Wedding Attire: Tips for the Moms (2024)

What's a Mother to Wear? (Almost) Anything!

Naturally, you want to look terrific on the day your daughter or son gets married—because while it’s true that all eyes will be on the bride, they’ll also be on you. The old concept that both moms are supposed to look matronly was retired long ago, along with the colorless advice that the mother of the groom should wear beige, unless that's her color. Fashionable, tasteful and age-appropriate are in.

These days, virtually anything goes—formal gown, short or long dress, skirt-and-jacket ensemble—so long as it matches the style of the wedding. Brides can be very helpful by encouraging "the moms" to work together in choosing their outfits. Some guidelines to keep in mind:

• Traditionally, the bride’s mother has the honor of selecting her outfit first.
• Try not to choose colors that are the same or very similar to the bride's and bridesmaids' dresses—you won't stand out.
• Wear different colors from each other. Variations on the wedding color scheme are fine as long as each mother's dress is distinct.
• The length of the gown or dress is a personal choice, even for formal weddings. Long dresses and skirts are fine for any wedding from noon on.
• The mothers do not have to wear dresses of equal length, although many do, feeling that it creates a more harmonious look, especially in wedding photos.

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Wedding Outfit Wisdom: Top Five Tips

1. A specialty store, rather than a department store, will offer much more personalized attention throughout the process—from choosing a dress to making alterations to selecting just the right undergarments.
2. If possible, bring in a swatch of the bridesmaids’ gown material when you go shopping, or have a description of the gown’s color.
3. Order your outfit at least two to three months ahead of time, and allow at least two weeks for alterations.
4. When buying your dress, get specific advice on which undergarments and hose will go best with it.
5. As for who calls whom to discuss ‘our outfits,’ the mother of the groom shouldn’t stand on ceremony; if she hasn’t heard anything once the initial wedding plans are underway, she’s perfectly welcome to call the mother of the bride.

As a seasoned fashion enthusiast and an expert in wedding attire etiquette, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the evolving trends and norms in the world of mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom fashion. My expertise is not just theoretical but stems from practical experience, having closely followed the evolution of wedding fashion over the years.

In the article, "What's a Mother to Wear? (Almost) Anything!" the author touches upon several key concepts related to the choice of attire for the mothers of the bride and groom. Let's break down the essential points and provide additional insights:

1. Modern Trends in Mother-of-the-Bride and Groom Attire:

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   • The outdated concept of mothers looking matronly has been discarded. The focus now is on being fashionable, tasteful, and age-appropriate.

2. Diversity in Outfit Choices:

   • The article suggests that virtually anything goes when it comes to outfit choices for mothers. This includes formal gowns, short or long dresses, and skirt-and-jacket ensembles, as long as they match the overall style of the wedding.

3. Coordination Between Mothers:

   • Mothers are encouraged to work together in choosing their outfits. Traditionally, the bride's mother has the honor of selecting her outfit first. Coordination is essential to avoid choosing colors that are too similar to the bride's and bridesmaids' dresses.

4. Color Selection Guidelines:

   • Mothers should avoid colors that are the same or very similar to the bride's and bridesmaids' dresses to ensure they stand out. Wearing different colors from each other is recommended, and variations on the wedding color scheme are acceptable as long as each mother's dress is distinct.

5. Dress Length Recommendations:

   • The length of the gown or dress is a personal choice, even for formal weddings. Long dresses and skirts are deemed suitable for any wedding from noon onwards. While the mothers do not have to wear dresses of equal length, many opt for it to create a harmonious look, especially in wedding photos.

6. Top Five Tips for Choosing Wedding Outfits:

   • The article provides practical tips, such as recommending specialty stores over department stores for personalized attention. It suggests bringing a swatch of the bridesmaids' gown material when shopping, ordering outfits well in advance, allowing time for alterations, and seeking advice on suitable undergarments.

7. Communication Etiquette:

   • The mother of the groom is not required to stand on ceremony. If she hasn't heard anything once the initial wedding plans are underway, she is encouraged to initiate contact with the mother of the bride to discuss outfit coordination.

In summary, the article emphasizes the shift towards individuality, coordination, and modernity in choosing attire for mothers of the bride and groom. It provides practical advice to navigate the process smoothly, ensuring that both mothers look their best on the special day.