38 Looks That Prove Bridesmaids' Dresses Can Be Chic

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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. 

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.

This group proves that your 'maids don't have to wear the exact same dress in the exact same shade. Each woman wore navy blue, and the variations are stunning. 

You can't go wrong with elegant chiffon dresses for a garden wedding. We can't get enough of the pretty pink hue these ladies wore.

Solids and patterns go together nicely, as this group, all dressed in Show Me Your Mumu, goes to show. To achieve similar fashion success, pick solids that feature the same hues that are seen in the patterned options.

Ask your ladies to find sparkly, sequined dresses in assorted metallics. These long gowns in shades of gold, rose gold, and champagne show just how beautiful mixed metallics can look.

These bridesmaids all wore various silhouettes in black and white and were just as chic as the bride in her floral skirt. "I didn't want them to look the same at all!" said the bride. She definitely achieved that perfect mix-and-match look and her bridesmaids were definitely thankful to be able to wear dresses that suited their personalities. 

The bride's sisters wore bold printed Vera Wang gowns that worked perfectly with the scarlet floral arrangements.

At this New Year's Day wedding, bridesmaids wore dresses in varying shades of blue that matched the bride's vintage Hollywood vision. Tying the knot as you usher in the new year? Consider asking your bridesmaids to choose something sparkly.

For this springtime wedding, bridesmaids wore printed Erin Fetherston dresses.

The champagne shades of these glamorous gowns make these girls look like liquid (rose) gold. Consider a universally-flattering color palette like this one.