What to wear when you are Mother of the Bride?

It’s getting closer and closer to your darling daughter’s Big Day and you want her to be the most beautiful bride ever (and she will be, naturally). All eyes will be on her, but hang on, you’re mother of the bride – you have quite a big part to play on the day as well. It’s obvious that you’ll be treating yourself to a smart new outfit, but here is where the problem begins. Where do you go and how do you avoid ending up in the same outfit as mother of the groom or another guest? It can feel embarrassing to pass a stranger on the street wearing the same outfit, so for the same thing to happen on an occasion as important as your daughter’s wedding is unthinkable.

Not everyone can splash out on something so expensive and exclusive that no one else would possibly wear.

So here are a few top tips to help make sure that no other guest steals your thunder on the day:

• Avoid department stores and big chains. Look instead for independent retailers – this may mean leaving your usual shopping territory, and you’ll need to perhaps do some detective work to find them, but you may just stumble upon a boutique shop that is full of wonders.

• Look at websites such as Preloved. Preloved is used by individuals and businesses alike, so you’ll find a mix of outfits that have been worn once only and are now being sold on and shops that need to sell surplus and old stock. Naturally, searching on sites such as this can be a bit hit and miss. You may find a beautiful outfit, only to discover it will be two sizes too big or small. But keep checking for new listings and you might be lucky – and save a small fortune, too.

• Just Last Season is where you can find clothing from the Jacques Vert Group that is no longer sold on the high street. Brands include Jacques Vert, Kaliko, Eastex, Dash, PrecisPetite and Planet, all of them are stylish and excellent quality and you could save up to 70% off the recommended retail price.

Just Last Season - Kaliko dress

• Shop at Oxfam? Yes, really! You’d be amazed what people discard – all kinds of treasures turn up in black bin bags and Oxfam sells some of its more valuable items online. Browse, for instance, their range of vintage dresses – we spotted brands such as Christian Lacroix, Liberty and Oscar de la Renta. If you’re looking for something distinctive or quirky, this could be a great route to explore.

• Moving on rather neatly from charity shop finds, if you know a good tailor or seamstress – or are handy with a needle yourself – an okay dress in a lovely fabric could be transformed into something sensational with the right skills. Again, alterations are a brilliant way of putting a new spin on a garment – it could be as simple as changing the length or doing something clever with the neckline.

• The Great British Sewing Bee has shown that there is still a healthy interest in sewing. If you’re that way inclined, why not consider making your dress. You get to choose the style and fabric so it will be totally individual to you.

NOTHS - Mother of the Bride dress

•  Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to think about accessories. This is another great way to make your outfit totally your own. Shoes, hats, bags, belts, jewellery all have the power to make a High Street dress look different. A jacket, wrap or pashmina is also another way of completing your look. And it’s a good idea to avoid buying everything in the same shop – shop around and come up with your own unique combination of accessories. Etsy and Not on the High Street are great sites if you’re looking for special bits and pieces. 

NOTHS - Mother of the Bride Accessories

Etsy - Peacock Feather Fascinator

 
Above all else, talk to invited guests who you know may have similar tastes to yourself! Yes, it’s nice to keep your outfit secret until the day of the wedding – and you still can – but it doesn’t hurt to ask a few questions, such as ‘what colour are you wearing?’ or ‘where did you buy your outfit?’ That way, you run far less risk of seeing someone walking towards you in the same outfit.  

Happy Shopping!