THE ROGUE BRIDESMAID

Wondering how to ditch the predictable and go with something different? Though solid color or monochromatics are stunning on bridesmaids, check out what's happening on the bridal front in prints, dots, checks, stripes and florals.  One of the best things about incorporating prints into your bridesmaid scheme is how you can pick up different colors and tie everything together with accessories, including bouquets. A few brave and ingenious brides are even mixing it up having the bridesmaid party sport different prints entirely.  In addition, dresses in prints are likely candidates for actual rewear after the wedding and not likely to be hidden in the back of a closet or eventually cut up to make throw pillows.

STRIPES

Bold and beautiful, stripes can be large or small in scale but always add clean precision to a look.  They go particularly well with nautical and Eastern Seaboard themes.  A word of caution here.  Not all bridesmaids can carry stripes. Petite and curvier figures would go better in thinner, smaller stripe patterns.

POLKA DOTS
Polka dots suggest joy and whimsy.  They also can be associated with pin-up fashion so of course if your bridesmaids like playing a bit of the sexy lady role they're perfect during and after the wedding. The uneven dots pictured below are less bold, more high fashion even sporting stripes at the same time.

FOREVER PLAID

Believe it or not plaids and tartans have been used in winter and Scottish themed weddings for years.  Now  on trend, they can be worn any season of the year.  For my own Scottish themed wedding I was able to blend colors I didn't particularly like on their own for a wedding but had a lot of pizazz when combined in a tartan. The beauty of plaids is they can be the perfect backdrop for mixing colors and making the right accessories pop.

 FLOWER POWER
There are more floral prints out there to be had than just about any print available.  Florals are great for weddings because they're romantic and proffer a certain femininity synonymous with weddings.  Pictured below are bridesmaids all in the same florals as well as in similar patterns that compliment and play off of one another.

These floral print dresses are recycled and made out of vintage sheets.  I just love it!!!

TYE DYE FOR
The height of the hippie/flower child era was late 1960s-early 70s. Tye dye was ever present back then, in casual wear mostly in knits and tee-shirt styles.  Fast forward forty years and formal wear is adopting the look.  Now in cotton and rayon, this rainbow of color would be ideal for a certain kind of bride and her entourage.

GINGHAM AND CHECKS

Checks can go as casual and country picnic as a blue gingham sun dress or as bold as a black and white checker board print.  Checks like stripes are bold and deserve a well thought out silhouette to make them work to the best advantage.  Both these styles boast a simple A-line cut.

 POTPOURRI

Go ahead and mix it up a little--one maid in florals, another in checks and dots.  Like everything else your eye will tell you whether or how much diversion is a winning combo. . . . .

CREDITS AND SOURCES

Header Photo via Pinterest

Photo 2 via Style Me Pretty

Photo 3 via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photo 4 via Enfianced

Photo 5 via The White Dress by the Shore

Photo 6 via Grey Likes Weddings

Photos 7, 8, 9 via Polka Dot Bride

Photo 10 via Wedding Window

Photos 11, 12. 13 via Society Bride

Photo 14 via Wedding Chicks/dresses BHLDN

Photo 15 via Naughty Shorts

Photo 16 via Indivily

Photo 17 via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photo 18 via Bombshell Bridal

Photos 19 and 20 via 100 Layer Cake

Photo 21 via Chic Vintage Brides