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.

Have you had a look at Hope and Ivy?

This one is quite nice for a summer wedding.

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-everleigh

https://ba-sh.com/uk/p/dress-helena-violet-3664784695417.html

I would love to see photos from those of you who describe your own/MILs etc outfits.

I like the ba-sh dress but it's very strong on solid colour. I like this one too
Floaty Maxi Dress Bossy Purple // ba&sh UK (ba-sh.com) would depend if the neckline suited or if it'd look too 'busty'

The most striking mother of the groom I've ever seen wore separates on a hot day. Linen, all one colour, drapey rather than floaty, obviously good quality. It was a quite boho look with a statement necklace. She looked very stylish and very comfortable and most importantly, she looked very 'her' I can't quite recall details but it had this kind of vibe
Summer Vintage Linen Cotton Long Dress for Women Baggy Loose Solid Color Long Sleeve Boho Dress Casua Bohemian Beach Sundress - AliExpress

Alternatively you could choose from a style here Women's Floral Dress Boho Dress Floral Print Print Ruched V Neck Maxi long Dress Casual Daily Vacation 3/4 Length Sleeve Regular Fit Red Fall Winter S M L XL XXL 2024 - GBP £31 (lightinthebox.com)

The idea being to see how it looks and fits, then get a dressmaker to use as a pattern to remake in a nice silk fabric or good quality linen so that it has a more formal dressy look and less beachy.

Watching with interest. Two of my DC are thinking of marriage in the not too distant, and I'm also a sometime 80s goth, now mid 50s.

I do have a couple of Disturbia dresses which are fab, but not sure if they're suitable... one is called "Parasite"!

I've been looking at vintage and retro things on Vinted.

How is the quality of the disturbia dresses? Online it is sometimes hard to tell and with alternative styles it's often either good or utter shit.

I've never owned one myself but I was recently in a men's clothes shop and the sales assistant was wearing a lovely dress, so much so that I asked her where it was from and I was really surprised to hear it was from Disturbia.

It's... OK!
The disturbia dresses I have are both viscose, but then so are most of the dresses I see recommended on here that cost a lot more.
Both of mine hang nicely and look good. The pattern is even matched where the two front panels button together on the bug dress.

So, its certainly a lot better than cheapest brands.

Oh thank you that helps me a lot with my decision to buy one soon :)

Haven't RTFT, but why not rent something? That way you could afford Vampire's Wife!

I don't suit pastels and couldn't bear the idea of very traditional outfits in this situation. Went retro in the end, with a deep purple satin outfit. Much more comfortable in that!

Diversion please post a photo , it sounds amazing!

Have you considered a Vivienne Westwood dress? They are a bit different and so beautifully cut. If you can’t afford to buy one, I’m sure they can be rented too.

Honeslty, for one big exciting day, I would rent something!

I'd suggest VW or a navy blue tuxedo

https://nrbyclothing.com/products/new-may-velvet-jacket

My DM wore a velvet suit to my wedding with a silk top under, looked fabulous!

Jo Browns have a good collection of Boho clothing.

This could be nice, you could add a navy belt

https://www.styleboutiqueni.com/products/cassandra-white-navy-spot-dress-with-belt-detail-wendy-31?variant=40786483183727&currency=EUR&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=IE%20SHOPPING%20FEED&utm_content=Cassandra%20White%20%26%20Navy%20Spot%20Dress%20With%20Belt%20Detail-Wendy%2031&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuNGuBhAkEiwAGId4atMsOABOTWFbPGgFvHCIAaZbyR1mUIr5L18NIsIBql-60jMdvfLDCxoCwboQAvD_BwE

Have you checked Anthropologie?

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/marchesa-notte/clothing/midi-dresses/cape-effect-twist-front-stretch-crepe-midi-dress/1647597298759610?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GOO:NAP:EU:GB:EX:ENG:SEAU:PLA:SLR:MXO:NEW:XX:CATCHALL:LV0:LV1:LV2:XXX:8::&utm_id=20075544377&utm_term=3074457345625522219&vtp00=GOOGLE&vtp01=SEAU&vtp02=149094328735&vtp03=pla-293946777986&vtp04=g&vtp05=m&vtp06=657216222202&vtp07=pla_with_promotion&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADRhZnsLC_fyKlOGJmnQR0EmxnRjn&gclid=CjwKCAiAuNGuBhAkEiwAGId4apH0CE1V08AnrvUMai20PR2COv97tIsTwl68v08Tecrp1EZqc86jxBoCDLwQAvD_BwE

@Peaceandquietandacuppa that is stunning. It would annoy me not being able to take the cape off though esp in August

You could probably get a vampires wife dress on Vinted within your budget. Just make sure it’s a trusted seller with lots of good reviews- Vinted does a label verification service too.

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Looks like nice fabrics if you could find a style to suit.

You sound exactly like my MIL! She got a lovely crochet navy shawl from river island or a high street shop, and a purple maxi dress. She looked gorgeous and very her and I wouldn't have had her any other way

I saw Emma Thompson in a tuxedo when she went to the palace . I wore that for my sons wedding .
The OUTNET has a sale on you could pick up something special there