25 Elegant Mother of the Bride Dresses

Oscar de la Renta

Now 60% Off

Embroidery artfully placed in vertical lines elongates a woman's silhouette, making moms look taller, longer, and leaner.

Tadashi Shoji

Lace insets and artful draping are subtle statements—until they're executed in a rich shade of red. The pleating and placement of the ruffles on this sheath all work to draw attention to your smallest point: your natural waist.

Giambattista Valli

For warm-weather weddings and intimate affairs outdoors, style your bridal party—and most importantly, your mother—to the theme. Floral prints and soft colors play well with decor that's sure to embrace the blooms of the spring and summer months.

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Alexander McQueen

For a look that's just as glamorous as it is chic, choose a style with sheer elements that both conceal and reveal. A gossamer cape will look regal walking down the aisle before it wows with movement on the dance floor.

Oscar de la Renta Lemon-Print Silk-Blend Off-The-Shoulder Gown

Encourage your mom to have a little fun when dressing for your ceremony or rehearsal dinner. Go for prints that speak to your wedding location, and most importantly, her personal style.

Lela Rose

Cons

Choose a gown with structure that holds its shape all on its own. This brocade gown draws the eye to all the right places—from a hint of skin on the shoulder to a ruched waist.

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Stella McCartney

Now 40% Off

For the mom that isn't about a cinch at the waist and prefers a shift or blouson silhouette, opt for a rich color, a subtle tonal print, and a hint of skin—a la this one-shoulder stunner.

Choose a look with a color pop rather than a head-to-toe tone to ensure your mother looks her best standing alongside you in photos and complements your bridal party.

Dolce & Gabbana

When in doubt, opt for a little black dress—but make it super luxe. This lace look feels special and festive, without a print, bold color, or dramatic sleeve in sight.

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Jenny Packham

Now 80% Off

Jewel tones are an ideal palette for mothers of the bride and grooms year-round. To avoid looking too holiday-inspired, choose the rich tone best suited for your event's color palette, be it a deep emerald, sapphire, citrine, garnet, amythest, or a softer pink topaz.

She's a superhero to you and your entire family, so why not let her dress the part. Caped gowns and sleeves are ideal for a woman looking for a bit of coverage, without the heft of a full sleeve. Plus, the silhouette of this gown will look that much more show-stopping as the cape wafts down the aisle to reveal her silhouette as she moves.

Now 40% Off

For the mother whose style is sleek and minimal, opt for a gown with an architectural silhouette in her favorite color.

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Valentino

Sweet and sophisticated, this gown wows with its bold tone and classic silhouette. Don't be afraid of anything oversized—the large bow of this gown will flatter small busts, and make waists and arms appear petite in comparison.

Costarellos

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A hint of sheen makes pastels like this dove grey feel rich and appropriate for the evening. Plus, a blouson sleeve and a ruched neckline add to this silhouette's romantic vibe.

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A gown with jewels at the neckline alleviates the need for a necklace or loads of other extras. Stick to a small yet stately earring and a cocktail ring, and keep additional sparkle to a minimum.

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Monique Lhuillier

Spring and summer weddings call for soft tones, floral motifs, and a romantic flair. This dress has all of the above.

Victoria Beckham

Now 50% Off

Mothers of the bride often limit themselves to neutrals like navy, black and metallics—but if your mom is one to sport a bold hue, lean into her penchant for pops of color with a tone that best suits her complexion, your bridal party, and the setting.

Oscar de la Renta

Now 69% Off

Cons

When choosing a look for a summer wedding, opt for something that feels seasonally appropriate in a hue she's accustomed to feeling her best in. Florals set on black or dark backgrounds feel no less romantic but certainly bring the delightfully unexpected.

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If full skirts and punchy prints aren't your mom's go-to, try a statement sleeve. Pair the dress with neutral or metallic accessories to keep the rest of the look sophisticated and simple.

Now 36% Off

If your mom is after a high neck and long sleeve without the added weight of stiff silk, go for an easy silhouette that will move with her. This gown comes complete with slits in the sleeves to keep her cool at an outdoor wedding this summer.

Carrie Goldberg is HarpersBAZAAR.com’s Weddings & Travel Director. She oversees the site’s BAZAAR Bride channel, travel & dining content, and styles fashion and bridal editorials for BAZAAR.com. When she’s not traveling, she spends her free time in her hometown–New York City–where there is no shortage of new places to shop, eat, drink, see and explore.

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