38 Looks That Prove Bridesmaids' Dresses Can Be Chic

By Shira Savada
February 08, 2016
KT Merry

Looking for bridesmaids' dresses your girls will actually want to wear again? These statement-making outfits show just how easy it is to outfit your attendants in cool attire.

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KT Merry

While the bride and groom will always be the center of attention on the wedding day, we love it when bridesmaids (and groomsmaids) are able to shine, too. It's important for your attendants to feel comfortable and confident in their outfits, as this will shine through in your wedding photos. No matter what aesthetic you're going for, it's entirely possible to find stylish, flattering, and chic wedding-day attire for your bridesmaids. In fact, you actually have a number of different options that will help you do just that.

The mismatched trend gives your bridesmaids the freedom to choose a silhouette that suits each woman's body type. If you're nervous about everyone looking unified, you can even give them swatches of your preferred dress colors and fabrics. If being dressed in the exact same color isn't your first priority, have them dress in different shades of the same color family—some 'maids can wear navy, others in sky blue or turquoise. Or keep it consistent by putting them in the same dress and letting them accessorize how they see fit, or asking each woman to choose any look she loves in a certain fabric. By the way, no one says they have to wear dresses at all. Separates or jumpsuits are other great options for your fashion-forward bridal party.

If you're having a hard time choosing just one look, include a few different options instead. This bride had more than a dozen attendants by her side, so she asked her sisters and sister-in-law to wear guipure lace Self-Portrait dresses, and her friends to wear off-white Shona-Joy ankle-length dresses. When gathered together, the styles all complemented one another.

Whether you want to go short, bohemian, or ultra-modern, there's a way to dress your bridesmaids in looks that read as effortless and chic. Here, some of the most fashionable examples we've seen yet.

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Getting a Metal

Abby Jiu Photography
Letting Your Bridesmaids Choose Their Own Dresses? Here's How to Help Guide Their Search

The bride created a palette of muted metallics and neutrals for her bridal party, then asked each 'maid to choose her own look. The end result was a curated collection of amazing gowns.

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No Dresses Here

Mary Dougherty

Help your maids of honor stand out by dressing them in something unique. These women wore Delphine Manivet jumpsuits to ensure they looked different than the rest of the bridesmaids.

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A Uniting Accessory

Timwill Photography

Although each woman wore a long floral dress of her choosing, their looks were unified with matching accessories: earrings by Rebecca De Ravenel.

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Springtime Chic

Sally Pinera

Channel the season with plenty of floral-prints. To further diversify your group's look, ask a few of your 'maids to wear a solid in the same color palette, just like this fashion-forward party did.

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Festive Formalwear

Adam Barnes

Having a fancy wedding? Long black gowns are always a good idea, as this chic group goes to show.

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Gold and Glam

Elizabeth Austin Photography
Gold Bridesmaid Dresses

Mismatched gowns meant the women in this group could choose their preferred neckline. We'd have a hard time choosing between these Bari Jay gold numbers—each option is more glamorous than the last.

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White and Gold

Kyle John Photography

This bridal party wore dresses made by the same designer as the bride's gown—Maria Korovillas. The group all wore white, ivory, and brass tones, but each dress had its own personality.

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Something Dark Blue

Abby Jiu Photography

Want to ensure everyone loves their look? Then let your 'maids choose their own dresses. This stylish group all wore midnight blue Halston gowns.

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Fringe Benefits

Jonny Scott Photography
Chic Black Bridesmaid Dresses

Talk about a dress you can wear again! The fringed edges of these short black numbers make the dresses perfect for a fancy night on the town or chic party.

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Add Sparkle

Bakerture Photo & Video

Looking great doesn't have to cost a fortune. Case in point: These bridesmaids wore stunning green Badgley Mischka gowns rented from Rent The Runway.

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Gilded Details

Kat Braman

This bride knew she wanted her ladies to wear gray, but she customized their gowns with golden details at the neckline and hemline.

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Blush Bridesmaids

Heather Waraksa

The women in this group selected their own pale pink gowns. Their fashion sense was clearly off the charts, as these dresses—with off-the-shoulder necklines, cutouts, and mermaid-hems—were all so chic.

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Beautiful in Navy

Petronella Photography

If you want a look that toes the line between elegant and sultry, dresses like the navy blue options from Something Peridot might be right for you.

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Light and Lacy

Polly Alexandre Fine Photography

Consider texture when outfitting your bridal party. These four ladies all donned white crocheted-lace Self-Portrait dresses that showed off their personalities (and cute, neutral shoes).

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Silky Gown

Heather Waraksa

This group of attendants dazzled in metallic-hued gowns, many in luxe satin or with lovely, feminine draping.

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Ladies in White

Rensche Mari
26 Chic Bridal Parties Wearing All-White Dresses

White doesn't have to be reserved for the bride, as this cool group dressed in Something Peridot goes to show. If you don't like being the center of attention, having your ladies wear the clssic bridal color might help you feel a bit more at ease.

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Get Colorful

Christina Karst
Your Burning Bridesmaid Dress Questions, Answered!

Don't be scared of color—or lots of color! Pick a handful of hues you love, then let your bridesmaids do the rest. These ladies all selected their own dress and the resulting mix looked perfect.

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Stylish Separates

Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography
Trending Now: Two-Piece Bridesmaids' Looks

To practically guarantee re-wear, consider a two-piece look. J.Crew cashmere sweaters are a closet staple, and they looked great paired with custom silk faille skirts.

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Crisp and White

Figtree Wedding Photography

These off-the-shoulder dresses were the epitome of cool. We don't know what we love more: The split-front detail, or each woman's great choice in accessories.

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Back in Black

The Edges Wedding Photography
12 New Rules for Dressing Your Bridesmaids

Choose a designer that makes dresses in luxe fabrics, a multitude of styles, and a slew of colors and then leave the rest up to your attendants. These black gowns by Alexia María were all winners.

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Chic Saris

Meg Smith Photography

We love that this trio of bridesmaids donned a mix of pink and coral saris accented with gold embroidery and trim.

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Pinks and Nudes

Jenn Emerling

This bride tasked her attendants with choosing their own ensembles within a pre-selected color palette of nudes and blushes. But they weren't limited to dresses—jumpsuits were highly encouraged, too.

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Get Colorful

Brandon Kidd Photography

Fashionable bridesmaids' looks don't have to cost a fortune. These affordable ensembles were from ASOS.

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Pretty in Pink

Lani Elias Fine Art Photography
Found: 11 Bridesmaids Dresses That Will Bring Together the Bride and Her Entire Bridal Party

Most sisters appreciate when you let them choose their dress with just a few guidelines—in this instance, it was long and pink.

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Boho Babes

Melissa Gayle

To outfit your bridal party in an overall bohemian style, let your attendants choose a mix of different dresses and fabrics. Then top of each woman's ensemble with a fresh flower crown, just like this group did.

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Short and Sweet

KT Merry

This trio of bridesmaids showed off their gorgeous figures in short Lilly Pulitzer frocks. Petite bouquets played up the gold-and-pink tones.

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White on White

Katherine Ann Rose
3 Ways to Ensure Your Bridesmen Stand Out at the Wedding

Go modern with simple column dresses, like these by Name of Love. Push the envelope more by having your bridesmaids (and bridesmen) wear all white, too. 

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Mix It Up

Paula O’Hara
28 Reasons to Love the Mismatched Bridesmaids' Dress Look

If half of your bridesmaids wear solids and the other half wears a pattern, you'll get an awesome look, just like this group. One piece of advice: Shop from one designer in the same season—in this case Reformation—to keep the colors and materials consistent.

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