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11 Tips for Shopping Gorgeous, Budget-friendly Mother of the Bride Outfits

Dear Budget Fashionista:

I am a soon-to-be mother of the bride. I have been searching for something stylish, but all the dresses I’ve seen are unfashionable and also expensive. How do I find a hip mother-of-the-bride dress without spending a fortune?

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How to Find Mother of the Bride Dress (or Pantsuit!)

I feel your pain! In my search for MOTB dresses, I found most of the options to be dowdy and matronly.

Still, you don’t need to look like Whistler’s Mother (the old lady in the rocking chair) just because your kid’s getting married. You can and should be stylish and elegant, even glamorous if you dare. After all, you will be seeing folks you haven’t seen in years (maybe an annoying cousin or aunt) and you want to look your best.

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Here’s what you need to know to find that perfect MOTB outfit.

1. Shop early

Hopefully you’re dealing with a wedding that’s planned well in advance of the actual date. That way, you can take advantage of end-of-season clearance sales and discontinued styles. Those will be way cheaper than “now” dresses.

2. Basic has benefits

Admittedly, this is hard advice to take. You want to show up perfectly for your kid’s wedding. That makes it tough to shop for an all-purpose outfit that you could reuse for another occasion. But the multipurpose outfit has more value than a one-time wear.

If you want an outfit you can rewear, stick to the basics. You may have to forgo sparkles and flash, but then you’ll have a nice, formal dress available for other occasions.

3. Look beyond the wedding store

Interestingly, you can often find dresses that are very similar to those found in a wedding shop but cost way less if they are bought in a non-wedding store. Try a nice, dressy pants suit from a store like Ann Taylor or check out the clearance racks of your local Macy’s or Dillards for suits from brands like Tahari. Seems that putting the word “wedding” in front of another word, raises the price. Instead of shopping for mother of the bride gowns, try looking for shops that carry evening wear, cocktail dresses, or formal wear.

4. Think outside the box

How about a nice mother-of-the-bride pantsuit or jumpsuit? Either is a classy option with the potential to be very elegant.

Mother of the bride pantsuit in dusty blue from Macy's.

For budget-friendly, versatile mother-of-the-bride pantsuits, shop R&M Richards at Macys.com.

Royal blue mother of the bride jumpsuit.

A formal jumpsuit will show more skin and will be more expensive. But if you want to make a statement, it might be worth it. The piece above is from Neiman Marcus ($300). You can find more affordable options at Gilt, Rue La La, and Lulus.

5. Get it made

A custom dress is a great option if you know someone who can sew. You might also try calling your local fashion design school to see if you can have a dress designed by an up-and-comer.

6. Know your best fit

A great fitting outfit can make you look slimmer and stand taller, so don’t underestimate the importance of having off-the-rack pieces altered to fit your body.

If you are top (or bottom) heavy, go for separates to give you greater control of the fit. A-line skater shapes skim the body, highlighting the waist and disguising big hips.

If in doubt, tunic shapes are universally flattering — just team with heels to stay out of the frumpy zone. And remember the two golden rules; never go too tight and never go too short.

7. Choose colors wisely

While you may wish to keep in theme with the bride’s color scheme, knowing which shades suit your complexion will help you narrow your options.

Hold up different hues of fabric against your skin to see which look best against your skin tone. If you tend to get flushed, steer clear of  reds, pinks and corals which will only exacerbate the problem. Instead try soft pastel shades of blue and green that give a cooling glow.

8. Bring the bride

The bride knows the venue and wedding theme better than anyone. Her guidance can be invaluable.

9. Shop online

If you have lots of time, you can shop online. Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy is a great option — read about my experience shopping formal dresses on Amazon here.

10. Try consignment stores

Formal mother of the bride outfit from Thredup.

Consignment shops are a great place to find an affordable mother of the bride dress. Shops are usually particular about the merchandise they resell. Plus, since many MOTB dresses are only worn once, your options should be in like-new condition. You can buy the dress shown above at Thredup for $30.

11. Borrow

If you have no budget, check with friends and relatives to see if someone has a dress you can borrow or buy cheaply. Borrowing is best if the dress fits you precisely, of course. Otherwise, you’ll need alterations and then your pal won’t want the dress back.

You can also try Rent the Runway. Again, you won’t be able to make alterations. But the price is right.

Get ready to turn heads

Being the Mother of the bride (or groom) is enough to send you into a cold sweat. You probably haven’t agonized over one outfit since your own wedding day.

While it may be the Bride’s big day, it’s also a huge moment for you. You will be the second-most fabulous woman at the party, after all. Stay patient, know your style and keep shopping — you’re sure to find the mother-of-the-bride outfit that’ll turn heads for all the right reasons.

madinaty

Thursday 26th of January 2017

I'm with Susan, I LoVE that pink pant suit and I would love to wear it to my stepson's outdoor wedding this summer PLEASE HELP!

Catherine Brock

Thursday 26th of January 2017

Hi,

This suit on ASOS is a slightly darker pink. And here's a nice option from Bluefly too, but it's a soft grey instead. And, lastly, this isn't a pant suit, but here's a gorgeous pink dress and blazer combo.

I hope that helps!

~Catherine

Leslie

Monday 28th of March 2011

How can I find that pink pant suit shown? PLEASE help!

samantha@pants suits

Wednesday 23rd of March 2011

I think it is a great idea to wear a pant suit. It is so comfortable and elegant and you can wear it to basically any event. You do not always have to wear a dress and that is what some people just don not understand. If you have the perfect outfit and it is a pant suit, wear it with pride.

purplebutterfly895

Tuesday 12th of October 2010

The skirt suit version of the pink suit pictured is available at www.stylebug.com in a size 6. You can find the suit by entering 7276211 in the search box.

TBF

Wednesday 24th of March 2010

hey guys the suit is from Lord &Taylor (online : www.lordandtaylor.com), but it is sold out :(.

However check nordstrom.com and dillards.com for similar stylish suits. We're also putting together a Style in Pictures featuring over 30 great mother of the bride outfits/dresses on a budget

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