Posted on 18 Comments

Elegance in Every Era: 12 Fashion-Forward and Flattering Dress Styles for the Mother-of-the-Bride!

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.

For more essential shopping tips for the mother-of-the-bride, we suggest you take a look at this post on the Knot website. 

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 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 bride’s mother. 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 style allows camouflage of less desirable assets, while accentuating the areas of your body 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 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, 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, adjusting the rest of your look for the formal occasion is easy. 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 colours or classic lace and prints that will never go out of style? Take your time to decide. For it isn’t every day 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 you 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.

Posted on 7 Comments

8 Insanely Useful Tips to Use When Shopping For The Perfect Evening Gown [2024]

8 Insanely Useful Tips to Use When Shopping For The Perfect Evening Gown

There is so much variety in evening dresses that it can make shopping for the perfect one confusing. However, when you find the right dress, you will feel like a diva in it. Not only will it be comfortable, but it will also bring out your best features and make you happy to show it off.

So, how do you set about looking for one and identifying if it is the right choice for you?

Here are eight valuable tips from Best for Bride to help you find the suitable formal gown for your next big social event.

Continue reading 8 Insanely Useful Tips to Use When Shopping For The Perfect Evening Gown [2024]
Posted on 5 Comments

Tradition Meets Trend: 9 Wedding Gowns that Brilliantly Blend Classic with Contemporary!

Two types of wedding dresses are memorable—those that reinvent classic traditions and others that are strikingly unique. If we look at the former, it so happens that there are many classic dress features that are always look great in a wedding dress. The dress becomes unusually appealing and attractive when these features are incorporated beautifully.

Many designer wedding gown collections today feature dresses with unusual twists on all-time favorite features. Here, we shall look at 10 such design details in some fantastic wedding gowns that blend tradition with modernity,  to look both attractive and beautiful.

1.Deep V-neckline

Powerfully sexy and very bold, the deep V-neckline is a universally flattering feature that looks great on brides of most body types. Since this design feature is usually found on gowns with straps or sleeves, it supports the bust area and thus looks very attractive. Another advantage of the V-neckline is that it is naturally slimming and can create the illusion of a longer upper body.

In the Mori Lee gown featured here, the V-neckline is accentuated with embellishments along its length. This makes the neckline very prominent and draws attention to the decolletage and cleavage. The sleeveless design also allows the bride to show off her arms. The fit and flare design of the gown is another element that creates the illusion of extra height.

2.Off-the-shoulder straps

There is something seductive and extremely attractive about a wedding gown with straps that seem to fall off the shoulder. These gowns have an old-fashioned Hollywood appeal and are incredibly sexy without being in-the-face flashy. It is more attractive than a regular strapless dress as it looks feminine despite exposing the shoulder. This feature on a dress draws attention to the neck, decolletage and shoulders. So, it is a perfect choice for brides who have a well-toned upper body.

The off-the-shoulder neckline is sultry and appealing in the Jasmine bridal dress featured here. The simple crystals embellishment at the corner of the bodice where the straps begin is extremely attractive. This is a definite winner if the bride is a slim beauty who wants to show off her neck, shoulders and decolletage. We also love how the dress seamlessly drapes along the bust, waist and hips, and later flows into a slight fit and flare skirt that cascades to the ground.

3.Embellished sleeves

Long-sleeved gowns were popularly loved in the past, with elaborate puffy shoulders and sequins adorning the sleeves. Though padded shoulders and puffed sleeves may not find favor with the modern bride, the entire idea of long-sleeved wedding gowns isn’t quickly forgotten.

Here is a Mori Lee gown with full sleeves. The beauty of this dress lies in the fact that the sleeves are not your regular state-of-the-art plain sleeves, but are embellished with lace details throughout the length to look very interesting and appealing. With floral appliques spanning the outer edge of the sleeves, the sheer fabric over the rest of the sleeve length creates a beautiful look with skin barely peeping out from within. The dress is a masterpiece in itself, with the soft sweetheart neckline and beautiful floral appliques adding extra charm to the lace dress.

4.Lace

Lace is a timeless and elegant classic wedding dress feature where weddings are concerned. There are few other wedding dress features that are as attractive as lace. The expression of thick and breezy elements that spiral and float in floral designs throughout the length of a dress is very attractive and it is no wonder that it is favored by many brides. Modern designers have honed the exquisite beauty of lace dresses, by adding more features that accentuate the beauty of the floral designs. By including embellishments like crystals, rhinestones and beads and crafting them into illusion neckline designs, lace is given new life so it looks updated and modern.

In this dreamy Sophia Tolli wedding dress, elaborate lace work has been performed perfectly in every section. The sheer neckline over the sweetheart bodice is exquisite as it blends into classic cap sleeves. At the waist is a scintillating chevron band formed of rhinestones and crystal, adding a modern touch to a classic element like lace. The fit and flare silhouette gracefully glides into a scalloped hemline, where the lace details are further perfectly embodied. This is a glamorous gown that is a striking symbol of classic beauty.

5.Sheath silhouette

After the Victorian era of tight corsets that sucked in a woman’s body to fit the look of a perfect hourglass figure, women started embracing their natural curves and accepted loose fitting garments with open arms. The wedding scene was no different, as more and more brides boldly began dressing for their big day in gowns with fluid wedding gowns in sheath silhouettes. These dresses would softly fall over their natural curves and perfectly emphasize their natural body shape. It was an expression of confidence and sensuality, and has continued to be favored by several wedding designers ever since.

The Elsa from the Alfred Angelo Disney collection is inspired by the snow princess in the movie Frozen. Featuring a sheath silhouette embellished with a scattering of snowflake beads, this gown is an elegant and powerful dress that will do wonders for the bride wearing it. The simplicity of the sweetheart neckline contrasts well with the Watteau train that beautifully glides behind like a rippling stream of water. This is a fairy-tale gown that looks like what you could seen in a dream, and any woman who grew up loving storybook princesses would love to embrace the classic silhouette that magnifies her femininity.

6.Empire Waistline

The empire waistline is a raised waistline style that began as part of Neoclassical fashion. This style goes back to the 18th century when it was first seen during the time of the First French Empire. The elevated waistline usually has a circumference that snugly goes around the bust region. It is a flattering style for those who have unsightly curves in the waist and stomach area. Since this pattern camouflages these areas, it hides a bulky waistline while highlighting the bust. The empire silhouette is greatly favored by modern-day brides, and is clubbed with several modern elements to fashion a stylish and contemporary look.

This gown from the petite brides collection at Best for Bride features an empire waistline attached to a fit and flare silhouette. This gives a new look to the gown, as the traditional empire waistline was usually attached to a layered skirt that flared out from the bosom. Here, this modern fit gown uses the empire waistline style by highlighting the elevated waistline with a bow that runs around the circumference of the gown at the bust. This particular feature gives the skirt the illusion of added length, thus making the bride look taller than she actually is. This is one benefit of a design like this.

7.Cap sleeves

Cap sleeves are not only a welcome change from the ever-so-common strapless wedding gown style, there are also very feminine in their appeal. This style is very forgiving for women who wish to hide their shoulders and seek a modest look and style with their wedding dress choice. While it offers the necessary coverage, this classic dress style element also allows you to flaunt the rest of your arms. The modern updates of the cap-sleeve style usually focus on mixing it with illusion necklines for an attractive finish. It looks extremely beautiful when attached to lace gowns.

In this couture wedding gown from the Jasmine collection, the cap sleeve design instantly adds sophistication and style to the design. Since it is done in Venice lace, it is very dainty and feminine, and the scalloped neckline of very fine lace appliques integrates with the sweetheart bodice in an elegant fashion. The neckline and sleeves perfectly complement the gown’s beautiful fit and flare design and are suitable for both the modern bride and the tradition-loving girl.

8.Ball gown

One of the silhouettes that screams wedding is the traditional ball gown. While the original ball gowns were usually done in crispy or silky fabric, the current trend is to use netting and tulle or lace to create fantastic and dramatic silhouettes. The original design usually showcased a skirt with very little to no detailing, and all the embellishments were in the bodice. Designers these days however, spare no detail and the embellishments are seen in the skirts too. The result is dramatic and these gowns easily pack a punch.

This Mori Lee gown is a fine example of what we just discussed. The skirt almost has a 3D effect with the various floral appliques extending all over the bodice and again reappearing along the hemline. The muted color of the base fabric forms an attractive base for the beautiful motifs along the hemline. Adding more womanly appeal to the pattern is the softly sculpted sweetheart bodice that highlights a pair of well-toned arms and decolletage.

9.Plunging backs

Dresses with plunging backs were made for brides who are unable to expose their shoulders, collar bones or cleavage, but have that rebellious streak which makes them want to make one bold statement. Plunging backs are famous again, but this time in a range of options like never before. Those who deem it unfit to wear a low-cut back can still opt for the illusion style back detail dresses that allow them to conceal, yet reveal. With simple lace details or floral appliques forming beautiful pictures in the back, they are bound to enrapture everyone who glances at them from behind during the wedding ceremony. Low-cut plunging backs with embellishments bordering them are also a trending favorite, and these features create an exquisite statement for any wedding dress.

This Jasmine couture wedding gown is a beautiful and delicate work of lace which features an open V-neckline in the front and a deep cut neckline at the rear. The soft lace has an exquisite charm with its intricately woven details that span the entire length of the gown in pretty little clusters that are thicker in the front and thin out in the skirt. Perfect for a formal wedding ceremony, the deep-plunging back is the one striking element that gives this dress a signature finish. Few dresses have the elegance to strike a charismatic effect as this dress does. Alencon lace marries with tulle to form the fantastic details that makes this dress a dream to wear.

Wedding dress trends are a forever evolving scene, with some fashion trends staying longer than the others. Classic design details like those discussed above are the few features that are perpetual favorites. Of course, you may find the occasional bride who doesn’t want lace or can’t imagine dressing up in a full-sleeve wedding gown. But we should remember that these are rare. Most of the features listed here are those that will forever remain etched in our memories as timeless and hence, classic. The list doesn’t end here. As the years progress, more and more designers come up with even more interesting details from the past and breathe new life into them with their designs. So, as long as there will be weddings and those who love history, the classics will continue to be reinvented.

At Best for Bride we are well-stocked with all the designs you can imagine. These range from the attractive timeless classics above to the most modern and trendy designs you can imagine. Come visit our website and have a glimpse of what is on offer. You are certain to find at least a few gowns that you will fall in love with. So, if you are a bride planning to get married in the near future, head over to Best for Bride today. We have you covered with not only wedding dresses, but have everything that you will want for your special day.

Posted on 4 Comments

Trends we love: Ethereal Wedding Gowns for the Dreamy Bride

Is there a bride who wouldn’t love to look like a dream on their wedding day?

It is to make your wish come true that ethereal wedding dresses with refined finesse were created. These dresses can transform any woman into a stunning beauty. The wedding trends for 2015 spring and summer showcased many ethereal wedding gowns from the top designer houses, and it was an instant hit. Read more about all the runway trends on this article at the Fashionista.

The beauty of these gowns is that their unique ability to fit into a contemporary or traditional theme, alike. It is a style that can be carried off by women, both young and mature. The designs are also so captivating that it works well on both curvy and slim-built women.

The main features of ethereal gowns that make them so dreamy are

  • They are a perfect blend of fantasy and functionality.
  • The dresses have a poetic perfection, that are delicate and feminine
  • Every ethereal wedding dress looks unique
  • The details are well-crafted, making it an unrivaled choice
  • These dresses are versatile and it is possible to find one for any weather and every type of wedding
  • The finest lace and designs come together with soft sparkling elements to create elegance

Here is a roundup of some of our favorite ethereal wedding gowns at Best for Bride. Take a look, and get ready to be charmed.

Jasmine Bridal Spring F171018

This whimsical dress is a beautiful expression of lace in a soft fit and flare silhouette. The design is simple, but striking. The pretty floral design begins at the sweetheart neckline and flows into a layered skirt that extends into a court train at the back. Perfect for a garden wedding, it can be accessorized in different ways to complete your bridal look.

Mori Lee 2708 Spring 2015

Featured here is a divine Alencon lace gown from Mori Lee. A bride who walks down the aisle in this beauty will indeed look heavenly and majestic. The softly scalloped V-neckline and perfectly crafted fit and flare silhouette allows an enviable hourglass figure to be flaunted in style. Floral motifs with delicate embellishments are encrusted throughout the length. There is an endearing charm to this dress, that makes the dress a captivating choice for a formal or semi-formal wedding.

Sophia Tolli Y11561 Teal

This wedding dress from the Sophia Tolli collection is an amazing masterpiece. The perfect placement of pretty floral clusters over the bodice and skirt add exquisite beauty to the design. The high illusion neckline that frames the sweetheart bodice, the scintillating band on the waistline and the scatter of sparkle on the floral clusters add just the required hint of shimmer to make this gown divine. An almost 3D effect is created with the floral lace dancing over a soft layer of net. No detail is spared, as the dress spills into a scalloped hemline that continues into a beautifully decorated train.

Do you love this trend as much as we do? If so, visit our bridal dress gallery on Best for Bride, and find more ethereal wedding dresses that will be perfect for your big day.