Too early to buy a mother of the bride dress?

[Twodogsonthecouch]

My daughter is getting married in June 2027. I know I have loads of time but when I was in town today and wandering through shops I was looking at the summer clothes and it occurred to me that it might be a good time to buy something.
the wedding is in a gorgeous old country house. Not very formal. No church. Hopefully wedding ceremony in the garden of the weather cooperates.

I was looking at these and thought they were pretty. What do you think?

https://www.debenhams.com/product/phase-eight-abigail-wrap-dressp-019f167c-4e06-4330-bb63-ea739df359d0?srsltid=AfmBOoqWGW99cyXqQz-Wg1QlxOd6E1TwHajeBUCxk1uDvuDslSDoTE9&colour=Coral

https://www.phase-eight.com/row/product/rosa-floral-pleat-maxi-dress-222095000.html

Some of the "traditional" MOB/G dresses are horrendous i know some women like them but that bardot weird neckline and heavy heavy fabric is just horrible! I bought what I found comfortable and felt nice in, I did wear a fascinator which i regretted !

Honestly? It's about 3 gazillion times nicer than the first 2. That's also a dress you can wear the hell out of afterwards.

It's lovely, and much nicer material.

I love that one! It's gorgeous. Go for it.

Agreed. OP, as you've picked that one then I can now say I think the first 2 are awful.

Brilliant. Delighted to think that would work. I think I’d be very relaxed in something like that Thanks so much

🤣.

Don’t worry. Looking for honest opinions but would be very happy to compromise on what I like to fit in as well

I hope you have a wonderful day when it comes.

My friend was MOB last autumn and she booked a personal shopper appt at JLewis. You fill in a form first to say what brands you usually like etc. It's free. They will come up with loads of oufits to try and you don't have to buy anything. It worked for her and she looked great.

Sorry. Did not see that you've chosen something!

Thanks a million for the input. I haven’t decided at all yet, just saw the one above and really liked it. I may well follow that suggestion. ❤️

I wouldn’t buy polyester in case it’s a hot day.

Not too early to start looking but too early to buy IMO.

The dresses are OK but how they'll look on someone like me might not.
(I'm 50+ so the colours might be too bright, I have a bust and wrap dresses make me look like I'm still BFing, pleats add girth, plus the length would swamp me.)

I'd try small independent boutiques where they'd pick things for you to try.

what about this? I really like it.
Lovely.

Definitely good to get ahead and find something you love and not leaving to a lst minute panic.

You mention that you're 'short' - just wondering how tall you are. I'm 5,3 and notice that dresses have gotten longer in the past few years and these all look very long. Worth looking at the lengths and if they'll need shortening of you. The most recent one you shared is lovely but would lose some of the pattern if it needed shortening.

Not necessarily. My mum wanted to tone, my MiL didn't all fine. There is no rules unless the bridezilla insists.

@GoodOnPaperI'm 5' 3" I've never had and don't have a problem with dress lengths.

I am short. So many clothes would just drown me. People often post photos on here of dresses that have so much fabric and are designed for tall people. I have to look at very different clothing and brands!

I think what I would do is wait until the summer sales, hopefully buy the peachy one when it's reduced and put it away in the knowledge that if I see something I love more I haven't spent as much as I could have on the first one!

I’d be the same OP - get it & feel all happy & organised that I’ve got my outfit. Then pull it out a year later to find it’s not how I remembered it, that I don’t really like it anymore & need to find something else in no time! But thats just me!

I do think it’s a bit unfair to criticize women who like a coat suit and enjoy a more formal look. Not all weddings are casual and brides are not “brideszilla” for wanting something more formal. My DD does, so I won’t bore you with what I’m wearing, but I don’t see why casual is the only style that gets praise. My DDs is a winter wedding and evening so we are doing things very differently. I cannot see what’s wrong with that and I’m losing weight, so no dress bought yet! DD has asked that I coordinate colours, so I will. I’m happy to please her.

I’ve no problem with that either @MeetMeOnTheCorner As I said from the get go my priority is my daughter and fitting in with the wedding she has chosen and finding the appropriate style for that. In her case that happens to be more relaxed which suits me perfectly (wonder where she got it from!) but as I said above I do want to fit in with her preference and absolutely do not want to wear something that would be different from that and inadvertently make me a talking point.

Probably the same people who decided that weddings were necessary and people should dress up. As well as the whole maid of honour, bridesmaids, flower girls, best man, ushers, on the grooms side, bridal bouquet, you know, the traditions. We have them around Christenings etc as well.

Me too. These are nice dresses but I really don't like full length for day time. You should only get something early if you really love it. I found a wonderful Hobbs dress (expensive but much reduced in the sale) but had to send it back because of the concealed zip sticking at the waistline. I loved it but didn't feel I should have to pay a dressmaker to fix a £400 dress. So now I am hanging on and not buying ahead after all. Your daughter sounds like a lovely girl, you must be proud.

If you're not sure on what suits you, why not see if there are any shops near you that offer a free personal shopping experience. I know John Lewis do, I believe Fenwicks does too.
Apparently Phase Eight also offer it
https://www.phase-eight.com/row/shopping-with-us/personal-styling.html
Mint Velvet also do it
https://mintvelvet.com/pages/personal-styling

Keep an eye on Vinted, you might find the same dress on there.

My son had a ‘city wedding’ in Manchester two weeks ago, I bought my dress this time last year. I tried it on a few days before the wedding and, although it fitted, was uncomfortably tight around my hips (I’ve put on a little weight this year, not a bad thing as I’d lost weight due to stress and bereavement). So I had to hit the shops 3 days before the wedding! I was lucky to find this beautiful blue dress in a local boutique which, if I say so myself, looked great on me and really suited the city ‘vibe’.
https://www.fee-g.com/product/jenny-wrap-belt-dress-blue-872y-57/#product-gallery-4