The Mother of the Bride has a difficult sartorial trick to pull off for her daughter’s wedding day.
She has to look fabulous because she is the second most important female at the wedding after the Bride. But she shouldn’t (and shouldn’t want to) look as if she is trying to outdo the Bride.
She also has to tread the line between glamorous and appropriate; between understanding trends while not looking like a fashion victim.
If she gets her outfit wrong, her mistake will haunt her every time she looks at the wedding album and video…
And then she may want to ignore the cliché MoB outfits – everything too matcy-matchy, featuring bolero, fascinator and same-shade clutch bag.
And then she may have specific body-shape issues (i.e. if she is Petite or Plus). If that is you, SoSensational has lots of really great advice, figure fixes and style tricks to ensure that Petite Mothers-of-the-Bride and Plus Mothers-of-the-Bride look fabulous on their daughter’s Big Day (or on their son’s Big Day if you are Mother of The Groom).
So, here are some timeless fashion guidelines for you to follow as Mother of the Bride to ensure you get it right from top-to-toe.
- Colour is your friend and colour is what is noticed first so choose the right colour for you. If you don’t already know which colours (and which tones of colours) make your skin and hair look glowing, make you feel confident and elicit endless compliments, get your colours analysed. Being the Mother of the Bride (or, indeed the Mother of the Groom) is exactly the excuse you need to get your colours analysed; choose someone from the Federation of Image Professional International so that (a) your colours will be analysed by a professional who really knows what she or he is doing and (b) you will get a handbag-sized book of your colour swatches to keep on hand whenever you go online or to take shopping with you. It is a relatively inexpensive exercise and will save you pounds and pounds in the future, avoiding unnecesary spending on clothes that don’t enhance your look.
- Here is a brief way to test whether a colour really suits you. It is called the Blink Test and it works like this: stand in front of a large, well-lit mirror and hold a piece of fabric in the colour you are testing under your chin. Close your eyes for the count of 10. As you open them, do you see you or the piece of fabric? If it’s you, the colour is right; if it’s the colour, it is too overwhelming for you. This test is also useful in the fitting room.
- The reason boleros are so popular for Mothers of the Bride is because, by simple virtue of having a daughter of marrying age, the MoB has herself reached an age where she probably prefers to cover the tops of her arms. But boleros are not the only cover up solution… However, if you are very slim, petite, and have a small bosom, a bolero can work really well for you.
The Bolero
If you are average height or tall, a longer jacket or perhaps a lightweight coat will be a more stylish way to complete your outfit. Alternatively, look for a dress with sleeves or a beautiful skirt suit to which you only need to add a pretty top that will allow you to unbutton your jacket.
The Jacket/Sleeves
Right now in 2015/16, volume is your friend; a maxi or midi skirt worn with a trophy jacket plus a pretty cami or pretty vest looks elegant and stylish.
The Skirt
Alternative, a maxi dress is a clever option. Choose one with sleeves and you are good to go OR choose something strappy and add a trophy jacket.
The Maxi
Accessories are where MoBs can get too matchy-matchy and spoil the overall look, making it too clichéd. Here is a simple rule to follow: if your outfit is a single colour or has a single very dominant colour, choose accessories in a different shade and, ideally several different shades (e.g. if your outfit is navy blue, choose bag and shoes in a chic neutral shade such as nude and then choose an accent colour – such as fuchsia, pastel pink, orange, peach, red or emerald – for your hat). If your outfit has different colours in it (i.e if it’s a print), choose TWO colours that feature as accent colours; one for bag and shoes and the second for the hat, or mix it up and have hat and bag in one of the colours and shoes in the second colour…
Accent Colours
CC – Daniel Footwear – Jigsaw – Judy Bentinck
Jacques Vert – Elaine Sarah Millinery – Karen Millen – Hobbs
The Dress and Coat
Joyce Young & Claire Thorogood
Plus
Petite
Coast, CC & Jacques Vert
Smile!
But always remember your best accessory is a SMILE. Don’t frown. Even if the groom’s great-aunt has just complained to you that the canapés are cold… your guests will remember a happy atmosphere much more than the taste of the mini-pizzas!
If you’d like to leave a comment below, we’d love to hear from you.
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2 Comments
So stylish ! Good advice. Unfortunately nothing fits if one is 5′ 11″, size 14/16 and 79. Desperate for occasion dresses that fit and are well made in good fabrics. Can youhelp? ( Long TS no longer meets the required standard, poor fabrics and tailoring)
Lucky you to be 5’11”. At your height,size 14/16 is perfectly in proportion! We understand your issues re fabric and length. Please do keep checking our Occasion-wear and party-wear pages and New-In as the new season’s collections are arriving now, and we are adding new Occasion-wear and party-wear every day. Not everything will be the quality (or length) you want, but much will, so do keep looking, especially on New-In…