Let’s face it—throughout the history of wedding planning, bridesmaid wedding fashion has usually served as the main source of contention between a bride and her friends. Just the thought of being seen publicly in ruffles, lace, gaudy designs and tacky colors can cause any potential maid to seriously rethink her position in the wedding party.

Luckily, today’s options in bridesmaid attire are more stylish and sophisticated than ever before. Most bridal wear designers and special occasion boutiques offer wide selections of dresses in a range of price points. Remember, shopping for bridesmaid gowns doesn’t have to be a you vs. them situation. Here are five tips on how to find dresses that you love—and they’ll want to wear.

Look for Bridesmaid Dresses with Your Girls in Mind
This means, consider every body type that you’re shopping for. What looks good on a size 6 isn’t may not be as flattering on a size 16. If your attendants come in a variety of sizes, find dresses with simple silhouettes and clean lines that will work on a variety of frames. Also, your bridesmaids should feel comfortable in the wedding fashion you select. Avoid anything too low cut or with a questionable hemline.

Finding the Perfect Bridesmaid Dress Doesn’t Mean Spending the Most Money
So don’t expect for your attendants to shell out big bucks for their gowns. Chances are they’re running up a pretty large tab with other expenses associated with your wedding events. However, if you are determined to have your girls don dresses that come with a hefty price tag, offer to help pay for a portion of the gown. Their wallets will surely thank you.

Color Should Compliment, Not Creep-out
Save your friends, family and everyone else the discomfort of having to sit throw an hour of outrageous colors on parade at your wedding. Fuchsia and neon green are definitely an attention-grabbing combination, but wearing a dress with those same colors is a different story altogether. You’ll want your bridesmaid wedding fashion to coordinate with the colors of your wedding, however, you should take into account the skin undertones of each of your maids by choosing colors that won’t wash out or overpower.

Selecting a Practical Style for Your Bridesmaids is Ideal.
For example, a gorgeous a-line dress in a tea-length looks good no matter the function. In other words, find a dress that your bridesmaids can actually wear again.

Who Says Bridesmaid Dresses Have to Match?
Brides are forgoing identical bridesmaid attire, and allowing friends to select their own dress styles–within a certain color family. Retailers like David’s Bridal offer an impressive selection of mix-and-match separates that bridesmaids can coordinate to their liking.

Shopping for bridesmaid wedding fashion should be fun and exciting—a chance to bond with your best friends and celebrate your special occasion. By following these tips, you’ll have fun shopping for the dresses, and you’ll have bridesmaids that not only look beautiful, but feel beautiful, too!