Fashion

[soozer]

Personally, I did order many dresses online.  The best suggestion/advice I can offer is that it's not about a fancy dress...stay simple, clean and basic.  Any important dress or suit etc. must be tailored to your body.  So, I spent more money on the tailoring than I did for the simple dress. If you choose a dress without any "bling" or layers, you will look great as it will be able to fitted exactly to your proportions, height, etc. and keep your tailoring costs down.  

I technically am a petite, but found the fit and style mattered and did not order any petite dresses.  I was able to purchase a simple classic dress; the seamstress was able to make it exactly for me.  I loved it; and most importantly I was comfortable as the day is long.  

I did purchase a dress from Nordstrom's for the rehearsal dinner also.  I did not need that tailored -- it was a knit and midi length.  My Mother of the Groom dress was from Dillards.  You must take it to a tailor and have it fitted for you.  It's so important.  

[haddon9]

Are there any small boutique shops for women that offer MOB & Groom type of dresses? 

I also ordered from Macys & Nordstroms and returned the gowns.   A friend told me about a shop that offers stylish dresses & gowns for mature women and they will do alterations (for a fee of course) as well.  They were expensive but worth it in the long run to me.

Or another option is a bridal salon.  Call & ask if they offer MOB outifts.

[tessam]

another thought

after a 2 year search my close friend and I scoured for her mother of the groom dress for her son's outdoor Aug. wedding

A surprising source was Sundance catalogue under their women's formal wear special occasion dress section.  They had some charming choices.  May be too soon for warm weather collection but worth a look.  Ruelala also frequenyly has designer dresses featured at very good price points starting at $150.

[skatting44]

  I'd be asking  how ornate or simplistic the bride's gown is and the colors for her brides maids .

Agree,  2 piece sequin outfits are so dated .

[Shihtzursqmom]

You’ve got some great suggestions but I’ve known two women that ordered formal dresses from A for two different occasions
One was a MOTB dress and the other was for a 50 th anniversary Vow renewal for the “ bride “ , her daughters , DILs and granddaughters
If I’m remembering correctly I think it was a total of 16 dresses they ordered for the vow renewal
All of the dresses were beautiful

[on the bay]

@Tinkrbl44, I found the dress @LizzieInSRQ and I were talking about!

It was posted by @wagirl with the title-"My son getting married soon-tried on my wedding attire today."-8-26-24

She couldn't remember the name of the co but if you google search the image it comes up as  Modlily sales maxi dresses. She said it was slightly tight in the stomach and hips.

@Tinkrbl44 ,edited to add-Amazon has this too in many different colors for $34!-"Two Piece Set Maxi Dress

for womens floral print chiffon cardigan Summer beach wedding

guest flowy long dresses!"

Whew! What a long description!

But Amazon does not have this pretty white flowered print with peach overthrow.

[patbz]

Amazon is a surprisingly good source and they are good value and easily returned ( if they don't work out).

[LizzieInSRQ]

@on the bay i am so impressed by your resarch skills! Bingo!

[marsha-ca]

My mother of the groom dress was a soulmates 3 piece looked modern not matronly very comfortable and dressy at the same time 

I purchased from a bridal salon but they did sell online 

good luck

[Nonametoday]

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@Sweet Kitties wrote:

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@LizzieInSRQ wrote:

 @on the bay thats crazy that they did not refund what you paid, and could prove what you paid for it but i guess companies have their policies.

What dress did you end up wearing if it was for an occassion?

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I know why some retailers are fussy about accepting returns. I know someone who buys a dress. Wears it to a wedding and then returns it the next day. Pretty gross & tacky, but that's her. I actually thought she had a lot of money because she would often wear a fancier dress than the mother of the bride or groom. Then a family member who knows her told me what she does.

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@Sweet Kitties 

I was at UPS last week and saw a lady returning 5-6 packages (you know those QVC packages).  She and her friend were talking in the back of the line near me and she was telling her where she had worn two of the dresses and decided to send them back.  So, yes, if you get a dress from QVC that smells like someone has worn it, they probably have.