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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:
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TizerorFizz · 29/03/2025 21:20

@Coranne No one expects it! Women have free choice about what they choose. Stylish clothes are everywhere! Loads of firms have amazing outfits. So get looking at places that are stylish! Net a Porter, Selfridges and Liberty.

Redshoeblueshoe · 29/03/2025 21:20

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

Monty27 · 29/03/2025 21:20

@Coranne go get something like the 2nd one then. Very chic. Keep us posted as I'm going to be an Auntie of the groom soon.

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:20

Mum2jenny · 29/03/2025 21:19

Let your mum wear what she wants, surely. You want her to be comfortable in herself at your wedding

My mum wears things like I have shown with the second image.

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Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:20

Just really annoyed that I gave the stylist loads of ideas (nothing like the first image) and that’s ALL she showed.

Going to have to figure it out on my own with my mum and sisters. Complete waste of time.

OP posts:
Mum2jenny · 29/03/2025 21:19

Let your mum wear what she wants, surely. You want her to be comfortable in herself at your wedding

ThinWomansBrain · 29/03/2025 21:18

because they are aiming at people that don't have the imagination to make their own decisions about what they'd like to wear?

RosesAndHellebores · 29/03/2025 21:18

I've only been mother of the groom so far. Didn't wear anything like yiur first picture or yiur second although the second is fab.

I wore a fitted, soft velvet tunic over a lace dress. Have worn both separately many times since. Tunic with trousers, frock as a dress at black tie stuff.

Overtheatlantic · 29/03/2025 21:18

Maybe they aren’t that confident about choosing such an important outfit so they go with what they’ve seen others wear? Your child’s wedding isn’t the time to be trying out a kaftan you got in Marrakesh, unless you are truly confident.

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:17

Didimum · 29/03/2025 21:16

I told the stylist I wanted my mum in something like the second outfit plus pashmina.

What does your mum want? Surely that’s all that matters.

Something like I’ve shown.

OP posts:
Didimum · 29/03/2025 21:16

I told the stylist I wanted my mum in something like the second outfit plus pashmina.

What does your mum want? Surely that’s all that matters.

1744sunset · 29/03/2025 21:16

My gran wore similar to my wedding and I’m now in my 50s. Also the role out of Motown when 2% of the guests were alive at the time I find bewildering.

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:15

Mum2jenny · 29/03/2025 21:13

You don’t have to follow google though

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

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Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:14

hulahooper2 · 29/03/2025 21:13

I will be a mob soon and hate the frumpy styles

women my mother’s age are stylish! My mum looks killer in a summer dress. Why all of a sudden is expected that she will put on such frumpiness?

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Mum2jenny · 29/03/2025 21:13

You don’t have to follow google though

hulahooper2 · 29/03/2025 21:13

I will be a mob soon and hate the frumpy styles

Mum2jenny · 29/03/2025 21:12

I certainly never wore anything so ridiculous at my dd’s wedding, or saw such outfits when I was looking for something to wear.

Original poster
Coranne · 29/03/2025 21:11

Type in “mother of the bride dresses” into Google up will pop the most dated and ugly outfits you have ever seen

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