Trust me. I get it; shopping for a mother of the bride/groom dress can be hard! How do I know? I was frantically searching for one for my son’s wedding this time last year! From color to trend to what looks best on you, it’s just HARD to find one you love!
We all dream of the day our son or daughter will say, “I do.” We imagine every detail of our child’s wedding day, from the flowers to the wedding dress, but our imaginations don’t always include a vision of ourselves. (Moms are kind of used to putting themselves last, aren’t we?)
And while no mother wants to stand out at the ceremony, the mother of the bride or groom wants to dress to impress. All eyes will be on you as you walk down the aisle, and your look will live on in the wedding album and video.
When I started looking, all I saw were dresses that looked too old, too flashy, or like a nightgown. How discouraging! A lot of the dresses I found looked too old for my 82-year-old mother! Well, stress no more! You can sit back and relax because I’ve done all the dirty work for you, and I’m happy to share what I have found!
First, a few tips to help get you started:
#1: Start looking for your dress as soon as possible:
As much as I love shopping and have a wardrobe of dresses, I thought I would have no trouble finding a beautiful dress to wear. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Your role is important, and you want to look and feel your best. Searching early for your dress will allow you more options and give you plenty of time for alterations.
#2: Ask the Bride what she’d like you to wear:
Be sure to ask the bride if she has any preferences as to a specific color or style she would like you to wear and stay within the parameters the bride gives you. If the bride leaves the choice solely up to you, move on to Tip #3.
#3: Choose a color that compliments the MOB and bridesmaid’s dresses:
If you’re the groom’s mother, wait for the MOB to pick out her dress and then choose yours to compliment the color of hers as well. It’s a good rule of thumb to keep within the same color palette as the rest of the group. You don’t want to stand out by wearing a bright red or yellow if the color theme is soft, and definitely stay away from any shade of white, which is reserved only for the BRIDE.
#4: Decide how you’d like to shop:
There are two types of people: A.) those who love to make a party out of finding a dress by taking their best friends and making a day of it or B.) those who order 25 dresses online, try them all on in the privacy of their own home, and send back the ones that didn’t make the cut. I happen to be option B. I like to shop from my computer, try the dresses on in the comfort of my own home, send pics to my friends of the ones I love, then narrow it down again by actually trying on my favorites in front of my friends. I try to shop from sites that have free returns, which usually isn’t hard to find.
Ok, now that we’ve set these tips in place, it’s time to take a look at the type of dress that will most likely look best on your body. Your body is beautiful no matter what shape it is, and the first thing you want to do is determine your body type. I have put together some dresses to show what is most flattering on four of the most typical body types.
Triangle Shape
If you carry your weight in your hips and thighs, have a smaller bust and shoulders, and a defined waist, here are some dresses that will look great on you! (They usually refer to this as “pear” shaped but I hate being compared to fruit, don’t you?) When you have this body type, your best look is the A-line or “fit and flare” style.
Jewel-embellished florals dance atop the ethereal mesh overlay on this flattering A-line gown. This will be stunning as you stand next to your son or daughter in pictures.
If “effortlessly elegant” is your goal, this is your dress! This lace, nude bodice over a full skirt is sure to be a head-turner and the hidden pockets will hide your phone on the dance floor!
Show off your timeless beauty in this rose-colored sequined gown. The elegantly embellished v-neck makes a romantic statement.
Shine all night in this beautiful gown with a ruched, off-the-shoulder neckline with front twist detail and ruched waistband. Metallics are always a “yes” with us and will be admired by all the wedding guests!
Elegance awaits in this gown designed with a halter neckline and a beautiful floral accent at the waist.
Show off your legs—and dance moves—in this dazzling dress. Shimmer & shine from day to night in this flattering empire waist and embroidered ribbon print.
Hourglass Shape
Next are the dresses that look best if you have a curvy figure with a defined waist, where your bust and hips are close to the same size. With an hourglass shape, you want to look for dresses with a flattering v-neck and come in at the waist and then flare out over your hips, showing off your best feature.
Strike a balance with glamour and ease in this gorgeous pink silhouette. The standout off-the-shoulder style is defined by shape-skimming tucks at the side of this sheath that’s the perfect party dress.
Heads will turn as you are dancing with your son in this elegant classic. With the sequined bodice and bow front detail, it’s sure to emphasize your best features!
You’ll make a sweeping entrance in this timeless classic. Strategically ruffled and oh-so-elegant, this gown is a total masterpiece with its gorgeous hem and glittery details.
You’ll look like a movie star, but feel like yourself in this bold floral dress! Styled in gorgeous floral-print crepe for a smoothing and slimming effect, this sheath dress gets an elegant boost from an off-the-shoulder neckline.
You won’t want to leave the dance floor in this shimmering dress adorned with sequins. A hint of romance with a retro feel, it may have you up way past midnight!
Rectangle Shape:
This body shape has a straighter build. If your weight is evenly distributed, you have an undefined waist, and your shoulders and hips are aligned, here are the looks to show off your straight silhouette:
Perfect for the rehearsal dinner or the wedding, Illusion Sleeve Lace Sheath Dress is comfortable and classic with the right amount of elegance that can’t be overlooked. Just like you!
This dress will take you to the next level and make you shine like the mother you are! This sequined boatneck creation blends glamour with a bit of vintage flair. The lace overlay is studded with hundreds of matte sequins arranged in a stunning blooming pattern, while the slight cap sleeve offers the perfect amount of coverage. Sure to make you feel beautiful as you walk down the aisle!
Effortless and elegant, what more could you ask for? High-quality crepe meets clever design on this cocktail sheath, styled to emphasize the waist with a cascading ruffle trim.
Keep it classy in this sheath dress with a v-neck and beautiful cascading ruffle trim. Classic yet daring. Sound like someone you may know?
All eyes will be on you in this sleeveless pleated chiffon maxi dress. The vibrant floral pattern says “stunning and fun,” making it the perfect dress for you!
Round Shape
If you carry your weight in the middle section and have shoulders broader than your hips, we suggest more of a sheath style and even one that shows off your pretty legs. Look for a dress that draws attention away from your upper body. A-line dresses, wrap dresses, and dresses with full skirts are also great options, as they help conceal the midsection.
Show off your classic yet flirty side in this beautiful dress. The flattering and fabulous dress features airy draped detail with a ruched bodice to give it a unique look.
Beauty and comfort all in one dress. This gorgeous floral chiffon dress is just what you need to feel confident and comfy all night long!
Simple, timeless, classy, and traditional…just like you! This dress is available in a variety of sizes and looks great on everyone!
Consider this dress your new best friend because it shows off your beautiful legs, covers your imperfections in all the right places, and offers the perfect color of blue that’s sure to get you compliments all night long!
The dress that’s got it all. This one totally stuns with its pastel hue and glittery finish. Its flowy skirt wraps around you for the elegant look you’re going for.
Multiple tiers give this dress an effortless flow. You’ll feel fun, fashionable, and fabulous!
The Extras:
No matter what size or shape you are, almost everyone can agree on one thing…we won’t turn down the extra help to smooth out the little bulges here and there. Thankfully they now offer many great COMFORTABLE shapewear options for helping us enhance and contour our natural shape. Here are some great options for you to wear under your dress. Make sure you try it out before the big day to make sure it’s comfortable, works with your dress, and stays in place!
Smooth and shape your silhouette to create the shape you desire in these plus size shaping shorts from SPANX
Consider wearing this under your favorite, flirty dress to help you look great in all the right places.
This is the ultimate low-front and low-back solution to a dress with a plunging neckline. This bodysuit will smooth out all your worries.
Looking for total transformation? This sculpting brief from SPANX is lightweight and powerful, featuring fully bonded front-panels for a flatter stomach and edge-bonded side panels for comfortable, squeeze-free slimming.
I hope this has helped you find a dress that is most flattering to your figure, comfortable and chic for the formality of the big day! Your role in the wedding is pretty special so make sure that you take the time necessary to do all the things that are going to make you feel like the wise, beautiful and special mother that you are!
