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

Sadly I’m nowhere near that location, I live in the north west. I wish there was something like that here though

Since she made it for y, I’d keep it. It sounds really special. For your husband wanting you to keep it it must be great. Men don’t usually care about that stuff.

I wore second hand for both my children's weddings. Spent £35 on one and £30 on the other. Husband, on the other hand, was swearing as he had to buy a suit to match the rest on the wedding party!

A guy I know told his daughter he'd give her £X towards her wedding, but if she wanted him to wear a new suit it would have to come out of that budget.

Disagree with PP saying no to florals and go plain. Why? Just choose something you like but don't restrict yourself to traditional 'mother of the bride' outfits. Find the dress first (assuming you want a dress). Think how it would look in the photo line-up with the bridal party. It needs to not stand out too much but still be mildly interesting. Then work forwards from there with jacket/shawl, shoes, hat, bag.

Well, I tried that and my daughter who said she didn’t care nixed my choices with more than one color. It has to not conflict with the wedding gown and a floral will pull the eye away from the bride and be off. Especially if the bridesmaids and men are in solids

In pictures

Look on Vinted, worn once

Just an example

But make sure of your measurements and if it doesn’t fit you can return it. You can lose a lot of money guessing it fits and feels good on you. It’s a long night. Been there, twice.

Yes I agree, I brought a lovely pair off Zara jeans off there, tried them on and they where ankle swingers 🤣🤣 lesson learnt

Clearly you have to keep the bride happy. But there are very many floral which would not distract from the bridal party. Most bridesmaids are in plain colours so to continue with plain and be colour coordinated is quite ... regimented(?) and risks looking like the MoB wants to be too closely associated with bridesmaids and matron of honour? I personally would be a step further away, stylistically.

Yes this! It's a fabulous experience tbh

Is there a theme for the wedding?

If you’re very thin you could probably get away with a Vinted dress. If not, you’re taking a chance and I was thin when my son got married. A size 4 or small but a size 12 in wedding wear. Just be aware of how it feels on you the most. Enjoy your wedding.

It is being cleaned at the minute - to go to the hospice shop or into a proper wedding dress bag on a rail in the attic rather than taking up space in my wardrobe shrouded in a large white cotton sheet- but this is what it is based on. The lace was different though- I bought it in a market in France on holiday . It was old and needed washing and repairing and there was only just enough on the roll. It's a very slightly pinky/ oystery creamy colour. My friend worked a miracle with it. No veil or anything. Just had some flowers from FIL allotment.

If you say what size you are, OP, people will be able to offer suggestions.
This is size 12, pure silk by Fenn Wright & Manson (RIP - lovely brand) and one hell of a bargain!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375951705605

That’s is actually my dream wedding dress. I couldn’t find it anywhere. I got married in 1986 and every thing had puffy sleeves and horrible polyester acetate material. I wound up going to kleinfelds when they were just in Brooklyn ny and got a sample and simple dress but your dress was what Ii wanted. Simple and elegant at the same time

Ewwwww

And old, are they still around

Are you trying to make her look bad

I was going by OP's preferred choice! Dresses like this make me look a truck driver wearing his granny's bedroom curtains 😂

Now I've looked, Ebay is TEEMING with Jacques Vert outfits - MOB extraordinaire - at under £100 for silk and around £45 in other fabrics.

@VanCleefArpels thanks to the advice of a local friend. This is exactly what I have done for my daughter's wedding in August because I do not wear occasion wear. I live in jeans and tracksuits and gym gear if I'm not in dogwalking garb🤦🏼‍♀️

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