I'm Mother of the Bride and I hate Mother of the Bride outfits

[KristinaM]

Title says it all really. I've looked at hundreds on line, they are all shiny taffeta, pastel chiffon or floral . Its not my style - I like simple but dramatic shapes in bold colours. On the very odd occasion when I get dressed up.

Wedding is in May, a civil ceremony in a country house hotel. I don't have to match or avoid any colours ( apart from white or black obviously ) . I don't even need to wear a hat or a fascinator

I'm a size 10, 5'5". Reasonable budget. It should be easy. Sigh

[KristinaM]

Oh such lovely suggestions here! I don't know where to start

I'm a bit worried about Coast and Hobbs in case I end up wearing the same as one of the guests. What do you think?

But I like the purple dress in the coast link-what will I wear on top though? I would need a jacket /shrug thingie in case it's cold , as I'm not sure my thermal vest will fit under it . Also liking the reiss orange and the net a porter.

i LOVE VW Anglomania ( I have a few of their jersey dresses) but not so keen on the floral one,sorry

Mary-you will be disappointed to hear that the helicopter plan has not worked out but there are still many other tacky elements to the day. Hopefully my outfit wont be one of them . Sigh.

Repeat " smile and nod"

[VestaCurry]

My mum bought a gorgeous Karen Millen slub silk dress with matching coat. Background colour of dress and coat was oatmeal and then the accent colours and pattern were in olive and a kind of burnt soft tangerine. She had always wanted to wear a big hat and we found a gorgeous one in Peter Jones on Oxford Street. Colours weresoft ivory and mink, complemented the outfit beautifully. She was 5ft 1, size 12, and looking back at the pics, she looked sooo elegant but modern. The secret was the beautiful cut of the outfit, no ruffles, but simple elegant lines, showing off the gorgeous material and colours. It meant she could get away with a big hat even though she was quite tiny. I was so proud of my Mum that day. She really was the best dressed woman there, not in a showy way though and she felt really confident.

[KristinaM]

That's a lovely tribute to her, Vesta :-)

[HenriettaChicken]

Another Phase 8 fan here. Mum wore a lovely outfit from there. She looked gorgeous, stylish, confident and happy. And it was comfy too!

[travailtotravel]

I am wearing black to a wedding at the weekend. I was worried, but now I am not - its set to be freezing and I have long sleeves, a beautiful pashmina in gold and black, gold accessories (less tacky than they sound!), and warm legs as I have a new pair of knee high boots!

[KristinaM]

That's sounds lovely travail, especially at a winter wedding. Hope the snow lasts for their photos

[Startail]

DMums was a matching cotton jacket and skirt, black with all over cream floral, leafy pattern so it was summery. Hat with black crown and cream brim. She made it, she's a large lady with an aversion to tents, she always made her own dresses and skirts.

DMIL had a wine background, purple bright blue and gold Indian floaty skirt and blouse and definitely no hat. But my DMIL was 16 years older than my mum and the best advert for late motherhood you could ever meet, she was quite a character.

Both OP wore what they felt comfortable in and that's the important thing.

[member]

My mum wore an indigoey purple plain shift dress with matching fitted jacket. No bows, ruffles,pastels or florals. The cut, colour and the fact that it was made of silk (not shiny,shiny)made it look elegant.

[GemmaTeller]

www.coast-stores.com/nikita-ruched-dress/dresses/coast/fcp-product/2224756020

www.coast-stores.com/elsa-lace-dress/dresses/coast/fcp-product/2143431970

www.coast-stores.com/hoxton-duchess-satin-dress/dresses/coast/fcp-product/2224802389

[Cremolafoam]

www.noanoa.com/en/Women

Some really beautiful separates here. Particularly like the pale green shift in broderie anglaise. There is a matching jacket

[badtasteflump]

I think the traditional MOB 'look' doesn't suit anybody under the age of about 70!

When I was getting married my mum and I were horrified by all the peach taffeta everywhere! We gave up on 'bridal' shops completely and ended up getting her a lovely dress from Monsoon - who do actually have a bridal section anyway (which is better than most of them are).

[badtasteflump]

What about this?

Floral but not granny floral IMO!

[badtasteflump]

Or this?

If florals aren't your thing..

[SpringtimeForHitler]

My Mum got a beautiful plum coloured dress from Karen Millen.

[SpringtimeForHitler]

Yes, no need to bother with bridal shops, the outfits are mostly vile.

[SpringtimeForHitler]

Lots of lovely dresses here

[EuroShaggleton]

My mum wore Jacques Vert to my wedding. It can MOTB central, but her outfit was lovely with not a pastel in sight - a cream edge to edge jacket over a black skirt and black top, with shoes to match the jacket. Basically a very smart and glam suit. She looked fab. She sounds similar to you in that she suits dark or bright colours, in simple, unfussy shapes, and never wears pastels.

[KristinaM]

Thanks for all the links

The black and orange monsoon dress is lovely, but it would wear me I think as the pattern is very bold.

And I forgot that I need to avoid navy as that's what the bridesmaids are wearing. All five of them. In different navy dresses , different fabrics, styles and lengths. And they are not having flowers so will look just like guests.IM not every HO. Ho hum

Amyway, back to the importamt sibject of MY OUTFIT. I've always avoided Karen Millan as I thought it was a bit Tarty. But there are some lovely dresses there too. Ill have to reexamine my prejudices

[SpringtimeForHitler]

know what you mean about tarty, but Mum and I were pleasantly surprised. The dresses she tried on came up a tiny bit small, so keep in mind if you order from the website.

[AWimbaWay]

How about <a class="break-all" href="http://www.jaeger.co.uk/women-dresses/women-dresses,en_GB,sc.html#www.jaeger.co.uk/women-dresses/women-dresses,en_GB,sc.html?sz=96" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">jaeger or fenn wright manson?

My Mum wore a gorgeous floaty soft velvet trouser suit from fwm to my wedding, looked lovely.

[AWimbaWay]

This LK Bennett dress is lovely

or this from mint velvet worn with this jacket.

[AWimbaWay]

Have just seen this dress linked on another dress, watch the video, looks lovely.

[AWimbaWay]

*linked on another dress thread that should read!

[Fluffydressinggown]

My Mum, and a my SIL's mum and a few of my friend's mums all went to Jacques Vert. Some of the stuff is hideous and granny but some of it is very stylish and elegant. My Mum wore a black dress with a cream trim and a cream and black bolero and she looked stunning, I was so proud of her.

this is what my Mum wore, it is quite fitted and then flares out and was just gorgeous.

Obv I am biased ;)

I would avoid Monsoon and Coast for fear of wearing the same as other guests.

[CitizenOscar]

Sorry for late reply - yes DM's tunic top from monsoon was coloured - olive & pink which suited my dress.

It was the result of a personal shopper type service at monsoon.