MOB style- does common sense go out of the window?

luluaugust said exactly what I was thinking. I have only been a MOG, just the once, and I had no idea what to wear. It was made all the more difficult because I had surgery not long before the event, which left me unable to drive, unable to walk very far, and unable to go anywhere without my DH helping me - and he was working some godawful hours at the time. I eventually managed to get out with only 3 weeks to go and ended up with a floaty skirt, top and jacket, complete with matchy matchy shoes, hat and bag. Needless to say, all worn the once and then stashed away. Thing is, I always dress in very casual clothes - even when I was working it was smart casual trousers, T's and cardigans. I could hardly go to my son's wedding dressed like that, and I don't know how to buy anything else

I really wish we could stop all this nonsense about feeling you have to spend a fortune on wedding outfits
That was my point! .

Does she feel confident and happy in the outfit she's bought?
That's really all that matters. Wedding guests will be looking at the bride more than your friend.

I am sorry it was not clear. The thread was general, the example of my friend just that, an example.

I admit I spent about £600 when each of my DCs got married. For each one I bought a beaded, embroidered jacket / coat from a small designer, worn over a Hobbs dress. Dark emerald for one wedding in the w8nter, sort of khaki/ old gold for the autumn one. I felt fantastic, nobody wore anything vaguely similar, and I’ve worn both many times since for evening and lunches, over trousers and skirts. Sort of a bit Judi Dench.

When I was shopping for MOG outfit I can remember being mortified at the choices . All very similar in style but different fabrics or different length jackets but mostly bolero style jackets.
I hated them and was happy the wedding never happened.

When DD got married 21 years ago she only gave us a month's notice so there wasn't much time for shopping around. I bought a mid calf length dress from M&S for about £20. It was terracotta with a jungle sort of print in cream. I wore a cream linen jacket I'd had for years and definitely no hat!

My sons (37 and 34) have chosen not to get married (one lives with his lady, the other son just enjoys dating women). I don't suppose I'll ever find out...

Well I’m just shocked that people spend hundreds or even several thousand on MOB outfits.
I’ve been MOB twice but I naively didn’t understand the importance of the outfit!

Daughters wedding last year in Oz and we went shopping for a dress. I'm not at all a dress person and was fed up with all the ladies at work going on and on about what I should get and how expensive it could be. They couldn't believe I was going to wait for the week before and buy in Oz. I thought surely that was sensible as the clothes would suit the heat but hey ho.
When we went it was always going to be an in and out job, not ages choosing and thankfully my daughter shops same way! My d let slip to keen sales lady that I was MOB shopping and she literally rubbed her hands in glee, I immediately got on the back foot and muttered to my girl that I will not be told what to wear by her to which she replied, I can see that mum!
I felt really pleased when I saw one that was fine, did all the right things with little light jacket to cover wings. Job done, decent price but could and has been used over here since.
Never forget ladies face when she came into changing room with armfuls of mumsy outfits as I came out saying I'll have this one please! She really thought she had me and my money for the afternoon.

I never wanted a white dress and veil and married in a dress and coat a week before Christmas. I wore that outfit for the following Christening and for as long as it still fitted.

As MOB I just bought a lovely skirt and a silk bouse/top for a summer wedding where DD2 was also not wearing a white dress.

Not only the mothers don't look their best the brides often don't. They never practice walking and the groom walks far too fast and half drags his wife along as she in in high heels and he is used to her walking in trainers.
What waste of money.

If I were giving advice I'd say choose a hat first and if that is really flattering then it doesn't really matter what the dress is like, keep it simple.

My thought would be to choose the shoes first. I would need them to be comfortable and would want them to be stylish too. Then I would see what dress/ trousers/ jacket would work. Needless to say, I am suggesting this with the benefit of hindsight. It’s not what I actually did as a Mob!

MargaretX I decide when I was about 8, that if I ever got married , the last thing I wanted was the classic white wedding with me in the classic DRESS.

There was some negotiation with my parents and in the end I married in a white mini-dress, with a white snood (old fashioned meaning) on my head, very fashionable in 1968.

There are some absolutely dreadful MOB outfits in the shops. It’s almost become a sort of dreary uniform. I remember trying to find MOB and MOG outfits and what a nightmare it was.

Settled on something nice and floaty and a bit unconventional on both occasions and looking back at old photos I think I chose well.

My friend's son got married recently. She looked amazing, another Gran commented that it looked liked a society wedding.
She paid a total of £20 for the whole outfit, by going round charity shops. After the wedding, she sold the outfit on eBay for more than she paid for it. That is clever!?

PS, I misunderstood the origonal post and thought MOB style was some new kind of fashion style, I hadn't heard of. ?

Looking at pictures of Stephen Hawking’s Memorial Service yesterday there were a couple of dreadful MOB outfits- totally inappropriate and frankly awful ?

2 of my 3 AC are married, number 3 is aiming for the next year. I find MOB shops, so OTT that’s prices and styles, and the assistants must be on commission, as even when you say you are not keen or sure on an outfit they then go OTT telling you how wonderful you look. I spent a fortune on my 1st MOG outfit, a stunning 3 piece, but have actually had quite a bit of wear from it, another 2 weddings, Ladies Day at Ascot, evening wear on a Cruise etc For my next MOB outfit I just gave up, found a fabulous designer outfit on Pinterest, then had a dressmaker whip it up for me a lot cheaper. Cannot start looking for number 3 yet until I know season and location !

As long as the person wearing the outfit is happy in her attire, I can't see what the problem is.

Mist Mob outfits are so aging! Its hard to get it right!

Posted before I was ready.......
I bight an old gold lace Berkatex dress for £90. And teamed it with an Ebay faux fur jacket (Went with the Winter Theme) and Ebay pale gold shoes and bag and an Accessorise hatinator. Budget was very limited. Didn't look too bad, a bit frumpy! But think that is my size more than anything! Most outfits are indeed overpriced and very Queen mum!

Appalling typing! Posting with a hangover!

I've been a MOB and a MOG and on each occasion I selected my own outfit, neither being from the MOB section. Gut instinct told me they suited me and would be comfortable to wear. Fortunately the AC agreed. On both occasions the other MOB and MOG wore more traditional outfits and they looked fine too, just not my style. The important thing is that the bride and groom have a great day.

A friend asked if she could borrow my MOB red silk trouser suit so it was admired at two weddings.

When my daughter got married 17 years ago her wedding ensemble, including shoes cost £100, (traditional wedding dress bought from a friend who never wore it.), the fit was perfect.
As well as MOB I "gave her away" but couldn't find a suitable outfit.
Fastforward to the Wednesday before the big day and a chance visit to a local charity shop and I came away with a coral coloured skirt and jacket, labels still attached.
My own sandals, borrowed tshirt, silver necklace, no hat, and my outfit was complete. Total cost £10.
For my sisters wedding 4 years ago, a beautiful grey flowered silk dress from Monsoon, cost £12 from another charity shop. Worn again for my nephews wedding.
I'm thrifty, anything over £10 for a wear once dress is a no-no.

As MoG, it never occurred to me to 'dress up' for DS's wedding. I had a simple shirt-waist style dress with a jacket the same colour as the pattern on the dress, a neutral hat from Accessorise and pretty but low-ish heeled cream shoes. The hat sold on Ebay for more than it cost!
Frankly, does it really matter if you don't stand out as long as you feel comfortable?

I hate it that MOB’s are supposed to wear the shift dress and bolero jacket “uniform”.
When my daughter got married, last year, I wore a beautiful ( although I will admit rather pricey); silk and cashmere, orientalist style coat. I had a dressmaker make up a top and trousers which perfectly matched the colours in the coat. I didn’t wear a hat, but did wear silk orchids in the back of my hair. I had so many compliments.
I felt special, but also extremely comfortable, and I think that’s what it’s all about.
I am also hoping to be able to wear the coat again over the coming years.
I look back on the wedding photographs and I am still really pleased with my choice - as is my daughter.