The 28 Best Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses, According to Real Moms and Bridal Stylists

Second to the wedding party, the mother-of-the-bride’s dress is one of the most important wedding wardrobe pieces — after all, you’re going to have these family photos forever.

Stylists Say

“The mother of the bride is either the hostess of the event or one of the most important people in the room, so you want to wear something that holds up to the importance of the occasion.”—Julie Sabatino, bridal stylist

Whether you prefer an elegant dress or even a fabulous pantsuit, you’ll remember your mother-of-the-bride ensemble for years to come. We asked real mothers of brides and bridal stylists for their favorite mother-of-the-bride dresses, and they start at under $100.

The Best Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses Under $100

Ever-Pretty Chiffon Formal Evening Gown

Amazon

$85 at Amazon

Amazon is surprisingly one of the best places to buy mother-of-the-bride dresses, like this Ever-Pretty evening gown. Constructed from a breathable polyester and available in vibrant colors — like burnt orange, lavender, and mint green — this formal dress is an excellent choice for any season. 

Sizes: 0–30 | Colors: 18 | Material: Polyester

Lulus Eternal Satin Ruffled Maxi Dress

Lulus

$88 at Lulus

If you’re looking for a pale pink mother-of-the-bride dress for under $100, consider this Lulus dress. The silky polyester gown features a high-low hemline with a chic wrapped skirt design and romantic ruffle details throughout.

Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester

Ignite Evenings Ruched Maxi Dress

Dillard’s

$99 at Dillards.com

If you’re drawn to bolder colors that pop without feeling too trendy, we adore this Ignite Evenings maxi dress. Made with a stretchy and breathable polyester material, the gown comes in hot pink and navy and features a one-shoulder neckline with the sweetest rose applique detail that’s garden party-ready and black-tie chic. 

Sizes: 6–18 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester, spandex

Lulus Magical Romance Ruffled Maxi Dress

Lulus

$98 at Lulus

The Lulus Magical Romance One-Shoulder Maxi Dress comes in the most stunning dusty blue hue, making it an excellent choice for coordinating with bridesmaids. Constructed from stretchy polyester for breathable and comfortable wear, this dress features a one-shoulder neckline with a ruffled front slit for added texture. Add in the right comfortable heels and you’ll be dancing all night long.

Sizes: XS–M | Colors: 1 | Material: 96% polyester, 4% spandex

The More You Know

Traditionally, the MOB’s outfit also dictates what the mother of the groom wears. If you’re following this etiquette, Julie Sabatino says to make sure to communicate with the mother of the groom.

The Best Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses Under $200

Alex Evenings Sleeveless Dress

Amazon

Orig.
$200

$174 at Amazon

Add a touch of sparkle to your MOB ensemble with this Alex Evenings dress from Amazon. The lace dress has a sweetheart neckline with a mesh scoop-neck overlay for subtle coverage and is available in popular wedding shades like plum, dusty blue, and pewter. 

Sizes: 4–20 | Colors: 17 | Material: Nylon, polyester

Adrianna Papell Floral Chiffon Gown

Amazon

Orig.
$229

$159 at Amazon

Floral print is definitely worth considering, especially if your daughter (or daughter-in-law) is getting married in the summer. This Adrianna Papell chiffon gown has a flowy silhouette with ruched detailing and a suitable length for more formal ceremonies.

Sizes: 0–18 | Colors: 7 | Material: Polyester

JJ’s House Tea-Length Satin Dress

JJ’s House

$134 at Jjshouse.com

For afternoon weddings, go for a tea-length dress in a traditional silhouette, like this satin style from JJ’s House. With almost 60 colors to choose from, plus the option to have it made for your specific measurements, the dress is about as close as you can get to custom-made without the ultra-high price tag. 

Sizes: 0–26W (custom sizing available) | Colors: 57 | Material: Satin

R & M Richards Lace Gown

Macy’s

Orig.
$159

$111 at Macy’s

If you want an off-the-shoulder look with a little bit of security, the R & M Richards gown is a great choice. This dress features a V-neckline with added spaghetti straps to reinforce the fit, plus a stunning lace overlay for added detail.

Sizes: 6–18 | Colors: 8 | Material: Polyester, spandex

JJ’s House Asymmetrical Satin Dress With Bow

JJ’s House

$144 at Jjshouse.com

For an ultra-formal look, consider this stunning gown from JJ’s House. Combining the structural lines of a suit jacket with a flowy and feminine full skirt, this satin dress is sure to wow down the aisle. On top of that, it comes in a huge assortment of colors and sizes with the option to customize the fit based on your exact measurements.

Sizes: 0–26W (custom sizing available) | Colors: 56 | Material: Satin

Marina Off the Shoulder Trumpet Gown

Saks Off 5th

Orig.
$169

$110 at Saksoff5th.com

This style is an excellent choice for those who don’t love the look of a floor-length gown but need something formal enough for black-tie-optional wedding attire. Plus, it’s simple enough to personalize through your own accessorizing.

Sizes: S, M | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester, spandex

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The Best Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses Under $300

JJ’s House Mermaid Tulle Dress With Sequins

JJ’s House

$214 at Jjshouse.com

This mermaid-style silhouette dress has a timeless Art Deco feel and stunning sparkle detailing with tulle godets for added depth. Like other JJ’s House gowns, it comes in a huge assortment of colors and is available in custom sizing. 

Sizes: 0–26W (custom sizing available) | Colors: 35 | Material: Lace, tulle

Adrianna Papell Mermaid Gown

Macy’s

Orig.
$299

$180 at Dillards.com

The Adrianna Papell gown comes highly recommended by Sarah Stephens, a mother-of-the-bride whose daughter picked it out for her nuptials. “I like that it’s lightweight and doesn’t cost a fortune,” she notes. This polyester dress features lots of fun details, too, like the ruffled neckline and textured lace overlay. 

Sizes: 0–16 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester

Adrianna Papell Cap Sleeve Gown

Bloomingdale’s

$280 at Bloomingdales

Elizabeth Johnson is another mother-of-the-bride who swears by Adrianna Papell — particularly this Cap Sleeve Gown, which is similar to what she wore for her son’s Gatsby-themed wedding. “I wore a ‘20s style, knee-length silver beaded dress from Bloomingdales. That was years ago, so it’s no longer in stock, but this similar dress looks mother-of-the-bride appropriate yet still fun,” she says. 

Sizes: 2–16 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester

Sachin & Babi Kayla Halter Gown

Nordstrom

Orig.
$285

$214 at Nordstrom

If you prefer simple material and a striking silhouette, the Sachin & Babi Kayla Halter Gown is an excellent choice. This MOB dress comes in colors like champagne and coral, and it has a classic design you can wear again for galas and other formal parties. 

Sizes: 0–22W | Colors: 18 | Material: Polyester

Lauren Ralph Lauren Satin Gown

Macy’s

$295 at Zappos

For a seafoam green mother-of-the-bride dress, you can’t go wrong with this Lauren Ralph Lauren satin gown. Constructed from a silky and lightweight satin charmeuse, the floor-length dress features an A-line silhouette, a tied shoulder strap, and a shimmering buckle closure for added detail. 

Sizes: 2–18 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester

Betsy & Adam Ruffle Bow Trumpet Gown

Nordstrom

$229 at Nordstrom

If you like the look of a high-low hem but want a little more coverage, the Betsy & Adam Ruffle Bow Trumpet Gown is a great MOB dress option. This gown has a high scoop neckline with a V-neck back, a ruched waistline, and an open slit skirt with ruffle detail.

Sizes: 4–16 | Colors: 3 | Material:  94% polyester, 6% spandex

Betsy & Adam One-Shoulder Trumpet Gown

Nordstrom

$249 at Nordstrom

This Betsy and Adam gown is another option that blends stylish details like a one-shoulder neckline with a little more coverage for formal occasions. This dress is made with a soft and flexible crepe scuba fabric and is available in navy, azure, and pine, as well as a bold red. 

Sizes: 4–16 | Colors: 4 | Material: 94% polyester, 6% spandex

Xscape Evenings Embroidered Gown

Nordstrom

Orig.
$288

$230 at Nordstrom

This Xscape Evenings embroidered gown is one of the best mother-of-the-bride dresses for a black-tie wedding. This ultra-formal look has a chic sweetheart neckline, fitted bodice, an empire waist, and a flowing mermaid skirt.

Sizes: 4–16 | Colors: 3 | Material: Nylon

JS Collections Daphne Column Gown

Nordstrom

$298 at Nordstrom

The JS Collections Daphne Embroidered Sequin Column Gown is a fantastic choice for summer weddings. We love the printed floral sequin detailing and fluttering cape bodice. It adds stunning detail and texture without overpowering the look.

Sizes: 0–16 | Colors: 3 | Material: Polyester

Alfred Sung Satin Gown

Nordstrom

$239 at Nordstrom

This Alfred Sung satin gown comes in stunning fall and winter wedding colors such as navy, emerald green, and burgundy. The satin construction also adds some subtle shimmer to the design.

Sizes: 0–4, 12–18 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester

BHLDN Juliana Maxi Dress

Anthropologie

$220 at Anthropologie

For another simple mother-of-the-bride gown, consider this high-neck maxi dress from Anthropologie’s BHLDN collection. The dress is constructed from a stretchy crepe material that fits the body with a chic halter-inspired neckline, cutaway shoulders, and an elegant empire waist.

Sizes: XS–XL (standard), 1X–3X (plus) | Colors: 4 | Material: Polyester, elastane

Xscape Sequined Mesh-Sleeve Gown

Macy’s

$278 at Nordstrom

This Xscape sequined gown is another favorite, especially if you want some bold sparkle without the head-to-toe sequin look. The gown features a V-neckline with shimmering short-sleeve mesh overlay, a ruched bodice, and a ruffled wrap skirt for some dimension and draping. 

Sizes: 4–16 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester

The Best Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses Under $400

Mac Duggal Beaded Column Gown

Nordstrom

$398 at Nordstrom

This Mac Duggal beaded gown has a floral print that’s perfect for summer ceremonies. The stunning pale blue hue, intricate floral-beaded detail, and simple silhouette make it ideal for a garden wedding, but it would also work for more formal venues, too. 

Sizes: 10–20 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester

Mac Duggal Sequin Column Gown

Nordstrom

$398 at Nordstrom

If you have your heart set on a sequined dress but don’t want something too loud, consider this Mac Duggal number, which has a sleek column silhouette that hits right at the ankles. The one-shoulder gown also has a ruched bodice for added texture. 

Sizes: 0–16 | Colors: 6 | Material: Polyester

Hutch Tulle Maxi Dress

Anthropologie

$394 at Anthropologie

This tulle maxi dress from Hutch is a wedding look we think Carrie Bradshaw would wear. The one-shoulder gown features a subtle gradient of color with a pleated texture. We love the way the dress drapes across the body to create a whimsical wedding look. 

Sizes: 0, 2, 6, 8 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester

The Most Splurge-Worthy Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses

Amsale The Slouch Dress

Amsale

$495 at Amsale.com

This Amsale Slouch Dress is another example of exquisite drapery. It’s made from a silky smooth satin material and has a slip-like skirt silhouette. We especially love the stunning over-the-shoulder wrapped bodice. The gown is available in a variety of colors and sizes, including made-to-order, so it’s easy to find a dress that will fit you flawlessly on your daughter’s wedding day. 

Sizes: 00-28 (including made-to-order) | Colors: 16 | Material: Satin

Sachin & Babi Ines Gown

Sachin & Babi

$995 at Sachinandbabi.com

For a deep dusty blue hue and a stunning black-tie dress style, go for this Sachin & Babi Ines Gown. This splurge-worthy mother-of-the-bride dress features a classic column gown silhouette with a sash shoulder detail secured by a sparkling brooch. It’s reminiscent of Julie Andrews’ gown in The Princess Diaries, so if you want to feel like a queen for a day, this is the dress to achieve that look. (Don’t worry, your daughter can feel like a queen, too.)

Sizes: 0–14 | Colors: 1 | Material: 81% polyester, 14% nylon, 5% elastane

Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon Jacquard Gown

Bergdorf Goodman

$795 at Bergdorfgoodman.com
$795 at Neiman Marcus

The Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon One-Shoulder Jacquard Side-Ruffle Gown is another option worth considering as a contender for your mother-of-the-bride dress. This one has a structural jacquard construction and features pops of shimmer, thanks to metallic threads in the fabric. 

Sizes: 2–18 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester, metallic

What to Know About Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses

Dress Length

New York City bridal stylist Francesca DiSpirito says that long or floor-length dresses are the standard desired length for mother-of-the-bride dresses. “With most of my clients and the weddings we style, the moms want to keep their overall look on the more formal side,” she notes. Just because an event is formal doesn’t mean you can’t play with the hemline, though. With some dresses — especially A-line styles with full skirts — DiSpirito says you can opt for a high-low silhouette without losing that formality. 

For afternoon nuptials or more relaxed atmospheres, DiSpirito says that you can break from the long dress tradition and have fun with ankle or tea-length styles, such as the JJ’s House Tea-Length Dress. 

Wedding Color Palette

Bridal stylist Julie Sabatino also recommends taking the wedding color palette into account. While dresses traditionally don’t have to match the bridesmaid dress colors, they should coordinate with the palette so that photos look cohesive.

As far as specific colors are concerned, Sabatino says there aren’t any color rules about mother-of-the-bride dresses — though white is usually off-limits. Some mothers choose to wear darker tones like navy or black, while others opt for champagne or rosy pink hues. 

Comfort

When all is said and done, comfort is one of the most important aspects of a MOB dress. “As long as the dress is appropriate for the formality of the occasion and within the right color palette, I want to make sure that the mother of the bride is comfortable and feeling her best,” wedding expert Sara Lucas tells PEOPLE.

While “comfort” can vary based on personal preferences, Lucas says some women prefer a dress with sleeves, others want a specific fabric or drape, and some go for an off-the-shoulder neckline. “It’s about finding what makes you feel amazing so that you can focus on the event and truly celebrate rather than worrying about what you’re wearing.”

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Brides, Byrdie, The Spruce, Apartment Therapy, and more. When researching mother-of-the-bride dresses, Jessie tapped bridal style experts Julie Sabatino, Francesca DiSpirito, and Sara Lucas for their expertise on how to find the best mother-of-the-bride dresses, as well as insight on their favorite MOB dress styles. The PEOPLE team also reached out to real mothers-of-the-bride for their favorite dress picks. As a result, Quinn curated this list of top picks for every budget. 

Our Expert Panel

• Julie Sabatino is the founder of The Stylish Bride and author of Dressed, Styled, and Down the Aisle.
• Francesca DiSpirito is a bridal stylist based in New York City.
• Sara Lucas is the founder of Downey Street Events, a premier wedding planning and design firm that also offers bridal styling.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education