Mother of the groom outfit for DM

[trumpisaflump]

My DB is getting married in the summer and my mum is already panicking about an outfit for the wedding. She is a bit stressed as she doesn’t particularly get on with my DB’s fiancé who she tells me is a bit of a Bridezilla. His fiancé wants to go shopping with my DM to input to her outfit choice but the shops she is thinking about have outfits priced around £1000 and there’s no way my DM could afford that as she’s divorced and survives only on a state pension.
Anyway my DM is hoping to have a look for an outfit by herself first of all then she can hopefully get the nod of approval from my DB’s fiancé. She is hoping to spend about £200-£300 for the outfit, she’s a size 14 and age 73 so she doesn’t want anything too short or tight. I’ve had a look online and I can go shopping with her too but wanted to pick MN’s collective brains too for maybe some retailers I haven’t thought about.

Aww, I feel for your Mum. It probably feels stressful enough without this added pressure, plus 200-300 quid is still a lot of money for one outfit.
This might not be the solution for your Mum, but what about trying some of the charity shops? My friend and I sometimes go to 'naice' areas where we often find quite high end labels at v. reasonable prices? At a size 14, your Mum should have plenty of choice and even find a hat etc to go with it?
Good luck, I'm sure your support will mean a lot x

My son is getting married this summer too and I’ve just booked a free session with a stylist at John Lewis. There’s no obligation to buy and they will suggest things that will be suitable and look good (I’m hoping!)
You can tell them how much you’re looking to spend so you don’t have to worry about going over budget. Might be worth considering for your mum too?

@Lovewineandchocolate I know and I think that might be a conservative estimate. The accessories all add up too! She's also stressing about being able to afford a wedding present/contribution so I hope she can resist the pressure to spend a lot on her outfit.
@Mynxie that's a brilliant idea. We'll definitely do that. Good luck with your son's wedding too.

When my brother got married I had to get my mum an outfit which would make her look respectable (she has dementia), and I got her a full Jacques Vert outfit (dress, jacket, hat and handbag) from ebay for £50 which had been worn once as a MOG outfit. Afterwards I sold it on for about the same amount! It looked fantastic and no one would ever have known

The pretty dress company has some lovely outfits.

Tbh I'd be telling the bride where to go if I was your mum - she should be able to choose her own outfit!

Nope to the bride going with her ...I was mother of the groom last year &got a very reasonable dress/jacket phase 8 ..the bag &hat also reasonable,..shoes were from Boden so above my normal but were beautiful ...I’ve worn the outfit since then too so cost/wear well worth it ...not my typical style nor colours but as mother of the groom I had to be appropriately dressed so as to look dressy but not draw attention tawny from the bride eg wearing my preferred colours that are dark &vivid ..my daughter in law was very relaxed though and quite lovely ,even sending me links &ideas to help me ...so find out colours of the bridal partly &mother of the bride and go from there ..it was an online purchase in the end after trying on many many outfits...the pressure is real😂the photos are forever but all eyes on the bride and groom ..good luck

@CMOTDibbler that's great! I've had a look on eBay and they have loads of Jacque Vert outfits. We'll have a look at these. And if she goes for one I can sell it for her again afterwards. Excellent thanks.

I bought a dres s for my son's wedding in country casuals for £80. Traditionally the NoT does not need to be as dressed up as the MoB

Phase Eight, Kaliko, Boden, all have nice stuff. £200-£300 is a good budget, she'll be fine. Ignore Bridezilla!

I was also going to suggest eBay.
If you go for a well known label like Jaques Vert, you could always go and try some outfits on together so you know what fits and what suits her before you buy on eBay.

Where on Earth is the bride suggesting that costs £1000?!

Your mum needs to say that’s massively out of her budget and she’ll sort it on her own.

Have a look at bombshell London.

The photos of customers wearing their dresses are often mother's of brides or grooms at weddings

@MoltonSilver those dresses are gorgeous in Bombshell London! I love some of the maxi dresses for myself.
These are all great ideas. Thanks everyone.

To be fair on my future SIL she isn't saying my mum should spend £1000. However I had a look online at the shops she suggested and they are individual boutiques and the website doesn't include the price with the displayed outfit! I know from other friends who have bought clothes at these places that they cost upwards of £1000! My friend was charged £250 for alterations to her outfit for her son's wedding. Total rip off.

@motherofluvlies sorry missed your post. My mum is going into Phase 8 today for a look as some of their outfits looked perfect online. I've said to her to bear in mind the shops will be full of sales rubbish just now though!

Think the groom should tell his fiancé that it's his mum's business what she wears and how much she should pay.
I was MOG last year and my daughter in law wouldn't have dreamt of interesting with my choice!
Another cite here for JL personal shopper. They really sorted me out. I was SO confused!

@TheoneandObi when I got married 17 years ago I left my mum and MIL to wear what they wanted too. I didn't know what they were wearing until the day of the wedding.

Same when I was married 25 years ago! How do these brides have the time to micro manage what other people are wearing? Bonkers!

She needs to tell the bride to be that you are sorting it. I would never have got involved with my MIL choice of outfit. As it happens it was lovely (she has worn it for years since and I am sure it didn't cost 200 never mind a grand.

It would be nice to have someone with her though ..my friends came with me but was my daughter who found it in the end ..don’t forget the Spanx & bring a pair of shoes to try on with to get ideas ..sales are your friend..what colour are the. Bridal party ...turned out ours were all pale & blush so I chose according to that rather than standing out ..it’s fun ..wonderful celebration 🎉

There is a great shop near us that does second hand designer type clothes and they always have a huge mother of the bride/ groom type section as people only tend to wear them once. Great clothes for a fraction of the cost. Might be worth a look for shops like that in your area