Attending your young adult’s wedding is a momentous occasion, undoubtedly one of life’s most important and sentimental events. And with months of pre-wedding planning—engagement parties, sending invitations, securing vendors, and creating the ever-important seating charts—one question remains: What will you wear? As the Mother of the Bride, you will be front and center on your daughter’s special day, and you want to look just right.
Our picks for the 20 best mother-of-the-bride dresses have options for every style, look, and silhouette. Whether you prefer a simple, chic dress or want to go all out with colors and patterns, we’ve found plenty of options to suit every kind of style.
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The Best Mother of the Bride Dresses
1. For the Art Deco-Loving Mother-of-the-Bride: Papell Studio Women’s Beaded Flutter Sleeve Gown
This Papell Studio gown has a subtle art deco design, a flattering flutter sleeve, and eye-catching beadwork. The neutral hue will compliment a variety of wedding colors, and the floor-length hem and flowy silhouette are chic yet comfortable.
- Size range: 4M to 14M
2. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Prefers a Unique Neckline: R & M Richards Off the Shoulder Lace Gown
Go for a bold, off-the-shoulder look with this R & M Richards lace gown with a sweetheart neckline. You won’t have to worry about pulling up the dress all night since it has thin straps to keep everything in place. The fit-and-flare design is flattering on a variety of body shapes, and it comes in a wide range of colors.
- Size range: 6 to 18
3. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Likes to Sparkle: R & M Richard Sequined Fit and Flare Gown
This sparkling fit-and-flare gown from R & M Richards comes in two colors: blue and pink. An intricate sequin pattern will have you shimmering and shining through the ceremony and beyond. Plus, the belted sash is removable so you can decide on adding that finishing touch.
- Size range: 6 to 14
4. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Wants to Look as Good as Gold: Betsy & Adam Metallic Floral Halter
Metallics are huge right now — especially gold. Betsy & Adam’s navy and gold halter features an A-line design that will look stunning on the big day. A thigh-length slit adds drama, especially when paired with black strappy sandals or chunky heels.
- Size range: 2 to 14 and 2P to 14P
5. For the Sophisticated Mother-of-the-Bride: BTBFM Sleeveless Cocktail Dress with Mock Neck
Talk about variety: This sleeveless cocktail dress comes in 18 colors, so you’re sure to find the right shade. An added plus? It’s machine washable so you don’t have to pay for dry cleaning. No need for a necklace, as the draped mock neckline provides a stylish focal point.
- Size range: S to XXL
6. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who is Boho Chic: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Twisted Front Cape Overlay Gown
A twist front paired with a cape overlay creates a romantic look that is sure to turn heads. The stretch-infused fabric has a metallic finish that adds a bit of shine to the whole look. The dress comes in three colors—black, cream, and gold—but we’re partial to the black version because it’s a classic option that won’t overshadow the bride.
- Size range: 2 to 16
7. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Loves Lace: XSCAPE Lace Sleeve Chiffon Gown
Chiffon is a common wedding material for a reason: it’s silky, soft, and exudes elegance. Combined with a lace-capped sleeve, this XSCAPE dress hugs in all the right places thanks to side ruching, plus it comes in three classic colors.
- Size range: 4 to 18
8. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Likes Subtle Details: Jessica Howard Women’s Scuba Cascade Ruffle Gown
Look closely, and you’ll see some details that really make this dress pop. A cascading ruffle goes down from waist to knee on one side of the dress, and the ruching is topped off with a faux diamond-encrusted jewel. These accents only add to this classic mermaid-style dress, that’s flattering on a variety of body types.
- Size range: 6 to 16
9. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Wants to Sparkle: Nightway Illusion Trim Sequin Gown
This Nightway gown has a classic silhouette paired with subtle sequins and topped with a mesh overlay. Together, they create a chic, wedding-ready look. According to the reviews, some customers found that the dress runs large, so you may want to order two sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit.
- Size range: 4 to 10
10. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Wants an Above-the-Knee Option: Kiyonna Lace Cocktail Dress with Sleeves
Usually, longer dresses are the first choice for wedding attire, but consider a short option if the wedding is less formal. This Kiyonna cocktail dress features an empire waist and lace detail, and it comes in a variety of rich colors. We like that it covers your upper arms but doesn’t look matronly.
- Size range: XS to XL
11. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Likes a Bit of Flare: Aqua Racerback Ruffle Hem Dress
This mid-priced Aqua dress features a flattering racerback and ruffled hem. It’s fitted at the bust, waist, and hips but flares at the knees. This dress will make a statement—especially if you opt for the Barbie pink color.
12. For the Plus Size Mother-of-the-Bride: Adrianna Papell Plus Metallic Mesh Draped Gown
Adrianna Papell’s sage green dress is the perfect plus-size Mother-of-the-Bride dress for a wedding during any season. This floor-sweeping look features a faux wrap bodice and gathered sleeves, and size options range from 0 to 30.
- Size range: 0 to 30
13. For the Elegant Mother-of-the-Bride: Eliza J One Shoulder Cape Mermaid Gown
A one-shouldered dress is a bold choice, but it’s just so chic that it’s hard to resist. This Eliza J dress is fitted through the waist and hips but is made from a slightly stretchy (and forgiving) fabric. But the real winner here is the shoulder flower with chiffon cape detailing. It just makes the whole look extra special.
- Size range: 0 to 18
14. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who isn’t Afraid to Be Different: ZBYES Mother of the Bride Pant Suit
Who said you have to wear a dress? In today’s world, a dressy pantsuit is totally acceptable. This suit is affordable and comes in a wide range of colors, and the off-the-shoulder top paired with a wide-leg pant serves a sophisticated look.
- Size range: 2 to 22
15. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Wants a Two-Piece Look: Alex Evening Faux Two-Piece Cocktail Dress
This faux two-piece cocktail dress is a comfortable, no-fuss choice. It creates the illusion of a two-piece look with a lace and sequin top and a flowy chiffon bottom, and it comes in a wide variety of colors. We love that it’s available in petite sizes, too.
- Size range: 6 to 18 and 6P to 16P
16. For a Black Tie Mother-of-the-Bride Look: Mac Duggal Floral Appliqué Lace Trumpet Gown
If your daughter’s wedding is a black tie affair, this trumpet gown from Mac Duggal is a fantastic choice. The cut is flattering to a wide range of body shapes, and the delicate lace flower appliqués have crystal centers to give just the right amount of sparkle.
- Size range: 6 to 18
17. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Prefers a Cocktail Dress: JS Collections Soutache Cocktail Dress
A cocktail dress strikes the perfect balance between a look that’s fancy but not black tie formal. This JS Collections lace dress features a bateau neckline that’s ideal for covering up a sun damaged upper chest, but the plunging back keeps it from feeling matronly.
- Size range: 2 to 18
18. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Likes Florals: Mac Duggal Embroidered Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress
A floral dress is the perfect choice for a spring or summer wedding, especially when it’s this whimsical embroidered midi dress. The soft green color just screams “garden wedding,” as do the delicate embroidered roses. Flutter sleeves cover the shoulders and just enough of the upper arms, and the not-too-formal look means you’ll be able to wear this long after the wedding is over.
- Size range: 2 to 24
19. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who Wants a Jacket: Alex Evenings Beaded Dress and Jacket
If you’re worried about being chilly, or just want to cover your upper arms, a dress and jacket combination is just what you need. This plus size Mother-of-the-Bride dress features a sleeveless dress with a beaded scoop neckline, and an open-front jacket with a beaded collar. It’s chic, simple, and gives you two looks for the price of one.
- Size range: 14W to 24W
20. For the Mother-of-the-Bride Who is Willing to Break the Bank: Mac Duggal Feather Cap Sleeve A-Line Gown
There’s no better reason to splurge on a special dress than when your child is getting married! This gorgeous sequined gown features feathered cap sleeves for just a little bit of drama, and the A-line cut is universally flattering. It does run long, however, so plan ahead if you think you’ll need to have it shortened—or just spring for a pair of high heels instead.
- Size range: 2 to 18
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
