10 Elegant and Timeless Mother Of The Bride Dresses That Don’t Look Matronly

Are you looking for the perfect mother of the bride or mother of the groom dress? How is that going? Such an important and momentous day calls for a beautiful, standout dress but the weightiness of this special occasion can also cause some stress and uncertainty…especially when you’re not sure what to wear or what will look best on you. Fear not! We’re sharing a roundup of gorgeous dresses for the mother of the bride or groom. While you certainly don’t won’t to take any glory away from the bride, you deserve to feel and look your best on the big day too! These picks run the gamut from elegant and graceful to glamorous and timeless. Notice we didn’t say “matronly!”

For pointers on what kind of dress to look for depending on your body shape, height, and personal style, as well as helpful tips for picking out your MOB or MOG dress, check out this post.

Mother of The Bride or Groom Dress

Mother of The Bride or Groom Dress

Keep scrolling to find details on each gown, but before you do, hear us out. If we could offer you just one key piece of advice, try to cancel out all the noise, what-ifs, and inner criticisms that might make you second guess purchasing a dress you love. Choose a dress that makes you feel special and beautiful.

Embellished Sleeve Gown

This gorgeous blush-colored mother of the bride or groom dress features a demure off-the-shoulder neckline and short sleeves with fabric-paillette embellishment. It’s perfectly fitted through the hips with a floor-length, sweeping skirt. The asymmetric overlay on the skirt adds an extra touch of elegance that the brand, AQUA, is known for.

Ariana Strapless Jacquard Column Gown

This is the dress for a fashion-forward MOB or MOG. It’s the kind of gown that stands out, without outshining the bride and groom, and one you’ll find any excuse to wear again. The Ariana Strapless Jacquard Column Gown from SIMKHAI is a full-length column dress made from a gorgeous soft pink textured jacquard. The strapless neckline is expertly complemented by the elegant matching sash. If you want to look and feel like the queen you are on your princess or prince’s big day, get this dress.

Sequin Floral Flutter Sleeve Gown

The Sequin Floral Flutter Sleeve Gown from luxury fashion house Mac Duggal is exquisitely crafted with gauzy mesh layers and glistening sequins. If you prefer a sleeve length that offers just a bit of coverage, you’ll adore the flutter sleeves on this gown. The v-neck and flowing silhouette are extra flattering on most body types, ensuring you look and feel your best.

Annabelle One-Shoulder Floral Lace Gown

This floral lace gown from HELSI exudes dress as elegance and femininity. The one-shoulder “Annabelle” gown is adorned with 3D floral appliqué and a hem that sways exquisitely below the knee. With an A-line silhouette and a lovely lavender color, this is a fantastic gown to don on your child’s big day.

This turquoise mother of the bride or groom dress is another exquisite piece from AQUA. With a fitted bust, a relaxed hip, and extra-stretchy fabric, this gown is nearly as comfortable as it is beautiful. Thanks to the crinkled metallic fabric, you’ll look like a vision on the reception dance floor, as you sway to the music for the mother-son dance.

Long Sleeve Satin Sheath Gown

If a full-coverage gown is more your style, take a look at this long-sleeve satin sheath gown from Mac Duggal. It embodies everything the luxury fashion house is known for-from India-inspired hand-beading to bold colors-it’s the total package. The bedazzled jewel neck and billowy bishop-sleeves gloriously complement the column silhouette of this regal gown, all while remaining true to the brand’s romantic-edgy modernism. What better way for a mother of the bride or groom to highlight her passion for fashion and style?

High-Neck Evening Gown

The high-neck evening gown from ML Monique Lhuillier reminds us of the late Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ effortless, laconic style. Featuring a mock neck and fit-and-flare silhouette, this sleeveless navy evening gown serves as a stunning example of the power of minimalism in fashion, but rest assured, there’s nothing bland about this dress. Pair it with the perfect shoes and channel your inner Jackie O for your son or daughter’s wedding.

Saba Midi Dress

For a magnificent statement-making dress, reach for the Saba Midi Dress from Bronx and Banco. This midi-length dress stands as a fine example of modern appliqué. It might even, dare we say, be teetering on wearable art, owing to the allover cut-out leaf appliqué, and tulle detail with lace trim. The Saba Midi Dress is a tea-length mother of the groom or bride dress that is bold without being brazen; a perfect pick for a chic modern mom.

Chelsea One-Shoulder Gown

The Chelsea One-Shoulder Gown from Sachin & Babi can be summed up as classic, thoughtfully-designed elegance in several color options. To quote a recent social media trend, it’s “very demure, very mindful,” lending to its recognition as a beautiful option for mothers of the bride or groom. Take a closer look at this satin-charmeuse gown and you’ll notice the waistline is seamed to the same angle as the one-shoulder neckline and waistline. It’s subtle, but it instantly elevates this seemingly ordinary dress to an extraordinary gown.

Beaded Crepe Halter Gown

A fantastic, and perhaps even better alternative to the Theia ressida Rhinestone-Trim Halter Column Gown I featured previously, the Beaded Crepe Halter Gown in black from Shoshanna would be a stunning mother of the bride or groom dress. We love the beading at the neckline of this full-length gown, as well as the lovely a-line silhouette that will drape elegantly, whether you’re posing for pictures or cutting loose on the dance floor.

Do you have any advice for our MOBs or MOGs to be OR any questions about finding a dress? Please share in the comments below!

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team busbee

1

Figure Flattering

Pretty. That's just the best word we can conjure up to describe this dress. It has a lovely off-the-shoulder neckline and the floral details on the sleeves offer some arm coverage in that part of the arm some of us don't love. It is figure hugging at the waist and hip so this dress would look stunning on someone with an hourglass figure that loves to show her curves!
2

Make a Statement

If you want to make a statement at the wedding, this pink jacquard column gown with the elegant removeable matching sash by Simkhai is a stunner! This is such a timeless and classic gown with a touch of modern pleating. The waist is cinched in just under the bust adding some definition. This would be a flattering dress on a rectangular or inverted triangle body shape. It is a splurge, but it was TOO good not share in this roundup!
3

Feminine Floral

If you want to look feminine AND glamorous on the wedding day, this sequin floral flutter sleeve gown checks both boxes. The surplice V-neckline would be flattering if you have a larger bust and the contrasting beading just above the natural waistline adds some nice definition. The skirt floats away from the body and will give you some wonderful movement on the dance floor! This would be a lovely dress for a pear-shaped silhouette. We love the gorgeous copper color and it also comes in lilac.
4

On-Trend Color

Speaking of lilac, how beautiful is this lace gown with the 3D floral appliqué? Lilac is super on-trend and we love the one shoulder detail. This is another feminine dress that has some really special details but is still classic and sophisticated. The style and cut of this dress is one that would work for pretty much all body types.
5

Ice Blue Metallic

This dress by Aqua, (that is aqua!) Bloomingdale's in-house brand, is one of the more affordable options in our roundup. This color is one that looks amazing on so many skin tones so get ready for compliments! It's fitted at the bodice, has a sexy (but not too sexy) cut out at the shoulder, and floats away from the body. It's made from a crinkled metallic fabric, so it has some sparkle to it. Pear shaped, rectangular, and both inverted and regular triangle body shapes could all look gorgeous in this dress.
6

Subtly Gasp-Worthy

We can appreciate that not everyone loves a dress with exposed arms, so we wanted to share this long sleeve satin sheath gown. The jeweled neckline adds the perfect amount of glam. Understated, classy, and what a beautiful berry shade! We shared one additional gown with sleeves below as a BONUS too!
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Classic Elegance

Navy is a very popular color for MOBs and MOGs. It's very classic and less stark than black if you tend to shy away from wearing the color black. This dress is for someone who loves her shoulders and wants that timeless Audrey Hepburn look. It has a regal high neck, a small cutout at the back, and, it has pockets! It is elegantly effortless and should work beautifully on most body types.
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In Erin's Closet

Erin owns this dress in white and recently wore it while on a family trip to Italy! We wanted to share a dress that wasn't floor length in case you're looking for something a bit less formal. The allover cut-out leaf appliqué is very unique and the details on this dress at the bodice and skirt hem are SO unique and special.
9

Tons of Colors and Sizes

This gown has a beautiful silhouette, comes in a bunch of colors, and is size inclusive (up to size 22). The oversized bow and draping at the shoulders adds just the right amount of drama for the MOB or MOG. And, it's incredible affordable at just under $200.
10

Black Tie Beauty

If you're attending a black-tie wedding, this dress would be a stunning option. The halter neckline is modest while the rhinestone trim offers a touch of glam, and the side draping is super elegant. This is a column dress so it would look flattering on a rectangular body shape and inverted triangle.
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BONUS - Elevated Shirtdress

This dress is only available in limited sizing, so we didn't include it in our graphic above, but if you are looking for a flattering, long sleeve, sophisticated dress with on-trend details for ALL body types in a gorgeous shade of blue...winner-winner wedding dinner! This dress has it all. The eyelet details on the collar and sleeve are so elegant on this all-season dress.

Team Busbee

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