Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!

[ihaveafavouritecat]

Please help me! My son is getting married in 8 weeks and I haven’t a clue what to wear. So far I’ve ordered three dresses online (Coast, Lavish Alice and Florere) and have sent them all back. Earlier this week I had a personal stylist appointment at John Lewis, bought 3 items (Hobbs dress, Reiss dress and Phase Eight jumpsuit), but not sure any of them are right. Also ordered a jumpsuit from Me+Em, not yet received. I don’t know if that will be right either, I know it will need shortening about 6 inches!
I’m 5’3, 9st 6, have lost 7 stone over last 3 years. Blue eyes, brown hair/blond highlights. i think the colours that suit me best are greens/golds/sandy but not at all rigid except that pastel colours make me look washed out.
There’s a register office wedding service and then the bigger wedding ‘do’ 3 days later, so I need two outfits! Budget about £400ish for both. I just feel so much of what I’m seeing is so ‘bland’ and ordinary, I want to feel a bit more cool and funky but still smart of course.
Would really appreciate some help or suggestions of makers/brands I’m not aware of… thanks in advance.

As it’s a winter wedding maybe this

https://www.marksandspencer.com/glitter-floral-flock-dress/p/clp23102316#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r12c4%7Cprodflag_Just%20Arrived

I like you in the brown dress best. Does it have to be a dress? You’d look lovely in a wide leg trouser suit with a Chanel cropped jacket done up.
I know it’s hated on here, but have you looked through the Nigel Rament website?
Karen Millen also has a modern twist to their designs.

"Is it okay for the mother of the groom to just wear a dress - no jacket? I’m so clueless!"

Why can't the mother of the groom wear whatever she likes?

Me too at this rate I’m going to order it for myself, the only thing stopping me is I have short arms so usually avoid long sleeves. Plus I don’t have an occasion to wear it too.

I’m absolutely not an expert on hair, but I’m not sure what you want is going to be the best look for you. I’d definitely suggest hair closer to your head, complementing your small frame and lovely posture. Probably darker in colour. No ‘buttery’ yellow!

What clothes size are you? We’re the same height but you’re slimmer so presumably fit an 8? This would be epic on you for the second ceremony. (And yes you could shorten if necessary.)

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/toteme/clothing/maxi-dresses/slouch-waist-gathered-wool-crepe-maxi-dress/46376663162936234

(How did you feel about the Cawley dress linked above, @ihaveafavouritecat?)

I have a wedding next year it is Autumn and this is ideal, I have seen similar style elsewhere but I prefer this.

@NorWouldTillyHave to be honest the Cawley dress leaves me cold but thank you!

Ok! Is the red Toteme any better?

(I do think you want either long sleeves or a heavier fabric to suit the season and likely temperatures.)

me+Em jumpsuit this is the jumpsuit I’ve ordered but not yet received. I feel like it’s really ‘me’ so I’m hoping it will look good on, albeit the model in the picture is 6 inches taller than me… any thoughts?

I would try the Bombshell dresses by Katya Wildman - they are around £400 new so you could try Vinted?

@ihaveafavouritecat I love the jumpsuit you linked to. But I am 5'3 like you, and I think you would have to cut so much off the leg length that it would look all wrong unfortunately.

@NorWouldTillyI’m an 8-10 I’m discovering. I told the John Lewis stylist I was 10-12 but she put me right and kept having to go and get me things in a smaller size. I’ve ordered the Me+Em jumpsuit in an 8.

@OneNewEagleThanks, I’m liking the Oasis dress in black actually - surprised because I never wear black - but the colour in the print makes a big difference. Green quite nice too. I might order those to try…?

I really love the jumpsuit and also like the style of the brown dress on you. The colour though is a bit meh imo but the style is lovely.

Hi OP, I’m the same height as you and a size 8. I love the green jumpsuit. You could easily alter it as the trousers are wide all the way down. Wear with high heels.

I also love the brown dress - it is the best shape on you, but I prefer the Me&Em jumpsuit.

for inspiration I’d look to Victoria Beckham (the green dress she wore to the Ramsey wedding) or Queen Rania of Jordan - there is an amazing photo of her on the Royal Style thread (2nd last page I think) in a burgundy dress and shoes at a wedding last week.

Don’t go against what you love just because people say you are ‘short’ or petite - I only found out yesterday that. Claudia Winkelmann is 5ft3!!!! She doesn’t let her height dictate her style.

I hope this has helped you. Also, please don’t cut your hair unless you are up to styling it daily - short hair is a very definite ‘look’ and needs a lot of styling to look great.

This looks really long, it is nice but it might drown you, it could just be the pose though but she is probably 5ft in the leg 😀

You lot are all brilliant, your advice and suggestions are so helpful.

A few of petite dresses from Reformation

https://www.thereformation.com/products/petites-maelani-dress/1320826.html

https://www.thereformation.com/products/petites-marlette-dress/1320897.html

https://www.thereformation.com/products/petites-bryson-dress/1313399.html

@IloveshihtzusOh wow, is this the burgundy dress you’re referring to? Fab look! Can anyone point me to something similar?

I nearly sent a link to the green Oasis dress as it’s on Coast.
I agree with a PP the jumpsuit is nice but if the model is 5 ft 9 and it’s trailing on the floor it will swamp you.

I’ve got one next autumn so I’m thinking about buying it. It really is pretty. As it’s still hot in October this year i am worried I’ll overheat. Let’s hope we aren’t at the same wedding (if we are you will look better).

I might just go for it, I found it on qvc where I have never shopped before quite a bit cheaper not sure why I guess they blue but or something.

If you google search “cape dress” it will bring up lots of options. Seems to be quite a few on next.

OPs budget is £400 for two outfits.

For your hair, go to Jo Hansford and get Ansha to do you a French Facelift haircut. It has a lot of movement and will make you look much younger. For colour, go to Rupert there.