38 Looks That Prove Bridesmaids' Dresses Can Be Chic

We spotlight a few of our favorite bridesmaid dresses that are stylish enough to be worn again.

natalie jamey wedding bridesmaids
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

lindsey william wedding dc bridesmaids
Abby Jiu Photography

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

kayla michael wedding bridesmaids
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

chic bridesmaids long floral dresses with earrings
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.

04 of 37

Springtime Chic

caitlin amit wedding bride with bridesmaids
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

arielle-matt-wedding-bridesmaids-144-6134241-0716.jpg
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

bride and bridesmaids
Elizabeth Austin Photography

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.

07 of 37

White and Gold

alexis zach wedding italy bridesmaids
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

jeannette taylor wedding portugal bridal party
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

chic bridesmaids fringed lacy black gowns
Jonny Scott Photography

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.

10 of 37

Add Sparkle

chic bridesmaids different sparkled gowns with bride
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

sejal-narayana-wedding-georgia-359-s111893.jpg
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

lisa greg italy wedding bridesmaids bride arch
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

chic bridesmaids navy blue elegant gowns
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

bridesmaids
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

glara matthew wedding bridesmaids
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

chloe shayo south africa wedding bridesmaids bride steps
Rensche Mari

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

chic bridesmaids various color gowns
Christina Karst

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

wedding bridesmaids
Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography

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

chic bridesmaids split front white gown with gold heels
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.

20 of 37

Back in Black

wedding bridesmaids black dresses
The Edges Wedding Photography

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

jaya-jordan-mwds108258-0110.jpg
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

kendall jackson wedding bride and bridesmaids
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

emily adhir wedding bridesmaids
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

sisters in field
Lani Elias Fine Art Photography

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

25 of 37

Boho Babes

chic bridesmaids bohemian style gowns with flower crowns
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

chic bridesmaids short gold and pink dress
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

chic bridesmaids simple column white attire
Katherine Ann Rose

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

chic bridesmaids solid and pattern gowns
Paula O’Hara

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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True Blue

tali-mike-real-wedding-bridal-party-grandparents-home.jpg
Jose Villa

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.

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Simply Stunning

chic bridesmaids chiffon garden style gown
Charla Storey Photography

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.

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Set the Tone

chick bridesmaids light and dark floral pattern gowns
Caitlin B Photography

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.

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All That Glitters

chic bridesmaids assorted metallic glitter gowns
Jose Villa

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.

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Black and White

petra-marc-wedding-santa-barbara-0430-s111812.jpg
Corbin Gurkin

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.

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Pop of Color

nicole-bradley-napa-california-wedding-0280-s112349.jpg
Aaron Delesie

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

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New Year's Style

lori-jan-wedding-bridesmaids-00227-s112305-1215.jpg
Trent Bailey Photography

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.

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A Little Lace

taylor-john-wedding-bridesmaids-60-s112507-0116.jpg
Abby Jiu Photography

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

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Rose Gold

jenny-freddie-wedding-france-494-d112242-watermarked-1215.jpg
Polly Alexandre Photography

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

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