Mother of the bride outfit help please

[buttyblahblah]

I need some help please! I have volunteered to help DM find an outfit for my sister's wedding but she is even harder to find clothes for than me and we both hate shopping.

It doesn't have to be too formal but has to be comfortable. Definitely soft trousers, scoop neck top and arms covered.

She is under 5 foot, size 18 ish, mostly due to big boobs, small shoulders, in her 70s.

I found this online but it's from China so I really need easy returns or a real shop so she can try things on. We're near Birmingham. Any ideas please?

https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/1257028128151812171?q=mother+of+the+bride+trouser+suit+stourbridge&client=safari&sa=X&hl=en-gb&biw=320&bih=529&tbs=vw:g,ss:44&prds=epd:4684534697286071586,paur:ClkAsKraX8Xztx2ilRW02IfcrcaQDxg3HcjvWnRBzdL6oPpvGslbaXwXRjk2ooeFbvKN9bHbjXnpJ5LrRa63okeawYqLbZkD4ZaVl3cEA-QSFbkLc3MfqVVJRIZAFPVH72wyXZhfnE0gYc2zVrzvG62ysjJw,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwiBofKEw55dAhUaM8AKHZEvDJgQgTYI_AM

Have a look at chescadirect.co.uk

Also available at John Lewis

Brilliant thank you. I can take her for a prosecco first in Grand Central!

Try Debenhams or John Lewis, if you can manage to go instore it my we'll be easier, Jacques Vert usually have loads of items like it

Why send away to China? If you’re near Birmingham can’t you go for a browse in Selfridges?

(Really sorry but the outfits you’ve posted are dreadfully unstylish. I can’t imagine anyone would feel chic in them. And they’d look awful drab in the wedding photos. So it’s good you’re looking elsewhere!)

I don't think we're looking for chic, merely moderately smart!

I'll do some browsing and then take her later on, she can't go wandering around due to mobility issues and lack of interest.

In the wedding or the clothes?

You said the outfit doesn’t need to be too formal - will she be dressing for daytime or later on? What sort of venue? And how soon will it be? Will she need to be warmly dressed?

Also, before asking about budget, is the outfit likely to be worn again (in which case perhaps worth some investment) or just for the day (in which case she might want to spend less)?

What is her budget?

Would your mother wear a dressy jacket and trousers? (I would personally be mortified if my - rather older - mother attended any wedding of mine in a stereotypical MOB outfit. I’d want her to wear whatever suited her best.)

It's in a nice country hotel but not posh. DS has said she wants us to be comfortable and she's not uptight about formal photos. No hats or fascinates required, single outfit all day.

We have to work with a pretty strict list of dislikes. Nothing structured, nothing too tailored, soft non itchy materials, large boobs will be worn low, previous attempts to get her into an under wired bra have failed.

Shoes will be sandals from Hotter, she has many pairs.

A dressy jacket sounds nice but I have found for myself that narrow shoulders and big boobs are a nightmare with a normal jacket. Some kind of soft jacket would be good, she does tolerate shoulder pads.

I think she would spend maybe £200 max if she could wear parts of it again on holidays.

Minimal browsing and trying on so I need to do all the prep work first.

I am nearly as awkward but have found an outfit I am happy with and DS approves.

Ok ... !

This is over budget but would it be too structured? Could be worn with a plain top and trousers she might already have or that could be bought more cheaply. (She’d be a size 23 I think.)

Or, closer to your description - would she consider one of these?

They’re rather beautiful - very soft and cosy. Again, could be worn with things already in her wardrobe or pick up-able. Would be wearable anywhere forever afterwards. And absolutely not MOB-ish. What d’you think?

That marina rinaldi coat is gorgeous but I don't think it would work on someone who's 5ft.

The toast ones are ok but not smart. Too hippy.

What about a personal shopper? They have a room so you can sit down and have stuff brought to you.

Dawn French and Helen Teague's fashion company make clothes that are very easy to wear but a bit unusual.

sixteen47.com/products/5495-pink-tulip-print-linen-capped-sleeve-handkerchief-tunic-dress?category=19&page=3 this top couple be worn with a tapered pair of dark trousers but still look special.

sixteen47.com/products/5176-sea-green-crepe-jersey-fluting-tunic?category=53&page=2 this is a pretty colour

sixteen47.com/products/5506-ecru-linen-34-sleeved-shirt?category=72&page=1 or this shirt could be used to give a slightly more tailored/jacket appearance.

Be careful though - some of the prints are...interesting.

www.romanoriginals.co.uk/diamante-overlay-jumpsuit-40736nav

What about something like this?

I think the coats would swamp her and there's no room for boobs.

She would be happy with a traditional MoB outfit, you might be aiming too high!

The jumpsuit is probably closest to what she might wear but she has previously declared jumpsuits to be "bloody stupid things". I will check out what else they have though.

I will try a personal shopper in John Lewis, I was just worried after reviews on here that some were awful and didn't stock plus sizes even after being pre-warned.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

18 isn't really plus size any more, most of the brands stocked by John Lewis will go up to at least 18.
I hope she finds something lovely to wear.

Thanks Tick. Fingers crossed.

My mum is a similar size and shape and we found her a lovely dress and jacket in Phase Eight.