Not The Mother of the Bride!
How to dress as Mother of the Bride - and remain distinctly YOU!
Being a person at the centre of a big event, such as a family wedding, can be challenging. I often meet people who feel they ‘should’ be looking a certain way, which makes them feel confused and unconfident. Women feeling confident in their unique appearance is a subject very close to my heart and in this blog you will find some practical tips for feeling amazing on the big day!
Below are four steps for you if are the mother of the Bride or Groom, or if you have a big event and you are feeling unconfident and lost about how to present yourself. I have devised this short check list below for all you mums, so you have a plan for deciding how you want to look and feel on the day, so before you darken the door of a bridal boutique and they convince you into an alien costume under the guise of being 'classy', please, I urge you - read on...
1. Make an assessment of your most 'comfortable' look. It might be that you prefer trousers or that you feel yourself in bright colours or that you really feel best when you present a fairly laid-back vibe. Ask a trusted friend to chat it through. You might find it harder than you think to move away from restricted thinking, but there is always a way so be fully honest at the very beginning.
2. Search online and in store at your usual shops. Don't think 'bridal', think 'me'.
3. Start with footwear. Footwear needs to be perfect on the day so decide what you want. Not the details, but the type. What works for you? Your outfit must work around this. For example; if you don't usually wear heels, don't automatically assume you must wear them or if you have a wide fit, do not compromise on comfort!
4. Plan for the temperature. If you are likely to be cold or a little chilly, don't just think 'oh I'll throw on a jacket or a pair of tights'! This rarely works and will potentially ruin a good outfit. Conversely, if you are a hottie, like me (do you see what I did there?), consider the fabric you choose and ensure you are not encumbered and likely to overheat. It might be that should look for long sleeved dresses or velvet fabric to keep you warm, or perhaps you will need bare legs and a very open sandal to stay cool.
The Mother of the Bride 'concept' is out-dated, mediocre, stiff, false, ageist and inflexible. Even worse it diminishes the natural essence and beauty of a person. I am 49, and whilst admittedly young to have a 29 year old daughter, she and I have enjoyed hours of fun laughing at the thought of me in a stiff shift dress to the knee with a bolero and string of pearls. The very thought is beyond ridiculous given my usual state where jeans are my life, bare feet are my favourite and I swear my hair will always be long and loose!
These four check points are a perfect starting place - follow these stages and you’ll be feeling more confident from the start. If you're still a little lost with the whole ordeal, then contact me for advice, consultation and support. I can ensure you will shine as you're truly meant to!
Lastly, spread the word. If you know someone who would benefit from this input, whether they are Mother of the Bride or just a woman wanting to look and feel like her glorious self, then please share this blog with others.