BEST DRESS STYLES OR MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
Shopping for a dress for the mother of the bride? There are a few tips you should keep in mind. We're here to guide you through the dos (and a few dont's) of shopping for the best dress, plus a few can't-miss styles. Mother of the groom? These tips apply to your dress search, too! Read on to learn how you can marry your personal style with the bride's wishes.
CONSULT WITH THE BRIDE—DRAMA AVERTED!
Not all surprises are welcome! Make sure to have a conversation with the bride and let her know what you plan on wearing, from the color to the cut. Her opinion is important because it is her day after all. Talking in person is the best route to take—you don't want anything to get lost in translation via text or email.
Complementary colors are key
Take the color palette of the wedding party into consideration when choosing the color of your dress. You don't have to match it exactly, but your choice should be complementary. It's a good rule of thumb to wait until the wedding colors and bridesmaid dresses are picked out before you finalize your choice.
HIGHLIGHT YOUR PERSONAL STYLE & SHINE
Simple was so last season. Mother–of–the–bride dresses should be elegant, but that's no reason to cut back on style. Look for dresses that flatter your figure featuring all–over lace, embroidery or metallic accents.
CONSIDER THE VENUE
In this day and age, the style you choose should match the type of wedding you're attending. For example, if the ceremony is held inside a conservative venue or you simply prefer to cover your arms, then a dress with sleeves is a good bet—think short, three–quarter or long sleeves. A dress with a jacket is a versatile option; you can always remove the jacket during the reception.
THE LONG & SHORT OF IT:
FIND THE PERFECT DRESS LENGTH
Let's not skirt the issue. Deciding on the length of your dress is a very important step. Keep your height in mind when making the decision. Typically, if you're on the petite side, then choose a dress showing a little leg—think wedding–ready sheaths and shifts. Considered average height or on the taller side? Then you can wear everything from above–the–knee stunners to floor sweeping hemlines.
- Keep it short and chic in a short dress.
- Meet in the middle with a knee-length dress.
- Take it to the floor in a long dress.
BRANDS OF HONOR
Want to explore mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom dresses by brand? We're highlighting two with gorgeous selections:
- Adrianna Papell has a wealth of beautiful dresses and gowns with ultra-feminine accents. You can expect to find a wide assortment of stunning styles featuring dreamy fabrics, lots of lace, soft prints and elegant embellishments.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren has plenty of sophisticated dresses. Neutrals are stunning in floor–length options. Looking for prints? That's a bold choice, but Lauren Ralph Lauren's designs are extremely wearable—think gorgeous colorblocked prints.
