Mother of the Bride Outfit Ideas

Mums, are you ready to shine on your daughter's big day? Well, you're in the right spot. Rock My Wedding is here to guide you through finding the perfect mother of the bride outfit. We've gathered a delightful collection of styles for mums of all tastes, ensuring you're ready to stand out on this special occasion.

We've got the inside scoop on the latest trends and timeless classics to keep you looking chic and feeling comfortable on the big day. Our fabulous real-life mothers of the bride are on hand to share their insights on navigating the perfect mother of the bride outfit while staying true to your style.

Ready to discover your ideal look? Browse our stunning array of hand-picked outfits from our top-notch Recommended Suppliers and other fantastic bridal-loving brands. Your dream mother of the bride ensemble could be just a click away. 

So, let's dive in and make sure you're the best-dressed mum at the wedding!

 

Our editors independently research, review, and recommend the best products. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

What should the mother of the bride wear?

These days, there are less rigid rules when it comes to selecting the perfect mother of the bride outfit or dress for the big day. It’s important to feel comfortable and confident in what you decide to wear. After all, it’s a special day for you too!

While midi and maxi dresses tend to be most popular for mother of the bride dresses and wedding guests, there are no real rules on what you should choose to wear for the milestone occasion. 

It’s essential to bear in mind what kind of wedding you’re attending. Is it a traditional wedding? A black tie wedding? Are there any colour schemes you must abide by? Are white dresses for anyone except the bride a complete no-go? 

Once you’ve got all the necessary intel from your daughter, it’s just as important to think about what kind of dress will have you feeling your best throughout the day. While style is, of course, essential - comfort is also central. Consider what’s most important to you: something that’s figure-flattering, age-appropriate, or maybe an outfit that’s modern and fashionable as opposed to a typical, rather frumpy, mother of the bride outfit. 

Remember, just because you might be one of the older wedding guests, it doesn’t mean your dress should hide or cover you up. As long as you feel amazing, we promise you’ll look amazing too!

What colour should the mother of the bride wear?

There are a few things to consider on the subject of colour. As we know, colour can sometimes be a contentious topic of conversation throughout the wedding planning process. Even the not-so-traditional brides might want to be the only person seen in white (off-white, ivory, beige, cream included, of course!) A general rule of thumb - it’s often safer to steer clear of these colours. So, if white (and similar tones) are out of the question, which are on offer?

As mentioned, it’s worth finding out early on if the couple are considering any widespread colour schemes - popular picks currently tend to be an earthy sage green or a classy and timeless champagne shade. 

While trends are one way couples select their wedding colour themes for the big day, you may also want to pay extra attention to Pantone’s Colour of the Year when browsing for mother of the bride outfits. Last year, Viva Magenta took the title for 2023, perfectly coinciding with the Barbiecore trend that swept the scene by storm, while Peach Fuzz came out on top for 2024. Maybe a peach dress is just what you need to look like the in-the-know, trend-aware mother of the bride, who is everything but frumpy and all fashionable. 

Otherwise, if SS24 runways are anything to go by, you might want to opt for a monochrome look instead. While monochrome may not typically be the first palette that comes to mind in the spring and summer months - unless a black tie wedding is on the cards - some of the biggest and most renowned fashion houses (namely Dior, Supriya Lele, Bora Aksu and Richard Quinn) are ditching classic florals for more muted hues. 

The best thing about the monochrome trend is that you can wear and enjoy your mother of the bride outfit again and again. Black and white are timeless shades you can repurpose and re-wear for almost any other occasion coming up in the year - because who wants to wear a great dress just once? 

If you’re feeling particularly thrifty, why not consider a preloved mother of the bride outfit or dress? You might even be able to spot a beautiful bargain at our sister brand, Recycle My Wedding.

Where to buy mother of the bride dresses and outfits?

Now you’ve put some thought into what you’d like your mother of the bride outfit to look like, it’s about time to consider where exactly to find your dream dress. 

Whether you plan to explore high street options to keep more pennies in the pot for gorgeous accessories to complement your look, or have the extra cash to venture into more high-end brands for the big day, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect outfit, no matter your budget. 

Our biggest tip is to narrow down your search and consider the style you’re after. Are you stuck on a midi dress? Full coverage on your arms? Or maybe some fancy feather dresses have caught your eye? By using the filters while shopping online, you’ll save yourself heaps of time sifting through contenders that’ll likely never make the cut. 

To make your job just that little bit easier, we’ve picked out our favourite mother of the bride outfits and dresses for all types of requirements.

The best fabulous, not frumpy, mother of the bride dresses for 2024

Let’s jump straight in! In need of more wedding inspo? We also have our Mother of The Bride Speech Guide to help you prep a tear-jerking, crowd-pleaser to woo the guests on the big day. 

Mother of the bride outfits for over 50s

We all know that age is just a number, and it’s essential to not restrict yourself to the confines of outdated and frumpy classic mother of the bride outfits. However, finding something that looks and feels age-appropriate might still feel like a non-negotiable to ensure you’re comfy from the ceremony to the reception! While you may feel more comfortable in a loose-fitting midi dress like our pick from Phase Eight, the pleated design will make sure it’s anything but boxy, giving you a beautiful shape as it flows and moves with you. Accentuated with a belt and a tailored jacket to cover your arms and add more dimension, whoever said that outerwear can’t add to an outfit. 

 

If the idea of a jacket has piqued your interest, why not explore a longline variation available at John Lewis? The longer length provides a flattering profile, completed with a bow at the back - making this option the perfect combination of mature yet bang-on-trend. 

Elegant mother of the bride dresses

Going for an elevated and elegant look is a surefire way to never go wrong with your mother of the bride outfit. While elegance is often associated with a heftier price tag, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Satin is the perfect solution to affordable luxury, and these Ghost selections available at M&S are just the styles you need if you’re feeling fancy. The maxi lengths and flowy silhouettes exude lavishness, while the varying necklines - both the cowl and a high neckline - provide the character needed to truly make these dresses your own. Whether you choose to accessorise with a statement neckline or let the dress do all the talking by styling your hair into a simple up-do - the options are endless!

Mother of the bride trouser suits

While dresses might seem like the obvious choice for your mother of the bride outfit, don’t forget about the power of a pantsuit! Not only does opting for a suit or trouser set make your outfit a more standout, bold and unique choice, but it’s likely the best way to guarantee a stylish yet functional look that will keep you comfortable for the entire day. Gone are the days of worrying about dresses riding up or catching a chill once the sun goes down. If you decide to impress at your daughter’s wedding in a trouser suit, why not go for a colourful choice, such as Jigsaw’s belted tuxedo jacket and matching trousers? The wrap-around sash belt provides shape to the structured design, perfect for enjoying top-quality tailoring that offers a figure-hugging fit - even without the addition of personalised tailoring! 

 

If a pop of colour isn’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with sparkles instead. Although sequins are often synonymous with party season, glitz and glamour aren’t reserved just for winter weddings when there’s an extra special occasion on the horizon.

Trendy mother of the bride dresses

Being the mum at the wedding doesn’t mean you can’t show off how trendy you are. For those ever seeking the status of “the cool mum”, now is your chance to claim the title. If you didn’t already know, feathers have been a huge bridal trend this season, and there’s no reason why this must-have look can’t also extend to the mother of the bride. Real bride and groom Hannah and Benjamin know a thing or two about trends, as Hannah sported a standout feather wedding dress that stole the show on their big day. 

 

If you’re not super keen on a full-out feather look, an accentuated section, such as the sleeves or the hem, provides the perfect detail to elevate your mother of the bride outfit. The Rock My Wedding team are huge fans of these feather must-haves from Wolf & Badger and Rixo, so why not shop the looks now?

Petite mother of the bride dresses

For the bride's mothers who come in slightly smaller packages - don’t fret - there are so many gorgeous mother of the bride offerings in petite ranges. While you may have already made a return or two with midi dresses becoming maxi dresses, we at Rock My Wedding are here to help. Although midi and maxi dresses tend to be most popular for mother of the bride outfits, that doesn’t mean you can’t explore the prospect of a mini dress too - after all, you know what looks best on your body type. Hobb’s floral tweed dress is ideal for a spring and summer look, and while the mini style may mean you’re showing more skin than planned, complete your mother of the bride outfit with the matching jacket for a super put-together look. 

 

For those who find florals a tad too obvious, this puff sleeve dress from Nobody’s Child screams spring and summer in a way that's slightly more subtle. The on-trend puff sleeves paired with the lightweight flowy skirt strike the perfect balance between sophisticated and playful - a silhouette you’ll be comfortable in from day to night. 

Don’t forget to accessorise! Browse mother of the bride hairstyles, hats, shoes & more

Everyone who knows anything should understand that a good outfit isn’t complete without stylish accessories. If you’re after a classic mother of the bride accessory, you can’t go wrong with a hat or fascina for some added flair. We adore these selections from John Lewis and Phase Eight because they feature a bold and beautiful bow - another huge wedding trend of the moment. For more inspo on how to wear a bow in style, head to our article on 56 wedding bow ideas from wedding dresses, hair accessories, shoes, and decorations!

 

If hats, bows or any of the above aren’t for you, browse mother of the bride hairstyles instead to make sure your tresses look the part on the big day. You don’t always need a professional glam team to feel amazing. Browse our hairstyle tips and ideas or wedding up-dos and do it yourself at home for a fraction of the cost!

We hope by now you’re feeling inspired to find the perfect mother of the bride outfit! For even more inspo, check out our article on wedding trends for 2024.