My mom is about to start shopping for her attire. She's asked my input, and while I told her I knew she had taste, style, and was perfectly capable of dressing herself, I'd be happy to look at shops online and see if I found anything that I thought she'd like/look good in. (my folks are not tech savvy. at. all.)
Here's the vent part:
My mom is 64, looks at most in her early 50s. She's been overweight my whole life, but has been working really hard the past year and a half to bring her weight under control and get healthy, dropping 20 lbs so far (go her!), not an easy feat considering her asthma, other breathing issues, and the fact that she is the sole caregiver to my 100% combat disabled Dad. I'm so proud of her, and want her to feel comfortable, confident, and pretty at my wedding (She could show up in jeans and a blouse if that's what did it, but of course she would never do such a thing).
I've started looking, and I noticed that the MOB dresses seem to go to one extreme or the other: a) super sexy/slinky/designed for very thin, fit women, or b) very very matronly outfits for older, heavy women (neither of which are my mom's taste). I've found maybe one or two dresses that are not in these extremes, but they are in colors that are (in my humble opinion) hideous.
Why is it that dress companies seem to assume moms will only be one extreme or the other? Can't a gal be a mom and not be super skinny but not matronly either?
This is probably a stupid thing to worry about. It's just annoying that companies only target a few size demographics. My biggest concern is that my mom will go out shopping all excited to get something pretty to wear, only to be very disappointed by the options and selections for her.
I may end up suggesting she look into a shell top and jacket and pairing it with a pleated, full skirt. It's a late morning ceremony with luncheon, so hopefully she either finds something she likes or my idea works...
Re: MOB attire vent.
Thanks! My mom is coming to visit me at the beginning of February for my final fitting. I may suggest we do some shopping around my town/go to the outlets in Destin if she hasn't found something in her mall, in the hopes of greater selection.
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Sleeveless-Multi-Tiered-Chiffon-Dress-with-Beading-061871021_Bridal-Party-Mothers-Special-Guests-Plus-Sizes
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_3-4-Sleeve-Jacket-Dress-with-Tiered-Skirt-9072450_Bridal-Party-Mothers-Special-Guests-Plus-Sizes
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Chiffon-3-4-Sleeve-Jacket-Dress-with-Beading-618880DW_Bridal-Party-Mothers-Special-Guests-Plus-Sizes
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_3-4-Lace-Sleeve-Matte-Jersey-Dress-XS4977W_Bridal-Party-Mothers-Special-Guests-Plus-Sizes
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Cap-Sleeve-Long-Jersey-Dress-with-Lace-Detail-XS2195W_Bridal-Party-Mothers-Special-Guests-Plus-Sizes
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/jr-nites-plus-size-dress-sleeveless-beaded-chiffon-gown?ID=962500&CategoryID=37038&LinkType=#fn=DRESS_OCCASION%3DMother%20of%20the%20Bride%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D53%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D30
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/patra-plus-size-dress-cap-sleeve-illusion-beaded-gown?ID=1104877&CategoryID=37038&LinkType=#fn=DRESS_OCCASION%3DMother%20of%20the%20Bride%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D53%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D15
Make a day of it. My mom and I went out to lunch and did some shopping. It was a fun bonding time too.
Don't limit yourself to just MOB dresses. Try cocktail/evening dresses. Both my mom & MIL didn't get dresses out of the MOB section, they found evening wear dresses which I think can offer a wider selection of dresses. Also another option is bridemaids dress that maybe with a little jacket can be pulled off as a MOB dress.
Thanks ladies! I found a sheath style dress with jacket, and another looser, flowier dress also with a jacket. Sent both to her as a "just for ideas" kind of thing.
Our colors are soft white and gold. FGs are already wearing champagne. Mom has blonde hair, green eyes. I may suggest a dark green or blue as a very complimentary color. (And since those often appear in holiday attire, we might get a discount on an outfit!)
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/adrianna-papell-sleeveless-shutter-pleat-lace-dress?ID=1184486&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=COLOR=Green&sp=1&spc=52&ruleId=65&slotId=16
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-sleeveless-draped-gown?ID=1317300&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=COLOR=Green&sp=1&spc=52&ruleId=65&slotId=22
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/alex-evenings-short-sleeve-sequined-lace-pleated-gown?ID=781985&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=COLOR=Green&sp=1&spc=52&ruleId=65&slotId=39
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/eliza-j-dress-cap-sleeve-knot-belted-a-line?ID=927990&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=COLOR=Green&sp=2&spc=52&ruleId=65&slotId=48
do you have any places in your area that just sell evening wear i would check them out first maybe where you got your gown they have larger size samples that are discontiuned that she can by off the rack. some bridal salons do carry the larger sizes
I'm not sure plus or not, so I picked out the plus dresses:
short
http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/plus-size-lace-and-chiffon-jacket-dress/101671414/301
http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/plus-size-tiered-sequined-lace-dress/101302875/501
long
http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/plus-size-long-sweetheart-dress/101676020/301
http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/plus-size-long-ruffle-v-neck-dress/101630813/405
http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/plus-size-long-lace-dress/101677017/150
My mom got hers from Nordstrom when they were having their end of year sale. My mom is a big lady, but she alwasy dresses with class and style, so she was really upset when we went to a few bridal salons and they didn't carry anything she could even try on. She was understandably upset. She went to a department store and found a lovely lady that had just been to her daughters wedding. She was super helpful and they found a great dress that goes with the silver vest and tie my dad is wearing.
So, as PP have said, check out department stores.
Thanks ladies!
An update- Mom found a dress! She got a knee length sleeveless dress at Dillards a few hours away from her house. She says its sea foam green, has a jacket, and she feels wonderful in it. She's bringing it with her the weekend of the 7th to show me