The best mother of the bride dresses – take your pick from shorter or longer dresses

It’s one of the happiest days in the life of any mother – your child is getting married! But now the question is – what to wear on the all-important day?

In this updated article I will offer you some options.

Once upon a time, mothers of the bride were expected to turn up dressed in demure, pastel shades, dainty handbags, and tiny hats. But times have moved on, and so have we.

Today we are spoiled for choice for beautiful, modern clothes that flatter our figure and make the other guests wonder if we’re the bride’s sister instead of her mother!

Just keep in mind the following:

• Take your style cues from the bride’s dress and the style of the wedding party in general, e.g., lace as a running motif, or a 40’s theme.
• Match the outfit appropriately to the venue, i.e., covered arms for a church wedding, but more flesh-baring outfits for a beach wedding.
• Wait until the bride has chosen her dress before you start shopping so that you can plan for any last minute changes to the overall look of the wedding party

For more tips and the most current dresses also visit our article on how to dress as the mother of the bride (or groom).

Here are some great short and long dress options suitable for a diversity of weddings.

Short and sweet

Here are some great examples you can find in stores right now

JS Collection embroidered dress – Adrianna sheath dress – JS v-neck sheath dress – JS Collection chiffon dress

Tadashi Shoji lace sheath dress – Komarov chiffon dress – Tahari peplum sheath dress – Maggy London lace detail dress

Long and elegant

Here are some great examples you can find in stores

Tadashi Shoji lace and crepe gown – JS Collection mesh dress – La Femme bead embellished dress –La Femme bead embellished gown

La Femme embellished gown – Adrianna Papell crosshatch beaded gown – Adrianna Papell long sleeve embellished gown – JS Collection sleeveless embroidered gown

For a great selection of Mother of the Bride (and Groom) dresses, we recommend the following online (and brick and mortar) destinations with dedicated Mother of the Bride sections:

• Nordstrom
• Neiman Marcus
• Dillard’s
• Macy’s
• Lord & Taylor

What is your ideal Mother of the Bride look?

P.S. For more tips and the most current dresses also visit our article on how to dress as the mother of the bride (or groom).

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