connected, even when the colors and cuts vary.
Featured (Left to Right): GL2824 in Navy and GL2816 in Silver
Choose shades that complement one another and align with your wedding theme. For example, chiffon dresses in cool shades like navy, silver, ice blue, and hyacinth can create a dreamy look for a winter wedding.
Tip: Try laying the dresses side by side before purchasing to ensure the tones work well together, both in person and in photos.
Option 4: One Dress Style, Different Colors
Bridesmaids can wear the same dress style in varying colors for a mismatched look that still feels cohesive and traditional enough for classic weddings.
This approach uses the same dress design for all bridesmaids while varying the colors to add dimension. It's a great option for brides who want a slightly "subtler" take on mismatched bridesmaid dresses.
Featured (Left to Right): GL2049 in the shades Tiffany and Coral
For a more harmonious look, it's usually best to stay within the same palette or choose complementary colors. For example, dresses in shades like Tiffany Blue and coral (like the ones shown above) create a complementary look that adds some variation. But if you want to mix a wider variety of colors, that works too! The great thing about mismatched bridesmaid dresses is that you can make the styling feel as subtle or as bold as you want. It's your wedding, after all.
Option 5: Different Styles and Different Colors
For a more fashion-forward approach, bridesmaids can wear completely different dresses in different colors, silhouettes, and fabrics, as long as the overall look still feels curated and balanced.
Unlike the previous options, this approach gives you the most freedom. The dresses don't need to match in color, fabric, neckline, sleeve style, or silhouette. But because there's more variation involved, it's important to make sure the colors still complement one another. For example, combining mauve, blush, and deep wine shades can create a romantic palette that feels layered without looking too disconnected.
Featured (Left to Right): GL2816 in Blush, GL2606 in Wine, and GL1992 in Mauve
Just try not to choose multiple heavily decorated dresses with completely different details (e.g., mixing lace with jewels), as this can make the bridal party look cluttered rather than balanced.
How Do I Coordinate Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses?
The secret to mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses successfully is making sure the variation feels on purpose, not random. Even when colors, silhouettes, or fabrics differ, the bridal party should still look visually connected in some way.
Always Start with a Color Palette
When choosing mismatched bridesmaid dresses, start with the color palette first. Narrowing down your colors early makes it much easier to mix different dresses later on, since you'll already know whether to lean toward cooler, warmer, or more neutral tones.
Tie Everything Together with Accessories
Matching shoes, hairstyles, and other details can help tie mismatched bridesmaid dresses together. Using the same bouquet style for each bridesmaid can also visually connect the bridal party and make everything look more cohesive in photos.
Apply General Bridesmaid Dress Rules
Even with mismatched bridesmaid dresses, it's still best to keep the overall look relatively simple. Avoid overly embellished gowns, revealing dresses, or styles that don't feel bridesmaid-appropriate, as you still want the focus to remain on you, the bride.
Avoid Having One "Standout" Color
Even when all the colors complement each other, having one shade that is noticeably different from the rest can draw too much attention. Try to keep the tones balanced so no single bridesmaid visually stands out more than the others.
Let Your MOH Shine
When your bridesmaids are wearing different dresses, the maid of honor's look should still feel a little more special than the rest. You can do this by choosing a dress with more embellishments or a distinctive pattern that helps her stand out. For example, she could wear a dress within the same color scheme, but with extra texture and beading, such as this A-line gown.
Where Can I Buy Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses?
GLS Collective offers a wide range of designer-quality bridesmaid dresses that make it easy to create a mismatched bridal party look. To simplify the process, you can shop by color, fabric, silhouette, and other details, making it easier to find dresses that complement one another.
Style Your Bridal Party with GLS Collective
Mismatched dresses are a stunning way to make your bridal party feel more themselves while still looking on-theme and thoughtfully styled. If you're planning to mix and match your outfits, GLS Collective offers a range of bridesmaid dresses in various colors, fabrics, and silhouettes to suit your wedding vision. Browse our bridesmaid dress collection today to find pieces that help bring your dream bridal party look to life.
Other bridesmaid styling guides that might help:
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