The mother of the bride dress hunt is uniquely stressful because the rules are unwritten and everyone has opinions. Your sister thinks you should wear navy. Your daughter wants you in something "modern." Pinterest shows you 47 different silhouettes, none of which look like anything you'd actually put on your body.
Spring weddings add another layer: the weather is unpredictable, outdoor ceremonies are common, and you're navigating a color palette that could go anywhere from garden pastels to bold jewel tones depending on your daughter's vision.
Here's what actually matters when you're shopping for this dress.
Before you buy anything, have a direct conversation with your daughter about color. Not "what do you think about blue?" but "are there colors you'd prefer I avoid, and are there any you'd love to see me in?"
Many brides have strong feelings about wedding photos and how the family will look together. Some want the mothers in complementary shades. Others want you in whatever makes you happiest. A few have already mentally assigned you a color based on their overall palette.
This conversation also needs to include the groom's mother. The old etiquette said the mother of the bride chooses first, then the mother of the groom coordinates. That tradition still holds, but it works better when everyone communicates early. Showing up in nearly identical dresses reads as awkward in photos. Clashing dramatically reads as worse.
For spring 2026 weddings, expect to see a lot of sage green, dusty rose, soft lavender, and champagne in bridal palettes. These blend beautifully with mothers in deeper tones—think forest green, mauve, plum, or warm taupe. If your daughter's wedding leans more vibrant, you might have room for coral, cobalt, or even a sophisticated floral print.
Spring ceremonies can swing from 55 degrees and overcast to 78 degrees and sunny, sometimes within the same afternoon. Your dress fabric determines whether you're comfortable or miserable.
Chiffon remains the most popular choice for good reason. It drapes elegantly, moves well in photos, and breathes enough to handle warming temperatures. The downside: it wrinkles in car seats and shows moisture if you're prone to nervous perspiration.
Crepe offers more structure and photograph beautifully because it doesn't catch light in unpredictable ways. It's slightly warmer than chiffon but manages spring temperatures well. Modern stretch crepe moves with you during the reception.
Mikado and satin look stunning but trap heat. Save these for climate-controlled indoor venues or evening ceremonies when temperatures drop.
Lace works as an overlay but rarely as a standalone fabric for mothers' dresses. A lace bodice over a crepe skirt gives you texture and visual interest without the cling factor of all-over lace.
For outdoor spring ceremonies, build in a cover-up plan. A matching wrap, structured jacket, or even a cashmere shawl in a coordinating color lets you layer for photos and remove layers once the reception heats up.
The "flattering" conversation around mothers' dresses often veers into territory that feels prescriptive and outdated. You don't need to hide your body or dress for someone else's idea of age-appropriate.
That said, certain silhouettes photograph more consistently well and feel comfortable across a 6-hour event.
A-line and fit-and-flare work for almost everyone because they define the waist without clinging to hips or thighs. Tea-length versions feel fresh for spring without the formality of a floor-length gown.
Column and sheath dresses suit those who prefer a sleeker line. These look particularly elegant on taller frames but require undergarments that stay invisible and fabrics with enough weight to drape without clinging.
Full skirts and ballgown silhouettes make sense for formal evening weddings but can overwhelm a garden ceremony or outdoor spring celebration. Match your silhouette volume to the venue.
Midi lengths are having a moment for spring 2026, hitting between the knee and ankle. This length reads modern and photographs well, though it's less forgiving on shoe choices—you'll need something intentional since your feet are fully visible.
Upper arm coverage remains the most-requested feature in mother of the bride dresses, and designers have finally responded with options beyond the stiff cap sleeve.
Flutter sleeves offer soft coverage without adding bulk. Illusion sleeves in mesh or tulle give the appearance of bare skin while providing actual coverage. Three-quarter sleeves hit the most flattering point on most arms and work across temperature ranges.
For necklines, consider what you actually wear in regular life. If you never wear V-necks, a deep V in your daughter's wedding photos will feel wrong every time you look at them. The dress needs to feel like you—elevated, but still recognizable.
Boat necks and bateau styles look consistently polished and photograph cleanly. Sweetheart necklines work well under jackets for ceremony-to-reception versatility. Avoid anything that requires constant adjustment; you'll be photographed hundreds of times.
Start shopping 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives you time for alterations, second thoughts, and the inevitable moment when you see a better option three weeks after purchasing.
Try on at least five dresses before buying anything—even if the first one feels perfect. Your eye needs calibration. What looks ideal in isolation often looks different once you've seen the alternatives.
Bring one trusted person to shop with you. More than that creates conflicting opinions and decision paralysis. Choose someone who knows your style and will tell you the truth, not someone who says yes to everything or projects their own preferences onto you.
The dress that makes you stand taller, smile naturally, and stop checking mirrors? That's the one.
Special Occasion Attire
Confête is a women's fashion boutique positioning itself as a "one-stop shop" for life's special moments, specializing in event and occasion wear.
Portland, Oregon
View full profile