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Madelaine
Dedicated March 2017

Mother won't wear a dress

Madelaine, on November 20, 2016 at 10:36 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 30

My mother is adamant that she doesn't want to wear a dress to my wedding. She hasn't worn a dress in about 20 years. I want to make sure that what she DOES wear will match everyone else's level of formality. (When she feels underdressed, she's almost as uncomfortable as when she wears a dress!) My father will be renting a tuxedo. They might both be walking me down the isle--that part isn't settled yet.

Do you have any advice for where to buy pant suits for mothers? Mine is 5'2" and curvy. She doesn't like to show off her body.

Our wedding is in California in March at midday. The invitations say "semi-formal," because we didn't want anyone coming in jeans. The bridesmaids and I are wearing full length gowns. The groom's mother is still dress shopping.

I would appreciate suggestions of where to buy pant suits (or something not a dress) suitable for semi-formal occasions and available in petite sizing. My mother sews well, so patterns are also helpful!

30 Comments

Latest activity by Mrs. P, on November 23, 2016 at 11:58 AM
  • Kira
    Super March 2017
    Kira ·
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    This may be a crazy idea, but Dessy.com has a line of women's tuxedos. Made for women so they work on curvy women. Good luck to you!

    • Reply
  • MrsSki
    Master April 2017
    MrsSki ·
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    David's Bridal has some if you search online! Macy's, Dillard's, and Nordstrom might be good places too.

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  • Jasmine
    Savvy June 2017
    Jasmine ·
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    I saw some at Dillards last weekend!

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  • AlwaysMs.
    VIP May 2018
    AlwaysMs. ·
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    Notdstrom's, Saks, Macy's.

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  • Judi
    VIP June 2017
    Judi ·
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    What about a pants suits with a long flowly top.... think like one of the golden girls


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  • Judi
    VIP June 2017
    Judi ·
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    I googled "wedding guest pant suit" and these came up

    Other search terms could be formal pant suit, elegant pants suit, or MOB pants


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  • 250Love
    Super September 2017
    250Love ·
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    Pants suit or convertible jumpsuit that she can customize to her liking

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  • Mrs.KatieK
    Master September 2016
    Mrs.KatieK ·
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    I agree with a flowy pantsuit. It gives the illusion of a gown, but will give your mom some comfort.

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  • Kelly M.
    Super October 2016
    Kelly M. ·
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    My stepmom did black pants and blouse with a pretty scarf looped around her shoulders.

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  • Melissa
    Devoted September 2020
    Melissa ·
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    @ judi love it! My mom hates dresses. Surprised she wore a dress at her wedding.

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  • Sarah
    Super August 2017
    Sarah ·
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    My mom tried on a beautiful pair of black flowy pants at Von Maur. I would guess Nordstrom, Saks, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, would all have similar options.

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  • Sarah
    Super August 2017
    Sarah ·
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    These are petite pants from Von Maur - my mom is not petite but she tried a similar pair. I just searched chiffon pants to find these.


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  • BoudreauToBe
    Master July 2018
    BoudreauToBe ·
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    Macy's

    Please don't put a dress code on your invitations. Dictating how adults should dress themselves is incredibly rude.

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  • S
    Dedicated March 2017
    Sabrina ·
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    Awww congrats! You're getting married the same day i am! My mom tends to be self conscious and she likes formal pantsuits VERY MUCH. Some of hers have been beautiful! She gets regular compliments. And PS. Extremely APPROPRIATE to put a dress code on your invitation since adults these days have no home training and will wear Polo shirts to a wedding.. smh

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  • AlwaysMs.
    VIP May 2018
    AlwaysMs. ·
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    Good grief, Sabrina. No. Extraneous info on the invites has never been ok, and a dress code will never be ok. Etiquette is not just whatever you want to do. Dictating a dress code for adults is extremely rude.

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  • StarFromIHJ
    Master August 2016
    StarFromIHJ ·
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    Adults can dress themselves. Unless you are having true black tie, a dress code isn't needed.

    Also, let your Mother wear what she wants. She should be comfortable.

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  • Chip
    Master March 2018
    Chip ·
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    Gosh sabrina, no. No, you do not get to tell adults how to dress.

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  • Crystal
    VIP September 2017
    Crystal ·
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    That shouldn't be a problem there are many dressy pants suits out there. My FMIL before she passed asked me if she could wear a pant suit for my wedding I told her sure, she could wear what ever she wanted to.

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  • MrsND
    Master November 2016
    MrsND ·
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    Let people wear what they are comfortable wearing. I let my MIL do whatever she wanted. It's one less stress I needed to worry about!

    My MIL originally wanted a pant suit as well and later changed her mind to a dress. All that mattered to me, is that she felt amazing in her outfit!

    Pant suits are everywhere Macy's, Dillards, Jcpenney, Nordtroms, ect.

    • Reply
  • Sara
    Master April 2017
    Sara ·
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    Davids and Nordstrom Rack have some great pant suits

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