Seriously, writing this post strikes fear into my heart. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only Bride who had to find something fabulous for her Mum to wear on W-day. And I think I would probably not be alone in saying that in fact it turned into a bigger task than finding my own dress!
We all want our Mums to look bl*ody fantastic come W-day and for some reason there are a lot of Mums out there who really feel the pressure of the big day and all the associated expectations of being the Mother of the Bride.
We have had more than a few emails asking us to cover this and we will try to make it a regular slot as fashions change and the newer spring colours come in… I should also add, you won’t catch any of the god-awful outfits seen so often in the bridal glossy adverts here. Strictly high street chic to make our lovely mums feel like totally fabulous MOB’s!
Sleeved Charades
Every Mum has their body obsession, just like us, and for mine it was the arms. She was obsessed with finding a dress with sleeves – nigh on impossible let me tell you. In the ended we ended up with a very chic jacket to do the job but if you are searching high and low, how about looking at a few of these options?
From the left:
Philosophy di Alberta Ferreti @ Net-A-Porter – not the chespest option, but still better priced than some specifically for MOB ranges, this has flattering draping and luxe detail perfect for a winter wedding.
Great Pins? Try Hobbs and this on-trend Cobalt number if your Mum wants to stay youthful. Don’t forget, the whole point is to make her feel confident and one of the best ways to do that is stay true to her personal style. Any dress can be styled up with a great fascinator, bag and shoes to make it look knock out.
My favourite, L K Bennett, comes up trumps with the flatteringly cut and stylish dress in on-trend purple.
Fabulous Florals
Have Mum be a Sophisticat in this chic L K Bennett shift with so many colour in it, you can’t fail to compliment a summer weddings colour scheme.
More vibrant than shrinking violet, how about this bright large print floral number with a flattering tulip shaped skirt for a slimmer lady, from Hobbs.
This Erdem stunner is reminiscent of the 50’s but a great fit for a shapely Mum and one of the hottest designer this season. Also from Net-A-Porter.
Monochrome Magic
Not a fan of Black myself, particularly not at a wedding, it remains many women’s staple colour and is famously slimming, boosting confidence. Also a popular colour scheme these days, here are some oh-so-chic options bound to flatter and MOB.
Again from the left:
Jaeger comes up trumps these day with forward thinking fashion led pieces retaining a high quality cut and a lovely shopping experience for your Mum to enjoy. This is one of the more expensive pieces but looks a beauty.
Monochrome and block colour in one with an ever flattering black bottom half and boat neck ivory top half from L K Bennett.
Does your Mum want to rock a trend or maybe a fan of the higher neckline? (Take note, this is one for smaller busted ladies.) Then how about this Miss Moneypenny pussy bow neckline dress in a fabulous fawn colour to blend with your best ladies?
Phew! I’ve found so many gorgeous outfits I’m going to have wind this one up and come back next week with some block colour and budget options, jackets, coats shoes and bags…
Oh and if any of you are wondering what my lovely Mum went for…
Halterneck shatter print linen and silk blend dress by Jaeger, Cream linen and silk blend Jacket also Jaeger. Purple suede bag L K Bennett and the mother of all fascinators also LK Bennett. (She was also positively rocking some purple peep-toe patent platforms, from L K Bennett 
)
I don’t tell her how fab I think she is often enough so I hope you’ll all agree she was a super glam MOB
What colour schemes are you trying to get your Mums to fit in with? Let me know and I’ll get researching…
Yours Truly,
Rebecca
xoxo
Ooooo I will forward this to my mum straight away! ( i was one of the many to email asking for help).
My mum wants jacket and dress combo, but she has made the fatal mistake of finding a hat she loves in coral. My wedding colour is purple.
This has got to be one of the most stressful aspects of planning. I want my mum to feel and look amazing.
6 months and counting….
Firstly, just to say how much I loooove this site! I’m getting married in less than 2 months and am picking up lots of last minute handy hints!
My mum was a nightmare in the shops, she’s a young mum and wanted something glam and trendy to fit her style – not an easy task!
She ended up getting a beautiful Ian Stuart dress and bolero (the same designer as my wedding dress no less) and while it wasn’t cheap, she’s going to look a million dollars on the day!
xx
love it – my colours are grey & pink – dress & jacket combo with fascinator – any pointers!!
I love my mum
x
my mum is a nightmare when it comes to shopping for clothes. She will not go shopping to london or anywhere busy, she will not shop on a weekend (I have no holiday free to go during the week) She doesnt want to spend a lot of money. Whenever i have been shopping with her she will look at the price tag and then will rather loudly so that the whole shop hears take a large intake of breath and walk off. She also thinks that at 56 she is too old to wear anything nice so its going to be a big struggle to find something but I really want my mum to feel special and glam for the day as she really does deserve it xxxx
I have to say my Mum got majorly stressed over her outfit – she felt she needed to “stand out” as MOB and not blend in with the other guests. I just told her to wear something she really liked and felt comfortable in.
In the end ( after trying everything from an Armani trouser suit to a £25 dress in the Coast sale) ….she ended up with an ensemble from Episode. Chic double breasted ivory jacket over a bronze/gold dress with a pretty beaded shrug underneath for the evening – she stressed right up until the day that it wasn’t “special” enough though – no idea why, I thought she looked great – elegant and timeless.
Emma – Mr O’Shea’s Mum wore grey and pink to our W-day, a beautiful grey hat too, I’ll find out where it was from and comment on this post Pet.
Charlotte xxx
Contra – another great post thank you. Agree your mum looked super-glam fabulous.
I got engaged on 2nd Feb last year and by the end of that same month my mum had bought her outfit – even though we hadn’t by then even thought about when / where / what season we’d get married, only that we would!!!
She always said that if I ever found someone who’d marry me (!) she’d treat herself to an Armani suit and that’s exactly what she did. A beautiful couture navy skirt suit. Not cheap but by no means as expensive as I’d imagined.
But now comes the task of finding a top to go underneath the jacket, and the headwear/shoes/bag. I’m not having a colour scheme for the wedding so really anything goes….I’ll be very interested to see the next MOB post on next week.
xxx
I’d totally recommend using the personal shopper service at somewhere like john lewis. They have jaeger etc. My aunt is larger and they sit you in a room, find out what you want and then get it from the shop floor whilst you read magazines and drink tea.
The changing rooms are huge huge huge and there are sofas just outside in another room.
The service is free too.
It’s brilliant for people, maybe aunts as I know most mob will be looking for something extra extra special but would recommend as a good place to start!
Glad this has gone down so well ladies!
Do not fear – I have so much more to come on this… and will definitely have a look out for some grey/pinks Emma
watch this space…
xoxo
Aaah Bec, your Mum looks stunning x
Ah…Ma F was hilarious. I was on my lunch break one day when I got this call…”Oh my days Anna I’ve just walked out of Jaeger! With a store card!” “Good on you Mum!” She’d gotten herself a Jaeger foxglove purple dress and matching jacket, and teamed it with black Betty Jackson clutch and courts and some chunky pearls. Nothing bloody whatsoever to do with the colour scheme and it did not matter a jot because she looked amazing. She’s always been self-conscious and NEVER treats herself and I was so proud of her!
I’m so pleased that you’ve done a MOB post! I’m getting married in Italy on the 3rd of August in a small wedding (16 guests) and my mum is struggling to find her perfect outfit. She wants something that is classic yet fashionable, a dress that she won’t melt in in the Italian sun and must wear a bra as she has had breast cancer and understandably has lost some confidence. Which is awful as she looks amazing for 50 (I hope I look half as good when i’m her age!) Have you got any ideas?
Thanks
Louise.x
Thanks girls!
you are so brill
x