Q. My daughter is getting married in August and I would like to find the perfect outfit. Most mother-of-the-bride outfits seem to be for the over-60s, so any advice would be welcome.
A. It's a curious thing, but dressing for weddings often brings out the worst in people. Even the most sartorially clued-up among us can lose our natural style instincts. However, as mother-of-the-bride, it's crucial that you feel good on the day. It’s also important that your outfit doesn't clash with the rest of the wedding party, particularly the bridesmaids and the groom's mother. But as a focal point of the celebrations, you can and should wear something very special.
With the royal wedding still, very much in our minds, why not take inspiration from mother of the bride, Carole Middleton, who looked just incredible in a pale blue Catherine Walker coat- over a matching silk dress. The figure-skimming shift dress, worn with a hat by Berkshire-based Jane Corbett, was very structured with a nipped-in waistline that emphasised her slim figure. The outfit was so perfectly judged and so flattering that it’s bound to inspire woman all around the country to follow in her stylish steps.
If you want to go for something a little more daring, bright colours and patterns are big trends this year. Wild florals and animal prints might sound garish but, in the right shades and the right designs, they can look sensational. For the most stylish options on the Irish highstreet, look to brands such as Frank Usher, Louise Kennedy, Paul Costelloe and Yasmin Velloza. High-streetwise, try the more fitted (rather than floaty) pieces from Zara and L K Bennett, which is also great for special-occasion shoes.
When it comes to hats, less is more. Headpieces are a fashionable option and far easier to manage than a big hat - try Brown Thomas, The Mad Hatter and House of Frazer for the best options. Keep your outfit sleek, simple, chic and true to your style, then experiment with accessories. Your hat, bag and shoes shouldn’t always match - I'd even opt for a vintage clutch. Simplicity, comfort and originality - this is the winning formula for the perfect mother-of-the-bride outfit. And like most things about true style, it's much simpler than it seems.
