Glam mother of the bride outfits

So your daughter is getting married (congratulations), and it’s time to get an outfit. Do not despair; this is super easy and can even be a little fun too. Modern mother of the bride outfits can be as glamorous, flattering and fashion-conscious as you dare to be.

What should the mother of the bride wear?

Mother of the bride outfits were traditionally very formal and fitted but these styles have become more versatile and flowing over time. It is vital to match your outfit to the formality of the wedding and your unique style.

Popular mother of the bride outfit choices:

• Tailored knee length dress suit (dress can be either fitted or flowing)
• Relaxed trouser suit with coordinating silk top
• Three-quarter length or cap sleeve cocktail dress
• Maxi dress with a bolero

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What colour should the mother of the bride wear?

Traditionally, the mother of the bride can wear any colour except for the wedding dress colour. Black is acceptable but should be broken up by another bright colour and light accessories. Prints should be subtle rather than bold and striking designs.

Choose colours based on those that will enhance your skin tone, so you look radiant on the day and in pictures. For a coordinated mother of the bride look, choose a different shade of the bridesmaids’ dresses or wedding colours, but ensure your dress style is significantly different to standout.

Mother of the bride outfit colours to match different wedding colours

• Blue wedding colour scheme: Navy, turquoise and vibrant blues
• Purple/Pink wedding colour scheme: Indigo and rich purples or blues
• Green wedding colour scheme: Warm yellows or cream prints
• Red/Yellows wedding colour scheme: Warm yellows or cream prints
• Pastel wedding colour scheme: A more vibrant shade of the same colour

Mother of the bride outfit colours to avoid

• Reds and pinks
• Pastels, which can age older skin tones and give a washed-out look.

Where to buy mother of the bride outfits

Monsoon: Offers a range of elegant and timeless outfits. This shop is best for fitted and neat styles rather than floaty relaxed dresses.

Phase Eight: Offers a wide range of formal and more relaxed mother of the bride outfits. This shop closely follows seasonal bridal colours and also often has a variety of print options too.

Dorothy Perkins: Larger DP shops will seasonally (before Christmas and in spring) have a range of dresses and wedding suits that are very adaptable and can be worn again.

Quiz: Seasonally this party shop can have stunning floor-length gowns for the glamorous mother of the bride.

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Mother of the bride: Is a hat or fascinator necessary?

Traditionally, the mother of the bride would wear a hat, but this formal look has luckily been updated by more feminine, softer and comfortable variations. Where a headpiece is needed to complete your look, it is wise to opt for a fascinator as these will complement your hairstyle and be comfortable. Hats can often look severe and mask your features in wedding pictures.

An equally modern alternative is to choose an ornate hairpiece that will accessorise your mother of the bride look and be used to complement your daughter's style.

Comfortable mother of the bride shoes

For the mother of the bride, the shoes are an element that you can go to town on if you like. For colours, it can be beautiful to pick a tone of your daughter’s dress or the bridesmaid dresses. Unless height alters the length, heels can be flexible and a second pair of flats for the evening reception are a great idea.

Mother of the groom dresses

Most of the above guidance and recommendations apply to both mother of the bride and mother of the groom. However, it is vital that these two special ladies have complementary but different style and colour dresses so they feel distinct from one another. Where possible, it is recommended to both shop with the bride independently to ensure that outfits chosen are similar and not significantly different in terms of glamour or formality.