My mom and I have been on a few excursions to local malls to find a “Mother of the Bride” dress. We hit a wall pretty quickly. The selection was mostly limited to two types. Mama Glitter was either (a) a 15 year old going to her high school prom complete with spaghetti straps and a bubble skirt above her knees or (b) an 85 year old in an ugly jacket with a matching dress combo. We were both shocked at the lack of choices. We’ve tried Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Calvin Klein, and a few others. We both kept deferring to little black dresses. But I was told a long time ago that moms shouldn’t sport black at the wedding (supposedly it means they disapprove of the wedding/marriage? Anyone else heard of that?)
Mama Glitter’s criteria for her dress:
1) Tasteful
2) Covers the arms (She’s not interested in baring flesh. Her words, not mine.)
3) Preferably cocktail length ( She’s 5’2″ and thinks she will look even “shorter” in a long gown. Her words, not mine.)
My mom might be a little lady, but she definitely knows what she wants.
We plan on going dress shopping again this Friday, and will hit up Nordstrom’s this time. I am thinking good thoughts; especially after spotting these options on Nordstrom.com.
I absolutely love this dress! But it’s black…darn it. 
This one isn’t your grandma’s jacket and dress combo!
I like this one, too. Easy there, Mom. Don’t go looking hotter than the bride! 🙂
This one has the collared jacket my mom has mentioned she likes. It even reveals a little cleavage, too! Not sure how she’ll feel about that…
Finally, I really like this one. With the right tailor, I think it could be altered to suit Mama G.
Has your mom bought her dress yet? Where did she purchase it from?
Krista
My mom’s had the same problem. So now she’s just looking for a nice dress that fits well and she can wear again. She’s looking for a v-neck, with rouching at the waist, and a fit-and-flare or just a flowing skirt, knee or just below knee length.
Cheap Wife
I swear…they come up with some of the ugliest dresses for our poor mothers to choose from!
My mom found her dress from this place. http://www.donnaricco.com
She bought it online and it came and it was great. Another place to look for ideas..
E
My mom & future mother in-law to be are having the same problem… NOTHING inbetween. We've decided that their going to break that darn view that black is disapproving because they are both very approving and are both wearing knee length little black dresses. My decision! 🙂
Newport Nuptials
I love the first one, my mom looked at it too!
LauraAnn
I love the 2nd and the 4th dresses!!!
My mom found her dress at Von Maur. It is long and has the cutest Bolero jacket. My mom had struggled before she went to Von Maur with the same issues your mom had- too old or too young looking dresses!
Good luck!!!!
gangsta bride
i like 1 and 3. poor moms. their selection just sucks.
Amber
my mom found some she liked in the bridesmaid section of Jcrew & David's. She is going tea length, since I am.
bridechic
This is a loaded and serious subject I’m going to be addressing sometime this month. I’ll be interviewing a custom designer of MOB wear. It is a real problem but you have really come up with some great options here. Love the first dress. I’m surprized it doesn’t come in another shade . . .
Jennifer {Bridal Inquirer}
That is a play of words on Brittney’s “Not yet a woman”, right? 🙂 he he. I really love #2 option from Nordstroms! Very pretty.