Turns out it's almost next to impossible to find an elegant, stylish Mother of the Bride dress that doesn't scream wedding that meets both Mom's and my criteria. The first outfit didn't work - pleats on the sleeves were tacked at side seams and caught easily and the collar stood up.
What we want:
- Jacket
- Collar that lays flat
- Three quarter- or full-length sleeves
- Modest neckline
- A-line skirt
- No crepe or chiffon
- Matte finish
- Nothing that screams Alexis Carrington Colby
Here's what we've found:
Style: 5015 $250
Style: 7380 Lace Trim Gown & Jacket at FormalGallery.com $169
Cons: Neckline is too low; Has spaghetti straps
Style: 29670 $318
Cons: Neckline is too low; skirt is fitted, not A-line
Style: 26850 $318
Designer: Alyce Designs Jean De Lys
Style: 29270 $498
Cons: Expensive; Strapless
Designer: Chadwicks
Designer: Clifford Michael
Style: 63569, 63318, 63161 Lace Trim Gown & Jacket atWeddingChannel.com
Cons: Expensive; Seems more bridal than MOB; Has a stand collar
Designer: Cachet
Beaded Shantung Mock Two Piece Dress with Jacket
Designer: Alyce Designs Jean De Lys
Style: 29308 $398
Cons: Expensive; Frumpy; Skirt is fitted, not A-line
Style: 808 $480 from OnlyGowns.com
Cons: Expensive; Material looks cheap; Crepe
Designer: Alyce Designs Jean De Lys
Style: 29270 $498
Cons: Expensive; Strapless
Designer: Chadwicks
Designer: Clifford Michael
Style: 63569, 63318, 63161 Lace Trim Gown & Jacket atWeddingChannel.com
Cons: Expensive; Seems more bridal than MOB; Has a stand collar
Designer: Cachet
Beaded Shantung Mock Two Piece Dress with Jacket
Designer: Alyce Designs Jean De Lys
Style: 29308 $398
Cons: Expensive; Frumpy; Skirt is fitted, not A-line
Style: 808 $480 from OnlyGowns.com
Cons: Expensive; Material looks cheap; Crepe
Anyone have suggestions on where to look for a non-traditional Mother of the Bride gown?
Have you looked in the evening dress collections of Saks, Bloomingdales, Nordstroms, or Macys? That's where I find my stylish evening dresses. I usually start with Nordstroms and Macys (their dress collections tend to be less pricey, and I don't want to fall in love with something expensive and then be disappointed).
ReplyDeleteWe'd tried Nordstrom and Macy*s, completely forgot about Bloomingdales. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI found that Bloomingdales and Saks had roughly the same options, but Saks took better care of their dresses (and me). That's where I found my blue dress. A MOG was buying a similar dress in a wine color from the same dress maker.
ReplyDeleteBTW -- my dress is made by Teri Jon. They had a bunch of pretty, including some with 3/4 sleeve options.