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.
Mother of the Bride Outfits for 2022
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 2022.
Karen Millen Drama Floral Woven Fluid Satin Maxi, £212
Exude Mother of the Bride elegance in this beautiful patterned gown from wedding guest dress powerhouse Karen Millen.
Jolie Moi Lace Overlay Maxi Dress, £75
Perfect for a wedding during any season – though we particularly love the festive green for a winter wedding – this floor length gown is a beautiful mother of the bride choice.
Monsoon Caterina Maxi Dress, £150
This embellishment on this gorgeous dress adds a touch of magic perfect for any winter wedding.
Gina Bacconi Lariah Chiffon Overlay Shift Dress, £260
The ruche detailing of this beautiful drape dress will flatter your figure, while the pop of pink colour will ensure you stand out from the rest of the wedding guests.
Sapphire Blue Silk Dupion ‘Grace’ Tie Front Shirt Dress, £559
Inspired by Grace Kelly and Dior dresses of the 50’s, the iconic Bombshell shirt dress is both flattering and elegant for every mother of the bride.
Joanna Hope Contrast Sequin Top Dress, £91
This gorgeous sequin bodice dress features a beautiful satin skirt and bow detail. We love it for a chic Christmas wedding.
Monsoon Linen Blend Blue Suit, from £45
This suit is perfect for the stylish, trendy mother of the bride, in a lightweight linen fabric for breezy, breathable comfort ideal for a summer wedding.
Phase Eight Danni Printed Floral Dress, £130
A stylishly simple occasion dress printed with romantic florals, perfect for the mother of the bride. This style is finished with short sleeves and a below the knee hem, and has a concealed centre back zip fastening.
John Charles Dress, Style 66113, Price in Store
This mother of the bride outfit channels pure femininity. Clean lines and a shaped waist make this a timeless and elegant mother of the bride dress with a flattering silhouette.
Coast Puff Sleeve Embroidered Mesh Midaxi Dress, £119
Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, this flattering navy tiered dress is perfect for an on-trend MOB at a more laid-back celebration.
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.
Hobbs Freya Fascinator, £79
Leather Lexi Sandals, £159
Emerald Satin-Georgette Zara Shawl, £69
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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