Why Are Mother Of The Bride Outfits So Expensive?

[TheCatsBlanket]

Just that really. Daughter’s getting married in June this year and I’ve been looking both online and trying some on in shops. None have impressed me enough to say yes, but dear god, the price of them is extortionate. I’ve tried to think that it’s my only daughter’s big day and I shouldn’t be so stingy, but I can’t get my head around the fact they’re priced in the region of £600 plus! And then of course I’d need to get some shoes and a hat too which will take the cost up even further.
Such a rip off

Hire something or buy second hand?
Just look for something you like and feel comfortable wearing that isn't labelled "mother of the bride"?

No, don't fall for a dress in a wedding shop. Just go to a nice retailer and buy a nice dress. The dress I bought for my son's wedding was equivalent to 100 GBP, and it was lovely.

I’m definitely now starting to look for second hand yes, although so far it’s not proving as easy as I’d hoped but I’ll keep searching

Don't buy a "mother of the bride" outfit.
Pull something together yourself!

If you're looking for a fitted, knee-length dress and matching coat in polyester satin, you are likely to get ripped off because the only women looking for those are anxious mothers of brides (and grooms).

Buy a lovely dress and a separate jacket, not labelled as 'Mother of Bride', and you'll be spoilt for choice!

Just go to John Lewis and get a personal shopper to put together a flattering outfit for you - not something someone has put a MoB label on at three times the price

I have ordered one off Freemans that should be delivered in a couple of days, just hoping it’s dressy enough and will be even better with some nice accessories.

Just buy a beautiful dress.
No MoB nonsense. Just a beautiful dress.

I’m definitely not looking for knee length polyester satin, I did succumb to trying one on though, and it made me look like Mrs Slocombe from Are You Being Served!

This was the favourite so far, a lovely floral floaty dress that felt lovely on, it was by some designer I’ve never heard of and it retails for £499 which I think is still too expensive so I’m on all kinds of Pre-loved sites and have signed up to Vinted to try and find it.

The picture is off eBay, and I thought I’d cracked it when it popped up, but even they’re asking £480

I’m a bit shit at trying to pull anything together unless it’s tracky bottoms and a jumper!

No

What do you mean, no?

Do you guys have a Marshall’s or a TJ max. They’ve been showing a lot of wedding apparel for mother of the bride or groom. Or go to Nordstrom or nieman Marcus on a sale. Anthropology’s is expensive but maybe look for a sale. They do a lot wedding dresses for bride and mother of the bride and guests. You’d have to stay on top of it though.

Vinted. Type in mother of bride outfits. Worn once (!)

Because everything to do with weddings is a huge rip-off.

Whilst I totally get this post, from your title and previous posts, it sounds like you want something "insta-ready"
Which is cringe.
Just get a nice outfit which suits you, matches your budget and which you'll feel good in.

Is there any other criteria?

I know I can buy from overseas and you should be able to also. And with wedding apparel make sure if your buying off the internet to get it larger than you are bc it’s better to tailor in and sizes run very small

And go with a single color. Florals are not great

Because it’s a floral. You need to a single color.

We have TKMaxx, same as TJ Maxx just a different letter. We don’t have Marshall’s no, I know of them as I use to live in USA, but none here as far as I know, nor the others you’ve mentioned although I’m not one for clothes shopping anyway, so perhaps I could google to see if they are in UK

Navy’s are great, champagne, greens. Light colors but nothing tacky or neon. No barbie pink or turquoise. Subdued and elegant

If you live near Whitley Bay, St Oswald's Hospice has a bridal wear shop in Whitley Bay with about 500 wedding and mother of the bride dresses plus all accessories. Many are new, or worn once and cleaned. They are immaculate. Whole outfit would cost you less than £100.

Many people donate all of their wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and MOB outfits after their wedding, especially if they have lost a close family member who the hospice has supported and helped. It is a lovely tradition and the shop is amazing.

I went to look because I am contemplating giving them mine which was handmade by my best friend and is just lovely. I am close to being able to part with it but DH wants me to keep it- he has a notion DD will wear it.

Can you post a picture. It’s sounds beautiful.

There’s a hospice charity shop near me that sells mother of bride and occasion wear, it’s arranged nicely like a boutique. Maybe see if anything similar near you. There’s also a dress agency with expensive outfits.

Been doing just that since I downloaded the Vinted app earlier, just apprehensive about buying something I can’t try on first, seems like sizing of mother of bride dresses varies widely