Finding the Best Dresses for Winter Mother of the Bride Outfits... and Mother of the Grooms too (same tips apply).

• The Hatista
• Outfits
• September 29th 2020 / Updated: November 7th 2022

Getting your Mother of the Bride outfit right is so important to your daughter’s big day in any season. All eyes are on you (after they've swooned at your daughters dress of course). It can be one of the most difficult outfits you’ll ever have to choose though, and for Winter there are even more things to consider than Summer.

With so many different outfits and fashions to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. The best way to find your perfect Mother of the Bride outfit is to consider the three most important things relevant to you and your daughters big day - your body type, the location, and the theme / feel of your daughters wedding.

Start looking for your dress as soon as your daughter (and husband to be) have set the wedding date. Give yourself this time to find ideas, take advice, try lot's and get it right. If you put off finding your dress until a month before the wedding, you’ll need choose whatever’s available and keep your fingers crossed you find something right. Also leaving it late you'll probably find getting the all important hat very difficult, or wrong. Remember also to respect the Mother of the Groom in this process - You need to feedback to the Mother of the Groom to let her know your dress (at least its colour) so that she can choose her dress after you. Tradition states that the groom’s Mother has to wait for you to make your selection before she can make hers. If she is someone who likes to plan, she'll be very frustrated that you didn't give her the luxury of time she deserved to find her outfit.

This post includes affiliate links - suggestions of items I've hunted out on the Internet for you. If you see anything you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy a latte) to thank me.

Things to Consider choosing Mother of the Bride Dresses:

Who's the LEAD Singer: The Hat, the Dress or the Shoes? If the Hat has oodles of detail or colour, then let the hat steal the show, and pick a simple one tone shift dress and keep the shoes to Neutral shades. This includes Champagne, and Metallic tones.

The SEASON: Cold Mums aren't a good look. Make sure the outfit is going to keep Mum snug and warm all day and night. For a winter wedding you have lot's of textures to choose from that are super smart and sophisticated for Mother of the Brides. The most popular being Velvet, Wool, Lace and Jacquard. There are also lot's of pretty velvet shoes in rich jewel colours that will pair well for a regal looking Winter wedding Mother of the Bride outfit. If the ceremony is in the afternoon, then a large part of the reception (if not all) will be after dark hours, making the wedding not just winter, but also a nighttime wedding. An elegant evening dress could also be a option. An evening Mother of the Bride dress in a fabulous fabric will provide you with that red carpet look. A velvet full length dress will transition well day to night. A heavily beaded evening dress, even ball gown, could be an option for weddings that will be almost entirely night time.

The Venue: Needless to say, a long maxi dress, might not work for a country wedding in winter (watch those puddles), and a floaty A line or silk fit and flare might not be best for Weddings in the Highlands (no one wants to see the Mother of the Brides booty).

The "Winter" Season Colours: Colour is crucial for a Mother of the Bride at a Winter wedding. Pastel shades are gorgeous and definitely the most popular colours for Spring Summer Mother of the Brides right now, but should only be worn by the darker skins in the Winter. Pale skins, wearing pastel shades, will look very washed out and flat, when your skin is in it's palest Winter months. For Winter Weddings select Jewel tones, warming or Winter bright colours (e.g Burnt Orange, Berry Red), or Winter neutrals (e.g Chestnut, Terracotta, Gold), which are winter-appropriate and sophisticated.

Quality and Comfort: So, you aren't the most important person at the wedding, but you certainly rank high on the list! A lot of people are going to notice what you are wearing and how it looks, and if you wear the right dress you'll get complimented on your figure all day long. You are going to be in lot's of photos. You want to wear an outfit that suits your shape, and holds you in (or hides you) at the right places. You really do get what you pay for. Indulge a little for a better cut dress made with higher quality fabric in order to ensure it shapes your figure as you'd like it to. The more expensive dresses do have better construction, better seams, more flexible and more breathable materials. If you don't have the budget to spend hundreds on every item in your outfit, then cut costs on the other elements. A cheap handbag won't make you uncomfortable, nor would cheap jewellery. But a cheap dress and shoes might.

Mother of the Bride Dress for your Body Shape

Straight / Rectangle Body Shape

• Bodys with Few Curves, Little definition between Bust, Waist and Hips.

Fitted Shift and sheath dresses play with your lines, but if you want to create curves, try A-line midi length dresses. Look for dresses with some of (not ALL) the following - decorative embroidery, gathering, wiggle waist, tulip sleeves, patterns on the upper body. For a Winter Mother of the Brides you could add volume with a faux fur short jacket or bolero.

Inverted Triangle

• You typically experience the problem of being a dress size bigger on upper body, than your lower body. Smaller hips than your Shoulders or / and Bust

V and U neck dresses will divert the eye downward for a slimming effect, and you've probably been picking this style most your life. Be careful how far down though if have a Big Bust - Keep it decent! Halter necks will create the same slimming effect and provide full coverage. A-line dresses, full skirts and hem details (peplums) will all help balance out your lower half.

Hourglass Body Shape

• Curvaceous Shape, with Full Bust. defined Waist, and Full Hips.

Wraps, knits and dresses with fitted waists will enhance your "classically" feminine form. Look for dresses with adjustable waists (belted, or elasticated) styles so you can adjust for your best fit.

Round / Apple Body Shapes

• Your weight is carried around your middle, without a defined waist.

Empire line dresses, with seams above the waist draw the eye up, taking attention away from the middle and allow a loser fit. Lots of neck details also bring the focus up, while A'line styles can create an hourglass illusion.

Luxury Jewel Tones for Christmas Weddings

Nothing says Christmas wedding more than Burgundy, Deep Greens and Golds.

Floral Jacquard - Perfect for Mother of the Bride Winter Weddings

Jacquard is the perfect texture fabric for a Winter Mother of the Bride, and can incorporate mixed textures like silk dupion, crepe and Velvet in the Floral patterns. It also pairs well with mixed texture top layers - Faux fur throws, cashmere wraps, and wool or crepe jackets.

Winter Floral Mother of the Bride - with Pink moving into Spring

Florals are totally OK for Winter Weddings outfits, if select colours and flowers that are "In Season".

Ever, and always willing to help my customers out I've compiled my selection of the best Mother of the Bride Dresses, that are on trend, fashionable (to your daughters brief), and comfortable (to your brief!). I've divided the dresses into a few different categories (budgets), from Mum totally spoiling herself on her daughters wedding day, to the more budget conscious, so you can select from the category that suits your requirements. I constantly update, add, remove dresses each year so you should find they are current season.

If you are also on the hunt for the perfect Mother of the Bride Clutch Bag, you might also enjoy my picks of those, on my article: The best Mother of the Bride bags.

Still need a pair of Mother of the Bride shoes, then I also have a post constantly updated with the best of the seasons Mother of the Bride shoes: Here.

These below galleries include affiliate links - suggested dresses I've selected you. If you see a dress you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy me a latte) to thank me.

1. "I admit, I've been saving for My Daughters Big Day, ever since she was born. Show me Luxury outfits. Let me treat Myself. It's finally come, the BIG Day."

Below is a gallery of some Luxury items I've hunted out for you to splash out and show off with on your Daughters Special Wedding Day.

2. "I'm a little bit of a fashion addict ("woman" in other words!), so I'll wear the dress again and don't mind spending a little bit on my outfit, but let's not max the credit card just on my dress."

Below is a gallery of some great, but not empty your bank bank account dresses! I've hunted out for you. Beautiful Mother of the Bride dresses, priced approx between £150.00 to £500.00 ($200 to $650.00), that you will love and wear again for evening wear, Days at the races, or formal events in years to come.

3. "I just need a pretty dress for my daughters big day. Doesn't need be Designer. What's available on a High Street Budget."

Looking to complete your Mother of the Bride outfit with a pretty dresses for under £150.00 ($200). Below is a gallery of some still super pretty dresses, more than suitable for Mother of the Brides. There are still glamorous dresses within a budget price range. Still perfect for once or twice use occasions like other weddings.