Do I need a "mother of the bride" outfit?

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Actually I'm mother of the groom, does that make a difference?

I struggle with wedding outfits full stop TBH. It always seems to me guests are almost in fancy dress, dressed up as wedding guests rather than themselves. I prefer a summer dress or a suit that I'll wear for other occasions and is more "me".

At all the weddings I've been to recently (I mean in the last 10 years!) the mothers seem to have some sort of dress and coat combo that is very obviously a mother of the bride outfit, probably with shoes from the same fabric.

Can I wear something more "ordinary" without offending the bride and her mother?

It would be something good, I'd spend equivalent money, but on something I actually like.

Just to add that your suggestion, and loads of others, are lovely!

I don't think that you need to wear a Jacques Vert dress and jacket with coordinating shoes, bag and fascinator nowadays!

[quote TableDesk]@LemonRoses you are my style icon! I love it! The hat is fabulous![/quote]
Hah. I am many things, but style icon isn’t one of them. Nice dress to cover the lumps and bumps and a hat to distract from the face!

It was cheaper than the three teepees that she was meant to have.

Different colours ineedaholidaynow but yes. I’m hoping I can have the feather colours changed for my son’s wedding next year too.

My brother gets married next month and my mum has a dress ( no jacket or two piece) a fascinator ( as she hates hats) and fantastic shoes and bag ( not matching fabric or anything ridiculous). She looks beautiful in it and it's definitely mother of the groom but not in the traditional ( old) style.
You can wear what you want as long as your comfy and don't turn up in your pjs.

[quote Lyricallie]My mum was in the exact same boat she didn't want a traditional MoB balero style outfit. She felt they were a bit frumpy. We went shopping and got her a gorgeous long gold dress with lots of beading. She's going to get some sort of wrap for the church and a facinator.

We got hers from Debenhams, which I think is still online even if the shops are shutting.

It wasn't this one but similar www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-beaded-embroidered-maxi-gown-taupe-pink/p5279657?sku=239081467&size=6&s_ppc=2dx92700058271119874&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvr6EBhDOARIsAPpqUPHdv3SoHAWr2ojtLzlQyTJ3endE7fx0RH4Hil0KgJw8w2SDX_aoJpMaAu63EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds[/quote]
That is stunning!

I’m loving this thread checking out all the outfits you’re all posting - It’s the thread I didn’t realise I needed

This is lovely and vey much the style you like (I think) www.monsoon.co.uk/renata-embellished-maxi-dress-red-95181219.html

I’m going to be MOG this summer, and I’m going for a Bombshell dress.

@LemonRoses OMG that hat is truly fabulous. I will be mother of the groom next year and that hat is on my list

Oooooo. You might suit Ghost.

They do lots of lovely hats, cashmerecardigans It was hard to choose just one.

I've just seen this brand in Red magazine www.sikadesigns.co.uk/shop/asymmetricbatikdress amazing dresses!

Oh, the unfairness of life ... First thing I saw on my phone this morning was a screenshot of a brightly flower-printed silk shirt dress by Valentino. Utterly perfect - and £4,000. I don't think waiting for the sales is going to help me in this instance.

Presumably the OP has run away to Gretna Green in jeans and a t shirt?

My mum wore a lovely floaty but fitted knee length v neck dress with a fitted blazer. I think the blazer was grey - very not mob anyway. But it was early October so jackets needed.

Get a really pretty dress from Whistles, Maje or LK Bennett and accessorise as you want. Those set mother of the bride outfits are dated and ageing.

I'm stepmother of the bride in July. I have no wish to compete with the MOB who I loathe and I have finally chosen a dress that I like, that suits me and I can wear afterwards. I had considered hiring a dress but after getting several to try at home decided on this one. It's a Ghost dress and I will either wear with an ecru denim jacket or an ecru shawl. I'm not a shawl kind of person but guessing I may need the warmth in the evening. My main worry is a bag that's small enough but big enough to hold my inhalers! The wedding has been totally slashed to the minimum guests and venue due to Covid and uncertainty. DD is having a huge party later in the year.