Wedding dress shopping is an exhilarating experience for a bride. But, as her bridal gown is one of the most expensive dresses she will wear in her life, this can also make her nervous. Fortunately, you will have your entourage and bridal consultants to help you make your dress decision. And, as with everything wedding-related, there are specific etiquette rules that you should stick to when shopping for your wedding dress too. Let us take a look at what they are.
Shopping for your daughter’s wedding is very exciting. In fact, your daughter’s wedding is an occasion that gives you the opportunity to relive the excitement of shopping for your own wedding dress. This occasion is in fact more fun, since there are fewer rules, but more options. Although you may no longer be 20 years old, you are still fabulous and deserve to look your best on your daughter’s special day.
Nevertheless, there are certain factors to keep in mind when you buy your MOB dress. Let us look at what they are.
Every wedding has a color scheme and style. Be considerate and find a dress that works with the colors and the formality of the wedding your daughter has planned.
Look glamorous, but don’t upstage the bride with your dress choice. Make sure that your look won’t compete with that of the bride.
Although the above rule holds, this doesn’t mean you should dress down for your daughter’s wedding. Dress smart by making a choice that flatters your body type and makes you feel beautiful.
Make sure your dress works well with the wedding setting. It should be suitable for the weather at the time of the wedding, convenient to move around in and appropriate if there is a religious or cultural dress code for the event.
Now, let’s move to the interesting part—Fashionable dress styles to choose from for your daughter’s wedding.
Every season shines the spotlight on new and evolving trends. Shopping isn’t the same when we cross 50, as our body starts to display signs of ageing. Nonetheless, there are plenty of stunning choices for women your age. All you have to do is keep an open mind. You are bound to find one that ticks all the boxes. Dresses for mature women are just as interesting as those for young ladies. The secret is to find a style that flatters your body type and is fashionable too.
So, first identify your body type. This will help you recognize dress styles that are sure to flatter you. This detailed guide on the 40 Plus Style website provides all the information you need. Check it out!
Then take a look at our list of fashionable and flattering dress styles available for mothers of brides. You are sure to find a hot and happening style that perfectly matches your vision here.
Dresses with sleeves
Most of us are reluctant to show off our upper arms, as these often show the signs of ageing. If this problem affects you, we suggest that you choose a gown with half or 3/4th length sleeves that covers up this area. You can further shift focus to another area of your body with a suitable design. We suggest a dress with a dramatic neckline or skirt to show off assets you are proud of. Remember that dresses with sleeves need another wow factor, to look beautiful. So, make sure your dress isn’t drab by choosing one with a statement style element that compensates for the long sleeves.
Fit and flare silhouette
This is a universally flattering silhouette, as the fit and flare suits almost every body type. While simple, it has an elegant finish and can be adapted to any dress length. The silhouette basically shows off the natural waistline, and has a skirt which flows away from the body. This makes it ideal for camouflaging thin or thick hips. Find a fit and flare dress of the length that enhances your body structure. Consider adding an accessory like a belt or sash, if you want to draw attention to your waistline. Choose short dresses if the wedding has an informal tone. Long fit and flare gowns are stunning, and the perfect choice for black tie weddings.
Separates
This versatile dress style is comfortable and perfectly suited for events in the summer. There is an undeniable sophistication and maturity to this dress style. Hence it suits older women. Mix and match pieces, or go for a set that flatters you with its colors and details. It is a good idea to choose separates with textures that differ in the upper and lower halves to make it more interesting. With the mix and match option, you can easily pick pieces that blend with the theme and also reflect your personal style. Peplum tops are also a fantastic choice that you can pair with pencil skirts or trumpet skirts for a stylish finish.
Draped dress style
The draped style as a trendy introduction to the fashion scene continues to be very popular. Your dress can feature draping in any area. It could be at the neckline, at the waistline or even in the skirt. The best part of this style element is that it instantly highlights the said area. As a result, it can be used to distract from a less attractive area. The draping can be tight and neat, for a formal look. Choose a looser drape for a less formal setting. With such a dress style, it is best to avoid other embellishments in the rest of the dress, or you may end up with a cluttered look.
Column or sheath dress
This silhouette is one of the most flattering for mature women. It has a simple, streamlined look and extends to full-length or features a shorter hemline. The sheath flows naturally, embracing natural curves. The benefit of this style is that it creates the illusion of curves, even while emphasizing a naturally curvy figure. This is a great dress style if you have a straight body structure, since it adds more curves than you actually have. Sheaths are available with lace details, in satin or chiffon and other breathable fabric. The simple style makes it perfect to pair with statement accessories and jewelry for an elegant look.
Lace dress
Another classic that keeps reinventing itself, the lace dress is a safe bet for the mother of the bride. These come in a stunning range of options in fabric, design and style. Nonetheless, lace has a timeless charm that makes it an unbeatable choice. Either go with an all-over lace dress or choose one with smaller, scattered lace details. For a modern twist, opt for laser-cut lace or 3-dimensional lace details that make it more attractive than traditional lace designs. So, if you want to look your charming, feminine self at your daughter’s wedding, lace it is!
Color blocking
This is another style that allows camouflage of less desirable assets, while accentuating the areas of your body that you love. Color blocking can be done vertically, horizontally, or even in geometric or alternating patterns. The style you choose will determine the overall effect you achieve with it. It works on both tall and short women, and you have options in both long and short dresses. Make your color choice wisely, since this will decide the overall effect. Colors that are close to each other on the wheel have a slimming effect, while contrasting colors have a more dramatic effect.
Empire waistline
This is the perfect style to hide bulges in the waist and stomach area. The empire waistline rests above the natural waistline, with a bodice that cuts just below the bust. Most dresses with this feature have layered voluminous skirts that entirely hide the waist and hips. It creates a statement look, and is just right for a formal effect. Dresses that come with long, flowy fabric skirts are also suitable for outdoor weddings in garden settings or even the beach. The style shifts attention to the neckline and bust, adding more dimension to this area. So, it is a style to consider if you are naturally small-busted.
Bold prints
Best-suited for fun and casual themes, bold prints instantly uplift and make a dress look cheerful. So, let this be your go-to dress style if your daughter has a casual-theme wedding. Choose from geometric prints, stripes, florals or classic designs to find one that matches the theme. With bold prints, you do not need many accessories to complete your look. In fact, we suggest you keep the accessories to a minimum, so it doesn’t look too busy. Just a pair of statement earrings, or a pretty clutch should be sufficient to complete your look.
Rocking red
Red is a color that immediately steals the show, and hence one you should consider wearing. It has a cheerful, energetic vibe that will help you look ultra-stylish. So, choose a shade of red that matches your complexion, and you do not need more to be noticed. Red dresses, whether short or long, are equally attractive. Take care that the cut and fit flatter your natural shape and the silhouette fits snugly along your natural curves. Keep the jewelry and accessories simple, as the color speaks for itself. If you aren’t too sure of wearing the brighter shades of red, settle for maroon or wine red for a subtle effect. You may also want to make sure that the red you choose will go well with the colors in the wedding theme, before you commit to it.
Pastel and neutral combination
Here is another combination that will turn heads your way. Most neutrals combine beautifully with pastel shades to add elegance and sophistication to an outfit. These are age-appropriate combinations, that also give you plenty of accessory options. Pair it with a printed clutch, glitzy earrings or a statement necklace and shoes to be a glamorous mother of the bride. The combination goes well with pearl jewelry, and it also works with silver, gold or platinum finishes.
Embellished neckline on long dark silhouette
If there is one detail you should nail when choosing your outfit, it is the neckline. Most women over 50 prefer to avoid deep and low-cut necklines, that draw attention to their chest and jaws. So, pick a dress with a high neckline, like a halter or scoop with embellishments in the area. The benefit of this style is that it is simple, yet stylish. Embellishments like embroidery, sequins or even crystal and rhinestone details look beautiful against dark colors in the rest of the dress. When such details appear on a full-length gown, it is easy to adjust the rest of your look for the formal occasion. You can also find plenty of shorter dresses in our collection with details confined to the neckline alone. These are better suited for semi-formal and casual wedding themes.
Now, tell us which of these styles do you like most?
Do you prefer the glamorous deep dark colors or classic lace and prints that will never go out of style? Take your time to decide. For it isn’t everyday that your daughter gets married. So, plan your look carefully for this special once-in-a-lifetime occasion and make sure everyone remembers how happy and beautiful you looked on this day.
All the dresses featured here are from our Mother-of-the-bride collection at Best for Bride. They are available in a range of sizes and some of the dresses are available in color variants. We suggest that you take a look at the Mother of the bride dress collection here for more details on these dresses. You can also see the rest of our collection here.
Lace and weddings are a match made in heaven. Hence, it is no wonder that this fabric is the mainstay of wedding fashion, and continues to be popular. Lace has evolved from romantic, ethereal and wispy forms to crisp, laser cut details on wedding gowns in recent times. Nevertheless, the charm of this delicate fabric never ceases to impress.
Today, the wedding dress market has plenty of options in lace wedding dresses. There are allover lace gowns as well as dresses trimmed with lace in select locations. With lace details in the bodice, neckline, yoke or sleeves, the options are numerous. One of the reasons for this astounding variety is that there are many different types of lace. Also, there are numerous ways in which designers add it to a dress.
Join me today, as I discuss the different factors you should know if you are in the market for a lace wedding gown.
Characteristics of Lace
This decorative fabric may use any of many different types of fibers. Thus, there are laces made from Nylon, polyester, wool, silk, cotton and even linen fibers. Better quality laces have small stitches and use fine thread.
The delicate nature of lace makes it susceptible to damage. So, this fragile fabric requires a lot of care. Although it doesn’t unravel, it can lose shape and tear if roughly handled. Traditionally lace was handmade. However much of the lace available in the market today is sewn by machines.For more details on the general properties of lace, visit the Fabrics International website.
The different details on the lace determine whether it renders a modern or antique look to a dress. Antique lace features significant contrast between the dense and openwork sections. Meanwhile, modern lace has sharp details with similar texture throughout the surface. Antique lace is difficult to create, and hence more expensive.
Most of the lace used in wedding dresses is machine-made. This is usually because handmade lace involves a lot of time and labor. With so much effort involved, it is nearly impossible to make enough lace for an entire wedding dress. Nevertheless, handmade lace is usually seen in smaller sections of wedding dresses. It is used in trims for the neckline, in sleeves or the hemline.
Lace by itself renders a whimsical, feminine and romantic look to a wedding gown. When lace also includes embellishments like rhinestones and crystal embroidery, it is opulent and perfect for a bridal look.
If you look at wedding dresses, you will see there is more than just one type of lace. The variety of lace determines the overall impact of the gown. Most of the lace in wedding gowns is open-patterned. Seldom do we see wedding dresses that are entirely made from lace. Designers usually use the fabric as an overlay over other heavier fabrics to create a contrasting effect that highlights the intricate details on it.
Let us now take a look at the different varieties of lace that are commonly used in wedding dresses.
Types of lace commonly used in wedding dresses
Bridal dresses with lace effects are very endearing. The delicate and wispy nature of this fabric makes it a great choice for the dreamy, romantic look that most brides seek. The beauty of lace gowns is that it is perfect for most wedding styles. While a short lace dress is perfect for an outdoor garden or rustic barn wedding, full-length sensual lace gowns suit traditional banquet venues. At the same time, lace embellished dresses blend in with beach venues. Traditional gowns with lace trims are ideal for castles and similar heritage wedding sites.
Here are the different bridal lace varieties that are commonly used in wedding dresses.
Alencon Lace
Alencon lace is the queen of laces. It gets its name from Alencon in France, where it first originated. This lace resembles cotton in texture. The raised cording above the pattern characterizes this type of lace. Genuine Alencon lace is incredibly soft. This is in fact the defining factor of how authentic a sample is.
Alencon lace has floral motifs on a net background. Typical designs include Victorian floral details like cabbage roses, daisies, scrolls and medallions. It will usually have an eyelet or bearded edge. For more information on how to identify Alencon lace, visit this article on Lady Violette.
Chantilly Lace
Another type of lace that originated in France, Chantilly Lace is a very delicate type of lace. When compared with Alencon lace, this lace usually features larger flowers. There are many folds within the details. This gives the lace a rich frothy effect. Vintage Chantilly lace is expensive and in high demand. Chantilly lace uses both dense and light detailing through suitable half and whole stitches. This creates a shadowy effect. Original Chantilly lace was always black. The reinventions of this classic are white and now used widely in wedding dresses.
Brocade Lace
This type of lace has rich fabric weaving and it has a raised pattern. Metallic gold and silver threads add to its grandeur. Brocade lace may also use colored silk threads instead of traditional white. Brocade lace is usually manufactured using Shuttle loom weaving. Unlike Alencon and Chantilly laces, brocade lace is thicker and doesn’t possess their characteristic delicate effect.
Embroidered lace
As the name suggests, this type of lace has motifs that resemble embroidery on a base material. Hence there is a pronounced three-dimensional effect. Appliques are strewn over the length of fabric. Commonly used patterns include interconnected floral motifs that stretch over the entire length. The thickness of the base material varies between thin illusion netting and thicker material. For better effect, tulle is usually placed below the embroidered lace layer.
Eyelet lace is a unique style of lace with cut-outs in the fabric and trimmed with thread. The sizes and shapes of the holes may vary. It is typically created in cotton, satin or silk. Eyelet lace is the popular choice for Boho weddings, as it has a modern, flirty look. Unlike other types of lace, eyelet lace has a seamless effect. It stands out on its own without a base layer. However, when layered over a contrasting fabric, the intricate cut-out designs are prominent. It is not a traditional choice. Hence, it is better suited to modern, casual wedding styles. Although it works for any wedding style, eyelet lace wedding dresses look best at beach and garden weddings.
Guipure or Venetian Lace
We can easily identify Guipure or Venetian lace by looking at the links between different motifs. In the case of Alencon and Chantilly lace, the motifs connect with one another through thin mesh or net like structures. This has a wispy effect. In Venetian lace, dense plaits or thick strands replace this mesh structure. This forms a clear outline for the lace motif. Guipure lace is one of the oldest types of bridal lace. It is still favored by many designers for its distinct quality.
Now that we know about the different types of wedding dress lace, let us look at how lace transforms a dress based on where it appears. I have also included suitable examples from our collection to illustrate each.
Allover lace wedding dress
Allover lace adorns this cap-sleeve fit and flare gown from the Sans Pareil collection. Wispy floral motifs span the entire length of the gown, creating uniform texture throughout the silhouette. There are no other embellishments on the dress. Despite this, the gown is beautiful in its unique way. Brides can accessorize with a wide range of options to achieve the intended look. The floral motifs create a vintage effect, and the dress is suitable for vintage and traditional wedding styles.
Lace trims the tiers and hemline
In this vintage wedding gown from the Mori Lee collection, the tiers in the skirt have lace trims. The embroidered lace appliques on the tiers contrast beautifully against the pale ivory background. The dress has a feminine, youthful vibe, and the very presence of the lace trim enhances the glamour of the gown.
Lace bodice
A wedding dress looks beautiful when the bodice has lace embellishments. This effect contrasts beautifully against a smooth skirt. Alternately, the lace bodice also works well with layered or satin skirts. This mix of textures in the bodice and skirt creates a unique effect. Here is a gown from the Mori Lee collection that achieves the desired effect. The dress has a simple A-line silhouette, but the lace motifs in the bodice contrast beautifully with the soft pleats in the skirt.
Lace yoke and sleeves
Chantilly lace creates a mesmerizing effect for this A-line wedding gown from the Sans Pareil collection. Lace details adorn the yoke and full-sleeves. Elaborate swirls spread over the entire misty yoke. They extend into illusion sleeves for a slimming effect. This is in direct contrast with the silky satin skirt and textured waistband. Additionally, the slight collar has a scalloped edge with intricate detailing, ensuring that every part of the dress is a work of art.
Scalloped lace hemline
Alencon lace sweeps over the hemline of this wispy Mori Lee Wedding dress. The light airy fabric forms a beautiful base for the white lace appliques. A scalloped hemline completes the length of this gown in full style. The delicate floral clusters also extend to the rear and into the train, and it creates a romantic feel.
Lace back detail
Lace appliques frame the cut-out back of this enchanting Mori Lee gown. The re-embroidered appliques appear on a barely-there sheer base, which creates a mesmerizing effect. Scalloped floral edges frame the cut-out. Lace appliques further extend into the skirt and thin towards the pleated layers. The light breezy sheer layer stands out against the off-white layers below it, in the fully gathered skirt. Although the lace back features simple details, it is the statement feature of this delightful bridal gown.
Embellished lace details
We spoke earlier about how embellishments on lace add opulence and elegance to a wedding gown. Lace appliques in this Sophia Tolli gown have beautiful crystal and bead details. This adds an opulent touch to the gown. While the golden and silver hues add shimmer and shine, they also create a gently textured finish that accentuates the bridal effect of this gown.
Irrespective of whether a dress has sparse lace details or it appears throughout the entire length of a wedding gown, this classic element is bridal in every way. The charm of this bridal element cannot be achieved by any other fabric, and hence it will continue as a bridal staple in years to come.
Apart from wedding dresses, lace is also an important element in veils used by brides. The wispy nature of this fabric and its fluttering feel is just right to complete the bridal trousseau. Furthermore, lace is also common in wedding garters, as trims for the bridal bouquet and also in neck pieces. Finally, many brides make handkerchiefs and bouquet embellishments with lace from heirloom wedding gowns is often made into handkerchiefs and bouquets by brides, as their something old.
Best for Bride has an amazing collection of lace wedding gowns. Browse through all our designer collections and you are sure to find a wide range of gowns that suit your vision. In addition to this, you can also find enchanting lace dresses in our bridesmaids collection and dresses for special occasions. Visit our dress gallery today to explore all the different options available to include this heirloom-quality, style element in your big day.
If you are newly engaged and beginning your research on wedding dresses, don’t be surprised if you are confused by terms like “fit and flare”, trumpet style, mermaid, etc. These are all words that commonly float around in bridal boutiques, those that you will hear during wedding dress shows and even see on blog pages like ours.
To be honest, this industry has its own language! Unless you’ve been following it closely, it can sound confusing and you may have no idea what the terms mean. But, as a soon-to-be bride, we think it is essential that you familiarize yourself with some of the most commonly used wedding terms before you go shopping. This will make you more comfortable and also allow you to understand what your bridal consultant means when she uses technical terms to define a dress. Trust us, it will save you from feeling overwhelmed at your dress appointment.
To save you the trouble of finding all these out by yourself, we have compiled the commonly used words from the wedding world here. This will allow you to describe the dress in your vision in crisp terms to your shop assistant, without having to just search through hundreds of dresses to find what you think you want.
