Where to try on a glam, flattering full-length mother of the groom dress

[NotAgeingGracefullyThanks]

I'm going to a wedding next year in Canada (mother of the Groom) and utterly hate shopping. My soon to be DIL has given me a really good steer as to what she'd like to see me in (no pressure, but she definitely has a look) and I'd like to wear something she'd like if possible. The dress code is evening gown; full length.

My problem, (apart from hating shopping with a passion) is that she and I are polar physical opposites in every way and hence don't dress alike in style or colours. She is a gorgeous, curvy, pint sized lass, with deep olive skin and I'm a 5'10'' muscled but saggy beanpole, with wide shoulders, narrow hips and can look like a shot putter in the wrong outfit. There's nothing wrong with looking like a shot putter if you want to, but I don't know how to embrace the muscle I have whilst still looking feminine. I have nightmares about the bridesmaid dress I wore at 18...hideous and looked like an 18th century bar wench on steroids.

I do have a 'good' body (gym), esp. for my age, so I'm not too bothered about wearing something that shows the outline of my figure, but with my face (craggy) and hair (white/silver), I'd rather not look like mutton dressed as her mum.

I think that my DIL sees me as someone who can pull off a 'glam puss look', which is incredibly sweet, and the only older, v tall glam puss I can think of is someone like Hannah Waddingham but I DO NOT have the curves she has, nor the face, although I do have the shoulders.

I'm happy to travel to a bridal shop where they have lots of possibles to try on and I've seen the odd one on Azazie and JJs House. I'd really like to be able to try them on though, as although ordering 7 dresses and sending them all back sounds like fun (not!).
I'd prefer to go to one big bridal shop and just get the dress. I also don't usually fit any particular size, as I'm a 12 on top and a 10 on the bottom and the dress waist usually ends up around my nipples due to the length of my torso.

I have month and months to go before I have to buy, so any suggestions? Happy to travel and am Midlands based. Thanks all.

I think that is a bit much different culture of dress for a wedding isn't forcing anything 🤔 but anything for a bit of poking at the op eh !

Oh, do stay, OP.

I was hoping you would report back to say you had tried on a fabulous dress.

I do think calling at Nigel Rayment sooner than later would be a good idea. I think they would let you know if the right dress came in, once you had been in.

No that's not correct.

My sister's MIL is Sikh and she wouldn't have dreamt of telling her she couldn't wear a sari to her wedding, even though it's her cultural dress and not religious.

Why would you want to start controlling adults in such a way?

@NotAgeingGracefullyThanks

OP, one think I would suggest, based on what you said about yourself, is to take your dress into Rigby and Peller, for a fitting.

https://www.rigbyandpeller.com/en-gb/stores

It would be good to have an appointment at your favourite make-up counter too.

It all sounds very exciting!

I tried that on. Horrible material and the lacy part was itchy.

Don't go OP - just ignore that poster upthread, there's always one who can't read the room.

How about Veni Infantino - they have stockists across the UK. Something like this maybe? https://www.veni-infantino.com/collections/evening/products/992885

Ah what a shame. I love their older stuff and the dress is very pretty.

Dear lovely vipers (as opposed to the odd one who has their knickers in a twist about a completely imagined issue!). Thank you and I shall indeed stay. You have some fab ideas and I need your collective brain to stay my shopping sanity.

I'm going to book a shopping trip with at least one of my DC in the next 10 days, possibly all 3, and will take a photo and report back if there's any progress. Wish me luck xx

The John Charles dress is fabulous!

Another vote for Rigby & Peller, especially the knightbridge branch. I’ve known people find a short list of frocks , then pop in there with pictures for a proper fitting then going back with the new bra to see the effect. Transformational

If you have some ideas of smaller boutiques, it’s worth calling ahead with you size and some ideas so they are prepared. Or a personal shopper appointment in JL and Selfridges.

And, finally, could DDiL provide a snipped of the fabric for her frock or anyone else in the green theme club. Green is one of those colours which comes in a vast range of palettes and can be very tricky to get a harmonious overall look if the guidelines are just ‘green’.

If seen this approach be very effective when the bridal party were encouraged to wear anything in the spectrum of espresso, cocoa, Carmel, creme

Not all greens will sit harmoniously together. Enjoy xx

@NotAgeingGracefullyThanks

In which season will the wedding be, OP?

I was wondering, in case some of the dresses coming in for this coming season might be too warm, should it be in, say, mid-July and scorching hot.

Still best to start searching now, of course!

I was recently MoG and wore a full length tailored jumpsuit. It looked like a maxi in photos as the legs were very wide. I bought it in a US department store where they offered quick alterations. It was ready in a few days (needed the legs up an inch and they added pockets).

I recommend you avoid bridal shops as their wares are rarely wearable again, and you will pay a wedding outfit tariff. Go to Canada ahead of the wedding and hit the shops. Good department stores usually offer tailoring services.

Well said!

I live in the US, but the wedding I recently attended was elsewhere. Nevertheless, US customs applied and I was careful to avoid clashing with the bridesmaids, bride, groom's tie, and MOB dress. I opted for a complimentary colour, as did the siblings of the groom, my other DCs. Think royal blue bridesmaid dresses, royal blue ties for the groom and groomsmen, navy for the MOB, and variations on the theme of bluey teal for the groom's family.

At a previous wedding I attended as part of the bridal party, we were all asked to wear shades of dusty pink - beige - blush.

Photographers are not cheap and it is a pity to end up with someone sticking out like a sore thumb in (exaggeration here) a denim jacket or a neon yellow, in photos that are supposed to last a long, long time.

North American weddings are generally not free for alls when it comes to attire and that is just a fact. Of course there are people who will harrumpf that this is wrong in every way it's possible to be wrong, but you don't have to take any notice.

John Lewis has quite a lot of long green dresses that might fit the vibe. You could get them sent to the store to try on there and see what does and doesn't suit? https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/green/evening/_/N-flwZ1z141f5Z1yzkk88

I know you said you wanted sleeves but this one is crying out for decent shoulders https://www.johnlewis.com/omnes-arles-halterneck-satin-maxi-dress/emerald-green/p114936711

Nigel Rayment have a great selection - I found them helpful in London, but did look at their website and did my homework beforehand. My DS is getting married next year and I will absolutely try to fit in with any suggestions his fiancée has to make dress-wise.

I found Birmingham a bit of a waste of time - if that helps!

She wants to wear that sort of dress. She’s not being told what to wear and is happy to accept some guidance from her DIL.
You’d refuse to go to your son’s wedding over clothing ?

If I were asked to wear a long green evening dress, I'd wear something like these.
Liberty
Erdem.
Erdem 2

If I were ordered to wear something from a "Mother of Groom" brand, I wouldn't.

A family member got married recently and the bridal party dress code (not wider guests) was all millennial pink, cream and beige. It all looked very lovely and harmonious with its Cotswold stone backdrop - apart from the grooms mother's who refused to comply, wore navy with bright emerald green accessories and sticks out like a sore thumb in the photos. While I wouldn't usually like to be told what I can and can't wear, in this instance I think it's totally fair to comply.