In the grand scheme of things I'm sure this isn't actually a big deal, but I'd love some advice from you ladies if I should bother addressing this at all and if so, how to address it.
I have 6 BM, ranging from sister, childhood friends, college friends and FSIL. When I chose what they'd be wearing, I decided to keep it very open so that they could all wear something they'd feel beautiful in, only specifying 3 things: color (and since they'd likely be getting the dresses different places I said that a range of colors would be ok), length (I'm wearing a tea length dress, so didn't want them in anything longer than that), and for the dress to be a gauzy material (chiffon or similar.) They are choosing their dresses now, some of them checking with me for approval (not required!) and 2 of them have come back with lace dresses, which I'd really prefer they not choose, as it doesn't really fit the feel of the venue or anyone elses attire. Is this worth addressing with them, or should I not bother and just let them wear what they want? How should I talk to them about it if it's worth addressing?
Re: bridesmaid dresses
I'm not a chiffon person, it's probably not a dress I'd wear again. On the other hand, I LOVE lace, so I get it, and as a BM I would very much try to find a dress in your colour requirements that I could wear again.
At the same time, I will concede that it is a traditional the WP wears attire that is matching to some sort of theme and agreed upon by the B&G, so in that case, if you don't want lace, I would go with Starmoon's wording.
If you wanted matchy-matchy you had that as an option and you chose this route instead. If they love the lace dress, don't get in the way. OTOH, you can say "I was hoping for more of a chiffon type look" - and it could just be that it's difficult for her to come up with something that fits that parameter in her budget and where she's been to shopping..
Fwiw, I think the mix of lace and chiffon will be fine.
When you use the phrase "came back with lace dresses", do you mean they sent you pics of dresses they are thinking about and asked your opinion?
If they are asking for your opinion anyway, than I think it's fine to say either, "I'd really prefer chiffon," or, if you want to give your opinion but still stay a little flexible, "I'd really prefer chiffon but, if you can't find any dresses you like in chiffon, it's okay if you choose this lace one."