How much is “too much” to ask your bridesmaids to spend on a dress?

My bridesmaid dresses are $110 for custom sizing off Azazie.com, my sister is doing all of our makeup, and everyone is doing their own hair. In addition to the dress, I'm asking them to purchase a $30 faux fur shawl since we are having a winter wedding. I think asking them to pay more than $200 on their wedding day apparel is asking a lot especially since most brides pick dresses based on their likes rather than their bridesmaids' likes. Adding their apparel and the bachelorette party festivities, I think $400 is reasonable.

I only have two in my party...I suggested just choosing something in green, but they wanted more details. We settled on an exact shade of teal, and I told them it had to be short (knee-length or whatever) and no halters (I don't like them). I've always appreciated when I'm just given a color and get to find something that looks good on me.

It depends if the dress is something your bridesmaids can use for another occasion then yes. But $295 with taxes and all comes out to $300 for one night. Maybe you can look into a similar dress online or at a different location that might cost less. At the end of the day the dress will get dirty and if alterations are required it may end up being nearly $350-400