Mother of Bride dilemma

Just Last Season is worth a look, especially if you are petite.

II bought a Phase 8 dress for my daughter's informal church wedding a few years ago as I didn't want a Bride's Mother's outfit.. It proved to be the most useful dress ever! It could be dressed up or down and was a bit quirky. Loved it. Try Fenwicks John Lewis or probably any large department store. Good luck and have fun!

I got married in my 60s and wanted something smart that I could wear again. I found a Fenn Wright Manson dress in John Lewis and teamed it with a smart Hobbs jacket. I have been able to wear both since on various occasions. The jacket is fine for more casual wear too with jeans for example. Happy hunting!

Chose a colour that suits you and not because its in fashion. Blend dark and light shades of that colour.
arm yourself with this information and provide it to a personal shopper.If possible go to Harvey Nichs

Where ever you go it is likely to be cold on NYE so chose something warm and comfortable as well as glam. A dress/trouser suit with matching warm coat and boots might be nice. Have fun choosing and don't be rushed or pressured, if you can't find something you love on first trip go again to somewhere else.

I'm most definitely not a traditional mob outfit person. Yuck. For my daughter's wedding I wore wide leg trousers with a lovely linen top and long linen coat. It was comfortable, looked good and, most importantly, I felt like myself ! Good luck

My SIL wore trouser suits for her son's winter wedding and her daughter's summer wedding. For the winter one she wore a trilby hat too! She looked fab.

I second velvet trousers and jacket. Or invest in a lovely coat over a more everyday dress?

I was MOG god my Son and DILs Winter wedding and got a lovely contemporary dress from Monsoon.

Dracula's mother with a capital D. Sorry.

I haven't got a particular recommendation but when my DD got engaged this year I made a list of questions and priorities. My considerations were as follows:-

-did I want to go with a more glamorous outlet than my usual go-to shop, Phase Eight? In the end I kept to Phase Eight as I know their size eight fits me perfectly and the lengths are right too.
-did I want a 'fit and flare' which suits me and is comfortable, or a slinky outline which would look better in the photos? I chose a 'fit and flare' with a tulle skirt which cost a small fortune from their special fancy range. I haven't dared tell anyone what it cost but I will be comfortable all day and also (hopefully) not be like dracula's mother in the pics.
-shoes and accessories? It's a country wedding so I have chosen mid priced shoes which will stand a bit of grass. My cream jacket was bought for another wedding and will be good for this one too.
-colour? I was not going to be awkward about colour. My DD told me to buy navy and I have. Saved angst-ing and helped me make my mind up.
-hair? I have short hair with a sticky-up style so I am not going to have a hat/fascinator dilemma as I am not wearing either.

My gut feeling about personal shoppers from talking with others who have tried them, is that, if you are a nice person, you could be intimidated into having what is not comfortable. If you know what you want and are prepared to let them waste a couple of hours on you and still walk out without buying anything, then go for it.

Personal shopper is the way to go either John Lewis or Debenhams it's great

Something that you feel like you in, something you will get use out of again in the future it’s got to feel natural and normal for you to wear. And make sure your shoes are comfortable enough to last all day and evening too, who needs to be in pain? Just relax and have a really enjoyable time.

Shibumistyle.com have some cashmere/silk, jackets & coats for all tastes .... stunningly beautiful ... (that’s what I wore with a plain dress underneath )

Monsoon have some gorgeous outfits

I got one of my MOB outfits from Harvey Nicks (Leeds, in my case). I hadn't booked a personal shopper, but got such personal service from the moment I walked in that I felt as if I had. They found me a dress well within my budget that made me feel a million dollars - and it wasn't any dearer than it would have been anywhere else. They also told me that if it hadn't fitted perfectly they would have altered it for free. Debenhams made a complete hash of booking (or rather not booking) my personal shopper, so I didn't get to try their service.

I was mother of the groom but wanted something smart but not anything I couldn't wear after.
Daughter and DIL went with me to choose something that would suit me and I could get wear out of after.
I bought a dress based on their advice something I wouldn't have thought of purchasing and I use it on every cruise we go on, well worth the expense and I still feel good in it.
Take some advice from family or friends you can trust.

Brilliant advice thank you everyone. I shall delve deeper into those options!?

Eglantine21, I once went to a wedding where the mob wore a cossack style hat and coat and I can remember how elegant she looked as she strode down the aisle. I couldn't tell you what the bride wore but her mum was stunning

Have you looked at House of Fraser they have a huge choice.

Goldengirl - love the idea of the fingerless lace gloves. Wish I'd thought of that.

Kendalls has lots of different brands

When I was looking for mum of groom outfits I liked the dresses in coast and phase eight.
I wanted something I could wear again on special occasions.

I wore a patterned jersey dress, bought in a sale - fairly fitted and patterned in case I dropped any food down it! - a fascinator in one of the colours of the dress and fingerless lace gloves in a similar colour to the fascinator to be that little bit different!!! It was a spring wedding but if it had been for winter I would have worn a short plain or faux fur jacket. I chose the outfit because I could wear it to events other than weddings.

ook at Joyce Young ,online ,her designs used to be under the name "By Storm" She just won ana award for her MOB outfits ,Judy Murray wore one to Andy's wedding and despite that they aren't too over the top for price