Another Dear Abby question…
Q2 - I know you often have challenges and questions with beautiful solutions on the blog, and thought you might like to address this one. I have a client who is 50 years old, marrying for the second time, and looking for a wedding dress. She asked if I had any ideas for a dress for her… I guess that’s proving to be the toughest part of the planning! : ) She’s a professional, a new grandmother, and I guess a bit “matronly”, but she’s got a great smile and lots of personality. Any dress I would like for her is, I’m guessing, a bit too young and girly girl. I know I’ve seen some dresses online recently, somewhere, that inspired me to think, “finally! The mother of the bride doesn’t have to dress terribly”, but I can’t remember where. If you have any great MOB dress resources that would also be great for a middle aged bride who’s not necessarily going to wear white (but might), let me know!
Great question! I know that Mothers of the Bride often feel enormously frustrated with the options that are out there. If any of you guys have great suggestions as to where this bride can find something chic, but sophisticated, let us know!
A2 - The more I researched Mother of the Bride dresses, the more I realized that I think this bride should wear something a bit more “bride.” Where MOB outfits should be classic, elegant and understated sophistication…a bride should always sparkle a bit. Regardless of how old she is, how many times she’s been married, how low-key she wants to dress.
For this bride, I am seeing something in a soft champagne color. The left dress is a bit more feminine and can really go with any season. The dress on the right is a bit more summery and casual, but would be beautiful with a pretty gold wrap…
Left dress at Neimans, Silk Flowers by Sophiei, Crystal Drop earrings at Neimans, Right dress by Luca Luca
We will tackle Mother of the Bride outfits soon!
Comment by mari-ann on 28 February 2008:
http://www.siriinc.com/Home.htm
I would try this site, they have beautiful dress, suits and seperates…and they look so classy.
Comment by Michelle on 28 February 2008:
Alfred Angelo’s Special Occasions collection has a wide variety of style and colors. So you can at least narrow the style field. If she actually wants one that more “bride like” and there is a Davids Bridal in the area, http://davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2293&prodgroup=10
I tried that one on my accident, and while it was beautiful, it was just too mature for what I am going for. (in case that link doesn’t work - its Style: V8835).
Just my couple o’ coppers for a variety of style options.
Comment by Michelle on 28 February 2008:
Alfred Angelo has a Special Occasions collection (MOB wear) that has a wide range of styles, formality, and colors. You can show her those to get an idea of what her tastes are.
Also if she’s going to be more “bride like”, there is a beautiful but demur dress I accidentally tried on at Davids Bridal. Style V8835.
Getting a better idea of her style will be very helpful in finding her outfit.
Just my couple o’ coppers!
Comment by Michelle on 28 February 2008:
grrr - ok - sorry about the repeat! it gave me an error and said the first one didn’t post! oh well!
Comment by Allison on 28 February 2008:
Take a look at some beautiful, sophisticated bridesmaid lines like Jenny Yoo and Lynn Lugo. My mother wore a Jenny Yoo dress and jacket to my sister’s wedding, and she’s wearing a smiliar Lynn Lugo dress and jacket to mine. She looked stunning– nothing like a bridesmaid, but not matronly, either. A wide range of colors are available, and white and ivory, too, if the bride wants to go a little more “bridal.”
Comment by shellbod8 on 28 February 2008:
nordstrom.com has lots of great wedding dresses, and MOB dresses, very non-traditional and beautiful, and reasonably priced, too.
Comment by Kristin on 28 February 2008:
I recently saw this Vera Wang Lavender Label dress, and thought it would be great for a more mature bride. I don’t think the little bit of sequin detail is for everybody, but I’m in love with the back. http://tiny.cc/nBwud
I am really loving the Vera Wang and Bagdely Mischa labels that have wedding-ish dresses at prices far lower than their bridal line’s prices.
Comment by kim on 28 February 2008:
my mom and future mother in law both got Jovani dresses: http://www.jovani.com/overview.php?col=evening
we had a hard time with this too, but we all ended up very happy!
Comment by C on 28 February 2008:
go to this site and check out the suits: they are divine.
http://www.stephaniejamescouture.com/
Comment by ashley Borg on 28 February 2008:
My dress is being made by Stephanie James Couture. While it is a tea length, vintage inspired dress, she also has some lovely classic vintage inspired gowns. Some of which would be perfect for a mother of a bride. Check out her blog for all her updated dresses.
http://www.stephaniejamesblog.com/
Comment by Danielle Gregory on 28 February 2008:
I’ve seen some really lovely dresses popping up all over the magazine world with long and short dresses inspired by “50’s house dresses) with large collars, cinched waist, and A-line body… I think that any dress in this catagory would be age-appropriate and lovely! Also- SIRI has some really classic yet modern bridesmaid dresses that could easily be reworked into bridal attire. Lastly, I second the recommendation for Stephanie James- I think that her line of bridal suits would really be nice for a more mature bride.
Comment by elisabeth on 28 February 2008:
definitely Moschino or Luca Luca. please, please skip anything and everything labeled mother of the bride.
Comment by jessamyn harris on 3 March 2008:
thanks, everyone! I am passing on the ones I think will suit her best… now the Stephanie James tea length dresses are making me want to get married again!