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Help to find motb dress, please.

161 replies

Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 16:38

First time here - could I have some (a lot!) of help to find a mother-of-the bride dress, please? I’ve been trying for ages and even done the John Lewis personal shopper thing, but to no avail. I don’t like ‘dressing up’ so don’t want a hat or fascinator. I’ve tried on dozens of Hobbs, Phase 8 and similar, but nothing’s worked for me. I’m a size 8/10, but have an ‘older woman’ tummy, and boobs but no thighs. Petite sizes are almost always too high in the waist (so uncomfortable) but standard sizes seem to be too broad across the shoulders. The wedding’s in August! Budget is up to around £300 and ideally it’d be something I could potentially wear again. I love green although I’d settle for anything that fits nicely! (I have grey hair and cool colouring if that’s relevant.)

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ColdHenrietta · 06/07/2025 16:47

How about …

A waistcoat:

https://www.meandem.com/lightweight-tailored-waistcoat-mint-sorbet

and cropped trousers:

https://www.meandem.com/lightweight-tailored-waistcoat-mint-sorbet

To which you could add a smaller scale jacket if you wanted?

owlexpress · 06/07/2025 17:05

What does your daughter suggest? Have you tried actual MOTB shops? They're not all full of queen mother style coat and skirt combos, you might find something you like. Any of these any good?

Liberty - might be a bit figure hugging

Coast

Bit over budget/wild card

MOTB shop

heldinadream · 06/07/2025 17:13

Green. Forgiving. Silk. Just over £200 in the sale. Some idiot has given it a 1 star review - the only review- because it doesn't come in petite! 🤨 I love it!
www.broraonline.com/uk/silk-botanical-print-shirred-dress-olive-malt-dd2575fl2529

ColdHenrietta · 06/07/2025 17:15

But it’s wintery, @heldinadream. And a bit depressing …

Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:28

Thank you VERY much so far! Sorry, I need to work out how to reply to individuals, but I'm currently opening so many tabs! I'm a bit overwhelmed by it all. I've not tried any MOTB shops - Catherine's of Partick sort of horrifies me, I'm afraid. I just don't have the confidence to wear anything like that. My daughter's current suggestion is to wear the dress I wore to her sister's wedding 8 years ago. It is nice and very comfy, but it feels like a bit of a cop out. I love the waitcoat and trousers idea, but don't know if I could carry it off. I'm 5'3" BTW. I'll get back to browsing for a while.

OP posts:
Tcateh · 06/07/2025 17:34

Quite a lot on the Debenhams site?

Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:37

Thanks for replying, but I just couldn't! 😊

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hugosprtz · 06/07/2025 17:37

What height are you OP?

Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:39

heldinadream · 06/07/2025 17:13

Green. Forgiving. Silk. Just over £200 in the sale. Some idiot has given it a 1 star review - the only review- because it doesn't come in petite! 🤨 I love it!
www.broraonline.com/uk/silk-botanical-print-shirred-dress-olive-malt-dd2575fl2529

Oooh, I like the look of this. I agree that it's dark, @ColdHenrietta , but worth a try, especially as it's silk - so cool? I have a (bright modern-floral lime green) Brora jumpsuit that I love.

OP posts:
Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:40

hugosprtz · 06/07/2025 17:37

What height are you OP?

5'3"

OP posts:
Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:50

ColdHenrietta · 06/07/2025 17:41

As green as green as green as …

https://kindredofireland.com/products/the-stella-dress

They would tailor this to fit you.

These Kindred dresses are lovely! But, sadly, they'd drown me. Thanks, though!

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ColdHenrietta · 06/07/2025 17:50

Or, just look at these fabulous trousers:

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/alemais/clothing/flared/sage-printed-recycled-satin-twill-wide-leg-pants/46376663162877456

The coordinating top would take you over budget unless you locate them in the sales, but they’d be equally lovely with a jacket from somewhere else.

Are you sure a beautifully designed and tailored to fit dress would ‘drown’ you? I’m also 5’3 and happily wear things on that scale.

Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:53

gingercat02 · 06/07/2025 17:49

You could also tailor a sack of spuds to fit too
What about some of these @Hoogieflip
Mother of the Bride Dresses | JJ's House UK https://share.google/Bfh10Dg0NVLdmfXi9

Oooh, JJ's House ... is the quality ok? There seems to be so much choice!

OP posts:
gingercat02 · 06/07/2025 17:54

Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:53

Oooh, JJ's House ... is the quality ok? There seems to be so much choice!

No idea but they are v pretty

Hoogieflip · 06/07/2025 17:58

ColdHenrietta · 06/07/2025 17:50

Or, just look at these fabulous trousers:

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/alemais/clothing/flared/sage-printed-recycled-satin-twill-wide-leg-pants/46376663162877456

The coordinating top would take you over budget unless you locate them in the sales, but they’d be equally lovely with a jacket from somewhere else.

Are you sure a beautifully designed and tailored to fit dress would ‘drown’ you? I’m also 5’3 and happily wear things on that scale.

Edited

Those trousers are beautiful! (But so pricey!) I guess I'm not really sure what does suit me - which is sort of the problem I'm afraid. Oh for your confidence! 😊

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CurbsideProphet · 06/07/2025 18:00

@Hoogieflip are you on Instagram? The Petite Lady has lots of great suggestions on her page. I'll see if I can share one for you...

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