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

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. 

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 below 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."

And the same views are echoed by Sinclair Sellars, of specialist British bridesmaid brand Maids To Measure: “I think we’re all more fashion-focused these days and know what suits us. So, unless you prefer a more uniform look, mismatched dresses give your girls more flexibility and allow them to feel amazing on the day rather than being told to wear something they're uncomfortable in!

"We're all more focused on sustainability these days, too, so if the girls like their dresses, they're much more likely to wear them again beyond the big day.”

How to Choose Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses?

Wondering how to coordinate mismatched bridesmaid dresses? Well, the first step to choosing your mix of gowns is deciding which way 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 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. 

Sinclair of Maids To Measure says: “There's so many different options when choosing a mix of colours. We have brides that want just tonal differences, for example, a green theme but different tones of sage, olive, forest and emerald, or totally the opposite with brides wanting the colours to clash, like orange, pink and burgundy.”

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. 

“All our Maids To Measure dresses are designed to be mismatched but worn together; they all have little details that complement each other, which I think is key to pulling off mismatched bridesmaid dresses,” says Sinclair.

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.

Rust Toned Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses

These beautiful bridesmaids nail the mismatched look in fiery rust-orange tones - each maid has their own cool style of dress but they're all in the same colour and fabric.

Pale Pink Mix and Match Bridesmaid Dresses

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

Muted Non-Matching Bridesmaid Dresses

For an elegant mix and match bridesmaid ensemble, look to a neutral or muted colour dress palette - we love how this bride styled her tribe with soft, romantic tulle gowns in dreamy cream, beige, tan and champagne tones. This gown style would also be ideal for those searching for boho mismatched bridesmaid dresses, with the flower crowns providing an on-theme finishing touch.  

Clashing Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

For a really bold bridesmaid look, go for clashing colours! We’re head over heels for this look with hot pink and muted orange bridesmaid dresses - it's perfect for a summer wedding. Sinclair is also a huge fan of this mismatched bridesmaid dress idea: “I have to say I love the colour clashing but in the same fabric, and particularly oranges, pinks and burgundy mixed together.”

Patterned Bridesmaid Dresses in Different Styles

Another impactful mismatched bridesmaid look is patterned 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.

Sparkly Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

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

Bridesmaid Dresses in Different Styles

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 in different styles but the same fabric. This will help everyone feel comfortable but still look coordinated. 

Where to 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, Rewritten and TH&TH. 

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 Coast, Monsoon and Quiz.

Here’s some examples of what’s available… 

Mismatched Green Bridesmaid Dresses

Mixed Jewel Tone Bridesmaid Dresses - from £120, Rewritten

Every Rewritten bridesmaid dress design is available in a range of colours, so you can easily mix and match however you please. We can't decide which style we like best - the satin wrap dress, the simple slip or the waterfall shoulder gown - but we adore this gorgeous lineup of jewel mismatched bridesmaid dresses, including opulent green to burnt orange. The Rewritten colour palette also includes more muted hues, so if you’re looking for mismatched champagne bridesmaid dresses, be sure to check out this brand. Sizes range from UK8 to UK20. 

Embroidered Green Bridesmaid Dresses - from £169, Coast

We're obsessed with Coast for several reasons - their inclusive bridesmaid dress range, their detailed designs and how they offer different styles of dress in the same colour. If elegant embroidered dresses take your fancy, you can't go wrong with these sage green beauties in different lengths and silhouettes but with the same pretty detailing. Available in sizes UK8 to UK18. 

Embellished Green Bridesmaid Dresses - from £130, Monsoon

Fancy adding a little detail to your green bridesmaid ensemble? You'll find multiple dress options at Monsoon, with a mix of fabrics and finishes to choose from. We particularly love the dreamy mesh styles in soft shades with sparkly sequin detail, which are available in sizes UK6 to UK24. 

Mismatched Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Mixed Blue Bridesmaid Dresses - from £39.99, Quiz

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 blue designs to choose from, whether you're looking for a sleek navy slip dress, a sequined midi-length frock or a sophisticated one-shoulder gown. Sizes start from a UK8. 

Embellished Blue Bridesmaid Dresses - from £180, Motte Maids

The masterminds of customisable bridesmaid dresses, Motee Maids, put the styling power in your hands by giving you a full choice of colour, silhouette and embellishment options. Choose from the brand’s original, fully-beaded or sequin sash collections, with its collections available in select bridal boutiques throughout the UK. We’ve fallen head over heels for these ice blue designs, available in sizes UK6 to UK22. 

Mismatched Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

Blush Pink Bridesmaid Dresses - from £35, Boohoo

Boohoo's collection has pretty blush pink dresses starting from just £35. We adore this elegant slash-neck design, but if your bridesmaid prefers to keep their arms covered, the caped dress is for them. Loves showing some leg? Opt for the high leg-split angel-sleeve design. Sizes range from UK8 to UK18. 

Textured Pink Bridesmaid Dresses - from £80, Little Mistress

If you love the idea of a textured mismatched bridesmaid dress, we love this lace design from Little Mistress. Its pink bridesmaid dress lineup also includes gorgeous stretch crepe and satin designs, available in sizes UK8 to UK18. 

Mismatched Champagne Bridesmaid Dresses

Soft Champagne Bridesmaid Dresses - from £85, Pretty Lavish

Pretty Lavish offers an incredible range of Champagne bridesmaid dresses in a number of different necklines, styles and fabrics to suit everyone's taste. From an elegant v-neck or one-shoulder to a soft sweetheart, the choice is yours. They're the perfect way to subtly mix and match your bridesmaid dresses. Plus, its curve collection means the brand has options for bridesmaids sized from UK6 to UK26. 

Satin Champagne Bridesmaid Dresses - from £120, TH&TH

If ‘satin champagne bridesmaid dresses’ are at the top of your search, look no further than specialist bridesmaid dress designer TH&TH. From the short-sleeved Camilla design to the strappy Isla, all designs glisten with radiance and provide a breathtaking option for your tribe. Its inclusive size range means it can cater from a UK4 to a UK28. 

Pastel Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Bow Bridesmaid Dresses - from £130, Maids To Measure

The love for bows and pretty pastel tones in weddings remains strong, making the stunning bow-shouldered Allegra dresses from Maids To Measure one of our very favourite. Pick complementary soft tones for each of your squad in this dreamy, on-trend design, or mix in some of the brand’s other gorgeous options, such as the cowl-back Eadie dress or high-neck Tilly gown, all available in size UK8 to UK18. 

Sinclair from the brand says: “If you're doing mixed bridesmaid dresses, the easiest way is to give your maids some guidance. For example, the colour or fabric you want them in and then let the girls pick their style, or if you want a particular style, maybe short-list the colours they can choose from.”

Mixed Pastel Bridesmaid Dresses - from £99, Six Stories

Looking for pastel bridesmaid different style dresses? Then, the Six Stories collection is sure to please with varying styles in pretty muted stones of pink, cornflower blue, sage, vintage cream and dusty lilac. This statement-shoulder design instantly caught our eye and would look delicious in a mix of those sweet pastel shades. Sizes range from UK6 to UK18. 

If you want other ideas for your bridesmaids, don’t miss our edit of the best gold bridesmaid dresses.