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Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!

181 replies

ihaveafavouritecat · Yesterday 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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EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 22:58

This would probably be a very good colour for you. But - sleeveless ...

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv045908/y46554

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:04

Can you find out more about the shade of green the bridesmaid is wearing, OP? As toning in a different shade (like the chartreuse), or a green print, would be fine I think.

Is this the green version of the mocha dress you tried on? It's described as teal, so may be more blue-toned in the flesh.

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv226157/b76782

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
dreamingofgoodhair · Yesterday 23:06

Only really like the Reiss one. Sorry.

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:06

Or is it this one? They seem quite similar.

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv072274/v85404

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:12

I know this blows your budget, but it's rather lovely ... but then I am very partial to a velvet suit!

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv177950/c25305

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Fififerry1 · Yesterday 23:15

Definitely the burgundy pleated dress and the jumpsuit of your choices - the patterned outfits are not flattering. I would recommend Rixo as well.

ByTipsyShark · Yesterday 23:22

I love these recent Reiss options 😍😍 much more modern and chic than some of the phase eight/hobbs/oasis links suggested previously.

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:22

Velvet dress options in three colours, all petite.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-draped-sleeve-velvet-dress-scarab-d1868dgr

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
tigerbear · Yesterday 23:26

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv176514/918429

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:27

Recycled polyester - two colours, in petite.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-pleated-tulle-midi-dress-midnight-teal-d1797grn

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
ihaveafavouritecat · Yesterday 23:32

Calliopespa · Yesterday 18:14

OP I think the key here is what @minnowonthesay has noted: this isn't an office do. It is a one-off, keep the photos for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren to view event.

For that reason, it needs to be something a little timeless and classic. It isn't the moment to get away with something because it is in fashion. A lot of these look to me like things for the office, albeit maybe a day with an important meeting. Several aren't wedding guest dresses for a key family member. I think you are playing it too safe, too keep-in-the-background.

Brown is currently in fashion for the autumn/winter but it is really not a great, timeless colour for a wedding. Fine for the office. But do you really want to be in a grungy brown forever in those wedding photos? "Why did Great-Granny dress as a poo?" And for me I'd wear a fashionable jumpsuit to someone else's (maybe) but would go for more classic for an occasion something like this.

I also really think the splodgy, middle-aged woman, don't want to wear plain, but still don't want to stand out splodge patterns are doing anything for you. They confuse and detract from your hard-won figure and I always think - unless very prettily put-together - those sorts of patterns are frumpy. That includes the Oasis ones and the vinted one.

I do like the red dress, but don't see it for the big ceremony.

Surprisingly, the one I actually love is the one your friend loved: the one with the wrap. I don't like splodge patterns, but that one has risen above the pattern, because the style carries it, rather than the pattern overwhelming the dress.

You can look lovely, don't worry about that. But I do think too many of these are bordering on office outfits.

I quite like your hair and disagree with going too short, but then I think you are either a crisp bob person or you are not. I didn't understand the point about it wearing you. Too many middle aged woman go for the textured short hair which to me sits in the same box as the splodge pattern dresses.

love this, @Calliopespathanks so much. I don’t wanna look like a grungy brown poo in those wedding photos… and nor do I want to be the splodge pattern wearing old bag with the cliched textured bob. 😹

OP posts:
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:37

This maxi is rather nice, I think, & could look really elegant. It's richer/brighter than burgundy.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-pussybow-jersey-maxi-dress-deep-wisteria-d1809prp

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Calliopespa · Yesterday 23:40

ihaveafavouritecat · Yesterday 23:32

love this, @Calliopespathanks so much. I don’t wanna look like a grungy brown poo in those wedding photos… and nor do I want to be the splodge pattern wearing old bag with the cliched textured bob. 😹

I quite like your hair tbh. Maybe a bit more blunt cut, but I don't think you need to cut it shorter. I think it's quite elegant.

Calliopespa · Yesterday 23:40

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:37

This maxi is rather nice, I think, & could look really elegant. It's richer/brighter than burgundy.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-pussybow-jersey-maxi-dress-deep-wisteria-d1809prp

That is nice - but registry not the other!

Calliopespa · Yesterday 23:42

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:40

Polyester, but mostly recycled. Again, it's Boden petite.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-mya-ruched-velvet-midi-dress-beetroot-red-d1847red

Yes that's a gorgeous colour. I think I prefer that to the (very similar) Me and Em jumpsuit earlier.

ihaveafavouritecat · Yesterday 23:48

Thanks, I like these last two Next dresses. Are these getting closer to what some of you said I should be aiming for? Classic? Timeless? Not office wear?!

OP posts:
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:49

Couple of velvet trouser suits in Boden petite too - though they don't look as nice as the Reiss one.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-stamford-velvet-blazer-midnight-emerald-u0541dgr

https://www.boden.com/products/women-longline-velvet-button-blazer-teal-ocean-u0543blu

Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
Mother of the Groom in 8 weeks!
EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:50

Calliopespa · Yesterday 23:40

That is nice - but registry not the other!

Yes, I'm throwing in options for both! I don't think the Me+Em jumpsuit will work on the OP - I'm 5' 9" & their clothes are long on me!

Calliopespa · Yesterday 23:53

EleanorMc67 · Yesterday 23:50

Yes, I'm throwing in options for both! I don't think the Me+Em jumpsuit will work on the OP - I'm 5' 9" & their clothes are long on me!

I wondered the same thing. I did like it, but this dress has a very similar feel and I do love the colour. It's celebratory - like a good red wine!

I think velvet is a great choice for the time of year.

ihaveafavouritecat · Yesterday 23:56

MMAS · Yesterday 20:06

Have you checked with the Bride if there is a preferred colour code to be followed for Bridesmaids, MIL etc. before deciding on anything. What colour is her Mother going to be wearing. Also ask if hats are expected or not. Be wary of sizing as there can be a vast difference between shops and online which is so frustrating. Good luck with your hunt.

There’s no colour code for the wedding, apart from I’m not to wear white/cream of course. Only bridesmaid is wearing bottle/dark green I believe. No idea what bride’s mother is going to be wearing. Don’t think it’s been bought yet. Her parents live abroad and I haven’t met them. The bride told me her mum is ’a big fan of Reiss’ so that’s all I know. The brown dress I’ve bought is from Reiss. No guidance on hats but think I probably won’t.

OP posts:
Calliopespa · Yesterday 23:56

ihaveafavouritecat · Yesterday 23:48

Thanks, I like these last two Next dresses. Are these getting closer to what some of you said I should be aiming for? Classic? Timeless? Not office wear?!

I like the Alexis.

I'm less keen on the other as I just feel those sorts of busy patterns tend to wear people - especially if you are petite. (Though I liked the dress with wrap that your friend liked, which surprised me!)