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

[Coranne]

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

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

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

I will be a mob soon and hate the frumpy styles

You don’t have to follow google though

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

@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.

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

@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.

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.

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?

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

@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.

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

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

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