Where to shop for Mother of the Bride outfit?

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I’m helping my sister shop for an outfit for her DDs wedding in the summer.

So far we have been recommended to try

Catherine’s of Partick in Glasgow
Lady G in East Kilbride
Gina Smart in Ayr
Frox of Falkirk
Catwalk in Falkirk ( who knew there were so many weddings in Falkirk )

We’ve only scanned websites so far and a lot of them look ...ahem....a bit frumpy. Maybe all their cool dresses are just in store

We are also looking for a shop in Edinburgh, where DSis lives, but without success. Apparently the best known shop there for MoB has just closed.

For avoidance of doubt, we are looking for an off the peg outfit, her budget doesn’t stretch to designer.

Here's another in the royal blue you mentioned above. www.jjshouse.co.uk

Not surprised the mil won’t approve of that red dress and hence why bride won’t like it - if your sis has the figure for it, it’s simple and elegant and she would look stunning - pale pink mil will be invisible in the pictures in comparison

This

I'm definitely on MOB camp here

Just wear a gorgeous dress, something not too OTT but really good quality but something in her normal style but up a gear. Grab a matching bolero type of cover up type of thing in case needed or whatever is most appropriate, or she may not feel you need one. Hats are unnecessary if they're not DS' thing and please avoid fascinators, they're just a half excuse for a hat. Hat or nothing. Tell DS to carry a fab clutch bag and some lovely jewellery and her understatement will say everything.
MoB outfits look like they are for 70 year olds who think they are special IMO. Look at the royal weddings, most people were wearing nice dresses not granny suits (the queen doesnt count!). Choose one of her favourite colours and work with that.

I probably wouldn't waste my time visiting Lady G unless you are already in the area. MoB outfits seemed to be very traditional MoB styles and priced around the £1500 mark when my mum looks led for my wedding (11years ago). She ended up getting something in the Catherine's of Partick sale - not what you would think of as MoB but absolutely perfect for her and she was so comfortable in it. Like a wedding dress I'd recommend trying on as many different styles as possible.

I got married 3 years ago when my DM was mid 50's. She had then and has now a far better figure then me ☺️
She got a dress in Coast and a short jacket in Debenhams to go with it. A friend did me a favour and made the fascinators. She looked fantastic.
My DSis would have put me back in my box quicksmart had I been half as rude to her as it sounds like your DNiece is being to her DM.
Is there no-one of that generation sister/cousin who could tell your DNiece that actually as a grown woman her DM can dress herself?

Bombshell dresses are amazing. They do matching capelets. Hot pink maybe?

Knockout hat. Nice jewellery shoes and bag. Gorgeous.

I wear similar colours and shapes to your description of your sister. Pastels look terrible and I feel self conscious in prints, ruffles or lace. I’ve worn similar style to nearly every wedding I’ve been to. I kind of know what your niece means by work dress, fabric and quality makes a difference as does the right accessories.

Also have a look at The Pretty Dress Company. Might fit the bill.

Sorry should have answered your actual question. Stop Staring do lovely fitted dresses with good quality material which might work very well and be comfortably in budget to splurge on a hat.

Just another thought, what about hiring something? Is there not a good shop maybe down the grassmarket?

Bombshell dresses are amazing. They do matching capelets.

I first read that as "matching carpets". Which would be a look I guess.

I know this is patterened and we were looking at plain, but it's lovely and only £109 to hire. Might be more to your DSis taste on this site or others in the area?

chic-by-choice.com/en/dress-hire/206-orchid-print-dress?sizes=3

or this?

chic-by-choice.com/en/dress-hire/636-classic-pink-dress?sizes=3

That’s a brilliant website WaxOn

What about this?
chic-by-choice.com/en/dress-hire/965-kimono-sleeve-v-neck-dress

That’s interesting. But I’m a bit nervous about these dress rental agencies because I’ve heard so many stories about people being let down at the last minute, with orders cancelled or incorrect items delivered.

It’s a shame because it’s money saving and eco friendly, if it works.

Thanks to whoever linked to the Bombshell website. DS has ordered a couple of dresses to see what the shape is like on her.

I don’t think your sister’s going to find anything in those shops, by the sound of her.

My mum got a gorgeous dress in Phase Eight for my wedding a few years back. Dark blue, ruched, slim fitting, knee length. I would agree with other posters who say Hobbs, LK Bennett, John Lewis.

That last one I linked to might be worth looking for not hire, or similar. It’s a great dress, interesting shape, not fussy but looks very luxe.

Bombshell dresses - hurrah. They are lovely.

Just wanted to say that your sister sounds like she has great style and should wear something that's 'her' and not generic MOB.

Thank you @thedevilinablackdress.

D sis and I have been dress shopping today again. We don’t have a dress for her yet but she is narrowing down what she does and doesn’t like. Which is progress anyway.

As far as I can see it seems to be peak season for MoB shopping but too early for normal summer occasion dresses. Fraser’s / John Lewis etc seem to have mostly autumn / winter stock on sale. But all the specialist ship we have visited tell us they are selling out of certain sizes - I don’t know if this is sales pressure talk or the truth.

Someone has recommended Elegance of Perth for hats. We’ve not been yet but their website has some amazing things. Which would probably break the budget but look stunning.

eleganceofperth.com/

That will be a day trip, together with the other two shops MNers have kindly recommended in Perth.

That sounds really positive :)

Hope something good just pops up on the horizon.

Late to the party here, but my best pal recently bought the mint green Phase Eight dress linked to by @Wax as her MoB outfit. She's mid fifties and tried hundreds of traditional MoB outfits which were just not her, and kept coming back to that one.

Do you mean the tape work dress with the keyhole back @Superjaggy?

Yes that's the one! Such a lovely dress

Just to report back to all your helpful Laydees With Sartorial Elegance.

We have been to Perth , Auchterarder, Falkirk and Ayr, thankfully not in the one day.. We still have to do Broughty Ferry and Helensburgh. D sis has even been to MoB shop in Manchester when she was down there for work.

We’ve had pretty good service in most of these shops and it’s certainly been An Experience but sadly have not found The Dress. It’s beginning to blur into one but there’s been a lot of pastel and floral chiffon, lace and illusion sleeves. Beige ( apparently called champagne ) is everywhere.

However we have spent a lot of exhausting but fun time together, which has been lovely. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy her company. I’m also aware how little time we normally spend talking about ourselves - it’s all about the kids / exams /annoying husbands / elderly parents etc.

Online orders were all a fail. The dresses from Bombshell were no use for D sis ( wrong shape ) but I have kept one myself , a wee red velvet number than was in the sale. So now I have a £40 money off voucher link thingie , if anyone wants it . Send me a PM as I don’t think we are allowed to post them here.

So many thanks to whosoever suggested Bombshell.

Still waiting for the new season dresses to come into John Lewis, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Monsoon, Phase Eight etc.

In other good news, BrideZilla DN has got of D sis’ s case and has found other things to worry about. Like the font to be used on the seating plan poster or something else crucial.

Onwards and upwards.

Haven’t read all the posts but have you been to Jane Davidson in Thistle street in Edinburgh? If not definitely worth a visit- ask for Sarah. She is lovely and will get you sorted.