Top Dress Trends for Mothers of the Bride

Coordinate but don’t copy. Complement but don’t overwhelm. Be yourself, just fancier. A mother of the bride’s dress selection challenges are never easy. A quick review of top dress trends for the mother of the bride should help make the choice easier.

Sheer Sleeves

Many contemporary mothers of the bride are so fit they sport Linda Hamilton (Terminator) arms. Your daughter’s wedding, however, is not the time to flaunt those biceps. Sheer sleeves are a great compromise. Mature arms with beautiful biceps may still sport some wings, so contain and enhance arms in sheer, three-quarter-length sleeves. There are classy ways to show a little skin without overdoing it, and sheer sleeves are one solution.

Boat Necklines

Boat or “bateau” necklines are flattering to almost any body type. Show off a lovely neck and shoulders without flashing too much décolletage, and you’ve got a win-win. Draw attention upward so guests will see the joy and pride in your face without distraction from a display of excess cleavage.

Lace

So many top trends in mother-of-the-bride dresses make use of elegant lace. As a top layer to a sheath, enhancement to a neckline, or decoration on sleeves, lace turns any dress into something special. Lace can echo the bride’s dress in another color, adding a subtle showing of love and support for the bride on her big day.

Updated Capes

Way beyond the traditional bolero, modern cape-dress styles offer asymmetrical shapes that provide flattering coverage and intriguing style. These work well with neutrals and monotones. Capes let the cut do the talking and emphasize the elegance of the woman wearing them.

Pockets

At last, designers have realized that a mother of the bride has enough to do without worrying about where she put her keys and lipstick. Newer mother-of-the-bride dresses come equipped with pockets that let you move around the reception hall and the dance floor, shake hands, and juggle boutonnieres without shifting a clutch back and forth all the time, or worrying about leaving a purse on a chair or table.

Find mother-of-the-bride dresses that express these trends in our Alyce mother-of-the-bride dresses. Many of these gorgeous gowns are available in plus sizes, and there are styles with lace, boat necklines, and even pockets.