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

The NC dress is lovely and the one you posted is better than the first 2. I work a lot of weddings and honestly as long as you are comfy and happy in what you wear you will look great.

This.

Can’t believe some people don’t know this.

The first link doesn’t work for me. The green on is nice but you could do better.

Update. Have ordered both the Farm Rio one and the Nobody’s Child one. We’ll see when they come. If neither of them work at least I’ve started thinking about it
Spoke to my daughter today about the bridesmaid colour. She reiterated that she really doesn’t care, nor does she care about pale colours or anything else. She just wants everyone to feel relaxed.
That’s absolutely no reflection on people who feel differently; it’s just how she feels

I tried this one on in mint velvet and it looked good but would need to be turned up. I’m also 5ft. 3, size 12. I’m like you never need to dress smart. I wasn’t sure about the neckline v-neck or round suits me a bit better as I’ve got a large bust. My daughter liked it when I showed her a photo of me in it.

https://mintvelvet.com/products/aqua-satin-cape-midi-dress

I also don’t like tradional MOB but I do like a hat or headpiece. I tried on quite a few in monsoon but I’m not going to rush to buy anything

That’s lovely @kkneat. Very simple but very elegant

If you do decide to buy one, remember, Phase Eight sizes a rather generous.

Just popping on to say that my niece got married last summer & my sister bought her dress a year before as, like you, she saw it & loved it. Hers was Mint Velvet & was fabulous. She too wanted to avoid all the MOB tropes (and the boutiques near us that swamp you as soon as you enter/ put huge pressure on you to buy at extortionate prices). She wore a head piece, but if yours is more casual a lovely dress would be perfect on its own with your hair done/ a beautiful hair slide or band, perhaps?

My sisters was in the same vein.

It's actually this one, available on Ebay in a size 12 BNWT. It's beautiful on.

Sorry, just realised you've ordered two. I hope they're perfect!

That’s a gorgeous dress @Puffalicious. I think I’m too short to carry off the ruffles anyway though

I have just today bought a dress I like for my DD’s wedding in March 2027. It wasn’t very expensive and means I’ve got something in case I don’t find anything I like better. Works for me!

The very best time to buy a dress is when you are not under pressure.
Those dresses are lovely and could be reworn for so many things.
If you feel fabulous in a dress, buy it.

My mother bought 3 fabulous MOB outfits.
She got wear for the other two.

There are always other outings attached to a wedding, so great to have a few lovely options.
Enjoy.

Sister looked fabulous in it. She was much more comfortable than in anything more structured. I do think you've got it bang on with a dress 👗. Let us know how your ordered ones feel. 👍

I agree with this op.

If they are your style, I think the coral one is pretty (the green doesn't look very summery to me; its a bit dreary) but if they aren't your style, I don't think you need to feel it's necessary to go in "MOB Costume."

Especially if it's informal, go in what you feel like yourself in - or yourself on a special day. These to me don't sing Nobody's Child wearers.

Why not post a photo of the outfit you feel best in, and we can work from that to something for a special day. Sometimes I think people go as "someone else" when they have to be MOB!

The polyester pleated ones in the first post would be difficult to shorten, and the green one definitely would need be too long for someone who describes themselves as short.

I don’t know if it’s still done that way, but pleats like that used to be ‘baked in’ after the hem was sewn. If you try turning up the hem the hills and valleys of the pleating go the wrong way and don’t fold neatly into themselves.

I like the Farm Rio dress. The placement of the pattern gives it a bit more of a special occasion look.

Oh and OP there is a new NC collab with Elizabeth Scarlett coming next week ... Might be some lovely dresses!

Just catching up. I like the third one you posted OP! Without knowing you, I get the sense that is genuinely more "you" than the other two. They just looked like "I need to look like the MOB" dresses!

The third is great: fresh, pretty, special but not "mumsy."

My daughter is also getting married next June! Her wedding is in Tuscany and I have already bought my dress! I saw one in Hobbs last year and kept looking at it. I was worried to buy something too soon in case I saw something I liked better but then I thought if I didn’t see something I preferred, I may regret not getting it. Anyway, it was reduced from £320 to £149 and I saw that as a sign that I was meant to have it! 😆Now need the hat, bag and sandals.

I don’t like either of them and I’m not fussed on ‘MOB’ as such so I’d just try to find something I love but without detracting from the bride; if I get it now then job done, but if not, no problem. Sorry @Twodogsonthecouch not very helpful.

I'm hoping to be mother of the groom late next year and have my eye on this dress https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/peacock-manor-silk-satin-gala-maxi-dress-000798996.html?_gl=11g7jee0_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiA1obMBhAbEiwAsUBbIhUrA8JYkGB2PPgUvHhTEXWYFflhPF_0sdag5pLIsg-uAHndGVkzaxoCW-oQAvD_BwE#pos=1

Sorry to answer your question, I much prefer the green OP. But I wonder if Phase means a guest may turn up in the same dress? Also they are polyester. This is a brand that is often mentioned on S&B and the dresses are structured in a cos way klements.co.uk/products/pre-order-mohav-silk-dress-in-tortoise-shell-print?variant=44211440386206

If I’m honest, I’d wait until the end of summer sales.

If you normally wear Cos, don’t buy one of these! Have a look at Cos, Arket, and also And Other Stories. A plain colour linen dress with a decent blow dry and some gorgeous jewellery would be lovely.

@NancyJoan Linen at a wedding is just a big fat no. It creases and goes out of shape very quickly. It’s casual and more suitable for going to the pub. There are absolutely loads of suitable dresses that will stay in good condition all day. A former boyfriend of mine got married and me and DH were invited to the wedding. His mum wore her old cardi. It’s just screaming “I cannot be bothered”. She simply was the one who made the least effort. I’d look for a crumple free fabric and a flattering style.