This post is dedicated to two beautiful brides-to-be.
Two beautiful brides-to-be who are getting married in summer.
Two beautiful brides-t0-be who are having more trouble helping their mothers and their grooms’ mothers find something to wear – than they did themselves.
Case no.1: My mother-in-law-to-be is having trouble finding an outfit for our wedding. She is in her late 50s, blonde hair, blue eyes, a shorty and a size 14. She doesn’t want to wear a dress, and would prefer to wear pants and a top. She’s not a fan of her upper arms, but a blazer would be too heavy for the summer weather. Please help!
Case no. 2: My fiancé and I are getting married in late January and both of our mums (who are in their late 70s/early 80s) are really panicked about what to wear. One is slim and one a bit curvy and they both want to hide their arms. Any words of advice? Good suppliers? Their dress shopping is proving more stressful that mine was!
See, once upon a time, it was a simple outfit path for the mother of the bride or groom to follow.
Choose something respectable. And by respectable I mean matronly. Make sure it doesn’t clash with the bride’s chosen colour scheme and rock up to said wedding ready to cry and laugh on cue.
Thankfully today we are long past the idea that mums on either side of the aisle have to look a certain way for a wedding.
Yes, the respectable factor will always be there. It’s a wedding, after all, Stylers. But matronly?
Forget it.
And what about if you’re just a guest … of a certain age? No official duties or photo obligations?
Remember the words from the Styling You Manifesto: Style doesn’t come with a use-by-date. Own your style … don’t conform to a “type” just because you think you should. Choose something that suits the occasion, makes you feel amazing … and screams personality.
YOUR personality.
Oh, and a little note about covering up arms and summer. Yes, I know it will be a little warmer than if you didn’t but I think this is a small price to pay for putting together a more polished outfit and feeling more confident when cameras are around. That’s of course if this is something that makes YOU feel more comfortable.
With the outfits below, I’ve called on the three-quarter sleeve summer jacket to finish off each outfit. The beauty of this is that once the formalities are done with, you may feel it’s ok to remove the jacket … and the outfit will still look the part.
I’ve included low heels with each but do feel free to go higher if that’s your thing. Everyone has their own heel tolerance level. Mine is practised at being higher than others but I get it that many like to hang out closer to the ground.
And don’t forget the statement accessory. The conversation starter. The necklace that gets noticed and complimented on will make you feel (almost) as amazing as the bride.
The pants outfit
1. Trent Nathan pants $109 @ Myer | 2. Mimco choker $249 | 3. Witchery top $99.95 | 4. Olga Berg clutch $59.95 | 5. Basque summer jacket $199 @ Myer | 6. RMK shoes (on sale) $83.90 @ Style Tread
The frock outfit
1. Veronika Maine dress $229 | 2. Sussan jacket $119.95 | 3. Mineral Attraction necklace $149 @ Red Phoenix Emporium | 4. Trenery clutch $69.95 | 5. Styletread wedge $119.95
Have you got any tips for mothers of the bride or groom attending a wedding this summer? What labels or stores can you suggest these brides steer their mums and future mother-in-laws in the direction of?
