Calling all stylish mamas! You’ve been by the bride’s side through the ups and downs, the last-minute planning and the exciting decisions…and now it’s time to celebrate you! We’re here to help you look and feel your best on the big day with trendy and stylish mother of the bride dresses that are anything but frumpy.
Let’s face it: traditional mother of the bride dresses are known for being more frumpy than fashion-forward. But here at GWS, we’re all about breaking those old-fashioned traditions, embracing your personal style, and rocking a truly flattering and elegant outfit for the special day!
These days, there are no “rules” for what the MOB (mother of the bride) should wear (except to avoid white, of course), so you have the freedom to pick something that makes you feel like your most confident self.
To make this decision a little easier, we’re bringing you the best elegant mother of the bride dresses for every style, season, and dress code — plus a few expert tips to avoid looking frumpy on the big day!
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How to Know if a Mother of the Bride Dress Will Be Frumpy When Shopping Online
We get it: finding a mother of the bride dress that is not frumpy can be quite the challenge — especially when you’re shopping online! So to help you find a stylish, elegant, and timeless gown that fits you like a glove, here are a few of our expert tips.
- Look for on-trend collections: When shopping online, we suggest looking for retailers that have specialized collections of trendy mother of the bride dresses that are not frumpy. Department stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s are great options, since they carry designer styles. (We’ve included a few more of our faves down below!)
- Pay attention to the details: As you scroll through these collections, look for dresses with interesting textures, on-trend silhouettes, and modern colors. A dress with a bold print, for example, can be a great way to add some personality and flair to your look! Don’t limit yourself to traditional mother of the bride dresses and designs, which can often seem frumpy and outdated, instead of modern and trendy.
- Read reviews: Whenever you shop online, customer reviews (and photos) are a lifesaver. Not only will they give you a better idea about the fit, but they will also help you find mother of the bride dresses that don’t look frumpy in real life, as well as on the model.
- Find the perfect fit: And speaking of fit, a well-fitted mother of the bride dress is key to avoiding a frumpy look. Check the online sizing chart to see the exact measurements, and when in doubt, always choose the larger size. It’s easier to alter a dress that’s too large versus a dress that’s too small!
When in doubt, the best way to know if a mother of the bride dress is frumpy is to ask your daughter! She’ll have the best advice for what’s in style, as well as what will look best with her wedding color scheme and style.
GWS Pro Tip: Give yourself plenty of time to shop for the perfect dress. If you wait until the last minute, the best MOB dresses may be limited or unavailable. You’ll also avoid feeling rushed or pressured to make a decision!
Searching for a modern look that stands out on the big day? Ditch the traditional dress and opt for one of these mother of the bride pantsuits instead! There’s nothing frumpy about these stunners.
How to Style Your Mother of the Bride Dress So it Doesn’t Come Off As Frumpy
The right styling can take a mother of the bride dress from frumpy to elegant in no time! To achieve a modern and sophisticated look, pair your gown with glamorous and timeless accessories, like chandelier earrings, a dainty necklace, and a trendy (read: sparkly) clutch. A little bit of bling can go a long way!
If your dress is on the simpler side, bold accessories are a great way to add some personality and elevate your look from basic to beautiful. Consider adding a pop of color with your shoes, a stylish wrap, or a printed purse!
And every MOB dress also needs a great pair of shoes! Choose a design that is both comfortable and stylish, like cute kitten heels, embellished block heels, or even dressy ballet flats. Whether you go trendy or timeless, a great pair of kicks will complete your fashion-forward look.
Finally, don’t forget about hair and makeup! A chic updo will always look elegant, and the same goes for soft makeup that enhances your natural beauty. Keep it simple and refined for a fool-proof look that is anything but frumpy!
What color dress is the mother of the bride supposed to wear?
While there are no hard-and-fast rules about what color dress the mother of the bride is supposed to wear, it’s best practice to check in with the happy couple before choosing a gown. Some couples may have a specific color palette that they want their family members to stick to, so this will give you extra insight when shopping.
Of course, it’s also tradition for the mother of the bride to avoid wearing white on the big day, since this color is typically reserved for the bridal gown. Apart from that, we suggest choosing a mother of the bride dress that flatters you — after all, you know best what colors make you feel confident versus frumpy, so opt for your tried-and-tested faves!
When in doubt, it can also be helpful to use the season as your guide. Lighter hues and pastel mother of the bride dresses look gorgeous for warm weather celebrations, but they may come off as frumpy in the winter, when dark colors and jewel tones shine. You can even incorporate the ceremony’s color palette into your look for a thoughtful and unique touch….the options are endless!
Best Places to Buy Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Not Frumpy
Need some inspiration for where to buy the best mother of the bride dresses that aren’t frumpy? We’ve got you covered! These are our top three shops.
- Anthropologie Weddings: If you’re looking for trendy mother of the bride dresses that definitely aren’t frumpy, it doesn’t get better than Anthropologie Weddings (the formal side of Anthropologie)! They have some of the most stylish and of-the-moment gowns for every dress code, as well as a collection of dresses specifically geared toward mothers of the bride.
- Adrianna Papell: This one’s for the fashionable mamas. Adrianna Papell is one of our go-to designers for mother of the bride dresses that are classy (without feeling frumpy). They have gorgeous gowns for every season, style, dress code, and color scheme — as well as plenty of size inclusive options!
- Nordstrom: Department stores are a great place to buy evening gowns, simply because they have so many options! Plus, this is where you can find MOB dresses from our favorite designers, like Adrianna Papell and Mac Duggal. Nordstrom is also a one-stop shop for your entire look, from stylish jewelry to trendy shoes!
But don’t worry — we’ve also sorted through each of these online shops (plus a few extras) to find the best mother of the bride dresses that are definitely not frumpy. Let’s get into the gowns!
Best Elegant Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Not Frumpy
The opposite of frumpy mother-of-the-bride dresses? Elegant MOB dresses!
If you want to look sophisticated but still stylish on the big day, these are the gowns for you. We’ve found the best non-frumpy elegant mother of the bride dresses for every type of celebration. So whether you’re watching the love birds tie the knot at a spring garden party or a formal evening affair, your dress soul mate is waiting for you down below!
We’ve also included a few styling tips to go with these elegant evening gowns, so you can focus on more important things — like getting your daughter ready for this major life milestone!!
1. Best Elegant Mother of the Bride Dress for Non-Frumpy Sparkle: This Gold Sequin Stunner
Nothing says elegance like a floor-sweeping, glittering gown! The perfect blend of sophistication and sparkle, this elegant mother of the bride dress features head-to-toe golden sequins in a blossoming pattern. We love the glamorous, vintage-inspired flair of the lace overlay — and that eyelash trim is simply to die for!!
But don’t just take our word for it. Dozens of other fabulous mamas have commented how flattering and stunning this dazzling dress is (with pictures to prove it), so you can feel confident about adding it to your cart!
2. Best Elegant Mother of the Bride Dress for a Trendy “Something Blue”: This Draped Satin One-Shoulder Gown
Every ceremony needs its “something blue,” and this elegant evening gown is here to help! We can’t get over this gown’s dreamy sky blue hue (so on trend for the warmer months!), especially in this shimmering satin fabric. It’s super unique while also feeling appropriate for any color palette.
And with a trendy one-shoulder neckline, this mother of the bride dress is anything but frumpy. If you love it as much as we do, be sure to also check out the other stunning color options (including a classic navy)!
GWS Pro Tip: Before choosing your MOB dress, it’s always best to ask your daughter about the dress code and color scheme for the ceremony. You want to make sure your outfit complements the celebration’s theme and doesn’t clash with the bridal party’s attire!
5. Best Elegant Mother of the Bride Dress for a Feminine Touch (That is Not Matronly): This Rosy Hued Beaded Gown
If you love all things feminine and flower-adorned, this is the dress for you! A must for a summer celebration or a romantic garden ceremony, this gorgeous gown features a soft and subtle flower print on an even softer mesh fabric.
With classy sheer flutter sleeves for an extra touch of romance and beaded embellishments for an extra dose of sparkle, it checks off ALL the boxes for an elegant (and non-frumpy) mother of the bride dress!
All it’s missing are some equally sweet accessories, like these flower petal earrings!
6. Best Elegant Mother of the Bride Dress for a Glamorous Event: This Sparkly Silver Evening Gown
For an elegant evening gown that oozes glamour and fits like a glove, look no further than this glittering embellished dress!
With hundreds of silver sequins adorning the fabric, this classy gown will light up any room you walk into. We can’t stop picturing it on the dance floor — bring on the disco ball!
Pro tip: If you want to avoid looking frumpy, metallic mother of the bride dresses like this one are a fool-proof choice. Featuring clean lines and mega sparkle, it’s the pinnacle of timeless glam! Plus, metallic styles are super flattering around the belly area too. Perfect for achieving a trendy, non-matronly silhouette.
7. Best Elegant Mother of the Bride Dress for Hot Weather Celebrations: This Rosy Tea Length Dress
Simple, sophisticated, and definitely not frumpy, this elegant mother of the bride dress is our favorite pick for a chic warm weather celebration. The rosy hued fabric is a classic for the season — plus it has a subtle sheen to give it that wow factor!
And with a tea length hemline, this flowy dress will keep you nice and cool when the weather is hot. Wear it with a lightweight shawl for a more modest look, or rock it as a stylish sleeveless dress for a trendy vibe!
Best Sexy Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Not Frumpy
There’s nothing matronly about these gowns! When you want to show off your sexy mama status, you need a dress that matches your energy. And we’ve found the best sexy mother of the bride dresses (that are definitely not frumpy) to do the job!
Featuring sultry details, figure-hugging silhouettes, and glamorous pops of skin, these gowns are real show-stoppers. Trust us, these stunners will earn you allll the compliments as you make your grand entrance on the big day!
Keep scrolling to check out the best non-frumpy and majorly sexy mother of the bride dresses that we can’t stop staring at!
11. Best Sexy Mother of the Bride Dress for a Stylish Grand Entrance: This Trendy One-Shoulder Blue Gown
Bring the drama with this sexy MOB dress! We love the sultry one-shoulder neckline, especially paired with a universally flattering a-line silhouette. And featuring a cinched waist for an extra stylish and elegant look, it’s perfect for making an entrance.
Bonus: made with flowy lightweight chiffon, this striking blue gown is just as comfortable as it is glamorous. Talk about the best of both worlds!
14. Best Sexy Mother of the Bride Dress for a Designer Look: This Whimsical Navy Trumpet Gown
It’s official, we’re ready to say “I do” to this swoon-worthy navy blue gown! We can’t get enough of those whimsical 3D floral sleeves, which are perfectly contrasted with the sleek + sexy fitted silhouette. Get ready for some major compliments with this one!
And according to the raving reviews from other trendy MOBs, this sexy mother of the bride dress is non-frumpy, tailored to perfection, and also great for curvy figures. Win-win-win!
16. Best Sexy Mother of the Bride Dress for Hopeless Romantics: This Lovely Lacy Off-the-Shoulder Gown
How romantic is this sexy MOB dress?! With the loveliest nature-inspired lacy detailing decorating every inch of this gorgeous gown, it looks like something straight out of a fairytale.
We’re swooning over the shoulder-baring neckline, the tantalizing trumpet silhouette, and the elegant mocha hue (although it also comes in a few other gorgeous colors!).
This romantic mother of the bride dress also features subtle sparkle details, which will give you the perfect amount of shine — without entering frumpy territory!
Best Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Not Frumpy
When shopping for the best plus size mother of the bride dresses that are not frumpy, the key is to avoid hiding your curves. Instead, choose a gown that accentuates your best features and flatters your body shape! This will leave you looking confident instead of covered up on the big day.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best plus size (and non-frumpy) mother of the bride dresses that do just that! These gowns are universally flattering, ultra comfortable, and SO stylish. Most of them come in sizes 14 – 26, as well as standard sizing, and feature all the details you need to make a stylish statement on the big day.
Ready to find the one? Let’s get into it!
19. Best Plus Size Gown for a New Year’s Eve Ceremony: This Elegant Sparkler
Hello, glamour! Similar to dress #12 (but with a few extra dazzling details), this plus size MOB dress brings allllll the glitz and glam, with sparkly beading in a chic vintage-inspired pattern. A must for a New Year’s Eve ceremony or glamorous formal affair, this sparkly gown truly feels like a celebration in dress form!
We also love how the fluttery skirt slightly flares out at the bottom. It’s the definition of flattering!
GWS Pro Tip: Wrap silhouettes on mother of the bride dresses are known for being ultra flattering on all body types and can help achieve a trendy look that is not frumpy. They highlight your bust and cinch in your waist — what’s not to love?!
22. Best Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dress for a Non-Frumpy Print: This Dreamy Watercolor Blue Gown
If you’re on the hunt for plus size mother of the bride dresses that are not frumpy, you can’t go wrong with a soft and beautiful print!
This gorgeous gown steers clear of traditional details that may come across as outdated and instead makes a statement with this blue watercolor design. Unexpectedly unusual, and we’re OBSESSED.
We love the ripple effect of bodice fabric — almost like waves (and undeniably flattering)! And with an elegant nature-inspired design, it’s guaranteed to wow on the big day.
23. Best Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dress for Shimmer That is Not Frumpy: This Feminine Rose Gold Gown
Soft and statement-making at the same time, this plus size MOB dress is simply heavenly. We’re digging the rosy color for a romantic warm weather ceremony. And how pretty is that subtle shimmering rose print?
Bonus: The silhouette of this dreamy gown is also designed to highlight your curves in all the right places. The sheer flutter sleeves give you extra coverage on your arms, while the sultry v-neck shows a pop of skin. Perfection!
Best Petite Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Not Frumpy
It’s no secret that finding stylish and elegant petite mother of the bride dresses that aren’t frumpy can be a struggle. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect dress style, only to find out you’ll be swimming in fabric.
That’s where we come in! We’ve rounded up the best petite gowns that will fit you like a glove and elongate your frame. Plus, they’re also super fashion-forward and on-trend!
So whether you’re searching for a black tie evening gown or a summery frock, these are the best mother of the bride dresses that are majorly flattering — and anything but frumpy.
GWS Pro Tip: For petite dresses that don’t make you look like you’re drowning in fabric, we suggest choosing simple silhouettes and shorter hemlines (from tea length to ankle length). These styles will help you look endlessly elegant, without the need for a tailor!
25. Best Petite Mother of the Bride Dress for Trendy Mamas: This Ruched Patterned Midi
For the trendy mamas, invest in something you’ll want to wear again and again after the big day! We love this gown’s stylish high neckline, flattering ruching, and unique botanical pattern. Definitely not frumpy, this petite mother of the bride dress will make a trendy addition to your everyday wardrobe!
Plus, this fashion-forward midi is SO comfortable — it’s made with a chic + stretchy fabric that can easily be pulled over your head to style. No zippers or restrictive silhouettes to see here!
26. Best Petite Gown for Sustainably Sexy Style: This Silky Botanical Green Dress
To say we’re big fans of Reformation would be an understatement. Their dresses are trendy, flattering, and so high-quality — and their petites collection is no different!
This petite mother of the bride dress features a slim-fitting silhouette and a timeless design that is definitely not frumpy. It’s also sustainably made with 100% lightweight silk. Now that’s a purchase you can feel good about!
P.S. While we love this chic + elegant light green pattern, this stunning gown also comes in multiple other stylish options!
27. Best Petite Design for Formal Warm Weather Events: This Tea Length Dress + Jacket
Formal and black tie ceremonies in the warmer months can feel impossible to dress for. You want to look elegant and elevated…without dying of heat all day. That’s where this tea length gown comes in!
Glamorous, breathable, and totally timeless, this petite MOB dress is the best of all worlds. It also comes with a matching sequin-adorned jacket, for when you need to be extra dressy!
And another bonus of tea length dresses? They’re less restrictive around your legs — so there’s nothing stopping you from showing off your moves on the dance floor!
Best Classy (Yet Unusual, in the Best Way!) Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Not Frumpy
When you want to stand out — without looking frumpy — these mother of the bride dresses strike the perfect balance between classy and unusual. They’re not your typical MOB silhouettes, but that’s what makes them so good.
From unique appliqués to trendy high-fashion details (including one trendy menswear-inspired look that we LOVE), we’re ending this list with a few of the best non-frumpy mother of the bride dresses that are guaranteed to make a statement. Because you’re not a normal mom, you’re a fashionable mom!
Scroll on for our favorite trendy, classy, and totally unique dresses for your unforgettable look.
31. Best Classy Mother of the Bride Dress for a Black Tie Dress Code: This Unusual Tuxedo-Inspired Gown
If you’re looking for mother of the bride dresses that aren’t frumpy, why not skip the go-to silhouettes and opt for something more unusual — like this ultra-classy and trendy tuxedo-inspired gown?!
We absolutely adore this look for a formal dress code or black tie affair. After all, there’s nothing more timeless and elegant than a tuxedo! Plus, this dress manages to perfectly balance the menswear silhouette with more feminine details, such as a trendy leg slit and embellished buttons.
Now all that’s missing are some equally classy accessories to complete the look, like these embellished heels or these dazzling earrings!
32. Best Classy Mother of the Bride Dress With Non-Frumpy Embellishments: This Trendy Constellation-Inspired Tulle Gown
Excuse us as we pick our jaws up off of the ground! With dazzling beaded embellishments in a trendy and unusual starry design, this mother of the bride dress is about as far from frumpy as it gets. It looks like a gorgeous night sky displayed on the tulle fabric — so dreamy!
For evening ceremonies and celestial themes, this sparkly gown is a must. We also love that it’s made with 100% recycled materials, down to the glittering sequins. As if you needed another excuse to add it to your cart!
33. Best Classy Gown for a High Fashion Look: This Simple Navy Blue Beauty
When you want a gown that’s equal parts trendy and timeless (and definitely not frumpy), this classy mother of the bride dress delivers. It keeps things simple and elegant with a fitted silhouette and a classic navy hue — but the true star of the show is the unusual split sleeves, which give the gown a regal cape-like look.
Complete with sparkly beaded shoulders, this is the perfect non-frumpy dress for the mother of the bride who doesn’t shy away from a trendy high-fashion design. Yes, we’re looking at you!
Rock Your Mother of the Bride Look With Our Best Guides
Need some more inspiration to look and feel amazing on the big day? We’ve got you covered!
If you love a sophisticated and elegant look, then one of these MOB pantsuits may be your perfect match! We’ve rounded up all the best non-frumpy styles for stylish mamas who prefer sleek and trendy pants to a flowy mother of the bride dress.
And whichever style you go for, don’t forget to complete the outfit with some must-have accessories. Check out these birthstone necklaces and these birthstone rings to add a pretty and personal touch to your final look!
And finally, every formal outfit needs this finishing touch: a signature scent! Find your perfect scent with this list of the best perfumes for women (as rated by our GWS readers!).
What style will you be rocking on the big day? Share your comments, as well as any questions, in the comments below!