Watching your pride and joy say 'I do' at the altar might just be up there with one of the most special moments in your life, which is why you need to shop for the best mother of the bride dresses to match the occasion. When your daughter is ready to commit to the love of their life on their wedding day, wearing a dress that takes it up a notch from the best wedding guest dresses only seems right.
But, where to start? With so much choice out there, it can be difficult to know what to go for. In the past, mother of the bride dresses were often considered 'frumpy', 'outdated' or even 'unflattering'. But the days of rummaging through masses of gaudy lace dresses are, thankfully, no more.
Closer's best mother of the bride dresses, at a glance:
Traditionally, the mother of the bride's dress complements the bridesmaids' dresses, but now there are really no rules to choosing your outfit. As long as it isn't white or black, doesn't outshine the bride and follows a formal dress code, you simply should wear whatever you look and feel your best in. Although, we would keep in mind the season, as you may still fancy wearing a smart jacket layered over the top of a dress, even for a summer wedding.
We've scrolled through hundreds of mother of the bride dresses, and these were the best by far, especially for a spring wedding. Here's our shortlist of the best mother of the bride dresses that you'll look fabulous in, and feel proud to look at in the wedding album for years to come.
SHOP: The best mother of the bride dresses UK 2025
Writer's choice
Monsoonwww.monsoon.co.uk
With its soft flutter sleeves and delicate jacquard fabric, the Josie Flutter Sleeve Floral Jacquard Midi Dress from Monsoon is super elegant. We love the embroidered florals that are scattered across it. With a flouncy midi-length hem, this dress is perfect for twirling on the dance floor, sipping on bubbly as you mingle with guests and dabbing away happy tears during the speeches.
Best floral mother of the bride dress
Phase Eightwww.phase-eight.com
If you love florals, but want to go for something a bit more elevated than your usual floral summery dress, then this Phase Eight Natalia Floral Maxi Dress is the elegant dress you need. Made in an easy-to-wear crepe pleated material, we love the dress' oversized pink floral pattern and pretty blouson sleeves.
Best 3/4 sleeve mother of the bride dress
Coastwww.coastfashion.com
The Coast Satin Bodice ¾ Sleeve Pleat Skirt Belted Midi Dress is a chic choice for mothers of the bride who appreciate classic elegance with a modern twist. Its satin bodice and pleated skirt create a graceful silhouette, while the belted waist adds a flattering touch. Perfect for celebrating your daughter's special day in style.
Best yellow mother of the bride dress
Walliswww.debenhams.com
If you want to embrace this year’s yellow trend with confidence, consider the Wallis Belted Satin Pleated Midaxi Dress. The silky pleats and waist-cinching belt bring just the right amount of glam, while the soft flutter sleeves keep things light and romantic. It’s a joyful, flattering pick for a wedding day full of love.
Best sage dress mother of the bride dress
Nextwww.next.co.uk
The soft sage green hue of this Next Sage Green Cape Maxi Dress is both timeless and on-trend, offering a fresh alternative to traditional neutrals. Its leg slit at the back and floaty cape detail adds a little drama (the good kind, of course). Pair with strappy heels for a look that is both feminine and flattering.
Best luxury mother of the bride dress
Phase Eightwww.phase-eight.com
For any mother of the bride aiming to dazzle on their daughter’s wedding day, the Mavery Beaded Dress will bring all the dazzle. It has flowing angel sleeves that create an almost cape effect, plus a swishy, pleated skirt. This dress may be at the higher end of your budget, but its delicate floral beading and deep teal hue ensure it's a real showstopper.
Best long sleeve mother of the bride dress
Coastwww.coastfashion.com
If you're lost on what colour to opt for as the mother of the bride, navy is a sophisticated option to try. This stunning choice from Coast is an elevated version of a typical navy midi dress, differently designed with fluttery ruffle accents and a modern slit detail.
Best tailored mother of the bride dress
Karen Millenwww.karenmillen.com
We've noticed that orange may be the 'it colour' this spring/summer 2025, so why not try it out for your mother of the bride look. One of Karen Millen's signature dress styles, this pleated midi dress will flatter you in all the right places, through its gorgeous pleated skirt, high waistline and stylish oversized belt.
Best mother of the bride jumpsuit
Hobbs www.hobbs.com
If you know you tend to steer towards jumpsuits when buying occasion wear, there's no rule to say you can't wear one on your daughter's big day. This jumpsuit is also perfect if your family is having a black-tie themed wedding. Watch you win best dressed guest in no time...
Best petite mother of the bride dress
Hobbswww.hobbs.com
If you are on the smaller size height-wise, Hobbs has a brilliant range of petite mother of the bride dresses. One that caught our eye was this pretty pink polka dot knee-length fit and flare dress. We love how they have also styled it with a sophisticated matching jacket, for that head-to-toe pink look.
FAQs
Where to buy mother of the bride dresses?
If you want to splash out, you might want to go with Karen Millen, Selfridges, John Lewis, Phase Eight, Coast, Monsoon or Hobbs. After all, an event like this might only be once in a lifetime, so why not? Alternatively, high street retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Wallis, Roman, Very and Yours offer mother of the bride dresses on a budget that are still fashion forward. There's an endless amount of retailers to shop for the whole wedding party. Retailers like ASOS have made it much easier, where you can filter through size, colour, design and budget. Some sites even have mother of the bride edits on their websites, ready to browse.
What colour should the mother of the bride wear?
Popular colours for mother of the bride dresses are usually navy or blush, but this doesn't mean you have to wear them if they aren't your favourite. Shades like silver and gold would work well, along with blues, purples, yellows and greens for all year round. Consider your own colour palette, as well as the season, themes and venue of the wedding when selecting your dress. Is it a beach wedding? How about something printed and floaty to keep you cool. Is it at a countryside stately home? Dainty floral prints all the way. For something more toned down, like a registry office, block prints and fitted midi dresses always work a treat.
What colour should the mother of the bride avoid?
At a wedding, there are two particular colours you should avoid, white and black. Unless, of course, it's specifically written in the invitation. As you can imagine, white is reserved for the bride. Lighter shades that could be mistaken for white should be avoided as well, such as cream, champagne and extremely pale pastel colours. Black tends to be associated with funerals, so wearing black is a no-go, especially as the mother of the bride. Navy is a much more acceptable option, though, especially for a winter wedding guest dress.
Samantha Price is a Senior Commercial Content Writer for Closer. During her time at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing the Closer newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides on beauty, fashion and lifestyle.