Mother of the bride - help needed

[alongtimeagoandfaraway]

My daughter is getting married in early August. I'm not sure where to start in finding an outfit and would welcome recommendations.

Venue is a country hotel, there will be about 80 people in all. I'm 5'10"", late 50s, size 12 and tend towards tailored, elegant clothes for formal wear. Not keen on wearing a hat but will if needs must (absolute no to anything approaching a fascinator though!).

I've thought of starting with John Lewis personal shopper but the one time I tried that previously I was a bit underwhelmed.

I'd really appreciate any guidance for ideas to try. Thanks in advance

Try Shibumi. They have the most gorgeous long jackets, and as someone the same size as you, the dragonfly one looked absolutely amazing on me at a family wedding last year

I was just about to recommend Shibumi ! Fabulous outfits . I’m sure you’ll find something wonderful there

My mum sounds about the same as you and wore hobbs. She didn't want a whopping hat so wore a fascinator type thingy.

Shibumi looks lovely, thank you. I’ll have a good look through the site.

I pretty much live in Hobbs but the stuff in store at the moment might be a bit heavy for an August wedding.

Any further recommendations would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

Avoid fascinators at all costs. I was mob last Summer and wore a plain frock with a kimono jacket. It was comfortable and practical, didn’t cost much and can be reused.. I’m about to do it again for second daughter and I’ve chosen a dress, coat and bag I really like and will wear again in slightly clashing colours. I hate occasion wear with a passion. . At your height and size, you will look great in anything, choose stuff you like,

This years stuff is from Anthropologie.

I think Spring ranges normally hit the shops in February and the more summery stuff around April (maybe even into May) so in your position with an August wedding to shop for I'd be inclined to wait.

Mind you, based on recent years it's hard to tell whether you'll be battling 35 degree temperatures or barely hitting the 20s when we get to August.

I bought from a website called jjhouse.co.uk.

They have loads of mother of the bride/groom styles and you can put all your measurements in, and basically get made-to-measure.

I got a dress with a sheer 'coat'.

What’s the budget?

Zebracat where did you get your kimono jacket from please? I'm a MotB in September and this sounds like the look I'm after.

There are two or three boutiques round here which sell a lot of occasionwear. Do you have anything like that near you?

My only tip: no to a bolero jacket .

Wide leg trousers and a silk shirt. Incredible necklace. Flat shoes.

All good recommendations, thanks everyone whose given suggestions. Am having a lovely evening looking them up.

Good recommendation to hold out until April/May for summer stock. I do hope the sun does shine on them

Fascinator will happen over my dead body. I have very white hair which looks ok with a decent cut so I’ll rely on that to see me through.

I’m not really fussed about budget but the bride is limiting her dress to £500 so probably shouldn’t go above that.

I don’t want an obviously mother of the bride outfit but am not sure what I need - apart from tailored, elegant and something I can dance in. I don’t know if there are occasionwear shops around here but I live near London so am sure there are some - though not sure where.

I understand work wear but this is new territory to me!

My mum (62) wore this silk dress from Poetry to my brother's wedding. It's lovely. She was avoiding mother of the groom stuff.

www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-UJ68/printed-silk-vneck-dress.htm

Oh that’s lovely. I can call into one of their shops next week so will have a look. Thanks.

Bombshell are worth a look.

@Lallybroch. Kimono came from 100 stars, my dress was olive so it worked. Trouva and Anthropologie often have them too. And Monsoon, but I didn’t like theirs.

Ooh I had a similar thread not long ago. September here. Am planning a trip to shibumi and contemplating silk trousers under a fitted tunic/jacket. I intend to wear a hat. Have to take care to be understated as mother of the groom.

needle n thread?x

Sahara London though not exactly tailored

I'd say avoid the recommendation for jjs house above. They're in China and my daughter's fried ordered custom made bridesmaids dresses and not one of them fit, even after alterations they looked odd as the proportions were all wrong.

Thanks Zebracat

I like some of the Veni Infantino dresses but they are about £500 each.

Some suggestions:
The Fold
Cefinn
Wolf & Badger
Nancy Mac - may not be right if you like a tailored look, but worth checking
The Outnet - their filters are good for getting to what you want, I've just bought an Erdem dress less than half price
Helen McAlinden

Wow - those veni infantino dresses are absolutely gorgeous!