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Dresses

You may have noticed that most searches for anything related to the mother of the groom return “mother of the bride” results. Mother of the groom dresses are no exception. If auto-suggest tells you anything, this is probably the topic MOGS google most often. Fortunately, when it comes to finding something to wear to your son’s wedding, both mothers are looking for the same thing.

Many well-known brands have mother of the groom dresses in their wedding and special occasion online boutiques. The variety, quantity and range of prices in these selections have grown considerably since I began this project several years ago. (They’re still called mother of the bride categories but we’re making progress.)

Like most people, whenever I’m shopping for anything, I research online first. I may buy what I’m looking for in a retail store, but my search begins in the ethers. The convenience of being able to shop whenever I want, which usually means between 10 p.m. and midnight, is a major benefit for me. Also, before I know what I want, I need an idea of what’s available.

Looking for what to wear to my son’s wedding was no different. I had a solid idea of what I was looking for, and a Google search for “mother of the groom pantsuit” quickly gave me my options.

You are no doubt aware of the inherent risks associated with buying clothing online. The colors you see on the web can be dramatically different than what you see in person. Sizing can be dicey, return policies vary greatly, and the reliability of online retailers varies as well. Furthermore, the hassle of returning online purchases may be uappealing. When I was shopping for my mother of the groom dress, I felt it was much easier and quicker to return something purchased online than to make multiple trips to a retailer.

That said, things would be much different if I were shopping for this now. A few years after my son’s wedding, a wonderful local wedding salon hired a mother stylist AND moved to within two miles of my home. There is nothing like having someone who’s seen it all help you make this decision. If you’re able to work with a stylist, I strongly encourage it. She’ll boost your courage and confidence and will likely introduce you to styles and designers you would not have considered or known about. She’s also trained to help you dress for your body shape, something most of us need help with.

When shopping for special occasions like this, many people buy several outfits from retailers and bring them home for cozy fashion shows with family and friends. Returns are inevitable in these cases, of course, but it’s a lot of fun and a great way to get feedback from people who want you to look your best.

If you are like me and you like to research online, whether you buy in a store or not, here are some popular choices among mothers of the groom (and bride) that I know.

This information was collected in April of 2018 and will be updated periodically. Inventories may vary in quantity and price at the time of your visit to these sites.

DISCLAIMER: In some instances, the links in this resource may be affiliate links. This means I may receive a commission for purchases you make when you click through and make a purchase. 

Rent the Runway

The New York Times describes Rent the Runway as “the Netflix for haute couture.” Why buy when you can rent a dress you will probably wear only once? A survey of  the site revealed 152 mother of the groom dresses available with:

  • 4-day rentals ranging in price from $30 to $215
  • 8-day rentals ranged from $72 to $344

With the retail on some of these dresses nearing $1,400, and prepaid, free returns, it’s easy to see how renting a dress you will probably only wear once is an economically sound decision.

No alterations are allowed, other than temporary hems using Hollywood Temporary Hem Tape Strips, which means getting a dress that fits could be a little scary. However the company pledges they do “whatever it takes” to get you the right size, including giving styling advice, overnight shipping if you receive something that doesn’t fit, and offering a backup size for no additional charge. You can even rent a second style for only $32.50 (but you only get that in one size.) And there are four retail stores, located in San Francisco, Woodland Hills, DC, Chicago and New York, where you can try on styles before renting.

Dresses are steamed, pressed, and sealed in plastic bags before shipping. The company advises if any wrinkles do occur in shipping, try steaming on low heat or contact a stylist for advice.

While they don’t rent wedding dresses, they do rent nearly anything else the wedding party may need and they offer Wedding Concierge Packages which can include your own dedicated concierge, personal styling consultations, at home fittings, a 20% off code for your wedding guests, exclusive perks from our partners and much more. This is something you may want to discuss with the bride and her mother.

This remarkably simple concept is accomplished with some pretty sophisticated proprietary systems the company is justifiably proud of. They call themselves “a fashion company with a technology soul.” My head hurts just thinking about it.

They also say they are in a position to “challenge old systems and rewrite new rules.” Many mothers of the groom would love to do the same thing. (Insert smiley emoji)

BHLDN

(Pronounced “beholden”)

BHLDN, a division of Anthropologie, focuses exclusively on weddings. Primarily serving brides and attendants, they also have special occasion dresses and dresses for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom. A variety of fabrics, lengths, and styles are available as well as beautiful jewelry, shoes and other accessories. Mother of the groom online inventory in April 2018 included 77 dresses ranging from $140 to $1,195.

Experienced stylists are available via email, phone or in retail stores in 16 locations across the United States in:

David’s Bridal

David’s Bridal is an international destination for brides, their attendants and the wedding moms. The company began with a single store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1950. Now with more than 330 stores in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, David’s Bridal is well-known to everyone in the wedding party. Most mothers of the groom in the United States will be in relatively easy shopping distance from this popular option.

At the time of this post, David’s Bridal offered more than 340 dresses online under the “mother of the bride” section with prices ranging up to $869. I found 92 dresses under $100.There’s something there for every budget. You’ll find a large selection of choices here, in every style, from classic to fashion forward, short to long, one and two piece options, and in sizes from 0 to 24W, including petite.

Dillards

A quick search online of Dillards mother of the groom outfits returns more than 1,600 choices by 63 designers, ranging in price from separates on sale with starting prices of $24 to $27 (now THAT’s a sale) to $998. I like that many of the choices are accompanied by customer reviews and I know numerous people who turn to Dillards for special occasion shopping and they all look fabulous.

Designers include:

  • Adrianna Papell, Aidan Mattox, Alex Evenings, Alex Marie, Antonio Melani, Belle Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Betsy & Adam, Bobeau, Brianna;
  • Cachet, Calvin Klein, Carmen Marc Valvo, CeCe, David Meister, Decode 1.8, DKNY, Donna Morgan, Dress the Population, Eliza J, Emma Street, Eva Franco;
  • Halson, Ignite Evenings, IMNYC Isaac Mizrahi, Ivanka Trump, Jax, Jessica Howard, Jill Jill Stuart, Jkara, John Meyer, JS Collections, Karl Lagerfeld;
  • Kay Unger, Komarov, LaFemme, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Ralph Lauren, Le Bos, Leslie Fay, London Times, Maggy London, Marina, MGNY Madeline Gardner New York;
  • Michael Kors, Mon Cheri, Nicole Miller, Pisarro Nights, Preston & York, R&M Richards, Ruby Rd., Sangria, S.L. Fashions, Soulmates, Tadashi Shoji, Tahari ASL;
  • Terani Couture, Trina Turk, Vera Wang, Vince Camuto, and Xscape.

Macy’s

Macy’s Wedding Shop online inventory for mother of the groom dresses included 134 dresses from $59 to $299 in April of 2018, with 30% friend discounts available off listed prices. Perhaps the most appealing benefit to shopping with Macy’s is the availability of in-store stylists at every major store across the country. Book a free appointment with a stylist by phone, email or online. Style services are available during regular store hours 7 days a week. Generally, Macy’s recommends making appointments two days in advance but call if you need help sooner. Once you’re connected to a stylist, you can let them know what you like and don’t like and they’ll reserve and stock a private fitting room with clothes and accessories for you based on your requests and preferences.

Macy’s Bridal Salon by Demetrios is a full service wedding salon available in  10 full-service venues across the U.S.. Locations include:

  • Chicago;
  • Troy, MI;
  • Paramus, Edison, Wayne, and Cherry Hill, in New Jersey;
  • New York City, Lake Grove, and Manhasset in New York; and
  • McLean, VA.

Nordstrom

Americans have trusted Nordstrom’s for more than 100 years, since its humble beginnings as a shoe store in Seattle. Shop here for  beautiful mother of the groom dresses that fit the occasion and your personal style. Nordstrom’s has 369 stores in 40 states. For online shoppers, the company offers free shipping and free returns.

Additionally, 17 Nordstrom stores in 13 states include their signature Wedding Suite. Here, expert wedding stylists help you find the right look, including shoes and accessories. If you don’t live near a Wedding Suite, you can talk one-on-one with a stylist via live chat or by calling 1.888.300.1295.

Find a Wedding Suite location here.

At the time of this writing, Nordstrom.com featured more than 680 dresses for mothers, ranging in price from $39 to $4,990. Nearly 50 brands include:

  • Adrianna Papell, After Six, Alex Evenings, Alfred Sung, Amsale, Blondie Nites, BRIANNA, Carmen Marc Valvo Couture, Carolina Herrera, Chelsea28;
  • City Chic, Decode 1.8, Dessy Collection, Dolce & Gabbana, Eliza J., Ellen Tracy, Fraiche by J, GALVAN, Hayley Paige Occasions, Jenny Yoo;
  • Jill Jill Stuart, JS Collections, Karen Kane, Katie May, Komarov, La Femme, LACE & BEADS, London Times, Lulus, Mac Duggal;
  • Maggy London, Marina, Monique Lhuillier, Morgan & Co., NIC+ZOE, Pamelia Roland, Pisarro Nights, Rachel Gilbert, Shoshanna, St. John Collection;
  • St. John Evening, Tadashi Shoji, Tahari, Talbot Runhof, Versace, Vikki Vi, Vince Camuto, WTOO, Xscape