Ideas for 'alternative' outfits for mother of the groom

[Meezer2]

Hi Mnetters,

My son is getting married in August and I'm struggling to find anything I like.

Everything is rather frumpy for want of a better description. lots of frocks and fascinators which isnt my taste. My own style is slightly boho, rock chick ish, hippy ish. I love bright colours in the summer, but have loads of black in my wardrobe too.

think Stevie Nicks, with a bit of Kate Bush, Florence Welsh combo.

my budget is roughly up to £500. Ive been looking at Rixo, Needle and Thread, and The Vampires wife (I wish! too expensive for me)
have seen a few things I like but nothing I want yet.
I'm 56, long 'dirty blonde' hair, 5ft 9, wide shoulders, long legs, no arse, not too much of a gut, and moderate sized breasts. size 14 but aiming to be a 12.

Id be so grateful of any ideas you may have. thanks in advance.

Thank you all so much for all of your suggestions. I'm gathering so much inspiration for my outfit. Some truly fantastic options out there that I would never have known to explore had they not been shown.

what about this?

or this?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0325/6474/0234/products/CAMILLA000206666LONGDRESSSWITHBLOUSONNSLEEVERAINBOWWBODY11438x657croppcenter.jpg?v=1672361078

https://shop.notjustalabel.com/collections/tailoring/products/phool-patte-blazer?variant=44268831277275

Disturbia actually have a few lovely, more glam dresses at the moment. Or some of the Lace and Beads dresses - they’re very tulley so I’m not sure whether they’d be boho or a bit like a fairy costume but could be worth a look. Loads on ASOS. TFNC on ASOS has some nice classy dresses that feel like they have a rockstars girlfriend flex to them

In place of a fascinator, crystal headpiece or headband.

There’s some really nice dresses on religion

https://religionclothing.com/products/wild-zebra-print-shirtdress

https://religionclothing.com/products/horizon-halter-neck-printed-maxi-dress

https://religionclothing.com/products/dusk-blue-printed-maxi-dress

https://religionclothing.com/products/limit-green-printed-maxi-dress

I love Rixo so I think you might find something there in the new season. What about DvF?

https://uk.dvf.com/products/dvf-selena-dress-in-passion-petals-magic-dot-red

There are a few things here that you might like. If I ever end up being the mother of a groom, I'll be going here for my outfit!

I don't wear dresses or fascinators, either.

When I was MoB, I asked a local dressmaker to help. She cut down a full-length blue-grey Ghost edge to edge coat that I'd worn for my own wedding; this time I wore it over a patterned dark blue silk cami top she adapted, and she made me a pair of wide-legged crepe trousers in a colour that 'went' without being matchy-matchy. No hat; shampoo and blow dry on the day! I looked like me, though dressed up.

So: wear clothes that make you look like YOU, a version of your best going-out self. Have fun.

X

I'm on a small budget and this may be too much but Disturbia often has pretty dresses with fun alternative prints with plants or astrological things. I have not really been able to buy from here so I can't tell you anything about the quality but some are really gorgeous to me.

https://www.disturbia.co.uk/en-be/collections/midi-dresses/products/poisonous-plants-midi-wrap-dress?variant=43118234534045

https://www.disturbia.co.uk/en-be/collections/maxi-dresses/products/witchfire-ruffle-midaxi-wrap-dress?variant=44296411742365

Vivienne Westwood

This one has MOTB type colours but the cut and drape will be amazing (shame it’s not photographed on a person) but worth having a look around for other styles, lengths, fabrics.

I think quality fabric will make a big difference feeling, and looking, MOTB even in rock chick / boho style.

https://www.vestiairecollective.com/women-clothing/dresses/vivienne-westwood-anglomania/?product_id=34896711&setLocale=4.en.GBP&authfee=false&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17214709354&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADSZTnJHr98qvW6VhNp058qGBT8yU&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuIibxca4hAMV-5JQBh1khgDvEAQYFiABEgIKyvD_BwE

Meant to add - VW maybe be beyond your budget new (though some collections may be ok) but £500 will do you well for pre-loved.

The Ann Balon are so "mother of the bride/ mother of the groom" they're almost a parody.

Alison Steadman's character in Here We Go would wear them.

https://shop.notjustalabel.com/collections/dresses-1/products/avalanche-silk-dress?variant=43677992222939

You might find something here, but I guess it could be a risk on the returns policy. Nice to browse though.

I had exactly the same dilemma and in the end decided on a statement silk coat from https://www.shibumistyle.com
I see they now do dresses, so worth a look.

Classy jumpsuit?

I did not want a traditional MoG outfit when my son got married, I feel better in trousers and wear a lot of black. I wore a black sleeveless top and very wide pleated black chiffon trousers with an emerald green silk coat from Bombshell and a huge emerald green hat and emerald clutch bag.

A Mary Benson dress? It always gives me Stevie Nicks vibes.
https://www.marybenson.london/

Vivienne Westwood seems the perfect choice to me.

though I’ve also seen Zimmerman dresses in real life and they are truly gorgeous. Though very pricey, but they really look gorgeous. Maybe they’re on vinted?

I think as long as you don't take up the suggestion of a previous poster to wear a dress slashed to the waist you should be fine. I suppose to a certain extent it depends on the style of the rest of the wedding party in terms of formality. If it's a very traditional set up, I probably would wear something a bit more traditional rather than an orange jumpsuit (with your own twist of course and with no obligation to match if the mother of the bride is wearing a dowdy polyester dress).

I was thinking of the same brand

Or look at Zara. I’ve had some lovely dresses from there for occasions.

OP you could be describing my MIL's style. To our November wedding she wore a dark velvet pantsuit with metallic ankle boots and a silvery fluid blouse, rock and roll tousled hair and eyeliner, she looked fantastic. I think for the dancing later she changed into a shorter, long sleeved sparkly dress - still with ankle boots.

My MIL asked me if it was OK if she wore a pant suit to our wedding. Apparently when her other son got married there were very strict guidelines as to what she was allowed to wear 🙄Anyway she looked lovely in her suit and was comfortable.

She's a good bit older than you and a different shape. But would a jumpsuit work?

https://www.silkfred.com/ie/womens/clothing/jumpsuits-and-playsuits/culotte-jumpsuits/fs-collection/high-neck-jumpsuit-in-olive-green-polka-dot

Look on vinted. Dress up but how you want. Lots of lovely stuff out there.