Desperate to find mother of the groom clothes

[Sunbeds]

My eldest son gets married in March next year and I’m really excited about it. It’s going to be a small wedding (around 50 people) and the event is taking place at the same venue (ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening celebrations).

But I am getting quite stressed! I really don’t know what to wear! The mother of the bride has copied my son’s suit colours and will look elegant in a velvet sheath dress. Meanwhile I am totally clueless. Help!!!
I’m 5’6”, a slim mid fifties woman with shoulder length hair, size 12. I have no cleavage 🙈, need to cover my upper arms and, even though I’m slim (no love handles etc), I have a lower tummy bump that won’t go away - honestly I’ve dieted, exercised (run regularly) but I’m stuck with it after four children. I am told that I suit “warm” colours (smoky tints), not pastels at all.
The wedding party and flowers are faun, cream, burgundy, apricot. We’re eating curry wraps so I don’t want a pale outfit just in case.
I tried this dress

but I was unhappy with the tummy bump in profile. It did cover everything else that I don’t like about me.
I feel like going in a big baggy sack.
What would you suggest?
My absolute limit is £300 as I need to fix up the rest of us with clothes. I don’t mind buying on eBay.

I’ve just purchased this in the cobalt - it looks really good on!

Yes I got the blue one too although I think mine might have been sleeveless in blue?… should check

Got so many compliments about it and definitely does not look like Lipsy

I hated my tummy so much I was considering surgery. I lost two stone last year to take me to a 12/14 but the tummy was still my problem.

Two things have been transformational for it since - firstly as mentioned earlier Pilates for the muscle (if you had/have diastisis recti I’d recommend getting a few 1-2-1 classes first with a physio-Pilates fusion professional).

Secondly I’ve recently been having cupping sessions on my tummy which has been miraculous in moving stubborn fat that I thought would never move. My pregnancies and c-sections were 15 and 17 years ago and I had the apron of fat on my tummy afterwards and the worst stretch marks imaginable. The cupping treatment is even helping the appearance of the marks. It’s like a very heavy duty lymphatic drainage massage using suction cups and is a bit uncomfortable. I feel like it’s not just working on that area but kicking off fat drainage in my body overall for example my boobs have gone down a cup size…

When you said you didn’t like the tummy bump in profile, I just knew that the dress was going to be a-line. I used to put on and then take off a-line dresses cos I was convinced where they flared over my mum-tum made me look pregnant.

This any good? as your a size 12 think it would look lovely
Would flare out and with some control underwear would disguise any bumps

Veni
Link didn’t work first time

There are some excellent control options out there that really do suck everything in. I would definitely try those, some are better than others so try several different brands.
Although I have to admit that after 3 kids back to back and a stomach that didn’t budge despite marathon running etc etc., I went down the surgery route (wish to god I’d done it sooner, not 20 odd years after the first birth). I had an 8cm gap. It’s no wonder the ‘specialist’ exercises etc didn’t work.

You have loads of time @Sunbeds and with supportive undies the tummy issue will go away!

Try local "posh" towns as they tend to have independent shops that have a much better standard of clothing. There used to be some lovely ones in Reigate (not been in a while) if you are in that area. Alternatively if you sre more northern, york have some lovely ones. One that jumps to mind is a Molly Browns, I think they do online too but they have a prom shop and a more MOB/MOG shop too.

I would pick something that has a nod to the colour theme for the wedding. Our theme was navy and pale pink, my mum wore a lovely navy shift dress that had pink flowers on and a pink short jacket. My MIL wore a jersey style dress that was navy with pinks in the pattern. Both looked totally different to each other but absolutely stunning and it all went beautifully with the theme of the day.

https://mollybrowns.co.uk/product/43955-dressed-up-du626e-ivory-navy/

Not the right colours but beautiful and a very flattering design

https://mollybrowns.co.uk/product/48985-invitations-by-veni-36030-fuxia-coral/

My mum worse a suit for my wedding and she looked amazing.
id looks for a burgundy suit

You could also consider whether you could resell on Vinted/ebay after the event as March is the very beginning of wedding season. Something to think about if you find something that’s over budget?

If you like velvet dresses, there’s a really nice one in the sale with Brora. I’m contemplating getting it myself - it can double as a Christmas dress. My DS is getting married next September and I’ve found this having an early iPad shop.

www.broraonline.com/uk/silk-velvet-dress-navy-dd8482km8417

My sisters shop specialises in these! Check out hats and tiaras on Facebook/ website (cleethorpes). She has beautiful outfits , i bet she would have the perfect one for you x

🤣🤣🤣🤣

'Meet David'... Eh no thanks.

I know it’s not your colour but I have just bought this lovely ex rental dress from John Lewis https://johnlewisfashionrental.com/items/equator-dress-steel-blue

Oh bless, you have loads of time!.
But, what you need to do is wait a couple of months and then go grab a friend with a phone and go try some on, with friend’s opinion and photo of each one.
Go home and put photo’s on an iPad or bigger screen, for a proper inspection.
March is a good spring colour, dark chocolate brown, browns, rich dark greens,
Damart also do some nice clothing and catalogue clothing can give you good ideas, without buying anything, I often try a new style by using a catalogue purchase, because I hate clothes shopping.

I once even purchased a beautiful designer dress from a high end charity shop, which bought new would have set me back £920. (Who’s to know) for £50.
Don’t panic, you will find the perfect outfit, when you least expect it.

I think phase 8 and Hobbs will be your best bet. Something good quality (maybe more expensive but within budget) but will feel great in. May need to then look for some cheaper accessories. Hobbs currently has some lovely occasion dresses in that look great for early spring with sleeves and wouldn’t then need a jacket if you didn’t want them

I feel your pain. MOTB here, the wedding is a few months before yours and I'm still at a loss as to what to wear. Hope you get sorted.

When I looked Hobbs and Phase eight was so dowdy

Don't use a brand that isn't normal you, would be my tip

what style is the bride wearing - velvet seems very wintery to me. More a december wedding. Are the bridesmaids in velvet or are they in spring time dresses

When I was looking for outfits 10 years ago now the best dress shop told me they have all their MOTB/G stuff in by Feb. Perhaps you could ask around as to the best time to look. Dodgy leaving it that late but what will be the fashion then? Could be quite different to now.

I went to JL and the dresser offered me a very flattering dark violet coloured plain dress which I was v pleased with but would never have chosen myself

As someone with tummy issues having lost 9.5 stone, Phase Eight and Hobbs tend to be my go to

ive been looking at mob dresses (dd just got engaged but yet to set date as they’re buying a house first so prob 2028) and I’d go to a shop, try on, find out which designers/shapes suit & what size you wear in that make then buy off EBay/Facebook or Vinted. Facebook has mob/mog groups which offer beautiful outfits at half price or less for stunning dresses. Just join both mob & mog groups as outfits are the same plus you should be able to get hat and bag in your budget if you keep looking. Plus you can always make an offer - they can only say no

im sure you are going to look stunning 🥰

So happy nobody has suggested those hideous dress-coat combos. Hopefully they have gone out of fashion!

If my kids ever get married, and I win the lottery, I will be wearing this ;-)

Don’t go to John Lewis. Even for nice brands they tend to stock the worst of the clothes.
Dont wear hold it all in knickers, they really hurt and can give you dreadful wind.
Focus on your lovely areas, your legs will be great so ideally go for just below knee length. Have you looked at any American designs? Often they are much better cut and not tight on the tum. Kate Spade had a lovely autumn one last year with a v neck, fitted bodice and flared skirt. They do have an outlet shop. If you are not too tall try continental makes, they usually have plenty of flattering shapes. Another option and a longer one is All Saints, the Two in one dresses are extremely flattering, silky but pleated with a little jumper over the top, I wear them a lot and always feel very comfy and people seem to think I am stylish.

The Adrianna PapellFloral Bead Mesh Midi Dress, Navy/Multi is gorgeous.

Why don’t you echo the bridesmaids colours if she’s echoing your son?
I did that ( with my daughter’s agreement) and added a contrasting colour.