The MOB Responds...

Dear MOB Kathy...

Hi! My mom is just over 6 feet tall, but she's not plus size (probably size 12 or so). She's not liking any of the typical MOB dresses you see at bridal salons, but department stores don't carry MOB dresses in the Tall length. She's looking for a floor length dress (not taffeta) for my June wedding.

Do you have a suggestion on where we should shop? We've been to a few bridal salons and she's only found 1 dress she liked enough to ever try on!!! She's really not that picky, I swear! The search is really getting discouraging!!!

 I appreciate any help you can give us!

 Thanks!

    -M-

Dear M--

First...congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I have a few ideas that I hope will make your mom's MOB dress shopping go a little easier...

1. Please encourage your mom to try on lots of dresses. Picking out a gown or formal dress isn't like picking out an everyday outfit. The look is different, the fit is different, the styles are different. When we MOBs look for our dresses, we shouldn't be looking for the typical ... we should be looking for the special.

2. While you mention that your mom is looking for a floor length dress and is having trouble finding one long enough for her height, I encourage her to consider the possibility of alternate styles and lengths while she is looking for floor length. The one thing to remember, though, is that the length should be correct and look deliberate ... not like a floor length dress that's too short ... a good tailor can help her find that perfect length. Here are a few possibilities:

This dress from Light in the Box is perfect ... if it's a little short in the back, no one will notice.

Whether from Light in the Box or a local shop, there's so much going on with the beautiful shirred bodice and layered skirt so that the length won't be noticeable no matter how long! The shoes don't have to be a wild color, but this dress, you want to make sure they are knock-em-down gorgeous!

Light in the Box custom makes every dress ... so the length won't even be an issue!

Now look at these two gowns that both have tiered skirts. But look at the difference in length. The shorter length is one that, while not intentional, can be made to look deliberate and absolutely beautiful! Talk with the salesperson and the seamstress at the dress shop about finding this perfect length!

 

3. Get online with your mom and do some preliminary window shopping to find designer's styles that she likes. Then go to the designer's websites to find a shop in your area where you can go try them on! When I was looking for a MOB dress for my first Daughter Bride's wedding, I didn't realize there were so many smaller dress shops in my area! Now I do!!!

Here are a few very cool designers that you might want to start with. Check out the other MOB dress inspiration boards I've put together to find other designers, too.

                    -- Siri       -- Jasmine       -- Watters        -- Mon Cheri

Online shops are also a good place to search our styles ... and can save you money when you're ready to make your purchase!

            -- Magic Moments       -- Christina Gowns       -- Designer Apparel

I try every week to to an inspiration board on MOB dresses ... so keep checking back here for idea!

I hope these ideas help your mom find a spectacular MOB dress! Please send me a picture of what she picks out!