Mother of the Bride outfit shop ideas please

[Inneedofadress]

My daughter gets married in August and I need a dress.

I’m very much a dress person, my wardrobe is full of dresses but I need a special dress.

I would prefer a dress to a suit, I’ve looked at a few mother of the bride shops and they are nice but not really what I want, many of them are very traditional and a little dated, I’ve found a couple of nice ones but they are around £500/£700 ( plus accessories)

It’s a special occasion and I would pay that if I loved the dress but I don’t.

To be realistic the dress will most likely only be worn once and it is a huge amount of money for a one time wear, especially if I don’t love it.

I’m considering hiring something amazing but have no ideas where to start/how it works etc.

Does anyone have any recommendations for special occasion dresses to buy or hire?

I usually buy dresses from Mint velvet, Hush, Ted Baker, All saints I also have several dresses from M&S and Tesco that I wear all the time, I’ve looked at these shops and although they have some beautiful dresses that I would usually love I don’t feel they are special enough for the occasion.

If I wore jeans all the time I might feel differently about the dresses I’ve seen but as a regular dress wearer I just feel like my everyday self and I would like something special.

Any help at all would be amazing,

As a guide I’m 52, 5’3” and a size 8 in most places, very open on colours/prints etc

Thank you

Here you go:

https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/g29187954/rent-dress/

@WhatWillIWear
Thank you so much, That is exactly what I need!

Im following this because I m a year behind you! Although not size 8...
Phase Eight send me about 10 emails a week...their clothes fit me but I can't see anything amazing .
Shops which specialise in mother of the bride are too frilly for me.

I’ve looked at a few mother of the bride shops

Well that's where you went wrong. There are many fabulous brands which come in at £500 to £700 and can be worn again and again on every occasion where there's an opportunity to put on a dressed up frock.

I really should save the list.

Outnet all the way for a special occasion! Got some other ideas as well but what sort of dresses do you like? Midi? Mini? Colours?

I bought my MOB dress from Debenhams, a purple swing dress

I'm waiting for mine to get married so I can treat myself to a Diane Von Furstenberg dress. There's always some lovely ones on Lyst , The Outnet or Mytheresa half price.

There is a great Facebook page called Pre-loved Wedding and Occasion outfits UK where you can purchase full outfits including hats, shoes and bags too. Even if yoh don't buy it gives you great ideas of styles and brands you may like and I love to see these dresses on real women of all heights and sizes.