Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why is the go to mother of bride outfit a hideous stiff coat dress with hat?

218 replies

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:10

No offence intended. But why do so many mother of the brides wear these horrible long coats with stiff dresses and a huge hat.

I took my mum to a wedding stylist (not cheap) and all she did was pull out outfits like the first image. I told the stylist I wanted my mum in something like the second outfit plus pashmina.

I’m British but my family is European by origin. Is it just tradition? The go to? It’s not even the most flattering. My mum is slim so I don’t get the knee jerk reaction to go for such a dated look

So confused!

Neither image is of my mum

Why is the go to mother of bride outfit a hideous stiff coat dress with hat?
Why is the go to mother of bride outfit a hideous stiff coat dress with hat?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
RosesAndHellebores · 29/03/2025 21:41

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:30

Cause my sisters and I want her looking phenomenal

Show quote history

Can she not be trusted to do that on her own. I'd be deeply disappointed in my daughter if she felt she had to chose my mob outfit. I'd hope she would want me to be me.

FloppySarnie · 29/03/2025 21:39

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:33

I’m getting more at style of dress. The second would suit a larger lady

Show quote history

It really wouldn’t.

KatzenRatzen · 29/03/2025 21:38

I don’t know any British women who would wear that look either, op. I’m not sure it’s a Brit thing.It’s 30 years out of date for starters.

i would avoid anyone called a wedding stylist like the plague.

2Hot2Handle · 29/03/2025 21:36

My mum wore a beautiful evening dress for my wedding. It’s an opportunity for your mum to dress in something that makes her feel beautiful and wonderful on such a special day. I agree with you. Don’t go with the stereotypical MOTB outfit!

Sahara123 · 29/03/2025 21:34

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:15

I’’m not. Just curious. it’s 2025, why is the go to for women in their 50s and 60s such an awful style??

Edited
Show quote history

I don’t think it is the go to. My mum didn’t wear anything like that to my wedding 40 years ago. And I won’t be googling mob outfits for my daughters wedding, I’ll be wearing a lovely dress that I feel good in. That style of outfit is popular with some women but honestly I can’t think of anyone I know who has worn it.

HelenWheels · 29/03/2025 21:34

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:33

I’m getting more at style of dress. The second would suit a larger lady

Show quote history

i dont think so

BashfulClam · 29/03/2025 21:34

My Aunt looked fantastic at my cousins wedding. She wore a summer shift style dress in cream with small blue flowers all over it and her hat and bolero Jacket matched the bridesmaids dress colour exactly. I have seen those coat dresses and they never flatter.

Foolsgold74 · 29/03/2025 21:34

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:31

If that’s how you want to interpret my sincere post go for it

Show quote history

It's not sincere though. It's critical and superior.

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:33

HelenWheels · 29/03/2025 21:32

in your pictures the lady on the left is considerably larger than the one on the right, that may be why

I’m getting more at style of dress. The second would suit a larger lady

OP posts:
Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:33

I was making a Pinterest board for my mum and I had to stop typing in “motb outfits” in the search). Never seen such a collection of such ugly material and silhouettes.

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 29/03/2025 21:32

in your pictures the lady on the left is considerably larger than the one on the right, that may be why

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:31

Foolsgold74 · 29/03/2025 21:30

Clearly because they lack flair, grace, style, imagination, class and that certain European something...

Show quote history

If that’s how you want to interpret my sincere post go for it

OP posts:
Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:30

Thinking I should open an online boutique for motbs

OP posts:
Scottishskifun · 29/03/2025 21:30

I think it tends to be more formal weddings where the MOB feels they have to go into the bridal shops too for the particular outfit.
My mum wore a beautiful summer style dress to my wedding she chose it was comfortable in it from the high street.

Foolsgold74 · 29/03/2025 21:30

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:28

Not one of my European aunts would ever wear that style. It is not the wedding costume for mature women in my home country. Just curious why it is the case for British women of a certain age

Edited
Show quote history

Clearly because they lack flair, grace, style, imagination, class and that certain European something...

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:30

RosesAndHellebores · 29/03/2025 21:25

@Coranne why can't your mum sort out her own frock?

My biggest challenge was the weather - a late September wedding so could have been wet, windy and cold or glorious. In the end it was glorious cold.

Cause my sisters and I want her looking phenomenal

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 29/03/2025 21:30

i was shocked at my friend and her hat and frumpy legs then, minus the hat, i was just the same!
i have sort of got over it

HelenWheels · 29/03/2025 21:28

Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:28

Not one of my European aunts would ever wear that style. It is not the wedding costume for mature women in my home country. Just curious why it is the case for British women of a certain age

Edited
Show quote history

because they think they Ought to

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:28

Foolsgold74 · 29/03/2025 21:23

Whilst I'm not a fan of that look and wouldn't wear it, women can get in to their 50s and beyond and feel that their shape has changed, often due to menopause. Waists can thicken and stiffer fabrics and more formal wear can feel more flattering. How is being European relevant? Are you suggesting European women are typically more stylish than British women?

Not one of my European aunts would ever wear that style. It is not the wedding costume for mature women in my home country. Just curious why it is the case for British women of a certain age

OP posts:
Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:27

Redshoeblueshoe · 29/03/2025 21:20

The second dress is lovely. But a pashmina - I would consider that old fashioned, and I am old.

A gracefully placed, well made shawl is never dated. I think it’s the perfect thing to wear in the evening for a summer wedding

Why is the go to mother of bride outfit a hideous stiff coat dress with hat?
OP posts:
HelenWheels · 29/03/2025 21:27

i looked like my granny
no hat but the jacket and tights did me no favours

but i had to wear a long jacket due to being plus size

RosesAndHellebores · 29/03/2025 21:25

@Coranne why can't your mum sort out her own frock?

My biggest challenge was the weather - a late September wedding so could have been wet, windy and cold or glorious. In the end it was glorious cold.

thenightsky · 29/03/2025 21:23

I wore a wide leg jumpsuit with massive organza sleeves last summer as MOTB. Got loads of compliments.

Foolsgold74 · 29/03/2025 21:23

Whilst I'm not a fan of that look and wouldn't wear it, women can get in to their 50s and beyond and feel that their shape has changed, often due to menopause. Waists can thicken and stiffer fabrics and more formal wear can feel more flattering. How is being European relevant? Are you suggesting European women are typically more stylish than British women?

BIossomtoes · 29/03/2025 21:21

Your mistake was going to a “wedding stylist”. I looked nothing like that for my stepdaughter’s wedding because I went to a normal shop and bought something that looked fabulous.

Swipe left for the next trending thread