sara-matt-wedding-mom-0932-s111990-0715.jpg   Credit: Alixann Loosle Photography
  1. Modify Your Search Terms “I tell women whatever they do, don’t Google ‘MOB dresses,’” says senior associate fashion editor Carrie Goldberg. “It’s unnecessarily limiting.” Typing in a style (short or long), sleeve length, and color will return a wider range of stylish results. 2. Talk It Over After the bride has selected her dress, have a conversation with her about what she envisions for your look. She may want you to coordinate with the groom’s mom and the bridal party, or she’s picturing everyone in shades of white, or she just wants you to feel great. Opt for an in-person or phone chat; tones can get shifty through e-mail or text. Get Answers to Your Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom Etiquette Questions fall-stock-look-42-s112335.jpg Lela Rose boatneck dress, $2,495, nordstrom.com. | Credit: DAN & CORINA LECCA 3. Highlight Your Assets A wedding isn’t a time to show a lot of skin, but there’s nothing wrong-and plenty right-with drawing attention to the part of your body you feel best about, says Goldberg. Sleeveless sheath dresses look great on women with toned arms; belted gowns highlight nipped-in waistlines. And great legs needn’t hide under yards of taffeta. When in doubt, “A fitted bodice and gently flared skirt work universally on most women,” New York City stylist Jacqui Stafford says. “They create the illusion of an hourglass figure.” See Mother of the Bride Dresses That Wowed at Weddings fall-stock-1006-047-s112335.jpg Roland jacquard coat, $3,850, bergdorfgoodman.com. 4. Just Say No to Boleros While functional when temps fluctuate, they cut you off mid-chest and are often unflattering. Ditto for shawls, which can look fussy and be distracting. If your arms aren’t your best feature, try embroidered or lace cardigans, or above-the-knee evening coats for coverage, suggests Stafford. fall-stock-dusty-rose-0723-s112335.jpg Tadashi Shoji bateau-neck gown, $508, tadashishoji.com. 5. Expand Your Palette Maroon and gold are fit for the queen; this side of the pond, other shades can channel elegant sophistication, too. “No color is off-limits,” says Goldberg, who suggests everything from jewel tones to metallics to pastels. fall-stock-ch-2013-03-31-night-shot-07-004-s112335.jpg Carolina Herrera shirt, $990, and skirt, $4,490, 212-249-6552. 6. Keep it Simple Designers hear “MOB” and they immediately think grand (which all too often translates to loads of stiff fabric or tons of beading). Embellishment is fine, but don’t forget classic choices-like a great LBD with a statement necklace or Carolina Herrera’s signature white button-up-and-full-skirt duo. 7. Nix the Nylons The standards have changed since you were a bride. Today’s MOB keeps her legs bare and moisturized, and her toes pedicured-not covered in a pair of pantyhose. If you’re worried about being too pale, try a streak-free, gradual sunless tanner, like Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer ($9, at drugstores). 8. Smooth Things Out If your clothing is fitted, a piece of shapewear can help nip and tuck. Spanx and Maidenform carry below-the-bust bodysuits that won’t pinch or roll like girdles. Get Expert Advice From a Lingerie Specialist

` Martha Stewart Weddings View All A Musical Festival and a Green Couch Inspired This Couple’s Whimsical Garden Wedding in California 9 Wedding Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023 Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer

sara-matt-wedding-mom-0932-s111990-0715.jpg   Credit: Alixann Loosle Photography

sara-matt-wedding-mom-0932-s111990-0715.jpg Credit: Alixann Loosle Photography

sara-matt-wedding-mom-0932-s111990-0715.jpg

Credit: Alixann Loosle Photography

1. Modify Your Search Terms

“I tell women whatever they do, don’t Google ‘MOB dresses,’” says senior associate fashion editor Carrie Goldberg. “It’s unnecessarily limiting.” Typing in a style (short or long), sleeve length, and color will return a wider range of stylish results.

2. Talk It Over

After the bride has selected her dress, have a conversation with her about what she envisions for your look. She may want you to coordinate with the groom’s mom and the bridal party, or she’s picturing everyone in shades of white, or she just wants you to feel great. Opt for an in-person or phone chat; tones can get shifty through e-mail or text.

fall-stock-look-42-s112335.jpg   Lela Rose boatneck dress, $2,495, nordstrom.com. | Credit: DAN & CORINA LECCA

3. Highlight Your Assets

A wedding isn’t a time to show a lot of skin, but there’s nothing wrong-and plenty right-with drawing attention to the part of your body you feel best about, says Goldberg. Sleeveless sheath dresses look great on women with toned arms; belted gowns highlight nipped-in waistlines. And great legs needn’t hide under yards of taffeta. When in doubt, “A fitted bodice and gently flared skirt work universally on most women,” New York City stylist Jacqui Stafford says. “They create the illusion of an hourglass figure.”

fall-stock-1006-047-s112335.jpg   Roland jacquard coat, $3,850, bergdorfgoodman.com.

4. Just Say No to Boleros

While functional when temps fluctuate, they cut you off mid-chest and are often unflattering. Ditto for shawls, which can look fussy and be distracting. If your arms aren’t your best feature, try embroidered or lace cardigans, or above-the-knee evening coats for coverage, suggests Stafford.

fall-stock-dusty-rose-0723-s112335.jpg   Tadashi Shoji bateau-neck gown, $508, tadashishoji.com.

5. Expand Your Palette

Maroon and gold are fit for the queen; this side of the pond, other shades can channel elegant sophistication, too. “No color is off-limits,” says Goldberg, who suggests everything from jewel tones to metallics to pastels.

fall-stock-ch-2013-03-31-night-shot-07-004-s112335.jpg   Carolina Herrera shirt, $990, and skirt, $4,490, 212-249-6552.

6. Keep it Simple

Designers hear “MOB” and they immediately think grand (which all too often translates to loads of stiff fabric or tons of beading). Embellishment is fine, but don’t forget classic choices-like a great LBD with a statement necklace or Carolina Herrera’s signature white button-up-and-full-skirt duo.

7. Nix the Nylons

The standards have changed since you were a bride. Today’s MOB keeps her legs bare and moisturized, and her toes pedicured-not covered in a pair of pantyhose. If you’re worried about being too pale, try a streak-free, gradual sunless tanner, like Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer ($9, at drugstores).

8. Smooth Things Out

If your clothing is fitted, a piece of shapewear can help nip and tuck. Spanx and Maidenform carry below-the-bust bodysuits that won’t pinch or roll like girdles.

fall-stock-look-42-s112335.jpg Lela Rose boatneck dress, $2,495, nordstrom.com. | Credit: DAN & CORINA LECCA

fall-stock-look-42-s112335.jpg

Lela Rose boatneck dress, $2,495, nordstrom.com. | Credit: DAN & CORINA LECCA

| Credit: DAN & CORINA LECCA

fall-stock-1006-047-s112335.jpg Roland jacquard coat, $3,850, bergdorfgoodman.com.

fall-stock-1006-047-s112335.jpg

Roland jacquard coat, $3,850, bergdorfgoodman.com.

fall-stock-dusty-rose-0723-s112335.jpg Tadashi Shoji bateau-neck gown, $508, tadashishoji.com.

fall-stock-dusty-rose-0723-s112335.jpg

Tadashi Shoji bateau-neck gown, $508, tadashishoji.com.

fall-stock-ch-2013-03-31-night-shot-07-004-s112335.jpg Carolina Herrera shirt, $990, and skirt, $4,490, 212-249-6552.

fall-stock-ch-2013-03-31-night-shot-07-004-s112335.jpg

Carolina Herrera shirt, $990, and skirt, $4,490, 212-249-6552.

` Martha Stewart Weddings View All A Musical Festival and a Green Couch Inspired This Couple’s Whimsical Garden Wedding in California 9 Wedding Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023 Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer

` Martha Stewart Weddings View All

  • A Musical Festival and a Green Couch Inspired This Couple’s Whimsical Garden Wedding in California 9 Wedding Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023 Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer

    Martha Stewart Weddings View All

    Martha Stewart Weddings

View All

Martha Stewart Weddings

Martha Stewart Weddings