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

because they think they Ought to

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

Cause my sisters and I want her looking phenomenal

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

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.

Thinking I should open an online boutique for motbs

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

i dont think so

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.

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!

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.

It really wouldn’t.

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.

I'm struggling with the concept of 'dressing' your mother. My fiesty little mam would have never gone for that. She looked stylish at all her kid's weddings all by herself!

The coat aspect covers up flab. A shawl does this as well but not as effectively as the coat dress cover up.

I think the problem is historic.

MOB would wear her best dress, coat and hat, back when going out without a hat was unthinkable. My grandmother (would be 109 if she was alive now) would never be seen out with a hat. And then it was hat for church, so Sunday best was wedding wear and its kind of hung on.

To the point where now the idea is that dress, coat, hat is the wedding standard for MOB and no one seems to have moved on from that

OP I think you are annoyed with the service you received.
I can't remember seeing any mothers of the bride dressed like in the first picture at any of the weddings in the UK where I've been a guest.
You were unfortunate in having received the wrong service.
Your mother doesn't have to fit in with a perceived local style. It's not even a common style in my experience.
Most stylish women in any country are perfectly capable of choosing their own outfit. Your mother will look fantastic. She doesn't need to follow the local custom because it doesn't actually exist. Certainly not in the way your google findings suggest.
Forget all that and let your mother choose herself. Veto if you must, but I suspect she knows what to do.
What you might need is suggestions for UK shops selling beautiful dresses.
Style & Beauty board is the place for that.

And my mum likes her daughters dressing her up. People are different I guess 🤷

I’ve seen those MOB outfits in shops, but I don’t know who’s buying them. I’m at the age where I’m at a wedding every other month at the moment, and I haven’t seen anyone wearing one!

Of course it would