As the mother of the groom, there’s a lot to think about leading up to your son’s wedding. The guest list, the travel logistics, and so much more will be on your mind until the big day — not to mention figuring out what to wear! Finding a stylish, flattering dress that makes you feel special can be a daunting task. Since there are tons of options at retailers like Nordstrom, Dillard’s, and Macy’s, we decided to put together a list of the best mother of the groom dresses.
Since every wedding is different (think venue, season, and theme), we’ve made sure to include a variety of dresses at all different price points. No matter what you’re looking for, you deserve a dress that looks and feels good, like this off-the-shoulder gown and this midi cocktail dress. Ahead, check out even more of our picks for the best mother of the groom dresses.
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Our Top Picks:
- Best Black Tie Gown: ML Monique Lhuillier Halter Satin Ball Gown – $695 at Saks Fifth Avenue
- Best Cocktail Dress: Eliza J. Sequin Floral Embroidery Fit & Flare Cocktail Midi Dress – $298 at Nordstrom
- Best Beach Wedding Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA Printed Cascading Ruffle Maxi Dress – $498 at Bloomingdale’s
- Best Off-the-Shoulder Dress: XSCAPE Scuba Off-The-Shoulder Gown – $279 at Macy’s
- Best Jumpsuit: Mac Duggal Sequin Halter Wide Leg Jumpsuit – $398 at Nordstrom
The Best Mother of the Groom Dresses
1. Best Black Tie Gown: ML Monique Lhuillier Halter Satin Ball Gown
This dress fits the black tie formal rules thanks to its classic and timeless silhouette. Available in black, navy, or blush pink, it features a floor-length skirt, a halter neckline, and a pretty keyhole cutout in the back for a fun, youthful splash. Its beautiful and simplistic design isn’t too attention-grabbing, ensuring that the bride and groom are still the main focus of any family photos.
2. Best Cocktail Dress: Eliza J. Sequin Floral Embroidery Fit & Flare Cocktail Midi Dress
It’s hard to find a midi-length dress that works for every height, but we found this one to be pretty versatile. The fit-and-flare skirt makes it so it’s tea length for shorter moms and midi for the taller ones. Its shimmery embroidered detail will fit the festive energy of a reception and, best of all, there are hidden side-seam pockets for holding essentials without carrying around a clutch all night.
3. Best Beach Wedding Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA Printed Cascading Ruffle Maxi Dress
For a beach wedding, it’s best to bring in bright colors and a material that will do well with ocean breezes. This BCBG dress comes in a gorgeous floral pattern and is made from light, flowy chiffon. The cascading ruffles offer some fun movement while the cinched skirt and A-line silhouette are super flattering for a variety of body types. Plus, since it’s floor length, you won’t have to worry about keeping things tucked away when salty sea winds start to blow your way!
4. Best Off-the-Shoulder Dress: XSCAPE Scuba Off-The-Shoulder Gown
An off-the-shoulder dress can be restrictive, but this scuba material has a little stretch that makes it easier to move in. It comes in a selection of colors like burgundy, hunter green, or bright red, which also means it’s easy to find the perfect hue to go with the theme or season of your son’s wedding. This structured dress is sophisticated and will help you stand out as a VIP at the party.
5. Best Jumpsuit: Mac Duggal Sequin Halter Wide Leg Jumpsuit
Dresses aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Formal jumpsuits are a great option for mothers of the groom, and we love this Mac Duggal pick thanks to its fun sequined halter neck. The wide legs give the illusion of a dress while still maintaining the comfort of pants. Plus, let’s be honest here: It’s also a great option if you’re someone who likes to tear it up on the dance floor, Saturday Night Fever style.
6. Best Casual Mother of the Groom Dress: RHODE Lulani Midi Dress
When it comes to more casual weddings, you’ll want to opt for something that’s still fancy but keeps the attention on the couple. This midi dress from Anthropologie is casual wedding-approved since it’s not too over the top while still having a fun, celebratory pink and orange pattern. The flowy cap sleeves are comfortable while the slight ruffles at the bottom are perfect for showing off your favorite pair of heels.
7. Best Winter Mother of the Groom Dress: Mac Duggal Sequined High Neck Sleeveless Column Gown
For mother of the groom dresses for winter, we recommend choosing something in a darker color. This beaded and sequined navy dress will reflect a winter’s night sky and capture the magical feelings of the night. Meanwhile, the sleeveless, high neckline is great for pairing with a wrap or jacket if the evening takes a turn for the cooler.
8. Best Summer Mother of the Groom Dress: Mac Duggal Women’s Pleated One Shoulder Chiffon Gown
A summer wedding is the perfect time to lean into some brighter colors and lighter fabrics. This one-shoulder chiffon gown will keep you cool and feeling pretty all night, regardless of whether you choose the raspberry or emerald hue.
9. Best Spring Mother of the Groom Dress: Mac Duggal Sequin Floral Long Sleeve Dress
This dress screams spring with its beautiful floral beaded design. It’s available in either sage green or light pink, and the mesh long sleeves are great for unpredictable spring weather. (They also provide a bit of coverage while still being breathable!)
10. Best Fall Mother of the Groom Dress: Mac Duggal Floral Beaded Long Sleeve Dress
Similar to our favorite mother-of-the-groom dress for spring, this option features gorgeous, intricate designs and beaded details. The all-over floral design captures the subtle beauty of fall, and you can snag it in either a neutral hue with deep red florals or sage green with complimentary gold and silver sequins.
11. Best Petite Dress: Alex Evenings Petite Cold-Shoulder Gown
Finding a dress in a petite size isn’t always the easiest, but this formal gown comes in a variety of sizes that range from 4P to 16P. It’s up for grabs in three colors (black, dark navy, or blue), all of which feature a subdued glittery fabric and a fun side slit at the hem.
12. Best Plus Size Dress: Ignite Evenings Plus Size Beaded Sequin Capelet Gown
This is a beautiful option for a plus size dress. The cape design makes it versatile for all different seasons, which means you can wear it in almost any month. It also provides some shoulder coverage which is nice for a beach, outdoor, or religious ceremony where you might need something a little more modest. Sizes range from 14 to 24, and you can choose from navy, dark red, tan, or blue.
13. Best Navy Mother of the Groom Dress: Eliza J Twist Neck Cap Sleeve Gown
If navy is the color you’re looking for at this milestone event, look no further. The design of this dress is understated and elegant thanks to the twisted detail at the neckline. The cap sleeves also make it appropriate for most formal venues, while the timeless silhouette ensures that you can wear it to other special events later down the road.
14. Best Black Mother of the Groom Dress: Mac Duggal Sleeveless Mermaid Gown
Black is a classic, and for good reason. This beautiful mermaid gown is available in the flattering and forgiving hue, resulting in an effortlessly chic piece that can be worn for other formal events. We love the sweet shoulder bow detailing, while the plunging neckline and fitted waist add bits of style and youth to this gorgeous evening wear.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Betsey, a freelance writer who has worked with the experts at Grown & Flown to create a list of the best mother of the groom dresses. Picking clothes for formal occasions can be a tough feat, especially with an event as stressful as a wedding. For every mother of the groom, responsibilities will differ, but the bittersweet feelings of this event are present for most. There’s a major shift about to take place as your child moves onto this new stage in their life.
When picking these dresses, we wanted to make sure that there was recognition of your experience of this special day. That’s why we picked dresses that look beautiful and are guaranteed to make any mother of the groom feel special. We chose a wide variety of styles, colors, and silhouettes to ensure that there’s something everyone would love.
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Prices were accurate at time of publication.
