MOG Dress, Save me from dowdy! - YouLookFab Forum

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MOG Dress, Save me from dowdy!

Anonymous

Our son is getting married in early July. So I'm on "the hunt" for a dress that is stylish yet subtle, classic yet fun, and not dowdy/matronly! The brides colors are blue, orange and silver. Not sure the shade of blue but she said the color you find in most crayola boxes (I'm assuming she means the basic box!). She also said she wants me to wear whatever I like, whatever makes me happy, cocktail length or long, whatever I like. I'm thinking it might be wise to stay in the blues or silvers or blue teal possibly for the photos. The MOB has been given the same open door on what to choose. I highlight my hair and I'm a natural redhead. Age 70. Good figure due to working out, walking, gardening and healthy lifestyle. 5'7", 135-138 lbs.

There are some really ugly dresses found in wedding shops or bridal departments in stores. I would rather not have to wear a jacket or bolero or shawl. Something with sleeves (3/4 to full sleeve), just because my arms are 70 years old

Nordstroms has been my go-to store for other clothing needs.

Angie, I haven't seen a post done on dresses for mother of the bride or mother of the groom. Would that be possible, along with your words of wisdom and style selections (head to toe), brand selections? Or a response here. Many of us, at one time or another, are MOB or MOG. And it's no easy feat finding "the dress" and accessories to go with it.

Readers, if you have suggestions since you've needed a dress for this special occasion, please share--suggestions, advice, stories, etc.

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Penny

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I had a miserable time looking for a dress for my stepson's wedding last summer, so I ended up wearing a dress I already owned. I hope you have better luck.

I would not try to match the bridal party so much -- I would choose something to "go" with them instead. A different blue from the bridesmaids dresses, or another subtle color that complements the overall scheme.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hit brands like Adrianna Papel and Tadashi Shoji first.

MovingFashionForward

I may be mistaken about this, as I had not realised that bridal shops sell clothes for the mothers too, but I can imagine that they might be dire, so definitely don't feel limited to such shops.

If the only suitable dress you can find is sleeveless (given that summer is coming), one idea to deal with that might be to buy a fashionably billowy-sleeved white cotton or silk shirt and either wear it underneath the dress or even just sew the sleeves into the dress to avoid the extra layer. Or you could even use a long-sleeved looseish teeshirt (such as a cream Breton with thin navy stripes, or whatever will look right given the dress) with the sleeves pushed up towards the elbows if the dress has short sleeves. Obviously these ideas would only work with some dresses.

Sarah

always trying

Veteran

You are right about the MOB and MOG dresses..most are ugly. I am seeing a lot of pretty lace dresses these days.

njw

Hi CJ- I too have been on the hunt for this elusive MOG/MOB dress. Its a tough market and there seem to be only 2 categories...inappropriate (high slits, low necklines, etc and I am not conservative at all) or dowdy...I agree with Angie to look at the brands Adrianna Papel and Tadashi Shoji as well as AlexEvenings and Teri Jon (pricey, but most beautiful dresses I have seen anywhere). My experiences with bridal salons has been they sell dresses for the moms but they are almost always special order so its yours once its ordered with NO RETURNS. That does not sit well with me. Also note that diff. stores like Nordstroms/Dillards/Bloomingdales/etc will have some the same and some exclusive to them dresses within a brand. Good luck.

tulle

Veteran

A silk suit, maybe in a pretty apricot, worn over a camisole, would be beautiful, I think. The apricot would work as a softer shade of orange. The camisole could be plain cream silk, or sparkled with metallic brocade, sequins, beading, or embroidery.

tulle

Veteran

CJ, if the silk-suit idea appeals to you at all, check out Armani Collezione on Farfetch--there's a stunning ruched metallic blue jacket and matching pencil skirt. Not dowdy!

Anonymous

I'm on the same mission myself, though I have a little more time than you (September wedding). It is definitely slim pickin's!

A few weeks ago I thought I had found THE ONE, only to take a look at the back view and realize it had a huge and very bright shiny gold exposed zipper. And now, of course, nothing measures up to it.

You might take a look at Elie Tahari and David Meister as well, Both usually offer some styles with sleeves each season.

Our dresses are out there and we will find them!!

Joy

Veteran

I had a horrible time a few years ago finding a MOG dress for our son's August wedding and I started looking over a year ahead of time. I ended up with a navy dress I had bought on sale at Dillard's as a fall back. It was sleeveless and full length so I had it shortened and wore a pretty scarf over my shoulders for church and worked out to tighten my arms. I was then about 66 years old. The MOB bought her tea length grey dress at a bridal store. It was rather dowdy but she said others were worse. Good luck and start early. I like the silk suit idea, or separates. Most dresses will be very short or full length with showing lots of skin on top.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

This is a blog post I found inspiring, from one of my sewing gurus, Marcy Tilton. Here is the result, where you can see the outfit on her and in action at the wedding. She wasn't MOG, but she officiated. She dressed beautifully in a self-designed pant outfit. Now, granted, she is a pattern designer, and she made this outfit herself. But you'll see she was inspired by an Eileen Fisher outfit, so similar ideas will be available in retail if you want to go this route.

Greyscale

Veteran

Do you have a preference for length?

I'm seeing a few nice options at Nordstrom, but I don't know your style.

Irina

Veteran

First of all- congratulations!
I'm in the same boat - MOG, the wedding in mid July. No luck in the stores. And there are a lot of dresses. I stay away from the bridal salons. The department stores are better. I booked a backup option from the rental place just in case. My problem that these dresses are not my style and color. I would be happy to wear a stylish jumpsuit in navy, there are plenty of those. But MOB will wear a navy dress, so navy is out for me. And my husband thinks that a jumpsuit on MOG might be... eh, misunderstood considering rather conservative guests.
Good luck to you.

Style Fan

Veteran

My first stepson got married 4 years ago and then the second one got married last year. I wore the same dress to both weddings. I found my dress at a store that specialized in cocktail and special occasion dresses. I had looked for a long time before I found it. I was very happy. It was sleeveless but I was okay with that.
Their mother went to a high end department store (Holt Renfrew) and got her dresses there. They were both gorgeous.
We mothers didn't match with the attendants because there was no specified colours. Seems that is a thing these days.

unfrumped

Veteran

Agree with all the brand suggestions.
I was MOB and finding a dress was HARD. I might be better at it after practice! I found a Kay Unger dress on sale at a Nordstrom 5 hours away.

Start with some general ideas about your best styles. For dress, measure the length of ones you like since online gives measurements-- for example, I know 36" will be too short!
Stay open to separates, if you are. Joy gave a great suggestion of considering hemming a long dress if formal length is not right but the dress fits- many folks find current styles so short.
Starting way ahead is good; usually gave to look a LOT unless you're really lucky; having a backup plan is good because I found they keep coming out with more dresses closer to summer but that puts the timeline tight.

lyn67

Veteran

Wow, loved Firecracker's links, that was a fab drape for Marcy Tilton, quite different and sooo stylish!!

Anonymous

You have ALL been so generous and helpful! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your responses. I have been taking notes, writing down all the designers suggested and suggestions for color, style. I will follow through and continue sleuthing online with your suggestions in hand. You've also helped me to buoy up as I was getting discouraged and now I want to keep going and I'm curious again. All good.

Runcarla

Veteran

I just attended a New Years Eve wedding as a guest. My SIL was MOB. She dresses in very modest style and let her daughter pick out her gown. She looked gorgeous in an ink blue dress with long sleeves and high round neck, with some ruching at the waist. There was a thick band of sparkly embellishment at the wrists, and the dress was floor length. The drama was a cut out back - nothing too over the top, but so elegant on her. The bride purchased her mother's dress from Rent the Runway.

Below is a pic of what I wore. I was very comfortable and was so pleased with how it looked in the family photographs! The skirt is Adriana Pappell (ordered online) and the top is Karl Lagerfield (from The Bay). The (faux) pearls are an Angie's pic from Nordstroms.

What is the venue, and what time are the events around wedding? How formal is it going to be?

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Penny

Veteran

Gorgeous look, Runcarla! CJ, you could probably start by ordering a number of cocktail dresses from Nordstrom and see if any work. Keep us posted!