Mother of the Bride Dresses: How to Find the Perfect Outfit
Long gone are the days when Mother of the Bride dresses were inherently frumpy and dated. Now, they can shine in their own way, with contemporary and flattering outfit options, so long as they respect and adhere to any dress codes set by the happy couple.
In fact, choices are so wide that it can be nearly as overwhelming as shopping for a wedding gown.
If the breadth of choice is getting the better of you, or indeed you know what you’d like to wear but you’re not sure it’s MOB-appropriate, we’ve got you with our handy guide. Bridebook, the UK’s #1 wedding planning platform used by over 2.8 million couples, is here to answer all your questions and include excellent shopping suggestions as well as plus-size options to peruse.
What to wear as a mother of the bride or groom
Mother of the bride outfits in the UK used to consist of a kind of Queen Mother vibe: knee-length skirt suits and a matching hat. Now, there’s a plethora of designs that will cut the brief; from trouser suits, cool co-ords and jumpsuits, to feminine wrap dresses and shifts, and floaty midi and maxi dresses.
We especially love the 1990s MOB trend that has resurfaced in recent years: the co-ordinating duster coat set that comprises the long lightweight jacket along with either a top and trousers or a simple slip dress, all in the same shade, prints and fabrics.
How to choose your outfit
Naturally, not all of the options we’ve listed above will work with every wedding. You need to contextualise your chosen outfit and ask essential questions (ideally referring to the invite and minimising stress of the couple wherever possible). Where is the wedding taking place? What season will it be? Does the dress code specify black tie or is it more casual? What are the bridesmaids wearing?
If you’re attending a winter wedding, floaty chiffon dresses and pastel tailoring are out, but velvet and jacquard fabrics are acceptable and vice versa. If you’re looking at high summer, a wool suit could get a little hot in the afternoon, so do make sure you feel comfortable in the top beneath.
When the dress code is traditional, for instance morning dress, you may be expected to wear a hat or fascinator. If the dress code says smart, a boho maxi dress is not appropriate, and if the dress code is casual, structured tailoring will feel too stiff.
Always make sure to ask the couple whether they want to coordinate with their colour theme or not. And the same goes for the wedding party – check if your MOB look clashes or complements their look.
Mother of the bride outfit ideas by style
Classic mother of the bride looks don’t have to be frumpy. Tap into tradition with:
- Pastel palettes
- Smart skirt suiting
- Duster coats
- Standout headgear
Modern mother of the bride outfits look to current trends through a timeless lens:
- Sharp trouser suits or jumpsuits
- A tailored blazer over a simpler dress – think a tuxedo-inspired jacket with a youthful slip dress
- Co-ords, which feel smart and pulled-together but less fussy than a traditional dress
Formal looks can include all of the above, but everything needs to be appropriately dressy.
Plus size mother of the bride outfits
Plus size options for mothers of the bride and groom are getting better and better. Curvy women should never feel restricted in what they wear, but if you want the most flattering options, think carefully about your body shape and the cut of clothing that suits you best.
For big hips, draw attention to the smallest part of your waist to create the illusion of an hourglass figure. This is easily done with wrap dresses, A-line silhouettes, anything with internal corseting and nipped-in tailoring.
If you’ve got an apple-shaped figure, you might want something that skims the stomach area and highlights your legs. A suit with an oversized blazer and cigarette pants will flatter, as will a mini shift (cross-check with the dress code to ensure this is appropriate).
A floaty maxi can also be a great option for those who want to cover any areas, however if you’re on the shorter side this can swamp your figure, so temper this length with platform heels.
One of the biggest bridal and eveningwear trends right now is the sheer cape. This is a genius cover-up idea for those who don’t want to feel too layered: it’s sheer, so it showcases just a peek of skin while diffusing everything beneath nicely. It can add instant confidence to those who would normally avoid anything body-con: because these capes are made from featherweight organza and chiffon, you can underpin yours with a slinky slip and never take it off.
In fact, the sheer trend is a great one to embrace if you’re shopping for plus size mother of the bride outfits. If you veer towards oversized silhouettes and like to conceal your arms, you can instantly temper this coverage with a whisper of skin in the form of sultry lace, sheer chiffon, silk, organza and georgette fabrics.
The best plus-size shops for mother of the bride dresses
It’s hard to find the best plus size brands in the UK without doing a bit of shopping around for what suits your figure. And, whether we like it or not, the more affordable you go, the more sizing can vary, so make sure you order a few looks ahead of the big day to get the fit just right.
Here’s Bridebook’s list of the best plus size brands in the UK according to budget:
- Under £50 – New Look
- Under £100 – River Island
- Under £250 – ASOS Arrange
- Under £400 – Reformation, Ralph Lauren
- £500 and over – Marina Rinaldi, Mac Duggal
Mother of the bride trouser suits
Trouser suits are a cool, contemporary option for mothers of the bride and groom. There are plenty of options on the high street and in designer stores. It’s essential to work out which cut you want, though, because there’s a vast difference between designs.
For those with wider hips or blessed with height, a 1970s-inspired suit with flared legs and peaked lapels is ideal and very leg-lengthening with a pair of heels or platforms.
If you prefer a slimmer silhouette, opt for a shorter, waisted jacket and cigarette pants, which work with both flat shoes and high heels. Don’t opt for skinny trousers unless the wedding dress code is ‘casual’.
A single-breasted suit is a versatile choice that you’re bound to wear again, but avoid blacks and greys for fear of veering into workwear territory.
What should a mother of the bride wear with a trouser suit? Opt for a smart top or blouse beneath rather than a corporate button-through shirt. A lace-trimmed camisole is a great option as you can keep your jacket on right through the day and expose a hint of skin come dinnertime.
What colours to wear (and avoid)
As a mother of the bride or the groom, you should always avoid white and cream. Black also tends to be a no-go, but some more modern couples are embracing monochrome palettes, so double-check.
When it comes to selecting the colour for your outfit, your fate is in the happy couple’s hands. You need to ask them whether they want you to coordinate and complement their chosen colour palettes or whether you need to stay outside of this shade altogether.
When to buy and where to shop
You should start shopping for your mother of the bride outfit around 6-9 months before the big day. However, be aware that seasonal constraints could affect your search. If you’re shopping for a summer wedding, spring/summer collections drop into stores around March time. If you feel this isn’t enough time for you, you’ll need to look a whole year in advance.
Savvy shoppers will get clued up on clearance timings: Spring/Summer collections go on sale in late August to September, while Autumn/Winter clearance starts around December time and will keep going for a good few months.
Brands that sell mother of the bride looks, according to budget:
Under £50 – ASOS, New Look, Vinted
Under £100 – M&S, River Island, Karen Millen, & Other Stories
Under £250 – Phase Eight, John Lewis, ASOS Arrange, Whistles, Jigsaw
Under £350 – Reformation, Reiss, The Outnet, Hobbs
Under £500 – ME + EM, The Fold,
Designer budget – Selfridges, My Theresa, Net-a-Porter, Harvey Nichols
FAQs
What should a mother of the bride wear?
A mother of the bride or groom has many options: dresses of differing lengths, co-ords, trouser suits, skirt suits and jumpsuits. The most important thing is that you consider the dress code and colour-scheme.
Do mother of the bride and mother of the groom wear the same colour?
Not necessarily. You should check with the couple if they want you to coordinate with the wedding party and colour scheme or not.
When should a mother of the bride buy her outfit?
Typically, a mother of the bride buys her outfit 6-9 months beforehand. However, if you don’t mind wearing old-season clothing, you can shop a year beforehand to snap up great deals in the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter sales.
Can a mother of the bride wear trousers?
Yes, it is totally okay for a mother of the bride to wear trousers. However, as always, consult the invitation’s dress code and double-check with the couple to check that they are happy with your choice.
What colours should a mother of the bride avoid?
Always avoid white and cream. Some modern couples are happy with guests wearing black, but some aren’t, so do double-check.
It is worth asking the couple whether they want you to coordinate and complement their chosen colour palettes or whether you need to stay outside of this shade altogether – for instance, a bride could be unhappy with the mother of the bride or groom wearing the same colour as the wedding party.
Plan the whole wedding in one place
Are you helping a son or daughter plan their wedding? Bridebook can help! From finding a wedding venue to managing their guest list and budget, Bridebook’s free wedding planning app keeps everything in one place.
Why Trust Bridebook
Bridebook is the world’s #1 wedding planning platform, used by over 2.8 million couples. Our content is informed by real data from the Bridebook UK Wedding Report, which draws on responses from thousands of couples planning their weddings each year. Where expert input is included, contributors are named and their credentials verified. We update our articles regularly to ensure prices, statistics, and advice reflect current market conditions.
You Might Also Like…
- Wedding Guest Dress Code UK: What to Wear to a Wedding
- Introduction: Wedding Guest Dress Etiquette
- What to Wear to a Wedding Reception
- What to Wear to a Winter Wedding
Related articles
