Non-Matronly Mother of the Bride Outfits

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It used to be that mother of the bride outfits were just dreadful. Frumpy, unflattering, and nothing that any woman with a sense of style would ever want to wear, the best thing about the old-fashioned ensembles was that they did not compete with the bride. These days, choices have broadened, and there is no reason why the bride' mom cannot look chic as well as appropriate. These are some of the best trends for non-matronly mother of the bride outfits.

First of all, who says that a mother of the bride outfit has to be a dress? Unless the wedding is black tie, a very dressy pants ensemble could be a great option for the bride's mom. For a winter wedding, wide leg silk velvet pants would be fabulous. They can be paired with a beaded shell or even a strapless silk satin top for a fabulous effect that is definitely wedding-appropriate. A coordinating velvet bolero jacket will be a great addition to the outfit to ward off a chill (and to conceal upper arms for moms who don't like to show theirs off). Crystal wedding jewelry and jeweled satin shoes will complete the look.

One thing that made traditional mother of the bride outfits so frumpy was their shapeless layers of flowy chiffon. An assumption was being made by designers that no mature woman would want her figure to be seen, which is just crazy. The new trend in dresses is far more shapely and figure flattering. And yes, even chiffon, that perennial favorite, has been reshaped into styles which show off the best features of the mother's figure. A great example would be a chiffon dress with a portrait collar neckline. The bodice can be artfully draped and fitted, flowing into a soft skirt to the floor. It is a style which is both forgiving and flattering at the same time. The portrait neckline calls for a dramatic piece of wedding jewelry, such as a large black pearl necklace.

If the bride's mom has worked hard to maintain her girlish figure, there is no reason she should hide it beneath a frumpy dress. As long as the style is not revealing, it is absolutely appropriate for the mom to have a dress which is slender and tailored to her form. A silk dupioni or satin column dress would be a great option. To give it a modern kick, look for a dress which flares out slightly towards the hem, like a modified trumpet design. If the wedding is very formal, the dress can even feature a tiny sweep train. Sophisticated colors like charcoal, navy, or burgundy look especially gorgeous for this dress style.

The goddess style dresses which have been so popular in recent years can translate beautifully for mother of the bride dresses. Look for one with an interesting neckline, such as a portrait neckline or a one shoulder style. The dresses are often made in flowing crepe or chiffon, fitted in all the right places, and flowing in the bottom half. With hair up and a pretty pair of crystal and pearl earrings, the bride's mother will look very fashionable, yet still sophisticated enough for her role in the wedding.

Brides can help their moms by taking them shopping and pointing out new trends to them. There is no reason why a mother of the bride should resign herself to wearing something matronly just because her daughter is getting married. When the bride's mom looks and feels fantastic, it will certainly add to her enjoyment of the wedding day.

Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts,reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Visit us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ for a beautiful selection of wedding jewelry for brides, bridesmaids, and mothers. All jewelry orders over $99 receive free shipping.