Mother of the bride

[BlackCarrot]

My wonderful daughter is getting married this year. I'm hoping for opinions on a dress https://www.debenhams.com/product/jolie-moi-angel-sleeve-mesh-frill-wrap-maxi-dress_p-cfba2617-35e1-44fa-8e18-84b6d603fced?colour=Teal&size=8&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22915808283&gbraid=0AAAAABevdS5EvxiSgkVQPc3higJbmYo_c&gclid=CjwKCAiAzOXMBhASEiwAe14Saagjb217sz0vBJ4UcRP5nxbPvnQjig4kTdPRuiPD_jt3-Mm8qqhPbhoC7kYQAvD_BwE I'm quite pale and short with big boobs. I'm going to look like an idiot 😫

I like the black and white one.

I think it's lovely. Some of the other dresses that have been suggested are very boring.

My Mum wore a bright magenta dress to my wedding, she looked lovely.

I think it’s a nice dress, OP. I agree with pp that it is better to buy it from Next or John Lewis in case you decide to return it.

Perhaps controversial, but I don’t really believe in the specific “motb” dress thing. I don’t understand why that status requires a different style of dress. Just buy whatever looks and feels good and is suitable for the style of the wedding.

@PhaedraWas I did not say use a mother of the bride shop!

Op should know the style of the wedding. Where is it and what is it? A quick registry office followed by pub or a bit more organised using a venue or hotel? Is it in a marquee? Church? Day or evening or both?

What does dd expect her mum to wear? Most brides have some idea. What about cost? @BlackCarrot what would you spend? It’s hopefully a once in your lifetime occasion.

Yes - really nice

@BlackCarrot The navy blue is more expensive from Self portrait. The other three are via marks and Spencer.

Am I the only person who really, really dislikes ‘wedding’ jumpsuits?

None of those are anything like the one the OP picked. If you look at what she picked you can kind of tell she doesn't want high necks and as she has big boobs they'd most likely look awful on her.

You jumped in and said after several posters had been enthusiastic about the OP"s choice.

Ok isn’t mother of the bride though is it. It’s a safe work dress.

What is "mother of the bride"? It's either any dress worn by a woman who happens to be the mother of the bride or one of those monstrosities designated as" mother of the bride"

None of them look anything like the OP's choice. 2 of them look like "safe work dresses" , which is what OP's choice was (wrongly) criticised for by this poster. The shift with the flower pattern is horrible.

The SP dress is nice but if OP's budget is Jolie Moi, SP is unlikely to be an option.

no

If you’re going to wear a wrap dress to a wedding try sitting down in it beforehand to make sure it doesn’t gape open everywhere except the tied part and you spend the whole day holding onto it. I speak from bitter experience.

I'm not keen on that dress - you say you've tried it on, didn't it swamp you as you're short?

I often recommend Rixo on S&B threads as they really do have some lovely dresses - have a look at these that come in Petite

Petite Clothing for Women | Ladies Petite Dresses | RIXO ⋆

Oh I didn’t know Rixo did petite! Yes some nice options there. Rixo does seem to love bias cut unstructured dresses though, I don’t know how these look on anyone who isn’t tall and willowy…

A few Phase Eight petite options which I think would work for pale with boobs:

aqua floral

jumpsuit jumpsuit

white and blue floral

metallic wrap

blush beaded maxi

unusual pleated wrap - lovely colour

very MOB ! lovely colour

bit like the original Jolie moi one, but smarter

pleated pale blue

love this dress! but only in size 10 :(

Yes I agree a bit with this op. "MOB" as a kind of marketing concept is an odd thing. As pp are saying, it isn't exactly the same as a guest, so you wouldn't wear it to another wedding, and it is unlikely you would feel comfortable reusing a full-on MOB outfit for more than one of your dc.

For that reason, I think start with a) the style of the actual wedding at hand and b) what suits you, and forget about the MOB vibe.

I think for a fancy London hotel or evening reception that dress might be a little casual, but for a country wedding in the day it has a rather nice romantic feel - not too "don't forget to look at me, the sexy MOB" (and believe me I've seen a few of them!), but equally not too unfeminine.

But I would be guided by your DD. Ultimately if you and she are happy, I don't think it is "inappropriate." I do like the pale Phase 8 one another pp has just posted and which looks perhaps a little more summery and special occasionish?

I like the one that’s a bit like the original Joli Moi. Very pretty, and I love the pale blue pleated one.

I rather like that too, though wondered if it suits a stronger colouring than OP (who I think said she is very pale?)

I think that it is too causal and to be honest if I were you I would go to a physical shop that is for mother of the Bride/Groom. There is too much of a risk someone turning up in the same outfit if you buy from Department Stores or Brand like Joli
Moi.

I think it's lovely. I don't understand this idea that mother's of the bride should look a certain way.. My mother is a casual gal and when my sister got married she wore a blouse and skirt and looked lovely, not stuffy and formal. I think plenty of MOTB outfits are over the top and look over the top. That's just my opinion.. If it was me I would wear a flowery floaty dress as that's what I like wearing and would wear again
Not a jacket, hat etc. I hope you have a wonderful day and be true to yourself not a prescribed look.

Your choice is much nicer than all the others @BlackCarrot

Nice shoes, maybe gold, and get your hair, nails, and makeup done so you look polished and glam

as an aside, I have massive boobs and this style works well for me. I always wear a full length slip under my dresses to avoid accidental flashing and create a smooth line

Bondi Sands tan is good for paler skin too, build it up well before to avoid any mishaps

I personally would avoid those mother of the bride shops, for me they seem old fashioned and extortionately priced

I hate every single one of these. There must be something nicer out there than nasty coloured polyester. The jumpsuit is especially revolting imvho.

Your choice is much nicer than all the others

Yes, I've just looked again at it and think I agree op.

Don't thrown off your instinct op.**

Some are a bit snooty about polyester. I don’t mind it at all, and it doesn’t crease.

The one like the original Jolie Moi is nice from the front but spoiled by the back view with that silly strap to hold it on.

The jumpsuit is horrendous.