With guests eager see what everyone is wearing, the mother of the bride needs an outfit that’s both stylish and classy for her daughter’s wedding. Here are our top mother of the bride dresses and outfit ideas to buy now for summer weddings.
Mother of the Bride Outfits for Summer 2023
Being mother of the bride and chief of the bridal party, we understand that you’ll want to highlight your role with the right look with a mother of the bride dress that’s not frumpy – and doesn’t just look like another wedding guest dress. So, we’ve compiled a guide to the best mother of the bride outfits and trends for summer 2023.
Wallis Floral Sequin Flute Sleeve Midi Dress, £89
This gorgeous dress, with its long sheer sleeves, demure floral print and sweeping fit and flare shape simply exudes class. It’s subtle enough not to hog the limelight, but the beautiful pink hue dressed up with the right fascinator will ensure you have admiring glances aimed at the mother of the bride all day.
Suzannah London Penelope Gingham Tweed Dress, now £750
Bring a splash of summer warmth to your daughter’s big day in this yellow dress, which will epitomise the joy of the occasion. It’s bright and chirpy, but with the addition of that slightly pleated skirt and 1950s silhouette, it’s also regal. Pair it with some understated heels and a clutch.
ASPIGA Victoria Broidery Collar Dress, £200
Get whimsical with this stunningly feminine dress. Its vibrant colour will ensure you stand out from the other wedding guests, while its long-flared skirt, adorable collar and fitted bodice lend it a refined old-world charm. The cotton broderie is sustainably sourced, so you can feel good while you look good.
Karen Millen Structured Crepe Square Neck Midi Dress, £159
A mother of the bride couldn’t really be more on point when wearing this stylish red dress. Its figure-hugging lines, soft tailoring and flattering neckline are classic, you’ll be the chicest in attendance in this Karen Millen number.
AW Romula Dress, £66.20
This is the perfect MOB outfit in a gorgeous satin charmeuse fabric and beautiful jewel neckline – with a handy built in bra to boot.
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Coast Coral Square Neck Lace Dress with Puff Sleeve, £249
This coral midi dress with its square neck and beautiful lace detail is perfect for summer weddings. Pair with a simple pair of gold or nude heels to complete the look.
Isabelle Manns Reversible Patricia Dress, £595
Isabella Manns is known for its breathtaking reversible dresses, meaning you get two dresses in one! Who said a wedding reception outfit change was only for the bride… Each dress is made to order, and you can even purchase a matching headband to complete the look.
L.K Bennett Thalia Blue and Yellow Mimosa Print Dress, £329
Florals are always a good idea when dressing the mother of the bride. We love this pretty powder blue number is beautifully crafted from a floaty and slightly sheer fabric and features elegant details such as a high round neck, short pleated sleeves and a wrap-over midi skirt. Pair with lemon yellow or nude accessories.
Phase Eight Caitlyn Lace Jumpsuit, £159
If you’re someone who prefers darker colours, this jumpsuit from Phase Eight is a great option. We love this timeless occasion style with its floral lace motif on the bodice and wide leg silhouette. Pair with some fun heels and matching bag for a pop of colour.
Phase Eight Simara Pleated Midi Dress, £179
Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, look elegant in this pastel lilac dress. It can be easily dressed up with a gorgeous pair of neutral heels and a magnificent big hat or fascinator!
Gina Bacconi Emeline Jacquard Tailored Dress and Bolero Jacket in Pale Pink, £350
Channel simple sophistication and poise in this tailored pale pink dress and jacket. Its clean-cut silhouette and jacquard print flatter all forms and keep you cool in the summer heat, making you the kind of mother that any glowing bride would be proud of on her wedding day.
Hobbs Orelia Fit and Flare Dress, £179
Barbie The Movie is on everyone’s mind’s this summer, so why not embrace Barbiecore with this stunning pink dress from Hobbs. Pair with a pink hat and heels for a classy monochrome look.
Coast Lisa Tan Single Breasted Fitted Jacket and Flare Trouser, £189 and £129
This edgy green suit is just right for all weathers and endlessly versatile. You’ll be the trendiest MOB there is.
BUY the blazer NOW from Wallis
BUY the trousers NOW from Wallis
V&A X Love & Roses Floral Print Pleated Midi Dress, £74
Go all out in this beautiful pleated floral print gown – the perfect Mother of the Bride outfit for both evening weddings and summer day-time weddings.
Wallis Lace Ladder Trim Midi Dress, £85
Lace is a fail-safe option for a mother of the bride outfit, you’re always going to look classy and elegant. This all over lace number in this pretty cornflower blue shade is lovely for a
Rixo Liberty Jaquard Midi Dress, £285
This mother of the bride outfit channels pure femininity. Be your daughter’s ‘something blue’ in this jewel-toned number by Rixo.
Mother of the Bride Accessories
Think about jewellery, shoes and handbags – all things that can help make your mother of the bride outfit unique. Use these as statement pieces, perhaps in a brighter colour than the rest of the outfit.
Coast Coral Large Bow Wide Brim Hat, £159
Accessorize Penelope Sınama Box Band Fascinator, £49
Hobbs Francis Slingback Heels, £129
Lipsy round Floral Disc Fascinator Headband, £45
Hobbs Kensington Clutch Bag, £99
Coast Lisa Tan Looped Bow and Mesh Headband, £99
Boden Gold Block-Heel Sandals, £120
Hobbs Matilda Scarf, £45
Lace & Favour Bianco Pale Peach Chiffon Wedding Wrap, £25
Mother of the Bride Outfit Guide
In years gone by, being mother of the bride has meant frumpy frocks and ill-fitting dress suits, but no more! With many modern mums keeping on top of fashion trends, lots of high street retailers and even wedding designers are now catering for fashionable mother of the bride big-day looks.
To help provide some guidance for future MOB’s on how they can stand out from the crowd and wow those wedding guests, Kirsten Emery, Head of Design at leading fashion e-tailer Kaleidoscope, shares her top tips for mother of the brides this wedding season.
Modern Mother of the Bride Style Tips
Flatter Your Figure
Today’s mother of the bride collections consist of figure-flattering frocks that are designed to accentuate your mum’s best bits. Is your mum worried about showing her upper arms on the big day? Look for cinched-in jackets that will not only hide her wobbly bits, but also help her change her look from day to night.
Pair with some sexy shoes and some matching accessories and you’ll have a confident mum that will look picture perfect. A good figure flattering tip is to choose a dress style with a ribbon tied or belted waist which will cinch you in and accentuate the narrowest part of your frame.
Also, remember that sophistication is key, so keep your outfit demure by avoiding any ensembles that are too low cut or have a short hem. Many women are concerned about exposing their upper arms. Experimenting with three quarter length sleeves, cover-ups and looking for cinched in jackets will keep you feeling confident and can help add some variety to your look.
Let the Bride be Your Guide
Another important tip for dressing for your daughter’s big day is to let her bridal style guide you. Before you start your outfit search make sure you are aware of the colour palettes for the day, flower arrangement ideas, how formal the occasion is going to be, and what the bridesmaids will be wearing.
As mother of the bride, you may want to find a look which complements these elements, without being matchy-matchy. For instance, if the bridal party are wearing soft duck egg blue, select a subtle mocha or grey which you can team with duck egg blue accessories without looking too try-hard. It’s important you still find something you feel confident wearing and that reflects your own individual style.
Aside from this, the classic golden rule for keeping the bride happy, unless otherwise instructed, is to never wear white or any colour close to what the bride has chosen to wear – that hue is for the bride and the bride only!
Be Inspired by Celebrity Mother of the Bride Outfits
Although of course your bride is your guide, there is no reason you can’t take inspiration from most stylish MOB’s from the celebrity world. Carole Middleton and Judy Murray are great examples of how to perfect the structured look; a well-fitted coat over a shift dress can add an extra twist to your outfit, and keep you warm during the winter wedding season.
Although Carole has stuck with a simple outfit, she lets the hat do the talking. This can be an elegant way of ensuring you stand out as MOB without going too over the top.
Think of an Outfit to Last From Day to Night
Weddings are notorious for being very long days so make sure whatever you are wearing is comfortable enough so that it doesn’t distract you from enjoying your daughter’s big day! Opt for non-creasing, moveable fabrics such as scuba or lace, teamed with stylish but practical shoes for that added touch of glamour.
If the wedding moves throughout the day into the evening also ensure that you have a wrap/pashmina on hand to keep you warm. Go for a colour that complements or adds drama to your dress or accessories. The most important thing to remember is that many eyes will be on you for your daughter’s big day so ensure that you are confident, happy and comfortable in your attire, with plenty of movement in your dress so that you are free to dance the night away!
Consider the Wedding Location
When first starting to plan your mother of the bride outfit, look to the wedding location itself for inspiration. If you’re attending a beach wedding or one in a warmer climate, go for minimum accessories and flowing fabrics, adopting a more relaxed style.
For a more formal occasion, take the opportunity to make a bold statement by wearing an eye-catching headpiece or fascinator. When choosing a headpiece accessory make sure you don’t detract from your outfit as a whole, it should accentuate your look instead of dominating it.
It’s important to ensure that any head pieces don’t swamp your frame, and doesn’t hide your face. Finally, make sure that you opt for a colour which complements your dress or matches the rest of your accessories. This will complete your outfit and bring it together as a whole.
Should the Mother of the Bride Wear a Hat?
You may think it’s customary for the mother of the bride to wear an over-sized hat, but that’s simply not the case for 2022. Many modern mums are opting to leave the traditional hats at home in favour of something a little smaller, such as a fascinator, statement flower in the hair or stunning hair accessories.
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