Your daughter’s wedding day is one of the most special occasions for any mother.
As the mother of the bride, all eyes will be on you during the celebrations.
Choosing the perfect mother of the bride dress is an important decision – you want to look and feel your best as you supporter your daughter on her big day.
The mother of the bride takes on a special role during wedding festivities.
While the bride rightfully commands the most attention, the mother of the bride is the next most important woman of the day.
A gorgeous dress helps the mother of the bride shine and makes her feel confident and beautiful.
When selecting a mother of the bride dress, you’ll want to find something appropriate for the formality of the wedding, flattering for your body type, and suitable for the season and venue.
The Figure-Flattering Sheath Dress
The sheath dress’s body-hugging silhouette slims and elongates the frame, making it a universally flattering option for all figures.
Choices for neckline, sleeve length, and hem allow picking a sheath dress to suit your body type.
Look for luxe fabrics like satin, brocade, or crepe with some stretch.
Strategic ruching or draping conceals problem areas.
An asymmetrical neckline adds modern flair.
Sheaths in mermaid and pencil shapes contour curves.
Pair with platform pumps to elongate legs.
Add a cropped jacket for arm coverage.
Both short cocktail lengths and full-length sheath dresses work beautifully for mother of the bride style.
Keep embellishments minimal.
The sheath flatters curves and creates a refined, polished silhouette.
The Classic Elegant Gown
A formal, floor-length evening gown is a traditional and elegant choice for the mother of the bride.
Luxurious fabrics like satin, chiffon, lace, and taffeta drape beautifully in a full-length skirt.
Classic silhouettes like empire waist and A-line are universally flattering.
Look for interesting details like ruching, delicate beading, a low back, or a split skirt to add drama.
Avoid overly flashy embellishments that upstage the bride.
Jewel tones, metallics, and rich neutrals make regal yet tasteful color choices.
The mother of the bride sets a sophisticated tone in a refined floor-length gown.
Finish the look with strappy heels and fine jewelry.
The Two-Piece Skirt Set
A two-piece ensemble with a coordinating skirt and top provides versatility and comfort for the mother of the bride.
A two-piece allows you to find the perfect fit for both your top and bottom halves.
Mix and match options for skirts and tops allow you to customize your look.
For a formal wedding, opt for a floor-length skirt in a fluid fabric like chiffon or crepe.
A-line and trumpet skirt silhouettes look flattering and balance out a fitted bodice.
Pair with a lace or beaded sleeveless top.
Add a luxurious cape or shawl for drama.
For a more casual affair, try a knee-length A-line skirt and a pretty blouse.
Play with textures and patterns.
A metallic skirt with a floral chiffon top makes a stylish combination.
The two-piece route offers lots of possibilities to look put-together and feel amazing.
Pantsuit
Pantsuits have become increasingly popular for modern mothers of the bride.
The updated take on the traditional suit allows a wide range of options from business chic to black-tie glamorous.
Tailored pants slenderize the legs and allow freedom of movement.
For formal weddings, opt for a satin pantsuit with clean lines in a color like navy, eggplant, or midnight blue.
An embellished lace shell adds softness.
Accessorize with sparkling earrings and a clutch.
Avoid ornate buttons, patterns, or distracting details.
For a more casual wedding, try a pantsuit in a lightweight fabric like crepe or chiffon.
Go for a refined palazzo pant and pair with a pretty blouse.
Add metallic heels and a statement necklace.
The pantsuit offers a modern twist on formal wear for fashionable mothers of the bride.
Jumpsuit
The jumpsuit has become a popular stylish alternative to dresses for modern weddings.
A sleek bridal jumpsuit flatters many body types.
The one-piece design creates a long, lean silhouette.
Look for a wide-leg version in a fluid fabric like crepe or silk.
Halter and slit necklines are pretty and feminine.
Keep the fabric draping slim through the hips for the most flattering effect.
Add a belt to define the waist.
Accessorize with statement earrings.
Pair the jumpsuit with strappy heels and an evening clutch for formal affairs.
For more casual venues, try a sleeveless denim jumpsuit with wedge sandals and a straw handbag.
Jumpsuits work for myriad wedding styles.
The mother of the bride makes a chic statement in this updated one-piece.
Cape Dress
Cape dresses and gowns offer drama and allure perfect for the mother of the bride’s important role.
The cape overlay adds striking dimension while elongating the torso.
Fluttery capes crafted from airy chiffon make a gorgeous statement.
Look for empire waists to emphasize the cape detail.
Column styles look most dramatic, but A-line silhouettes also pair well with cape overlays.
Keep the under layer of the dress sleek and void of embellishment.
Opt for a bold color cape to maximize the impact.
Finish with simple jewelry and heels.
Floor-length satin cape gowns look utterly regal for formal weddings.
Knee-length chiffon cape dresses bring whimsy and motion for outdoor affairs.
The cape overlay commands attention with graceful flair.
Draped Dress
An asymmetrical draped dress makes a statuesque silhouette, swathing the body in fluid fabrics.
Strategic draping slims the frame and conceals trouble spots.
Bias-cut dresses skim curves without clinging.
Seek out jersey, crepe, and satin dresses with twist details and cross-over necklines.
Look for cowl backs and tulip hems for added movement.
Column shapes work best to maximize the elongating effect.
Strappy heels keep the look leggy.
Short cocktail length draped dresses suit casual celebrations.
Floor-length gowns bring drama for formal affairs.
Monochromatic metallics or bold solids keep the focus on the drape details.
The flowing shape strikes an elegant posture.
Faux Wrap Dress
The wrap dress creates hourglass curves, cinching in at the waist before fanning out at the skirt.
A flattering neckline frames the face.
While true wrap styles can gape open, faux wrap dresses provide a fixed closure for optimal coverage.
Look for belted waist details and V-necklines or scoop collars that most flatter your bustline.
Go for midi or knee lengths in fluid jersey or crepe.
Three-quarter length sleeves balance proportions.
Add some swing to the skirt.
Neutrals and muted tones keep the look refined.
The faux wrap offers comfort through the body-skimming silhouette.
Flaunt curves without hugging too tight.
Heels elongate the legs.
Statement earrings polish the look.
Faux wrap styles flatter a range of figures.
A-Line Dress
Universally flattering A-line dresses nip in at the waist before gently flaring out to a full skirt.
The timeless silhouette works well for casual and formal weddings alike.
The full skirt camouflages hips and tummy trouble spots.
Look for classic A-line cuts with jewel necklines or open collars.
Sleeveless styles keep the look airy for summer.
Elbow-length sleeves add coverage for fall.
Knee-length hemlines suit cocktail parties.
Floor-length gowns amp up the formality.
Lace overlays add timeless elegance.
Strappy heels keep legs elongated.
The A-line creates an effortlessly chic look.
Play with necklines, sleeves, and fabrics to customize your perfect A-line look.
The Scene-Stealing High-Low Dress
High-low dresses make a fashion-forward statement with a short front and long back hemline.
The unique asymmetric cut is on-trend while providing coverage in the rear.
The shorter front elongates legs for a statuesque silhouette.
Look for unembellished high-low dresses that don’t compete with the bride’s dress.
Flowy chiffon and satin drape beautifully.
Halter and one-shoulder necklines show off arms.
Go for solid colors or subtle prints.
Strappy wedges suit outdoor venues.
High-lows work well for casual affairs but select a more luxurious fabric like satin for formal elegance.
Simple jewelry keeps the asymmetric hemline as the focus.
The high-low hem brings modern edge to the mother of the bride style.
Metallic Dress
Metallic dresses shimmer and shine while providing an incredibly flattering fit.
The sheen reflects light beautifully, creating the illusion of a slimmer figure.
Look for silver, gold, copper, and bronze tones that complement your coloring.
Seek out burnout metallic fabrics that lay close to the body without clinging.
Shift and sheath silhouettes drape to flatter curves.
Strategic ruching adds dimension.
Pair with matching metallic heels and jewelry.
Go for makeup in similar cool or warm tones.
Both short cocktail and full-length metallic dresses make show-stopping mother of the bride looks.
Steer clear of overly flashy sequins and ornate embellishments that detract from the bride.
Shimmer subtly and elegantly in a metallic sheen.
Dress and Jacket
Pairing a dress with a coordinating jacket allows customizing coverage and formality.
Jackets visually slim the arms and torso.
Choose a dress silhouette that flatters your shape – sheath, A-line, wrap, and high-low dresses all pair beautifully with jackets.
Look for a dress with a complementary neckline to the jacket – jewel, scoop, V-neck, and cowl work well.
Three-quarter sleeves keep the look balanced.
Coordinate or contrast the colors and patterns.
Add statement earrings and pumps.
For formal weddings, try an evening gown with a beaded bolero.
For casual affairs, pair a jersey wrap dress with a cropped denim jacket.
Add or remove the jacket as desired.
Dress and jacket pairings offer styling versatility.
Printed Maxi Dress
A breezy printed maxi dress brings bohemian elegance perfect for outdoor Mother of the Bride style.
Flowing maxi lengths keep the look effortless but the bold patterns command attention.
Large floral prints read glamorous.
Abstract watercolor and batik prints feel artistic.
Look for v-necklines and defined waist details.
Adjustable waist ties customize the fit.
Light chiffon or jersey benefit from a slip to avoid too much sheerness.
Finish with a cross-body bag and strappy sandals.
Steer clear of small repetitive prints and overly bright colors that can overwhelm the palette.
Look for maxi dresses with defined details to keep the silhouette shapely within the billowy silhouette.
Prints make a lively statement.
Embellished Dress
Dresses adorned with glimmering rhinestones, dazzling sequins, beads, and jewels make the mother of the bride shine.
Steer clear of looks that compete with the bride’s dress.
Seek out simple silhouettes embellished with artful accents.
Look for embellishments concentrated on the neckline, waistline, back, or hemline.
Leave bare space to balance the shimmer.
Shift and sheath dresses provide blank canvases to spotlight decorative accents.
Pair with minimal jewelry and sleek shoes.
For formal weddings, seek elaborately beaded dresses.
For casual venues, try a jersey sheath with rhinestone straps and waistline.
Let the strategic embellishments take the spotlight for a glamorous mother of the bride look.
Tunic and Pants
Tunics paired with slim pants or leggings provide comfort and coverage perfect for active mothers of the bride.
The loose tunic camouflages bumps and curves.
Look for soft knits or flowing woven fabrics like chiffon or crepe.
Keep silhouettes streamlined on top – sheaths, shifts, and loose tunics.
Flowy wide-leg pants keep the look dressy.
Pair tunic dresses over leggings for more coverage.
Add colorful scarves for flair.
Finish with flats or wedges.
Keep embellishments minimal to avoid an overly busy look.
Monochromatic palettes streamline the layers.
Tunics and pants suit casual backyard affairs and offer freedom of movement all day long.
The mother of the bride dress sets the tone for the mom’s special role at the wedding.
Look and feel confident by selecting a style designed to flatter.
Formal evening gowns command elegance.
Two-piece skirt sets provide versatility and comfort.
Sleek jumpsuits and draped dresses elongate the frame.
Wraps, sheaths, and A-lines hug curves.
Capes, high-low hems, and bold prints make memorable statements.
Dresses with jackets allow custom coverage.
Metallic cast a flattering sheen.
Maxi dresses float gracefully.
Touches of embellishments add shimmer.
Your gorgeous dress helps you shine while keeping the focus on the bride.
