Before a bride even takes her first step to walk down the aisle, her path has been made by her mother. And while all eyes are focused on the bride-to-be, there is no mistaking how lovely the mothers of the bride and groom often look on that special day. So what should you wear as Mom? Here’s a look at what our local experts think.
AGELESS STYLE
I don’t think there is one single mother of the bride (MOB) or mother of the groom (MOG) who says, “I want to look like the mother.” Just like most people, MOBs want to look and feel youthful during such an important time.
Age is just a number, after all, and most MOBs and MOGs need the appropriate dress to walk down the aisle and later make their way to the dance floor. At The Carriage House in Wyomissing, tiered skirts and high-low hemlines are popular styles.
“We always recommend striving for a polished, sophisticated look that supports your style,” says Janet Mutter, owner. “In order to carry off the style of the garment and carry herself well, a mother needs to be completely comfortable in the chosen garment and in love with the image. She should never settle for less.”
One-shoulder dresses and strapless gowns are very popular styles at Victorian Bridal in West Reading.
“Mothers want to look youthful, not matronly,” says owner Michele Beilhart. “We are seeing a variety of styles being used by mothers. It is all determined by the bride and the design of the wedding. Many are beginning to wear a co*cktail dress in place of the more formal look, as more and more women want to look young.”
Pleating is another treatment found on many dresses. “Shutter pleating is still very popular in special occasion dresses,” says Karan Lippold Verleur, owner of Jan Rae, West Reading. “We’ve seen a lot of this style before, but each season there are variations. Now we are seeing scalloped shutter pleating on many dresses.”
Jan Rae has also seen dresses in a variety of fabrics, including easy-to-wear matte jersey and lots of chiffon. “Mothers don’t want to be too traditional, so we try to stay ahead of the fashion curve, but in a classy way,” Lippold Verleur explains.
COLOR ME HAPPY
Brides choose what their wedding colors will be; mothers of the bride and groom must coordinate accordingly! “Brides will establish a theme and choose the color palette around her vision for the wedding,” says Mutter. “Colors being used come in all shades of the rainbow. A few new shades we are seeing going forward are salmon, teal and fuchsia. Brights are definitely making a comeback.” But never rule out dark hues of platinum and pewter, which Beilhart considers the new black. “These colors are elegant without being over-the-top,” says Beilhart. And it’s okay to wear black to weddings; the color has become widely acceptable for this occasion. But there is one color that is off-limits for mothers. “They should never wear white or ivory unless the bride wants a monochromatic wedding,” says Beilhart. At Jan Rae, mothers are advised to choose the fit of the dress before they even settle on a color. “It must be the perfect fit for the figure; the color is a secondary decision that is often times far more flexible than the fit,” says Lippold Verleur.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Another important tip to heed when embarking on dress shopping: plan in advance! “Mothers need ample time to order the style, size and color to best flatter their figure and complement the wedding. It can take 4-6 months to order and alter the dresses. They are special-ordered for each customer,” says Beilhart. “Be prepared to have the gown altered to fit correctly,” she says.
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
So, no matter what, if the mother is comfortable in the dress she has chosen, she will have a wonderful day. Mothers are often the “hostesses” of this big party and need to dress the part. “They should blend with the wedding colors and be conscious of each other’s style and the bride’s feelings when choosing their wedding attire,” says Beilhart. “Open communication between the bride, her mother, and her mother-in-law allows the process to go so smoothly.” Mutter agrees and adds, “MOBs should not have a pre-conceived idea of the type of gown they would like to wear. Try to be open to ideas and suggestions. All garments look completely different on than on a hanger, and we often find that a gown that was not a favorite going into the dressing room becomes one after trying it on. Shopping for the garment is half the fun – be open to going ‘outside of your box’ and enjoy the experience!” And when the ladies are happy with their dresses, what ending could be happier?
RESOURCES
The Carriage House 90 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing | 610.371.1146Victorian Bridal Salon 943 Penn Ave., West Reading | 610.396.9126Jan Rae Ladies Fine Apparel and Accessories | 612 Penn Ave. | West Reading | 610.372.9935
by Amanda Dietrich Zeigler
