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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.

Mother of the bride dresses
Photo:

Courtesy of Anthropologie / Dia & Co. / David's Bridal

When you're planning your wedding, 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 person in your life—your mother—shop for their 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.

Liza Lieberman, fashion stylist offering personal and bridal styling services

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 like this boat-neck embellished cape gown, 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. 

02 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, like this flutter-sleeve A-line gown. 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.

03 of 08

Dia & Co

Dia & Co 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 dresses for every type of wedding, from formal affairs and cocktail parties to casual beach and country weddings. Try this pretty burgundy sequined-bodice, short-sleeve dress that's perfect for a fall wedding.

04 of 08

Nordstrom

Kayla Halter Gown

Courtesy of Nordstrom

If your budget is somewhere in between affordable and luxury, Nordstrom is the perfect place to start your mother-of-the-bride dress search (like this elegant halter gown). 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.

05 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, like this stunning off-the-shoulder A-line gown. 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.

06 of 08

Neiman Marcus

Black dress with white bow on shoulder

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

If you're looking for a show-stopping designer mother-of-the-bride (or groom!) gown, Neiman Marcus has a healthy selection across a range of price points. You'll be able to find everything from dramatic gowns to party-ready cocktail dresses, depending on the formality of the wedding. For a more formal, black-tie affair, consider this Rachel Gilbert Banks Bow On-Shoulder Gathered Side Gown.

07 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 like the Priya dress shown here. 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 on special occasions for years to come.

08 of 08

Saks Fifth Avenue

Blue and green formal gown

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue is a terrific place 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 (consider this stunning floral jacquard gown) and shipping directly to your home. With a 30-day return window, mom can take her time to decide on the perfect dress.

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