<p>Hello all. I’ve never posted on this particular thread before, although I see some familiar names. :-)</p>
<p>My D is getting married in July (summer afternoon/evening, outdoor reception). “Mother of the bride dresses” seem to me to be too … matronly? predictable?</p>
<p>The groom’s mother already has her dress! From Talbots – simple sheath with bolero jacket in dusty rose… (wedding colors are kind of raspberry-ish)…</p>
<p>I’m kind of stuck. Where to look? What to look for? Any clues?</p>
<p>walking Talbot’s ads I used to wear Talbots when I was 23. I think I still have some of it- It was my * classic* period 
, but it also netted me a Burberry trench that is still in great shape that I never would plunk down that much money for now. When I bought it, it was $400, but now they are over $1K. </p>
<p>I would shop in the jr dept, cause the clothes are often cheaper, but I usually don’t go into dept stores-I did just buy some [MInnie pants](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/pants/skinnypants/PRDOVR~26800/26800.jsp”>http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/pants/skinnypants/PRDOVR~26800/26800.jsp</a>). They fit well, my only problem is finding the little eye in the back for the hook.</p>
<p>We all go thru a Talbot’s stage. I will say that I still love a jean skirt I got at Talbot’s 12 years ago. It just improves with age.</p>
<p>Back to the skinny jeans question - I recently bought some from Nordstrom (the store brand) that fit really, really well. I did go a size up from what the sales woman was recommending, though. She seemed to think they should fit like tights. It felt ridiculous to me. The size larger feels good.</p>
<p>Interestingly, my high school daughter now eschews skinny jeans. I think they might be about to be over with the younger set.</p>
<p>My sister went all over town to find the “perfect dress.” She finally found something at Neiman Marcus. A lot depends on what you’re looking for. She didn’t want to look frumpy, but it had to be special. She was pleased with her purchase & didn’t really like the “mother of the bride” things she saw at the salons either. Hers was cream and beaded, cocktail length, fitted. Sorry, at this point can’t remember details.</p>
<p>I have seen a few MOBs get dresses from the bridesmaids collection. Much depends on the individual. When my mom was MOB for my sister (she in her 70s), we were able to find a nice dress in the local mall that specialized in nice long gown (where D buys her prom gowns). It was a simple A-line shell with a gorgeous printed silk coverlet. She only wears long gowns & it was perfect.</p>
<p>We don’t have a Talbot’s in HI, but I do have quite a few Ann Taylor & Banana Republic clothes which are clasics. Maybe Talbot’s might have a suggestion? We were surprised to find out after the fact that Ann Taylor has a bridal collection (of course not much selection in HI).</p>
<p>LOL, ek, I also went through a Talbots stage when I was in my early 20ies. No Burberry coats for me, a poor grad student, but I still have one pencil skirt which now fits me agin. :)</p>
<p>Zeteis, first of all, congratulations!!! I don’t know what your budget and style considerations are, but here are my 2 cents. I really like Tadashi for formal occasions, something like this does not look matronly yet is very classy:</p>
<p>[Tadashi</a> Shoji Illusion Sheath Dress - Tadashi Shoji - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3071755/0~2376776~2374325~2380800?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2380800&P=1]Tadashi”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3071755/0~2376776~2374325~2380800?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2380800&P=1)</p>
<p>or [Tadashi</a> Shoji-Draped Jersey Dress-Neiman Marcus](<a href=“http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod86240074&parentId=cat24320763&masterId=cat8490735&index=14&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat000009cat000071cat8490735cat24320763]Tadashi”>http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod86240074&parentId=cat24320763&masterId=cat8490735&index=14&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat000009cat000071cat8490735cat24320763)</p>
<p>Oh, wait. You said JULY. Are you OK with short sleeves or bare shoulders?</p>
<p>Last summer my good friend was MOB. She found that she could not find much to look at in the stores. She ended up ordering LOTS of different dresses from Nordstrom online. She started about 8 months before the wedding. She would order, try on and return to the local Nordstroms the rejects. She was able to return the rejects before they even hit her bill. She kept the possible choices. She ordered several times and new merchandise became available. At the end she had 2 choices that she finally narrowed down with the help of family and friends.</p>
<p>Nordstrom is soooo good about taking back online orders. Your refund is issued on the spot. NM, on the other hand, is such a PITA. I’m still waiting for the refund they owe me for the boots which I bought online and returned to their store 2 weeks ago (the boots are already back for sale online).</p>
<p>A friend of ours did a B/W late fall wedding a couple years ago and her mom (very youngish and great looking friend) worse this flowish, swishy black skirt and a white dressy/chic blouse that wrapped and tied at the waist. She looked fantastic and definitely not “50 momish” even though she is on the downside of the 50s. The mom of the groom wore a more typical mom of the groom/bride poly embellished dress and looked wonderful but definitely “older” if you know what I mean. Me, if I had a wedding I’d probably go to a sheath dress and bolero-ish jacket that could be removed for the reception. I’m more of a safe dress type person and definitely not a traditional mom of the bride dress wearer although I’ve not ever had (and hopefully won’t have for a long time) to look for mom of the groom/bride dresses. It’s one of those captured in photos forever moment that scare the begeebers out of me.</p>
<p>Zetesis: I had two friends who were MOB last summer, and both looked for dresses for months. Both wanted their knees and upper arms covered, and that is hard to find in nice MOB dresses. One found her dress at Penney’s and one at Sears. Both dresses had short jackets. Both dresses were lovely, one in plain blueberry color, and one in taupe with embroidery and beading on the jacket.</p>
<p>My sister’s best friend just found her MOB dress at Nordstrom (at the store, not online). It is lavender with a draped effect that covers the upper shoulders. If you have a large Nordstrom near you, you might try there first. This friend also found her dresses for rehearsal dinner and the bridal shower!</p>
<p>I just got back from helping a friend finally select the MOG dress. (Have been shopping with her for months.)</p>
<p>Nordtsroms does have a great selection. If you can shop both the stores and the website, that is a good way to go. Not all stores carry all the styles (so web is helpful), and some styles do not appear on the web (so you have to see them int he store). Some of the colors are off on the website; if there is a comment section that may be pointed out there.</p>
<p>My friend found her dress at a very nice bridal shop that carries a wide selection and some nontraditional options.</p>
<p>Do you want the option of covering your shoulders/upper arms? If so, we went all around that and I’ll share what I know.</p>
<p>~mafool</p>
<p>Ah, do tell Mafool. I have over a year to shop (such a sweet D), but I am keeping my open because if I find something now I will snap it up!</p>
<p>I think I will want sleeveless - but I am taking in all of your advice.</p>
<p>My good friend wanted sleeveless with the option to cover her shoulders in church. Some dresses come with jackets (see Mother of the Bride section at Nordstrom.com), but the selection is limited and the styles not to her liking.</p>
<p>She ended up ordering an elegant sleeveless dress at the bridal salon and ordered a couple of yards of complementary chiffon to be made into a shawl with beaded edges. Another option is to have a shrug made of matching fabric.</p>
<p>Hi all – what a lot of great suggestions and ideas.</p>
<p>The wedding will be late afternoon, in our church; the reception will be outside (we are in SoCal) after that.</p>
<p>Yes, I’d like my shoulders covered – at least for the ceremony itself … probably a jacket/shawl/shrug to take off it’s really hot at the reception?</p>
<p>Below knee or mid-calf length preferable … Nordstroms sounds like a good place to start!</p>
<p>Zetesis - I just don’t think that MOB dresses have to be that different from any other kind of dresses. Covered more perhaps, a little more conservative, if you’re prone to really out there fashion. But you aren’t part of the decor:), you’re a person…As long as your daughter is happy with it, and you aren’t violating any major politeness conventions, you should feel free to dress so you look and feel your best.</p>
<p>Mafool - I like that idea. I want to find a dress that I love, that fits well, and will look good after wearing it for several hours. By just focusing on the dress and worrying (or not) about some kind of cover-up, I can focus on the essentials.</p>
<p>So glad I can be helpful, wnp.</p>
<p>Now that my friend has her dress, I’ll need another web-based pursuit for the seemingly endless conference calls at work!</p>
<p>Try the Ann Taylor web site for mother of the bride dresses.</p>
<p>[All</a> Women’s Weddings & Event Dresses - Women’s Weddings & Events from ANN TAYLOR](<a href=“http://www.anntaylor.com/view-all/weddings-events-3.shtml]All”>http://www.anntaylor.com/view-all/weddings-events-3.shtml)</p>
<p>Just promise us you won’t buy what I call a “lace sack.” Those just aren’t flattering on any body type.</p>
<p>Missypie, “lace sack”…that’s a great description. Can’t stand those and they can be so “aging” on women.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>They seem to be unflattering on virtually every body type - thin, heavy or in-between.</p>
<p>missypie - does this qualify as a lace sack?</p>
<p>[Lace</a> Overlay Dress](<a href=“http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod95030079]Lace”>http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod95030079)</p>