As the “Mother-of-the-Bride” I’ve so much to do before my daughter’s wedding next summer. Like stick to Weight Watchers to lose 15 pounds. And to find a Mother-of-the-Bride dress! Oh yeah. And I need to help my daughter pick out her dress too.
I’ll stop eating cheese after Christmas. Actually, I’ll stop EATING after Christmas! I have to get in shape for the daughter’s wedding!
But let’s talk about me. To keep me at bay, Oona gave me the “go-ahead” to look at MOB dresses but not to buy anything yet until the bridesmaids dresses are decided upon. I think she’s petrified that I will buy a dress like her bridesmaids. And that’ll only happen if they wear short dresses!
I promised not to wear anything that will embarrass her…
And besides not wearing anything to embarrass Oona, I won’t embarrass her with my actions–although I’ve been known to sizzle!!
But I do need a dress that I can run around on the dance floor in..
That’s right–I need a dress that I can have fun in.
Seriously. In my head, I know what look I’m going for. Very Audrey Hepburn. Very Jackie Kennedy circa 1964. And I have to look in the Bridesmaid’s section for the dresses I like because the Mother-of-the-Bride dresses are hideous!
THIS is the look I’m going after and THIS is the dress I want. And pockets no less! But I made a promise I wouldn’t buy anything before the bridesmaids picked out there dresses…
But seriously. This type of dress, pointy-toed kitten heels and a wig in an updo is Mother-of-the-Bride perfection for me!
For those of you who aren’t at this place yet, I can only hope that by the time you are a mom of the bride, the fashion industry changes things because presently, the pickins’ are slim to none for a hip, chic, classy and timeless dress. The fashion industry has, once again, placed the mature woman of a certain age in the category of “no style” “frumpy” “matronly” “granny” “farty” and “downright effing ugly” back of the room.
The fashion industry sees me as the meddling mother in Bye Bye Birdie…
And stereotypes me and my demographic as this.
The fashion industry continues to exhibit a of preponderance of ageism! Why? Why do they do this?
I’m surprised I haven’t seen this getup in the Mother-of-the-Bride section!
Adding to the actual lack of fashion the advertisers insist on using women in their 20’s to model these atrocious frocks. Think about it? A 25-year-old mother of the bride? What? Is she a freak that got pregnant at three years old? Now that’s some ageist food for thought!
These are Mother-of-the-Bride dresses. And for formal attire, they aren’t THAT bad–but I wouldn’t wear any of them. What REALLY gets my goat is the age of the model. She ain’t no 50 or 60 year old!
Let’s take a look at what I’ve found. Shall we?
What is that hideous broach for? It cheapens the entire look of the dress. The sleeves are ridiculous. You eat at weddings, those loose sleeves are sure to either get soaked by a drink or fall into a plate of food. There is just too much material on this dress. The dress will wear the mother rather than the mother wearing the dress. It’s all wrong and uncomfortable looking.
It’s bad enough the 20-something model is trying to look old and stern, but the color of this dress is like wallpaper paste. If this model looks washed out, the mother-of-the-bride will look like she needs a night in the ICU! The length is so frumpy it is sickening and don’t even get me started on those shoes. Just. Don’t!
What’s with the washed-out colors? And the overabundance of fabric in the skirt? You can house a family of six under that skirt! The length–mommy will trip, fall, and end up with a hip replacement by the time the newlyweds come back from their honeymoon!
I take it this Mother-of-the Bride watches Game of Thrones–or thinks she’s Stevie Nicks from the 1970’s. Let’s try to eat and drink with that dopey cape. And another dress to trip over..
This dress is a complete lack of style. WTF is on her feet? Hurraches??????
I suppose this is a Mother-of-the-Bride Kentucky Derby ensemble? Whatever it is, it’s a costume! First of all, if MOB is wearing a chapeau such as this, an updo is more flattering. And once again, nothing like a color that will wash you out. Is the bland look popular or something? The length is off–too long. It should be shorter. And if she’s on the dance floor, those underarms are going to darken ten shades due to sweat!
The other thing that kills me is that I’m not going for an expensive designer look. My goal is to spend as little as possible on the dress. I don’t want to spend over $225. That’s my limit. Between the dress and the shoes, I am pretty sure I can make it come in for a lesser total.
I can do this look without breaking the bank—or falling over fabric and breaking a leg!
My daughter’s wedding day will belong to her—and it will be all about her; as well it should. But all I want is for her to be proud of me. And for her to think I look great for her. I can do that!
Oh dear God, I don’t want my search to end with me saying this because I couldn’t find a great Mother-of-the-Bride dress!
So, what say you? If you’ve been a Mother-of-the-Bride, did you have a challenge to find a dress? If you are in the same position as me, how’s the dress search going? Am I being too fussy?
Seriously though. I’m so happy for my daughter that if she asked me to wear a paper sack, I would! And I can’t wait to go shopping for her wedding dress with her!!!
She’s given me permission to come up with a playlist for the DJ. I want some good classics on the dance floor. And we have to have this song that Bobby Darin made iconic. From Threepenny Opera…….
