Correct dress for Mother of the Groom

[CMOTdibbler]

I have to buy an outfit for my mother to wear at my brothers wedding this September (if I don't, she will undoubtedly try and go in her wellies).

I haven't been to a wedding for ages, and have noticed that guest outfits seem to have changed, and mother of the bride outfits seem to be a lot more formal (silk suit with long skirt sort of thing) than before.

I was planning on a calf length chiffony type skirt and a jacket for mum - hopefully in a strong colour as beige/pale blue/pink would just make her look washed out. Does this sound OK ?

She will be nearly 70, is in poor health, has early dementia, and is on morphine for her back pain, and is totally disinterested in how she looks - whereas I know that the mother of the bride is 55ish, in very good health, and takes great interest in how she looks. I don't want people to be looking at mum and thinking she looks wrong iykwim.

Might sound like I'm overthinking, but I've promised dad that I'll sort everything out as he was fretting about it

What you've described sounds perfect. Would she need a hat as well, though? Is it a hat sort of wedding? And don't forget shoes.

I think mother of the groom just looks like a standard wedding guest, but maybe slightly dressier. Although of course you have no way of knowing how dressy the other guests will be, so that's spectacularly unhelpful.

I was going to put a hat on her, more to cover her hair than anything (I am trying to arrange for someone to come and do her hair that morning and give it a bit more style than she usually has, but she might not let that happen). Am hoping to pick up a whole outfit on ebay as there are lots of complete outfits for MoB/MoG on there.

No idea on how anyone is going to look tbh - my contact with my brother has been sporadic to say the least, and have only met his fiance twice, and know none of their friends or her family at all.

You sound like a lovely daughter. I think that would be an entirely appropriate outfit.

like this

with

this?

there's lots on this site

huh? my first 2 links didn't work... twas from Debenhams

The Debenhams links aren't working for some reason.

I like the Gina Smart outfits, but they are the sort of thing that is worrying me - the ankle length skirts, very fitted, v glam. I think my mum is going to just have to look like grandmother of the groom if they are really what is the current style as she wouldn't wear them, and they wouldn't suit her as she is a size 18 (though 5'9), and her back means she bends over a lot when walking

Jacques Vert good for that kind of thing. You could take inspiration from there but sounds like you are on the right lines.

would you be able to take her to Debenhams one afternoon and try the personal shopper service? even if your mother is unable/unwilling whatever to attend, it may be useful for you to go alone and get advice and the whooe outfit from their personal shoppers. they have the whole range of different designers and ranges there plus all the hats and accessories and would also be able to advise on current trends for Mother of the bride outfits etc

you sound a lovely daughter, have fub

gosh sorry about typos

No, she wouldn't go to the shops, and if she would, it would not be fun in the least. She so thinks that you can buy a nice outfit for 50 quid max.

this kind of thing? with pink jacket/hat.

Yes, thats the sort of thing I was going for - fairly free sized, and the top must have sleeves. Will try not to have pink (unless really bright) as she is very pale with white hair, and won't wear blusher (or much makeup at all), so will look washed out in pale pink or blue.

Must sound like I'm really mean about how mum looks, but alas, she could be mistaken for a bag lady most of the time these days