Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, September 2004
There’s a memorable scene in the 2008 movie 27 Dresses in which the sweet, lovelorn protagonist Jane Nichols (played by Katherine Heigl) flings open the double doors of her overflowing Manhattan closet to reveal an astonishing assortment of bridesmaids gowns: kooky, eyebrow-raising remnants of, yes, 27 separate weddings. From spangled mesh crinolines to ill-fitting satin corsets, each piece is more comical (and notably poof-ier) than the last.
While our fictional film heroine had no choice in her wedding attire, in the real world it seems that an increasing number of brides are loosening the style reins and allowing their designated ‘maids to select their own dresses in a specific color palette. Of course, there are rules. To avoid a total cacophony of shades, gowns should be synced to a single fabric swatch (honestly, even navy has a surprising number of variations). And although it’s imperative that every woman in the wedding party find her own figure-flattering silhouette, it’s advisable to give guidelines on fabrications, necklines, hem lengths and heel height too.
Granted, this new dress code demands careful attention, but if the bridesmaids feel fashionably happily-ever-after then, chances are, so too will the bride. These four examples are what you might call a mix-match made in heaven.
Something Blue
Photographed by Craig McDean. Vogue, January 2014
Tory Burch floral shift dress, $225; farfetch.com; Suno floral maxi dress, $595; otteny.com; Weekend Max Mara Leslie dress, $234; matchesfashion.com; Cédric Charlier blue green strapless A-line dress, $1,590; avenue32.com; BCBG Shaina sleeveless pleated gown, $398; bcbg.com
Photo: (From Left) Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of otteny.com; Courtesy of avenue32.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of BCBG
Pretty in Pink
Photographed by Ellen von Unwerth, Vogue, June 01, 1998
Rebecca Taylor chiffon pleat gown, $699; rebeccataylor.com; Moschino Cheap & Chic strapless lace dress, $395; farfetch.com; Michael Kors floral print cut out detail dress, $1,307; farfetch.com; Dolce & Gabbana floral pink dress, $1,332; farfetch.com; By Sun pink shoulder pleated A-line dress, $595; wolfandbadger.com; Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Avery flower devoré silk dress, $755; matchesfashion.com
Photo: (From Left) Courtesy of rebeccataylor.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of wolfandbadger.com; Courtesy of dressforau.com.
Jewel Tones
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, March 2009
Photo: (From Left) Courtesy of avenue32.com; Courtesy of modaoperandi.com; Courtesy of modaoperandi.com; Courtesy of Intermix; Courtesy of avenue32.com
Black-Tie Black
Photo: Samuel Lippke & Allan Zepeda for Samuel Lippke Studios
Anna Sui sequin embellished dress, $357; stylebop.com; Donna Karan strapless sequined dress, $1,015; farfetch.com; Ashish sequined asymmetric dress, $2,249; farfetch.com; Tome black lace dress with silver silk lame lining, $1,805; modaoperandi.com; Tory Burch embellished crepe gown, $995; dressforau.com
Photo: (From Left) Courtesy of stylebop.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of modaoperandi.com; Courtesy of Tory Burch