https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:32:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618978 Mon, 22 Feb 2016 00:09:43 +0000 Janet 1618978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ann, it will be August -- I can't fathom that I'll want to wear a jacket then! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618972 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 23:37:03 +0000 Rambling Ann 1618972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Does it have to be a dress? Is a cocktail-type suit an option? Something where you might wear the jacket with some nice pants later on? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618954 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 22:34:29 +0000 Barbara Diane 1618954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My only advise will prob. seem obvious to this group, but if you don't have a dress made, take a photo of yourself in the dresses you are considering, and then compare the photos. I often love how I look in something, but when I see the photos I find out I look different than how my eye saw it when I looked in the mirror.<br />I am impressed with everyone's help, and although both my DS's say not anytime soon (although both have quite serious girlfriends), I m happy to know that when the time comes I have wonderful support available here.<br />I love many of the dresses suggested. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618953 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 22:34:04 +0000 Janet 1618953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I love that dress. Gorgeous print!&nbsp;</p> <p>I remember you posting about that wedding! And I think your navy dress was perfect for the occasion. </p> <p>I definitely want to find something for this occasion that I can wear again -- I am really not interested in paying $X00 for a dress I am wearing only once. I have a beaded grey/silver cocktail dress that I wish I could wear for this, but I think it's too "evening" for this occasion. I'll definitely be looking for something I can wear with the Rockstuds. :-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618951 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 21:30:29 +0000 Suz 1618951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I'm late to respond, but congratulations! This is fun news. I agree it sounds, on balance, as if a solid might be best. But in the meantime, I did find this print. Sorry, I can't do a Finds for it:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.nicolemiller.com/motion-blur-midi-dress">http://www.nicolemiller.com/motion-blur-midi-dress</a></p> <p>I can really see you in this. Perhaps too busy for photos....but...</p> <p>I was stepmother of the groom a few years ago. It was winter and the wedding was in our home. There were no bridesmaids, only a flower girl (the bride's daughter) and ring-bearer (my daughter). The bride wore a knee length white shirt dress, very simple and quite original. The mother of the bride wore black, the mother of the groom wore lilac lace, and I wore my navy David Meister sheath with bronze footwear. They weren't too concerned about photos looking perfect and didn't hire a professional, so that did make it a slightly different kind of affair. Anyway, I was happy in my solid dress and enjoyed wearing it. But coordination wasn't a real issue in this case.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618938 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:34:16 +0000 Sal 1618938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought I had posted but obviously messed it up!!</p> <p>I think your plan is a great one, it is good to be open as to what catches your fancy. &nbsp;What a fun and special occasion to shop for:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618931 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 19:45:00 +0000 Gaylene 1618931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For what it's worth, my approach would be to find a dress in a solid colour and style I liked and tie it into the wedding group with a stunning piece of jewelry in that celadon/sea foam shade. In a pinch, I could also see a two-piece silky top and skirt working as long as it was a backdrop for the jewelry.</p> <p>I personally think coordinating instead of matching looks better if you are not in the wedding party itself. And a piece of jewelry can be stunning in pictures plus lovely way to remember the event. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618871 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 15:30:08 +0000 Janet 1618871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Update: We had dinner with stepson and fiancé last night, and V told me that her mom likes prints and is considering a simple dress in a print that incorporates the celadon/seafoam color. I mentioned the possibility of wearing blue or another coordinating color, and she was totally agreeable. In fact, she seems really pretty unconcerned about what I choose, trusting that as a fellow artist and photographer, I have a good idea what will look nice with the wedding party. The bridesmaids dresses are just above the knee length, and if I understand correctly, they are indeed one of the JCrew styles that Jeanne linked to in this thread. </p> <p>I think V is way more concerned with making sure the groom and groomsmen choose an appropriate suit -- we were passing around photos last night of OTT tux looks and really bad suits, and stepson kept picking out the worst ones as what he would wear! Of course he was kidding, but he cares so little about how he dresses that I think she's going to keep a close eye on that decision. LOL Fortunately, my husband will help keep that task on track as well. They seem to be leaning towards wearing grey suits, not tuxes, with ties that match the bridesmaid dresses.</p> <p>So, back to pondering what I will wear, if the mother of the bride is wearing a print, I really might lean more towards trying to find a solid color dress. I have a sort of slate blue in my mind, but we'll see what comes up in my searching. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618809 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 04:34:19 +0000 gradfashionista 1618809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I combed through the MOB dresses all last year and though, ugh. Variations of silk chiffon that frankly could not be worn elsewhere and often didn't look flattering on the model. If you can have someone make your garments, you could get a dress in virtually any colour, or a even a skirt suit. Plum/aubergine sounds nice and looks beautiful, and doesn't wash people out in photos. Navy is neutral and wouldn't clash; buttercup would also go, but I'm not sure if you wear that. The parents of the bridal couple tend to wear different colours from the bridal party, with navy being the favorite at the weddings I've recently attended. </p> <p>There was a seamstress I contacted in NYC last year who had a good reputation for making wedding garments. If you want, I can PM you her info. Her rates seemed reasonable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618772 Sun, 21 Feb 2016 02:45:02 +0000 elpgal 1618772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I would narrow down a few colors/styles and send them to the bride for feedback. I am sure she's helping her mom pick a dress so she will be able to give you some direction. I would absolutely not do the same color as the bridesmaids. I feel as a photographer, you have a bit more leeway to be artsy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom/page/2#post-1618664 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 17:24:57 +0000 Janet 1618664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, I do like those. Especially the VC. I'm concerned they might be a little too busy/bright, but would certainly try on and consider. I think the lace is really pretty but maybe a little too romantic or something for me. I like the print and style of the AP one but I think it might be a little too much with the addition of the sparkly jacquard finish. Am I being terribly picky? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618661 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 17:06:42 +0000 sarah 1618661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't know if you like any of these... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618633 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:03:29 +0000 Janet 1618633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy, I've been looking at blue -- it's so much easier to find, and it's a color I wear well. I think it would work well to complement but not clash with the other colors. </p> <p>I just got a very nice note from the mother of the bride with some details on the wedding, so we've opened up a dialog -- I've not met her yet, as she lives in another state, but she seems as sweet as her daughter. </p> <p>I have a good relationship with my husband's ex as well, so I can get in touch with her too. She is a very no-frills-style kind of person, and she lives in a very rural area, so I'm not sure what she'll be doing for her shopping. She is very practical, so I'm betting she'll find something neutral that she could also wear if/when her other son gets married. </p> <p>The more I think about it, the more I think a fairly simple cut in a quiet print or a solid would be the way to go. A color perhaps a little darker than the shade of the celadon, in the grey-blue-green range, would be ideal. Probably something like a slight cap-sleeve fitted sheath in a just-below-knee length. Something like that would be simple enough to have made, if I can't find it at retail. </p> <p>A huge thank you for all the ideas and links! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618597 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 12:21:20 +0000 Jjsloane 1618597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet - how fun. You'll be gorgeous in that color. Do a search on J Crew "Dusty Shale" - they are "bridesmaid dresses" but there are some possibilities there and it looks like a good color match (I know they are solid, but you could add some amazing colorful jewelry and killer metallic shoes.&nbsp;<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jcrew.com/search2/index.jsp?N=0&amp;Nloc=&amp;Ntrm=dusty%20shale&amp;Npge=1&amp;Nsrt=0">https://www.jcrew.com/search2/.....038;Nsrt=0</a></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618590 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 11:50:32 +0000 Style Fan 1618590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Teal is such a great colour for you.&nbsp; I wonder how it looks with the bridesmaid colour.<br />I am sure you will look gorgeous. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618588 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 09:52:15 +0000 RoseandJoan 1618588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do you have access to Hobbs in the US? they deliver but it's not ideal. Hobbs occasion wear range is lovely quality and full of wedding appropriate prints.<br /> <a href="https://www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0116-5844-9111L00&#038;productvarid=0116-5844-9111L00-PEACOCK-MULTI-12&#038;refpage=dresses" rel="nofollow">https://www.hobbs.co.uk/produc.....ge=dresses</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0116-5846-9093L00&#038;productvarid=0116-5846-9093L00-SOFT-MINT-MULTI-12&#038;refpage=dresses" rel="nofollow">https://www.hobbs.co.uk/produc.....ge=dresses</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0116-5743-9111L00&#038;productvarid=0116-5743-9111L00-SOFT-MINT-MULTI-12&#038;refpage=dresses" rel="nofollow">https://www.hobbs.co.uk/produc.....ge=dresses</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0116-5434-9111L00&#038;productvarid=0116-5434-9111L00-IVORY-MULTI-12&#038;refpage=dresses" rel="nofollow">https://www.hobbs.co.uk/produc.....ge=dresses</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618585 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:34:06 +0000 rachylou 1618585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dare I ask what the mother of the groom might wear? Oh wait... I see that's an unknown too. I'd be tempted to do a print that incorporates that celadon green. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618566 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 04:14:07 +0000 Anonymous 1618566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My son's bride had a similar green for her bridesmaids and used yellow sunflowers in the church.&nbsp; The MOTB wore a beautiful midtone grey dress and mine was a sapphire blue for an early August wedding.&nbsp; I'd like some shade of&nbsp;teal for you.&nbsp; A watery print or fabric would be pretty and probably not too out there but still arty.&nbsp; Something that is not high contrast. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618552 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 03:20:14 +0000 cjh 1618552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When you have a few ideas, links or photos, can you run them by the bride and/or her mother and ask if any of those appeal to her/them? That way you might get a better idea of the level of dressiness, classic or trendy, color coordination desires, etc. At best you will have help picking your dress, or will have a direction to go finding other options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618548 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 02:59:27 +0000 MsMaven 1618548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah's idea of the eggplant color sounds interesting, although it might be a difficult color to find in spring.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618542 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 02:34:06 +0000 rabbit 1618542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If a big goal is harmony in the photo, I'd see if you can ask the fiance what color the other parents will wear (if they know yet) and if they are planning pattern or not, and then chose something that complements with that group and the seafoam green -- that might narrow your selection and make it easier to focus the hunt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618540 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 02:27:44 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1618540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my mind's eye, I keep seeing a lighter dusty eggplant color. Nothing too dark and not too light like lavendar, but sort of a grey/eggplant. I think that would compliment the green and yellow without having to incorporate the colors at all, I don't know... It's just what popped into my mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618517 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 01:30:02 +0000 Janet 1618517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent points, all. I love that deeper teal-petrol color. The issue once we get into really deep shades is that this will be a dress for the peak of summer. I don't want to go too dark.</p> <p>I could see going more into the blue territory -- a similar tone but different hue, so to speak. </p> <p>I could also see a peachy neutral being really pretty and subtle but probably not my best color. My mom wore a suit in that kind of color to my wedding and looked beautiful. But my skin tone is more pinkish like my dad's so it's not the best color on me. I also wondered about a light grey, with a little sheen to it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618513 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 01:13:58 +0000 L'Abeille 1618513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm trying to picture a deeper tonal version of this colour that is muted, not too bright. A bit bluer than teal. I think it's called petrol? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618507 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 01:00:56 +0000 MsMaven 1618507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First--take a deep breath and don't panic.</p> <p>I've been a step-grandmother four times now, and because DH officiated in 3 of the weddings, I've been part of the procession 3 times, so I kind of know how you feel, although as step-mother you will have more intense scrutiny on you, I am sure. (Luckily, there were no other grandmothers so I was the only one to fill that spot.) I usually walked down the aisle with my handsome son, the stepfather.</p> <p>Seems like a lot of pressure: you don't want to outshine the mother of the bride but you don't want to blend into the wallpaper either.&nbsp;</p> <p>Is there a theme to the wedding? Will you be comfortable in a fitted dress or would you be comfortable in something flowing? Of course you need to compliment your DH's tie color.&nbsp;</p> <p>As I remember it, you are tall (at least you look tall.) I've had good luck with Carmen Marc Valvo, Kay Unger, Adrienne Papell and Tadashi. </p> <p>My preliminary shopping expeditions through a number of different types of stores were extremely disappointing.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />I like the idea of having something made if you can. I bought three of my dresses online, but it took a lot of shopping, ordering, trying and returning.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618503 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 00:52:29 +0000 TraceyLiz65 1618503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a big deal and a big decision since there will be lots of photos. I don't think I would wear that color because of the bridesmaids. It's a shame you can't preview the mother of the bride's choice. Since DH will be wearing a touch of this shade, I would suggest a complimentary color in a similar hue. Perhaps Serenity color of the year? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618499 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 00:48:15 +0000 Carla 1618499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You drew a winning card with the colour scheme, and a DVF wrap style dress would rock. You could go a little darker turquoise, or find a design that has a printed border but solid upper. </p> <p>Will the Rockstuds come out to play? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618496 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 00:43:01 +0000 JAileen 1618496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the bridesmaids are wearing that color, I definitely would not wear the same color. I would want my outfit to look nice with it, but not match. You're not in the bridal party, after all, although you are an important family member. When I first saw it, I thought of plum. Is that a color you wear? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618494 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 00:37:20 +0000 Keix 1618494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of this color as sea foam and it's my favorite color! But I agree with Diana that it's hard to find, especially in dressier pieces. If you don't find anything at retail, I'd consider the custom route as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-the-stepmother-of-the-groom#post-1618492 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 00:22:17 +0000 Anonymous 1618492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no advice, but I am excited for you. &nbsp;It should be really fun. &nbsp; </p>