Mother of the Bride Dresses
Mother of the bride attire is risky business. It can’t be too flashy or frumpy, not too sexy or stiff, and never too memorable so as to upstage the bride. Lace strikes the perfect balance between stylish and safe, saving the day as the miracle material for special occasion dressing. It also delivers on flattery with its monochromatic color column that elongates and tone-on-tone texture that adds visual interest to camouflage lumps, bumps and bulges. Fancy and feminine, lace is a distinct and decorative fabric built for formal settings.
When shopping lace dresses, first consider hemline to match style to dress code, saving floor-length gowns for black tie events and tea-length or midi hems for cocktail affairs. And always make sure lining is opaque with sufficient coverage to avoid transparency.
So what should you look for in a lace Mother-of-the-Bride (or Groom) dress? Here’s a cheat sheet of what to shop:
Fit
Above all, a Mother-of-the-Bride dress should have a meticulous fit. Since lace often lacks stretch, consider tailoring your dress to achieve that perfect fit. Or, shop lace dresses with stretch to achieve a second-skin fit that smooths and contours.Style
To achieve the most flattering silhouette, look for design details that accentuate, balance and camouflage your shape. If you’re top heavy or wide-shouldered, go for volume skirts that create balance. If you’re bottom heavy, look for designs that add width or volume like shoulder pads, puffy or flutter sleeves and ruffled necklines. If you’re column-shaped, try adding width on the top and bottom then cinch the waist. If you’re hourglass-shaped, keep dress design minimal to show off your balanced figure.Fabric
Lace is a classic, decorative motif with a pattern that should always be considered. Make sure pattern scale matches to your frame and features and doesn’t overwhelm either. Also match pattern lines to those on your face. Most lace motifs are curvy but if your face is angular, look for geometric lace patterns that harmonize better with your facial lines.Color
When choosing color, consider your personal color palette first, then the season. For fall and winter weddings, go for deeper, darker colors in your palette, or universally flattering burgundy, pewter, chocolate or taupe. For spring and summer events, lighten the hues with one of your best light neutrals, soft accent colors or universally flattering teal, periwinkle, coral or mint. If in doubt, stick with the most popular mother of the bride dress colors of navy, royal, blush and nude, while avoiding cream, ivory, champagne and the wedding party's theme color.
Here are my top 15 picks, and why:
Best Overall
La Femme Satin Evening Dress with Lace Appliqué
Short sleeves, a fitted bodice and ruched skirt make this dress a super flattering pick for all body types in any season. It has just enough shape, just enough coverage and just enough drama, plus it comes in just enough colors. There’s something for everyone!Best Off-the-Shoulder
AQUA Off-the-Shoulder Embellished Lace Gown
Shoulders are a flattering asset at any age, and this gown really puts them on display. The dress is all about décolletage thanks to its open, off-shoulder bodice design, so pair with a statement necklace and huggie earrings to finish the look.Best Cap Sleeve
Eiza J Scalloped-Edge Lace Gown
This body-skimming gown strikes just the right balance between sweet and sexy. Its delicate cap sleeves with eyelash fringe keep it frilly and feminine, while the fluted skirt, fitted bodice and bra inserts amp up the va-va-voom. But it’s the elevated, rich colorways that keep the overall look subtle and sophisticated.Best Mermaid
LARA Long Sleeve Mermaid Lace Gown
Mermaid dresses are showstoppers, and this one is no exception. The classic hourglass silhouette is oh-so flattering, while the long sleeves offer full coverage that’s even more flattering. Plus its mesh-and-lace sweetheart neckline helps draw the gaze up and toward the face, keeping you the star of the show.Best Formal
Xscape Evenings Off-the-Shoulder Embroidered Gown
The combination of lace and embroidery makes this gown über fancy and formal. Its elevated, off-shoulder neckline and fitted bodice make a commanding statement while the fit-and-flare skirt design flatters any shape.Best Midi
Self-Portrait Blue Flower Lace Midi Dress
A classic color (blue) and classic cut (jewel neck) make this Self-Portrait number the best lace midi dress for any mother of the bride. This classic cut is timeless, seasonless and easily transitioned from day to night. Pair with shoulder-grazing chandelier earrings to add a focal point and frame your face.Best Beaded
Mac Duggal Floral Appliqué Long Sleeve Illusion Gown
This dress’ beautiful combination of appliqué, sequin and lacey tulle make it both ethereal and sophisticated at once. Choose from multiple colorways and keep the accessories minimal since the all-over embellishment design presents as both jewelry and wearable art.Most Dramatic
SHO by Tadashi Shoji Backless Ruffle-Trim Lace Gown
This jaw-dropping gown is a showstopper! The architectural bodice has a ruffled crisscross design set upon head-to-toe floral lace. Its backless style sets the stage for a layering piece, so consider topping with a fur stole, bolero jacket, tuxedo blazer or waistcoat with tails.Best Tulle and Lace
Rene Ruiz Strapless Tulle & Lace Mermaid Gown
Between its iridescent shimmer and dramatic volume, this gown really makes an entrance. The frilly design and strapless style make for a soft yet sexy pairing, while strategic ruching and asymmetrical tulle detailing flatter any shape. Calling all divas!Best Petite
Alex Evenings Petite A-Line Dress with 3/4-Sleeves and Cascade Detail Front Slit
This figure-skimming gown is just the right style, scale and color for petite frames. No element overwhelms, the slit elongates and the three-quarter sleeves draw attention to the waist. For styling, keep the “Buff” color theme going and pair with skin-colored heels to extend and elongate the leg line.Best Metallic
Rene Ruiz V-Neck Sequin Lace Appliqué Gown
Feel like a Greek Goddess in this gold sequin and lace appliqué masterpiece. The V-neck bodice is plunging yet still bra-friendly, plus the fit-and-flare silhouette works miracles in flattering any shape.Best Trumpet
Mac Duggal Embellished Feather Cap Sleeve Illusion Neck Trumpet Gown
If you’re going for jaw-dropping, this is the dress. Its trumpet hem is sure to turn heads, but the soft, gentle sage color keeps the look from going overboard. The illusion open back and sweeping train punctuate this look, making your exit just as dramatic as your entrance.Best 3/4-Sleeve
Teri Jon Embroidered Lace Illusion Gown with Elbow Sleeves
This gorgeous gown can flatter any shape. The combination of its bateau neckline, contoured waistline and flared skirt simulates an hourglass shape, plus the three-quarter elbow sleeves accentuate the waist even further. Also, the deep navy blue color has year-round versatility.Best Black Lace
Tadashi Shoji Darana Floral Jacquard Gown
This gown embodies minimalist and maximalist design in a single style. Its tone-on-tone floral jacquard material adds visual interest with a quiet simplicity while the lace plunging v-neck is both subtle and attention-seeking at once. Its belted waist and full, pleated skirt polish the look with a sophisticated statement.Best High-Low
Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon Macrame-Embroidered Illusion Maxi Dress
This flirty high-low hemline adds just enough whimsy to balance the dress’ traditional lines. Keep the look streamlined and neutral, or add a satin sash in a contrasting color or blingy statement heels to add a focal point and splash of drama.