8 Best Places to Shop for Stylish Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses

These retailers will help moms feel special and beautiful on the big day.

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Mother of the Bride Chic Dresses
Photo:

Courtesy of Anthropologie, Wolf & Badger, M.M. La Fleur

When you're planning your wedding day, there are many moments you dream about: finding the right venue, picking out your photographer and florist, asking your bridesmaids to be by your side, and saying 'yes' to your dress. Another intimate and memorable experience is helping the most influential woman in your life—your mother—shop for her special look to wear on the big day. 

To make the experience as enjoyable as possible, we've gathered the best places to shop for mother-of-the-bride dresses, along with stylist-recommended options from each store.

01 of 08

Macy's

Women's Boat-Neck Embellished-Cape Jersey-Knit Gown

Courtesy of Macy's

If your mother leans more traditional in her style, consider visiting Macy's to find flattering, elegant, and timeless silhouettes, says fashion stylist Liza Lieberman. Because they have a vast in-person and online selection, you can truly narrow your search to the details that matter to mom.

"Their website and store carry a variety of size and price options which make it more comfortable for mothers who are not looking to break the bank," Lieberman says. "They also offer next-day delivery and pickup, making it a great option for a mother-of-the-bride caught up in a last-minute bind."

Bonus: The site allows the shopper to toggle between necklines, fabrics, and age groups to narrow down the options and shop more efficiently. 

MSK Boat-Neck Embellished-Cape Jersey-Knit Gown ($119)

02 of 08

M.M. La Fleur

The Priya Dress - Eco Heavy Soft Wave

Courtesy of M.M. La Fleur

This female-founded New York womenswear line is ideal for the mom who values investing in timeless pieces that are gorgeous, but also functional and comfortable. You can visit the locations in New York City or Washington D.C., or book a virtual appointment with a stylist. The stylish yet classic silhouettes can be worn to special occasions for years to come.

The Priya Dress - Eco Heavy Soft Wave ($325)

03 of 08

Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue Mac Duggal Dress

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue is the store to shop for luxury fashion. While the prices are on the higher end, Lieberman says that Saks offers exclusive designs from some of the world's top designers for mothers of the bride, like CD Greene, Chiara Boni, and THEIA. 

You can visit a location near you, or consider shopping the store's curated mother-of-the-bride section and shipping directly to your home. With a 30-day return window, mom can take her time to decide on the perfect dress.

Mac Duggal Embroidered Floral Puff-Sleeve Gown ($798)

04 of 08

Anthropologie

BHLDN Leila Deep-V Flutter-Sleeve Satin A-Line Gown

Courtesy of Anthropologie

For more casual weddings, like a beach or backyard wedding, the mother-of-the-bride dress should be effortlessly simple and elegant. Anthropologie offers a selection of beautiful dresses in both its main line and its sister bridal collection, BHLDN. If shopping online, be sure to check out the special mother-of-the-bride section.

BHLDN Leila Deep-V Flutter-Sleeve Satin A-Line Gown ($248)

05 of 08

Dia & Co

ESHAKTI Floral print dupioni and jersey knit v-neck maxi dress

Courtesy of Dia & Co

Dia & Co. is Lieberman's go-to for affordable and luxury options in a range of sizes up to size 36. The site offers an extensive variety of mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom dresses for every type of wedding, from formal affairs and cocktail parties to casual beach and country weddings.

Eshakti Floral Print Dupioni and Jersey Knit V-Neck Maxi Dress ($140)

06 of 08

Nordstrom

Kayla Halter Gown

Courtesy of Nordstrom

If your budget is somewhere in between the affordable Macy's and the luxury price range found at Saks, Nordstrom is the perfect place to start your mother-of-the-bride dress search. With a wide range of brands, sizes, and price ranges, and plenty of locations throughout the United States, Nordstrom makes it easy to plan a mother-daughter (or mother-son) shopping date. You'll find plenty of options for every type of affair, along with accessories like bags, shoes, and jewelry. And if you're shopping online, don't miss the special mother-of-the-bride section.

Sachin & Babi Kayla Halter Gown ($285)

07 of 08

Wolf & Badger

'Astor' 100% Wool & Silk Dress Coat In Blu

Courtesy of Wolf & Badger

Lieberman describes Wolf & Badger as a well-curated website that features independent designers from all over the world—which means you'll find mother-of-the-bride dresses here that you won't see in department or bridal stores. Wolf & Badger offers a wide variety of sizes and budgets, as well as a vetting system to ensure that designers are incentivized to source and manufacture sustainably and ethically.

Santinni 'Astor' 100% Wool & Silk Dress Coat ($877)

08 of 08

David's Bridal

OLEG CASSINI off-the-shoulder embroidered sparkle a-line

Courtesy of David's Bridal

While you may be familiar with David's Bridal as a mega-store for bridal gowns, it's also a great resource for mother-of-the-bride dresses. For the mom looking for affordable dress options, along with bags, earrings, gloves, and other accessories, this is a great place to start the search. And mom is sure to appreciate the inclusive sizing and in-store alterations.

Oleg Cassini Off-the-Shoulder Sparkle A-Line Dress ($300)

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