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Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!

1000 replies

ihaveafavouritecat · 02/10/2026 11:29

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.

OP posts:
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ihaveafavouritecat · 21/10/2026 23:03

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/10/2026 22:30

The cream M&S faux fur I posted previously is also still in stock.

Thanks @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie yes I liked that a lot… but PP warned me off it as not ‘speaking’ to the tones of the jumpsuit or words to that effect… and I could see that. I’ll see how I feel about the choc brown one when it arrives. I like winter white jeans and boots so I can see myself wearing the brown with other things and feeling fab in it ☺️

OP posts:
EleanorMc67 · 21/10/2026 23:05

Also thought this looked lovely.

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/10/2026 23:09

ihaveafavouritecat · 21/10/2026 23:03

Thanks @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie yes I liked that a lot… but PP warned me off it as not ‘speaking’ to the tones of the jumpsuit or words to that effect… and I could see that. I’ll see how I feel about the choc brown one when it arrives. I like winter white jeans and boots so I can see myself wearing the brown with other things and feeling fab in it ☺️

Fair enough. Must admit I don’t understand a word of that though! 😂

minnowonthesay · 21/10/2026 23:10

My only issue with the Whistles one @EleanorMc67 is the zip front, beautiful fur though.
I like a revere collar on an evening jacket, which is why I like the River Island one.

minnowonthesay · 21/10/2026 23:18

How about a teal leather metallic envelope clutch? I know it’s eBay, but it’s new and can be returned within 28 days - 31.5cm long and does have a strap?

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
minnowonthesay · 21/10/2026 23:22

Also comes in bronze

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · 21/10/2026 23:45

minnowonthesay · 21/10/2026 23:10

My only issue with the Whistles one @EleanorMc67 is the zip front, beautiful fur though.
I like a revere collar on an evening jacket, which is why I like the River Island one.

Yes, I just spotted that. It wasn't immediately obvious. Shame! I'd prefer hooks or no fastenings.

EleanorMc67 · 21/10/2026 23:51

ihaveafavouritecat · 21/10/2026 22:54

Gosh that’s lovely as well. Can’t quite work out what the neckline is like though? Looks very plush-y too!

Says it's high-necked with no fastening. So I think it's a sort of stand-up collar (though a soft not stiff one) that can be folded down or left up?

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
ihaveafavouritecat · 22/10/2026 00:03

Thanks but I need the added height from heels as only 5’3 and both my outfits are very long… but not mega heels either!

OP posts:
ihaveafavouritecat · 22/10/2026 00:05

I can’t look at any more shoes today 😩

OP posts:
minnowonthesay · 22/10/2026 01:05

You’ve still got by my estimations 5 weeks to the wedding, panic does not set in until 2 weeks to go! Relax 😂

minnowonthesay · 22/10/2026 01:19

Two pairs of reasonably priced, black satin mid heel evening shoes, the Mango ones are a lovely plain classic style?

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Ruthietuthie · 22/10/2026 01:37

I think that the fake fur, in brown, will be a lovely coat for you to arrive in (providing the pile of the fur is short and dense, which you will see when it arrives in person).
Personally, I HATE black shoes apart from with a black dress. They deaden an outfit. A dull bronze (or dull, burnished gold) would go with both and work as a neutral (the issue with the brocade shoes/shoes with glittery bits is that they don't read as neutral, instead distracting from the beauty (in fabric, in drape, in details, in cut) of the jumpsuit and dress.
I would need a bag but I really wouldn't match it with the shoes. The whole outfit shouldn't look as if you bought any of the pieces together in the mother of the bride section of a bridal store, where they sold you the "whole look."
Think of it like a room. A collected room, with things purchased over-time, with different textures, looks far more elegant and special than a room where you went to a big box store and bought everything matching, all at once.

minnowonthesay · 22/10/2026 01:45

Me & Em have styled the jumpsuit with black shoes @Ruthietuthie and with the leg length and width, I don’t think you’ll see much of them anyway. I love a black satin evening shoe and bag, but I am 60 and old habits die hard! Totally agree with what you’ve said about the room though, fab analogy.

EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 02:53

minnowonthesay · 22/10/2026 01:05

You’ve still got by my estimations 5 weeks to the wedding, panic does not set in until 2 weeks to go! Relax 😂

Or even the day before ... panic focuses the mind wonderfully, I find!!!

Ruthietuthie · 22/10/2026 03:04

@minnowonthesay, the "no to black" might well be a me thing! It looks good on the Me&Em photo, definitely. And yes, you do barely see the shoes with the length and width of the jumpsuit leg.
I just always think of things in terms of what would look complimentary on a color wheel. I like the opportunity to add in a complementary color, to add just a little more to the outfit, whereas black just seems to be a non-choice. But I definitely think a neutral black shoe would be better choice than a shoe that dominated the outfit, just because the jumpsuit and dress are so lovely in their own right. And maybe @ihaveafavouritecat would get future wear out of an elegant but simple black leather shoe?
(Still team burnished bronze)

EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:09

Ruthietuthie · 20/10/2026 23:56

  1. Pinterest ‘duck’ colour combination? - Too fussy with the decorative element.
  2. Simple bronze ones - Would work for both. Best so far.

3 Love the velvet ones with the bow, but don't think olive goes with teal. Would they go with the jumpsuit?

4 Velvet olive shoes - would work with jumpsuit, maybe not with teal (but would work with olive version of dress), but stumpy looking with the heel and the ankle strap. Can make legs look a bit cankly.

5 Gabor on Vinted - Frumpy, a bit dated. Compare to 2 and note how 2 has a more elegant heel, more interesting shape to the vamp.

6 Vinted, from Boden - introduction of pale blue is too random, rounded toe is dated and shortens your leg line.

7 M+S on Vinted. May well work with teal, would need to see.

8 Vinted with matching bag. I find the decorative bit unnecessary and likely to distract from the outfit, plus jumpsuit legs might catch on beads. NEVER match bag and shoe exactly. If it looks like it was bought as a "set" it's a no. (Like matching all your bedroom furniture).

9 Bronze shoes from Hudson. Not too my taste - too heavy at the end of your leg when you have a delicate frame.

10 nice green velvet on Vinted. Velvet looks cheap, too bright a shade of green so would go with neither dress or jumpsuit, rounded toe.

11 Burgundy from Joe Browns - ok, a bit too much with the beads. Would then need a burgundy ( but not matching) bag. Why draw attention to your feet rather than to the dress/jumpsuit and your face?

12 Too bright and light a color.

So, all in all, number 2 would work for both outfits, compliment but not distract from the dress and jumpsuit, and look like a comfortable heel. Importantly, they don't have an ankle strap, which will chop your leg in an awkward place, and don't have a round-toe, which shortens your leg.

Edited

Agree with pretty much all of that (except that I think olive & teal look great together!!).

I do still like the shape & colour of 2) the bronze slingbacks & 3) the olive velvet bow shoes.

My one issue with the bronze slingbacks is that they're plastic.

As the jumpsuit is also velvet, I'm not sure about the olive velvet shoes with them (a contrasting material/texture would be better). I'd actually originally suggested those for the dress (either the soft chartreuse colour, or the teal - assuming with the latter that there'd be other olive tones in bag/jewellery/jacket for a teal/olive mix to work). Also, I think they'd be wasted under the jumpsuit as the bow would be completely hidden.

I quite liked the Vinted M&S teal ones at first glance - but the strap across is black with silver/pearl details? Which wouldn't work IMO.

EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:11

Evidence that olive & teal go beautifully together ... my lunch yesterday! My partner served it to me in this vintage bowl & it made me think of this thread ...!!!

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:14

EleanorMc67 · 21/10/2026 23:05

Also thought this looked lovely.

Forgot to add the link to this.

JDY jacket on ASOS

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:30

I think this is the same JDY one as above, just looks slightly different in tone?
JDY jacket

New Look also has a fake fur jacket in two shades of brown, in petite, which might be worth exploring?
New Look jacket

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:36

minnowonthesay · 21/10/2026 23:10

My only issue with the Whistles one @EleanorMc67 is the zip front, beautiful fur though.
I like a revere collar on an evening jacket, which is why I like the River Island one.

I too like revere collars. But some of the fake fur ones are oversized &/or very thick if the jacket has a particularly long pile. My Whistles one is like that - & it's great for snuggling into when it's cold - but a big collar could be overwhelming on the OP, depending on the style.

So I suggested some round-necked collarless ones too, in case the ones with collars are overly bulky. I think it's worth ordering & trying a few of them. Especially as it's only by touch that you can really tell what the fur is like.

EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:46

Calliopespa · 21/10/2026 22:13

I'm just sitting down with a bit more time. Have we rejected the Gabor shoes OP found and if so, why? I think they are quite a good muted colour that would go with both, they have a good block heel which OP likes, and, as she said, they look comfy.

I think that these are the Gabor ones. They look okay from the side, but I think from other angles they look dated.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/10454727898-gabor-pale-gold-slingbacks-chunky-heel-size-6

Gabor pale gold slingbacks, chunky heel size 6 | Vinted

Gabor pale gold slingbacks, chunky heel size 6 - Great day to evening shoes, chunky heels make them great on every surface. Worn twice.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/10454727898-gabor-pale-gold-slingbacks-chunky-heel-size-6

EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:51

I prefer these bronze Gabor ones if comfort takes precedence over style! They are peep-toe though.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/9911559389-gabor-sling-backs

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · 22/10/2026 04:56

I think these might be the perfect pair of go-with-anything bronze metallic low heels though. Shame about the price ...!!

https://www.lonah.co.uk/products/riani-679160-9558-pecan-brown-patterned-leather-shoe-653?srsltid=AYCX9vJgLrPebNTHsF3sihj5XV3o_pB4lsr1IQk41T3u57NaCEHDd_3I

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
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