Help to find motb dress, please.

[Hoogieflip]

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.)

I find Me and Em pretty true to size, they aren’t on the small side like LK Bennett. What are your measurements? I am usually a 10 in their dresses although I could also be a 12 in some things and that is the same as my size in most other brands. I wear a 12 in LK Bennett.
Start with an 8 maybe ?

No @popcornpower2025 - my shock related to, I think two posters, likening a dress from a brand called ‘Kindred of Ireland’ to a ‘potato sack’. But perhaps they did so accidentally.

I’m never shocked by MN posters on this board disliking my suggestions!

(Am on a train, wearing tediously longsighted contact lenses, (me, not the train,) so can’t be bothered to scroll back.)

Thank you for this suggestion. I too am about to be a MOTB this year, and didn't want the traditional MOTB look as it is just not me.
Each to their own but so many of them look like something even my Mother would avoid. Anyway found something I really like, my daughter and my Mum like. Couldn't care less if others on MN hate it
Have just ordered
https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/green-shell-crochet-tilly-dress

I was one of those posters and it wasn't accidental

Play nicely children

I think PP was suggesting it may have been a slur relating to the connotations of Ireland and potatoes (which I hope was a genuine oversight and you're not doubling down on), rather than the -admittedly factual - statement that the oversized garment is unfortunately sack-like.

I reverse google searched the liberty dress...here it is on ebay (new with tags) for about half the price
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/205599230934?_skw=liberty&itmmeta=01JZN56NP8YS35X9VYWF6HBT9S&hash=item2fdeab4bd6:g:n5wAAeSwp29oMPEQ&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAAwFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dl8h%2BTZDe80R1hBxS6FHgG5uMTaYWTMLnaDJ5dqgLKuNYqP3KonoChHv9USB9FfdKKXsF4s2cbnSMZPXisZa0HvdRn9d4HAxjHe6jK5KrSIRZz31QiUvWXNgn3mn2VohcCA4XawAKMmqQzPZUpMQCrwC%2BrmIZcnz2FZJ5fYBNLPukWSEawDT8E3S3vf7uh%2BmnyFWZBHqzruSeweYosXhBvIs8yu8aDryxS5Q89OIXujA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8TbmqX9ZQ

If that's not a sign I don't know what is.

Hard to beat a trouser suit if you’re not keen on MOB dresses though an orange or red tone dress may photograph well and contrast with the bridesmaids and the linen would keep you cool.

www.tedbaker.com/collections/womens-dresses/products/rumbee-orange?_gl=11obqyq8_upMQ.._gaMTU2Njk0ODYxNS4xNzUxOTgzMjYz_ga_1QFEMM2EE0*czE3NTE5ODMyNjMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTE5ODMzMzIkajYwJGwwJGgxMTEyNTU3NjA1

Ah well that went over my head tbh, never heard of the brand. Regardless of the name of the brand, it does indeed look like a sack, potato or otherwise

It doesn't but come on then popcornpower2025 let's see your alternative suggestions.

No, it's far more fun slagging of the ridiculous suggestions.

I'm a bit late to the party, but whereabouts in the country are you, OP? I got a fab recommendation on here for a "posh frock" shop in Harrogate and got a wonderful dress for my son's wedding. It was in a hot climate as well, and I felt fabulous!

It's actually far more fun on this thread and S&B generally to see other people's suggestions; some I'll hate, but at least they join in, some might be new brands I love.

Posts like yours are just a waste of space. You add nothing to the discussions and are no help to the OPs. What a limited life you must have if slagging off other people is your idea of fun.

Not sure if Coast has already been mentioned but they have lovely MOTB outfits and dresses.
Some more dramatic, some more conservative.
You might be best with a jacket in petite and a dress in regular fit. Or separates. Finding the right dress is going to be about focusing on the fit. Something I struggle with as I'm often drawn to things that are not the right shape for me.

@Hoogieflip

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-crepe-colour-block-midi-dress_bcc07098?colour=mono

Oh, I only opened this thread because I read it as moth dress and I had one to recommend! 😄

Good luck, OP. I think that, should I ever need to wear a mother of the bride dess, I will be wearing a moth dress ❤️

I’m 5ft, size 6-8 with big boobs 28GG. Finding the perfect fit is so difficult when you’re not a standard size so you’re very likely to have to compromise on colour/style etc. For an occasion like this, I would find a beautiful dress that almost fits and have it tailored to fit perfectly.

I love a moth motif

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · Yesterday 17:26

popcornpower2025 · Yesterday 16:34
No, it's far more fun slagging of the ridiculous suggestions.
Show quote history
It's actually far more fun on this thread and S&B generally to see other people's suggestions; some I'll hate, but at least they join in, some might be new brands I love.
Posts like yours are just a waste of space. You add nothing to the discussions and are no help to the OPs. What a limited life you must have if slagging off other people is your idea of fun.

Completely agree: I love to see the individuality and quirkiness of some posters. Absolutely no disrespect to the high street, but some women want to look a little different, plus they might want more natural fibres. And popcornpower2025 when you're done slagging off others' suggestions, you could read about the Great Famine in Ireland.

Agree. It's just awful.

As a pending MOTB myself I've been trawling the net and recognise many of the suggestions on here! My favourite is the peacock Liberty print dress - love the style, cut, length, colour, print - but it's beyond my budget even in the sale.

I've done a reverse google search to see if there's anything similar knocking around for half the price, and it did come up with some alternatives, but none quite right. So you could try that OP. Or feed your requirements into ChatGPT.

My own investigations reveal that MOTB apparel/advice comes in several categories, none of which reflect my taste or reality:

• Weird fussy stuff that imaginary posh British people wear
• Weird Dynasty stuff that imaginary posh American people wear
• Mid-range High Street occasionwear that's neither cool nor pretty
• High Street offerings in fabrics and styles that do no favours to the post-meno body of the average MOTB, and isn't elevated enough for the role
• Cool brands with out-there styles that look bizarre on people who don't habitually wear them .

What do I want then?!! Classic with a twist. Something:

• With a cool/smart edge, that also reflects the joyfulness of the occasion
• That doesn't draw attention away from my daughter
• Isn't black, white, brown, grey, navy, yellow or muddy green
• Has attractive sleeves
• Is not high-necked
• I can wear my usual bra with
• Doesn't cost more than £300.

The closest I can get to this is ME+EM, with a fair bit of filtering. Other brands take note!

What's wrong with navy? I posted my dress upthread, it was navy and it looked great.

Absolutely nothing! In fact I was wondering whether to include it because navy is my fave neutral, I wear it pretty much every day - and for that reason it's not 'special' enough for me. Them's my personal rules, not saying everyone should abide by them! Though I do think retailers could stretch the range of colours they offer.