Pictured L to R: Fee G Bow Tie Coat (€289.95), Louise Kennedy lace dress (€1295), Heidi Higgins coral ‘Cindy’ dress (€325) and ‘Colette’ jacket (€335), Aisling Ahern Nora Light Pink Headpiece (€355).
For Mother of the Bride, (or Mother of the Groom) there’s often pressure to look as good as your offspring and it’s a hard occasion to shop for as there is a touch of formal wear involved.
Structure, sleeves and a statement hat are the three things that we’d recommend for a perfect wedding day outfit. Here are our top picks to get the perfect Mother of the Bride / Mother of the Groom look .
Hats
This is one occasion when a hat is definitely a must (no fascinators here please) and with the surge in new milliners and hat designers, you are spoiled for choice. Try Aisling Ahern at Arnotts, Kate Betts or Martha Lynn at Project 51 or Edel Ramberg at Harvey Nichols.
Alternatively, you can rent a hat from Aisling Ahern, Edel Staunton, Fiona Mangan, Edel Ramberg or Sarah McGahon at Frock n Fabulous Dundrum or order it online.
Lace dress
A lace dress is a chic choice for mother of the brides and Louise Kennedy is perhaps the go-to designer for a quality outfit. Take her cap sleeved lace dresses (€1195) which, this season come in cream, pink and pistachio. Another beautiful lace dress style is from Fee G (€239.95) at Kilkenny.
Tweed
Every season Louise Kennedy designs a tweed jacket that’s very Chanel-esque – for spring summer 13 it comes in navy and white (€695).
Niamh O’Neill’s tweed jacket is just as demure and this season comes in pale pink Lurex (€560) and as a tweed summer coat (€795), pictured below.
Niamh ONeill spring summer 13 collection
Dress and coat
This is where the structure comes in. A structured or tailored dress is a must – ditch the jersey, satin, silk and fluid fabrics, this is one day where you need something formal yet forgiving. If it’s cold, then add a summer coat or dress coat.
Before setting up her own label, Irish fashion designer Niamh O’Neill worked alongside Diane von Furstenburg and John Galliano and was recently named Best Designer at the 2013 Fashion Innovation Awards. Her tailored dresses (€350) and coats (€289-€775) are star buys.
Fee G is also a great coat and dress option (see Kilkenny stores) and for spring summer 13 there are lots of blush pink and nude colour ways in store.
Dress with Sleeves
Need a dress with sleeves? Look no further than Heidi Higgins. Many of her designs have sleeves including the coral wool Bobbi dress.
L to R: Heidi Higgins Bobbi dress in coral worn with Heidi Higgins obi belt, Fee G cowl neck dress, Fee G dress and coat
Belts
An obi belt can add flair to your dress or coat. Heidi Higgins Tori obi belt (€130, pictured above) comes in metallic leather worn over silk satin, while Niamh O’Neill’s obi belt (€196) comes in a metallic pink.
Tights and shape wear
When choosing a skirt or dress, don’t forget a good pair of tights that are sheer yet not too shiny, in a tone that matches your skin tone perfectly. Try Falke at Brown Thomas – at €10, their Shelina 12 style are handmade and they have eight shades of sheer – one to suit every skin tone.
Don’t forget your control underwear or Spanx either – this is one day that you’ll want everything to look smooth and perfectly streamlined.
From the makers of Spanx there’s a new, more affordable brand called ASSETS® Red Hot Label which has just hit the shelves offering a slimming effect thus making them perfect for under dresses. Try the half slip (€76) or high-waist panty (€81 at Debenhams) .
Stockists
Louise Kennedy – Merrion Square and Brown Thomas
Fee G – Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Town Centre and Kilkenny shops in Nassau St Dublin, Galway, Cork and Cashel
Niamh O’Neill – The Design Centre, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin 2 www.designcentre.ie & MacBees Fashion Boutique, Killarney, Co. Kerry www.macbees.ie
Falke tights – Brown Thomas and Serena Sandymount, Dublin
Frock n Fabulous, hat rentals from €60 (Edel Staunton, Fiona Mangan, Edel Ramberg or Sarah McGahon and Aisling Ahern hats)
Heidi Higgins – Portaloise and Brown Thomas
Red Hot Label shape wear (by Spanx) – Debenhams
Aisling Ahern hats, Arnotts
Edel Ramberg, Harvey Nichols
Kate Betts, Project 51
Martha Lynn, Project 51
See the gallery below for more outfit inspiration
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July 26, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Love the outfits especially the “Fee G cowl neck dress”. It’s so elegant. What do you think of the “Luxury Black Evening Clutch Bag with Elegant Diamante Crystal Decoration” to go with this dress from http://www.clutchbag.ie? That and black shoes?